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Ice-type Reviews – Generation 2 (Part 2)

We’re back for more Ice-type reviews, and this time, we will be looking at Generation 2’s whole set. We are yet to reach the point where the more interesting Ice-types are, so be patient. Let’s continue with Generation 2 with more fascinating Ice-types. So let’s chill out and take a look at them.

Delibird

Generation 1 never really gave us any Pokémon that relates to holidays, especially Christmas. Even in the anime, the first Christmas episode used Ponyta as Santa’s choice of steed, when this role is more for a deer-like Pokémon. For Generation 2, we received two Pokémon that seems suited for Christmas. One of them is Delibird, and the other is Stantler. Predictably, those two Pokémon would be used by Santa in a later Pikachu short. Christmas is not around the corner, but that doesn’t mean Delibird isn’t worth investigating.

Looking at Delibird, you could see that it is red and white, colours normally associated with Christmas. With a white tuft of down reaching its breast and a pattern resembling a button beneath it, as well as what looks like a sack, it gives off a similar appearance to Santa Claus’s traditional look. It looks a bit like a penguin, albeit one that could fly and isn’t black and white. That “sack” that Delibird has is actually an odd-looking tail, which allows it to carry several things, including food for its offspring or just about anything, usually presents, so Delibird’s definitely resourceful. If it needs to, it could share its food with those who lost their way, ensuring their survival. When threatened, it will throw its supplies on others that attack it. Delibird fits the Christmas theme for its closest similarity to Santa, for its ability to fly to places and give presents. Its nest is located at the edge of sharp cliffs, which is an odd location, but since it is a spot that is difficult to reach, this seems more like a survival tactic to keep the chicks safe. Delibird’s not much of a fighter (it throws food to attack enemies), so that’s for the best.

In the anime, it’s already mentioned that Delibird starred in a Pikachu short. More specifically, this short is called “Delibird’s Dilemma” and it is part of the Pikachu’s Winter Vacation series, episodes that are available in home video initially. It became available as part of the Pokémon Chronicles later on. In that short, a mishap had caused Delibird to lose its presents, so Pikachu and friends had to help Delibird find those presents before Christmas arrives. Another instance of Delibird appearing is a Team Rocket Pokémon. On occasion, Delibird would deliver the Rocket trio some messages from upper management. Its first appearance is in “Dues and Don’ts”, but it is to collect some debt from Rocket Trio, appearing for a few more before being able to collect them (during the Silver Conference). It’s nice to see Delibird have some use, even though it’s only something small.

Delibird is considered a novelty Pokémon, because it has certain characteristics that differentiate it from the average Pokémon, but usually said characteristics do not help them much in battle. In Delibird’s case, it is the only Pokémon to naturally learn Present. This strange move usually damages the opponent, but it has a chance to heal them too, making it ineffective as an attack. Delibird also has an odd choice of abilities. Besides Hustle, its other two abilities do the same thing, which is to prevent Sleep. Also, Delibird’s stats are on the low side, much like Farfetch’d and Spinda. Considering its unevolved status, Delibird is a Pokémon that is difficult to make the most out of. Despite this, it is shown to be a really threatening Pokémon in Pokémon Adventures, used by the Masked Man, giving Gold a run for his money (which could sound unbelievable to any battler familiar with Delibird).

Delibird is not suitable for battling, unless you really want to use it. Delibird is rather frail and doesn’t have a lot of power. Hustle does have the advantage of providing a power boost, but that increase would give it a rough power equivalent to Toxicroak’s Attack, so it’s nothing major. Techincally, its coverage isn’t much of an issue, but even with the boost, it’s not quite powerful enough to be threatening, especially since Delibird’s accuracy is reduced. One novelty move it oddly learns is Rapid Spin, which would make Delibird the first user to avoid Spikes, something worth having before Generation 4. However, because of Stealth Rock, Delibird couldn’t do this effectively anymore, because switching into it will reduce its HP by 50%. Moreover, Cryogonal is better, not only for receiving only 25% from Rocks while avoiding the ground, but it is also able to recover its HP to offset the damage (Delibird can’t learn Roost). In Generation 6, it gained some new moves, notably Spikes, Freeze-Dry and Destiny Bond. The only good those moves would do are as Egg Moves if you don’t want to rely on Smeargle, considering how its Speed and Special Attack are not the greatest.

Because of how prevalent battling is, it is all too easy to look down on Delibird since it doesn’t satisfy any serious battlers. In fact, its status as a “joke” Pokémon makes it one to pity, so there are some hoping that Delibird could evolve into something more magnificent so it could get out of the rut. If it’s Christmas, Delibird at least gets some bonus points since it is, after all, a Pokémon about Christmas. It is pretty neat design-wise, so there is a good reason to like it.

Smoochum

When breeding was first introduced, a new concept was born from it. You should know them as baby Pokémon, and Jynx was chosen to have a baby version of herself, among other Pokémon that seems more adult-looking. Interestingly, Smoochum is the only female-only baby Pokémon.

One of Smoochum’s habits is, as its name suggests, kissing. Her lips are her most sensitive part of the body, which she uses to examine things and identify unknown objects, which sounds like a sommelier! …or this would be a kind of behaviour to expect from a baby: curiosity and not afraid to try new things. She would remember what she likes or dislikes based on that sort of testing, so there is no infantile memory involved. Another of Smoochum’s quirks is how she rocks her head slowly backwards and forwards as if she is trying to kiss someone. There are also signs of narcissism at a young stage too; one of her ‘Dex entries tell of how she checks her face on a reflective surface every time she fell (for running about) to make sure it isn’t dirty.

Unlike Jynx, Smoochum’s original design already gave her a fair purple skin, so the black skin is phased out for good. If you recall my previous review, I said that Jynx has feet that aren’t normally seen. Smoochum also have feet, and she even has a footprint! The hairstyle looks very different that it is hard to discern the similarities between the two, due to Smoochum having a fringe and crown hair, two things Jynx lack. Smoochum’s somewhat minimal clothing is more befitting for a baby compared to Jynx’s more covered wear. It goes to show the drastic difference between toddlerhood and adulthood, but there are similarities between them that allow one to identify them as the same identity.

Some people consider Jynx to be the counterpart to both Electabuzz and Magmar, since the three of them received baby versions of themselves in the same Generation. This turned out to be a misconception when both Electabuzz and Magmar received evolutions, while Jynx didn’t. I don’t think of Jynx as a counterpart to those two, but I always thought of Jynx as a counterpart to Mr. Mime, until it is shown to be a counterpart to Sudowoodo for their mimicry skills. So Jynx is essentially a counterpart to none at the moment. Sorry to those who still think the three are still related.

It should also be noted about the TCG, because Baby Pokémon have special characteristics that balances them a bit. One such thing is their ability to avoid damage through a coin flip, to make up for the low HP of 30. Another way is to make them invulnerable while asleep (since every turn, there is a 50% chance to awaken, it essentially means there is a 50% chance of not being hit). Usually Baby Pokémon is redundant because you could just use the original Pokémon straight away, although certain Baby Pokémon have an effect that could prove to be useful (which doesn’t need Energy cards!). Smoochum, for example, has Energy Antics, which transfers one of the opponent Pokémon’s Energy card to another of their Pokémon, pushing their strategy a step back.

Baby Pokémon are loved because they are cuter versions of certain favourites, but they are hated for being weak or being a waste of slot for potential evolutions or being PokéDex filler. My stance on this subject goes both ways. If the Baby Pokémon offers something new to the table, they have their purpose. Take Tyrogue for example: Tyrogue makes Egg Moves possible among its evolutions, so his presence is beneficial. Cuteness factor is good if done well, because I love Budew. I am sure there are fans who won’t mind a baby Absol either. There are times when I thought a baby wasn’t necessary, but as a whole, I don’t mind their presence if they brought something new and exciting to the main Pokémon.

I could see some merit with Smoochum, so it’s not a completely awful Pokémon, but I am not terribly impressed either, mainly because a baby like Smoochum is not exactly my type of cuteness. There should be some people who recognise it, but it’s not me.

This marks the end of today’s article. The Ice-types here are a decent bunch, which is not quite as good as the last batch, but quite good nonetheless. Our next article details the Generation 3 batch, containing less, but more fascinating Ice-types. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it.

Thanks for reading.