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Today’s Topical Type is: Grass!

Hello, dear readers! I am The Fluffiest Whimsicott, here on loan from PUCL, and I have been charged by Professor Juniper with conducting an in-depth analysis of each Pokémon type. Being a Pokémon myself, she thought I could bring a unique insider’s perspective on the topic, and I was eager to help… especially after she told me I could travel to many other regions and meet her colleagues. Ah, Professor Sycamore… he’s so dreamy…

Ahem! Sorry about that, it won’t happen again. Here’s my very serious and professional analysis of the Grass type.

 

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Section 1 – Introduction

Grass-type Pokémon are closely related to plant life. Many of them, well, of us, have leaves, bark, vines, roots, and even flowers (yes: we are the prettiest, thank you for noticing); some Grass types are even capable of performing photosynthesis! But there’s no need to thank us for gifting you with that precious oxygen you breathe; it’s our pleasure, really.

Like our plant cousins, we simply love the sunlight; it’s not uncommon to find Grass Pokémon basking in a patch of it, of frolicking around in the warmest hours of the day. You can even tell how good sunlight is for us by checking out how many of us have Sun-boosted Abilities and moves; we just function (and look!) so much better when bathed in those golden rays! Except for that guy Ludicolo and his folks; they’re super fun, but even a plant only needs so much rain, you know? Being soggy is so annoying. There’s also my friends Snover and Abomasnow, who really like to make it hail, for some reason… I like bundling up in my Pink Scarf and playing with them in the snow, but hail hurts! And I’m sure Mr. Cacturne is a very respectable Pokémon and has a very good reason for liking being out at night in sandstorms. Maybe he has skin problems and needs to exfoliate?

Section 2 – Battling Behavior

If you’re not fully satisfied with simply admiring our beauty, you can, of course, ask us to battle at your side. Grass types often do well in teams with a Fire and a Water Pokémon; besides creating a visually pleasant balance, we are often able to watch each other’s back effectively. Our most characteristic tactic consists of recovering part of the HP we take off our opponent with our attacks. Pretty efficient and environmentally friendly, if I may say so myself!

If you’re looking for a Grass-type Pokémon who can fill the role of an attacker, my bro Breloom is your guy. He has a secondary Fighting type and a good movepool, so he can kick Butterfree and look cool while he does.

A good defensively oriented Grass type is Ferrothorn. They are very patient and resilient, with that Steel typing, but you really have to watch out for Fire moves with them! Plus, once their patience wears off, their prickly personality emerges, and I’m not sure you’d want to be around for that. (A bit of advice: Taunting a Ferrothorn is a really bad idea when you’re a fast Fairy type. Ouch, that Gyro Ball…)

If you’ve managed to get your hands on one of those delightfully fashionable accessories, the Mega Rings, you should consider raising a Bulbasaur. They’re cool dudes, and Mega Venusaur is what I believe you humans would call a formidable tank, especially with that awesome ability that is just great for a Grass type… but which I will not mention by name, because some Venusaur are a bit sensitive about their figure (you all look great, by the way, stop reading stupid magazines that only feature Lopunny and Gardevoir on the cover).

As for moves, my personal favorites are Petal Dance (so pretty!), Aromatherapy (so soothing!) and Cotton Guard (so comfy!). But the one I’d recommend as useful in the most situations is Leech Seed… unless, of course, you try to use it on another Grass Pokémon, in which case I’m afraid you’ll be quite disappointed.

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Section 3 – Classification

Professor Juniper says classification is a fundamental part of Pokémon research. I personally don’t like to play favorites, but since I’m working for her… here are The Fluffiest Whimsicott’s Top 5 Grass-type Pokémon!

Number 5: Hoppip/Oddish

240px-187Hoppip240px-043Oddish

Hoppip and Oddish are such cute little fellas that I couldn’t pick just one of them for this position. Oddish are quirky, mellow guys whom you often meet if you stay out late; you’ll come across them walking under the moonlight, with their glossy leaves shining and a smile on their faces, and they’ll always put you in a good mood. Hoppip are super light, even lighter that a Cottonee, so they can be carried by the wind, like us. But they’re kind of afraid of it if the wind is too strong, so they often gather in groups and hold each other’s leaves to stay on the ground, and it’s the cutest thing ever. When I see them I always wish they’d come flying with me!

Number 4: Roserade

407Roserade

Roserade may know a lot of powerful and dangerous Poison-type moves, but I love her anyway. I mean, look at her: she’s a masked superhero! With a cape and all! How cool is that? When I was a little Cottonee I always watched Pretty Guardian Roserade on TV, and she’ll always have a place in my heart. Shiny Stone Powers, activate!

Number 3: Petilil and Lilligant

548Petilil549Lilligant

Ah, my neighborhood girls! They are the very definition of beauty and elegance; seeing them dance in the patterns of sunlight and shadow made by the leaves in Pinwheel Forest is sure to warm even the hearts of the toughest Ice and Steel types. Weirdly enough, they never seem to be around when I and my Cottonee brethren are, and vice versa… I wonder why.

Number 2: Leafeon

240px-470Leafeon

Leafeon are warm and soft, with an all-natural look that somehow manages to blend flawlessly with their graceful demeanor and their physical strength. When they sleep in the sunlight, the air around them is so clean and fresh! I love cuddling up to them and taking a nap of my own. Their startled expression when they wake up to find me using their tail as a little leafy blanket is often the best part.

Number 1: Whimsicott

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Look, I know, I know; making myself the number one Grass Pokémon is really cheap. But I can’t help it, I have objective facts that leave this as the only possible choice. I now have an amazing and unique typing (Fairy Pride! And a shout-out to my Cottonee siblings!), I have a really fun and useful Ability, I can fly on the wind, and I am cheerful, cute and fluffy. Very fluffy. What could possibly be better than this?

Section 4 – Interview

Direct data collection is also very important to research; that’s why I caught a nice strong air current and traveled to interview a Professor who gives deserving trainers the chance to meet a Bulbasaur, the first Grass-type Pokémon in the Pokédex… in fact, the very first Pokémon in the Pokédex, period! (Further proof that the Grass Type is number one.) I had originally considered going to Kanto and meeting Professor Oak, but when we called ahead to arrange a meeting he just kept asking Professor Juniper if she was a boy or a girl, and if we knew his grandson’s name. I figured that talking to him would be kind of confusing, and so I simply had no choice but to go to Lumiose City, in Kalos, and meet the highly esteemed, highly handsome Professor Sycamore! Here’s a transcript of our interview.


The Fluffiest Whimsicott: Professor Sycamore? Hello?

Sycamore: Who’s knocking on that window? We’re on the third floor… Oh, will you look at that! A Whimsicott! Très jolie! Come in, my dear, come in.

TFW: Oh my, what a gentleman. Thank you. I am Professor Juniper’s assistant, The Fluffiest Whimsicott.

S: How cute! You’re carrying a tiny recorder and a tiny microphone! What are you doing here?

TFW: Uhm… Professor Juniper did tell you that her assistant wasn’t human when she called you on the Xtransceiver, right?

S: Are you hungry? You must have come a long way… do you like Mint Poké Puffs?

TFW: Oh, Peck me. You don’t speak any Pokémon, do you?

S: Oh… it’s fine, chérie, I also have Sweet Puffs, no need to make that disgusted face. In fact, you’re getting awfully green, even for a Grass type. You’re not going to be sick, are you?

TFW: A… Arceus save me. I hadn’t noticed before… Are you… are you wearing red socks with brown shoes?!?

S: Whimsicott? Are you all right?

Bulbasaur: Oh, Miss, don’t mind him. He’s a really sweet human, but he can be a bit clueless sometimes. Are you ok?

TFW: Oh? Hello, there, Mr. Bulbasaur. I… have you ever been hit by a Dream Eater attack?

B: Can’t say I have, Miss.

TFW: Well, I haven’t, either, but I’m pretty sure this is what it feels like. I’ll be fine, though, thank you, Mr. Bulbasaur.

B: Oh, there’s no need to call me Mister. I’m only level 10.

TFW: Really? You look so grown up, and you’re so polite…

B: Ah, thank you, Miss. I get that a lot. Squirtle says it’s because of my Serious nature.

TFW: I can see that. And I can also see that I have found the perfect subject for my interview! Instead of talking to a human about Bulbasaur, I’ll talk to a Bulbasaur himself; it’s so much better, I don’t know how I did not think of it before. So! Tell me, what’s it like being Number #001 in the National Pokédex?

B: Well… it’s nice, I guess. I’m on the first page, so I’m a familiar face to a lot of trainers, and everyone is used to me and treats me in a friendly way. They don’t look afraid like they sometimes do with other Poison types.

TFW: That’s right, you are also a Poison type. Erm… but being level 10, you don’t actually know any Poison-type attacks yet, right?

B: No, Miss, I don’t.

TFW: That’s a relief.

B: It’s not like I’m going to attack you, Miss.

TFW: Of course not, dear, but when you wake up one morning to discover you’ve suddenly acquired a double weakness, you tend to develop a healthy amount of, shall I say, cautiousness.

B: I think I understand. My Mum is from Kanto, and she still gets all nervous when someone uses a Bug-type move.

TFW: Ah, yes, those were weird and wild times.

B: That’s exactly what my Mum says! You remember them, too? What level are you, Miss?

TFW: … I think I have enough material. This interview is over. Thank you, dear Bulbasaur, and goodbye.

B: Miss? Where are you going? You only asked me one question… Professor, did I do something wrong?

S: What is it, mon petit Bulbasaur? Do you want a Citrus Poké Puff?

B: … never mind.whimsybulbyup

 


 Section 5 – Facts and conclusions

So, my interview didn’t quite go as expected, but it was my first time, and I believe there’s room for improvement. I’m definitely sticking to interviewing Pokémon in the future, for one thing. Anyway, another thing Professor Juniper told me we need is facts; I will therefore present you with five plain, irrefutable facts about Grass Pokémon.

1. The region with the most native Grass-type Pokémon is my own, Unova!
2. The Grass type is tied with Bug as the type that is not very effective against the highest number of other types (seven), but it is also the most common double weakness in Pokémon. It is also the type with the most Pokémon that have a double resistance to it, though.
3. According to something called an “index number in Generation I cartridges” (what the Hex is that, anyway?), the first Grass-type Pokemon was Ivysaur.
4. The lightest Grass Pokémon is, of course, Hoppip, who only weighs 0.5 kilograms. The heaviest is Torterra, at 310 kilograms… with that little world on his back, that’s hardly surprising. The smallest Grass types are Budew, Shaymin and Foongus, all 20 cm tall, and the tallest, or rather, the longest, is Serperior, who’s 3.3 meters long!
5. Grass types are awesome.

And this is all I have gathered on Grass types. I hope you found my research suitably informative and relevant to your interest. If you did, well, I share my results on the PUCL website every week, so feel free to come and check that out; you will be most welcome.

Until next type,

The Fluffiest Whimsicott

 

No Butterfree were harmed in the making of this article.

This article was lovingly translated from Pokémon speech by Mr. Natural Harmonia Gropius. If you wish to enlist his services as a Pokémon-Human translator, you may contact him at [email protected]. All income will go towards feeding and sheltering abandoned Pokémon and covering the cost of Mr. N’s therapy sessions.


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