We’re back for the Normal-type reviews, and today we’re going to focus on Swablu, a bird with cotton-like wings and evolves into a Dragon-type! If you are ready with this one, please proceed.
Selected Fan Art (Artist: RubyFeather)
The cloud-like wings that is found on Swablu is what makes Swablu quite nice to be a pet or partner. Like Fletchling and Azurill, Swablu is the only Pokémon in the family to have a Normal-type only to lose it when it evolves. For Swablu, when it evolves to Altaria, it becomes a Dragon-type, and what’s interesting is that Swablu and Mega Altaria don’t share any types between them. In a way, the Normal-type is treated as a basic type and not an ultimate one, since no Pokémon ever evolve to gain a Normal-type.
Swablu’s wings are unusual because its wings are not the same feathery structure found on other birds. Instead, they are shaped like clouds, which would bring cottony clouds to mind. Since clouds are light and are suspended in the air, this comparison is suitable. It is probable that Swablu could stay suspended in air by stretching its wings without flapping them, just as a cloud stay in place in the air. Unlike clouds, Swablu cannot make its wings rain or discharge lightning. It does have the ability Cloud Nine, which goes well with its cloud wings, and would ensure the weather is fine.
One of the things Swablu loves to do is to sit on the heads of people, which is likely to be a nice place for its roundness and comfy hair. This is possible mainly because Swablu are not frightened by people. This is similar to the gray jay, a bird that is comfortable with people mainly because they provide such birds with food, giving them reason to be approachable with them. Its beak doesn’t look like a gray jay though, nor does it look like a bluebird’s despite being blue. Instead, its beak looks similar to a parrot’s.
When a Swablu perches on a human’s head, it would resemble a cotton hat while perching, so what happens when there’s an actual hat instead of a Swablu? Also, would a Swablu comfortably rest on a Pokémon’s head just as it would on people’s head? I think that depends on whether that Pokémon minds. If it’s something that won’t bother with small stuff, then they would, but for any predatory Pokémon, that would be off limits. Also, another thought: would Swablu rest on another Swablu’s head? The possibilities of compatibilities are endless!
Cleanliness is a sensitive thing for a Swablu. Firstly, Swablu loves to make things clean, using its wings to wipe something dirty. Secondly, it will take a shower, preferably in spring water, to clean itself if it becomes dirty from either wiping something clean or when it becomes dirty through the air. Finally, it couldn’t relax if it or its surroundings are unclean. The extent to which Swablu will clean things is not really known, but I imagine there are cases where certain levels of filth will be too much for it as to make it back away.
Based on stat spread and abilities, Swablu is a defensive Pokémon, and it is one of the few Pokémon to learn Cotton Guard, a move that drastically increases Defence. It has other interesting tricks that are rarely learned as well, such as Perish Song and Moonblast. Of course, Swablu isn’t too useful even among base Pokémon, nor is Altaria as a fully-evolved Pokémon for that matter (though it is slightly better due to its Dragon-type), but Mega Altaria’s good well-rounded stats, suitable ability and useful type combination is sure to be a great asset that will set it apart, even among Mega Evolutions.
With its cloud-like wings, Swablu is begging for people to touch its wings to feel its spongy fluff. While Swablu is quite a cute Pokémon, it is unusual if you first meet it. This is because one would expect it to evolve into another Normal-type like the others, but it actually didn’t. Moreover, there isn’t much indication that it will evolve into a Dragon-type, so the element of surprise is just waiting to be discovered. Overall, Swablu has a nice design but unusual traits.
+ Amiable to people
+ Clean Pokémon
– No hints for Dragon-type evolution
TCG Card
Sometimes, artists for TCG cards decided to go the extra mile with their designs, such as drawing a big picture with multiple Pokémon and focusing on that particular Pokémon for their cards, such as the Southern Island set (which Lickitung is also part of). Some cards goes for a more sequential route, where one Pokémon’s art leads to another Pokémon’s art, such as this one. This is the “after” to Charmeleon’s “before”, and it provides a nice comic if put side-by-side. It’s nice little touches like this that make the TCG cards fascinating enough to collect.
Perish Song
With its singing abilities, Perish Song is chosen for Swablu. This move, despite not being a damaging move, is lethal, because it KOs a Pokémon without actually hitting them, and this affects any Pokémon, unless they have Soundproof or switch out.
Since this move delays the inevitable, it is a useful tactic to prevent the opponent from using the same Pokémon, and it could be used to cause a checkmate if the opponent has the last Pokémon standing. Not even Baton Passing out is safe, because the effect carries over to the next Pokémon, but if the recipient has Soundproof, then they will be safe from its effect.
In Doubles or Triples, affecting more than one Pokémon is such a powerful tactic that to guarantee their effects work, trapping is added to the mix, which is why Mega Gengar is such a threat, since it traps and has Perish Song. It might be too powerful in Triples to be able to take down the entire team in six turns that some players prefer this move banned in Triples.
Overall, Perish Song is very powerful, but skill and timing are required to use this move to the fullest.
That’s all for today’s article. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it.
Next Article: Taillow & Swellow
