Which snake pokemon would you say is the best cuddler? Serperior seems most capable, but probably too haughty.

That depends on your definition of “snake.” Before I continue, yes, serperior is a good cuddler, but there are others that might be better suited to the task.

For example, arbok is notoriously a good cuddler, being an expert at the technique Wrap. Many consider it to be better than serperior, if only because serperior’s fighting techniques don’t quite rely on immobilizing an enemy that way, which means that you are, quite literally, training arbok to cuddle, more so than serperior. Ekans is just as good as its evolution, but arbok really has the advantage of length (and thus, more length with which to cuddle). Meanwhile, if we expand our definition of “snake” to include all serpents, including those that are more dragons, dragonair can not only cuddle but also change the weather of the immediate surroundings to a rather pleasant temperature for maximum comfort of both its trainer and itself.

Of course, if we expand our definition of “cuddler” to include snakes that are excellent for cuddling, you really can’t get any better than dunsparce.

I think my Ekans wants to evolve, but I’ve heard some Pokemon’s personalities can change drastically on evolution. Most of the Arboks I’ve seen on TV are, shall we say, considerably less friendly and calm than my Ekans, and I’m not sure I’m up to dealing with a Pokemon like that. Is this a valid worry? If it is, how best to tell Ekans, and if not, what ought I do to get our home ready for his considerably larger evolution?

Actually, most of the arbok you’ll see on TV are either:

1. Trained to be that aggressive (for entertainment purposes or because battle-ready arbok will usually be aggressive for fairly apparent reasons).

2. Wild (and thus aggressive to defend itself).

However, tamed arbok will tend to be as gentle as their trainers want them to be, so if you raise your ekans to be gentle and sweet, you’ll end up with a gentle and sweet arbok. The only thing to note is that it is true that a pokémon’s personality changes slightly after it evolves, but it’s not in the way one might think. It’s not a dramatic or otherwise drastic change; rather, it’s a transition into maturity. If your ekans is playful, he may be more reserved after evolving. Alternatively, if your ekans is shy, he may be more energetic or outgoing as an “adult.” In other words, he won’t be dangerous, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye out for shifts towards a more mature personality.

ekans and arbok

Certainly!

Ekans
The Snake Pokémon
Type: Poison
Official Registration #: 23
Entry: An ekans develops its venom as it grows. This means that the venom of a young ekans is not as potent as the venom of an older ekans, and newborn ekans lack venom entirely, although their bites are still painful. When determining the age of your ekans, always judge by the length, not by whether or not it possesses venom; the longer the ekans, the older the specimen. Allowing an ekans to bite you in order to determine whether or not it possesses venom is not only a reckless idea but also the cause of death of many early Kantonian settlers.

Arbok
The Cobra Pokémon
Type: Poison
Official Registration #: 24
Entry: The evolved form of ekans, by battle experience. It is said that the elaborate patterns on its belly vary from area to area. Unlike most rumors concerning pokémon, this is true. Arbok from different regions have adapted different patterns, based on what its prey would find most intimidating. For example, Japanese arbok possess terrifying but simple markings that resemble noh masks. European arbok possess markings that resemble the faces of dragons or local monsters. American arbok, meanwhile, possess markings that resemble the most terrifying faces of all: clowns.