Tag: Fire

Torkoal

Torkoal
The Coal Pokémon
Type: Fire
Official Registration #: 324
Entry: This large, tortoise-like pokémon primarily lives in abandoned coal mines in warmer regions such as Hoenn. It constantly lumbers through shafts on the hunt for its primary food source, coal. When it finds a deposit, it immediately digs up the ore and stuffs it in the orifices in its shell, which then burns the coal for energy. If it builds up excess energy, senses danger, or is otherwise excited, torkoal will exhale clouds of sooty smoke and gas, which is one of two reasons why the mine shafts it lives in are typically much hotter than the surrounding mountain. (The other, of course, is the presence of volcanic vents and other fire-types.) Of course, seeing as coal is not remotely a clean energy source, this self-defense mechanism has rendered this pokémon as “problematic” to most environmentally conscious groups in existence today. It may also at least partly explain why, in torkoal’s native region of Hoenn, at least one extreme environmentalist group thought it would be a wondrous idea if we drowned the planet, while at least one other took into consideration how many pokémon in the region eat rocks and thought it would be an even better idea to turn it into a sunlit wasteland.

Something on Ho-oh please? :) I feel it is overshadowed by Lugia.

Well, I admit I was going to end Johto Week with an entry on both Lugia and Ho-oh, but how can I argue with this request?

(Besides, as the son of a kimono girl from a sect dedicated specifically to Ho-oh, I realize now that not dedicating a full entry to Ho-oh would be literally sacrilegious somehow.)

Bill … are you ever actually worried that Ho-oh will set you on fire for not worshipping it enough? —LH

Of course not. I’m well aware that as a human, I will likely be set on fire by Ho-oh either way. It’s just the principle of the matter. —Bill

All right then. —LH

Ho-oh
The Rainbow Pokémon
Type: Fire/Flying
Official Registration #: 250
Entry: The guardian of the heavens and reincarnation, according to Johtonian legend. Once the mentor to the Johtonian people (during its longest and period of peace and prosperity), Ho-oh roosted in the gilded sister tower of Lugia’s shrine, known today as Bell Tower. However, after Lugia became enraged at humanity’s violence and greed, it drew down the storm that burned Brass Tower to the ground, and Ho-oh, in its despair over the death and destruction caused by its fellow legendary and humankind, flew away to parts unknown on rainbow wings, leaving behind three beasts to act as its judges for the Johtonian people. It is said that Ho-oh will only return to Johto when it’s clear that humans and pokémon are capable of living in harmony, and thus, it is said that its subordinates, Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, are destined to wander the earth, observing us for the day when we become worthy of Ho-ohs presence once again. In other words, Ho-oh’s legend is one elaborate (but true) story about why none of us can’t have nice things.

Johto Legendaries, Part I

Raikou
The Thunder Pokémon
Type: Electric
Official Registration #: 243
Entry: According to Johtonian legend, an electric-type that had died in the burning of the Brass Tower was resurrected as the avatar of thunder and a representation of the lightning that had started the fire. It is said that this pokémon races across the land as part of its duty to watch over humanity for the day we will be worthy enough to be in the presence of Ho-oh again. In the meantime, as it races across the land, it releases devastating thunderbolts from the storm clouds on its back. This is actually a random occurrence tied to Johto’s naturally stormy weather, but local Johtonians like to think of it as its way of striking down the unworthy and purging the lands of sinners in the lightning-sparked flames of justice … which, honestly, is the least morbid part of our belief system.

Entei
The Volcano Pokémon
Type: Fire
Official Registration #: 244
Entry: According to Johtonian legend, a fire-type that had died in the burning of the Brass Tower was resurrected as the avatar of volcanoes and a representation of the flames that had engulfed the tower. It is said that this pokémon races across the land as part of its duty to watch over humanity for the day we will be worthy enough to be in the presence of Ho-oh again. It is also said that, as the avatar of volcanoes, every time it roars, a volcano erupts somewhere in the world. Luckily, this is not exactly true, as if it had been, then the world would have been engulfed in a volcanic apocalypse every time a certain friend of the Ecruteak gym leader’s made contact with the wrong legendary beast in his quest to become the chosen one of Suicune.

Suicune
The Aurora Pokémon
Type: Water
Official Registration #: 245
Entry: According to Johtonian legend, a water-type that had died in the burning of the Brass Tower was resurrected as the avatar of the north winds and a representation of the rain that had put out the fire. It is said that this pokémon races across the land as part of its duty to watch over humanity for the day we will be worthy enough to be in the presence of Ho-oh again. It is also said that Suicune has the ability to control water, purify heavily polluted lakes and rivers, and create healing springs. Those who are not familiar with Johtonian legend may think this means Suicune is the least dangerous of the three beasts. Those who are familiar with Johtonian legend, however, realize exactly how much water is in the interior of the region and that “drown the unworthy” is just as favored a punishment among the legendaries as “burn them alive.”

Houndour and Houndoom

Houndour
The Dark Pokémon
Type: Dark/Fire
Official Registration #: 228
Entry: A small, dog-like pokémon native to thick, dark forests. Interestingly, although this pokémon is part of the Johtonian Regional Pokédex, it was first discovered in Kanto and cannot, in truth, be found at all in Johto outside of the Johtonian Safari Zone Nature Preserve. The reason behind this discrepancy is actually quite simple. Houndour hunt in massive packs through the darkness of their native forests, where their pelts can blend in with forest shadows as they corner prey, and Kantonian researchers possess far stronger self-preservation instincts than their Johtonian counterparts.

Houndoom
The Dark Pokémon
Type: Dark/Fire
Official Registration #: 229
Entry: The evolved form of houndour, by battle experience. This dog-like pokémon is capable of exhaling a jet of fire and a spray of incendiary, highly caustic, toxic chemicals at the same time. The effect of these two mechanisms in combination leaves not only second-degree thermal burns (at the minimum) but severe chemical burns as well. According to folklore, anyone unfortunate enough to receive these burns will never fully recover; the burn will essentially be painful forever. However, this is not necessarily true. With proper care, the pain will typically subside within a week, and the resulting scar will fade within a year. On the other hand, not necessarily true isn’t the same thing as entirely false. First, one must remember that centuries ago, back when people first began to think this about houndoom burns, treatments for burns that complex or severe didn’t exist. Second, psychological pain is never a thing that heals easily, and some survivors of houndoom attacks may acquire a fear of houndoom thereafter. Third, either way, being burned by a houndoom feels just about as delightful as being attacked by a swarm of angry magikarp, and based on personal experience alone, the author would not recommend it.

The Magby Line

Magby
The Live Coal Pokémon
Type: Fire
Official Registration #: 240
Entry: This baby pokémon has magma-like blood that circulates throughout its body. Because of the heat generated by this blood, the average magby’s body temperature can reach temperatures in excess of 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the fires it spits out are directly related to its body temperature and are therefore a clear indicator of both its health and moods. A depressed and/or sick magby is only capable of exhaling small puffs of black smoke, but a healthy and/or excited magby can spit out balls of flames or even full-on Flamethrowers. Thus, perhaps one could say magby is hot-blooded.

Puns? Seriously? Why would you do that? —LH

Magmar
The Spitfire Pokémon
Type: Fire
Official Registration #: 126
Entry: The evolved form of magby, by battle experience. Native to volcanic environments, magmar’s entire body is built to withstand—and exude—great amounts of heat. Its own body temperature is over 2200 degrees Fahrenheit, and its skin contains hundreds of vents through which both heat and fire can escape. Consequently, the air around it is constantly shimmering and wavering, which distorts an onlooker’s view of this pokémon and makes it difficult for researchers to get a clear image of it. This is unfortunate, largely because researchers aren’t quite sure what, precisely, magmar is meant to resemble. Is it a bird-like pokémon? An iguana-like one? Something that strongly resembles a figure from ancient Johtonian mythology? We just don’t know, but it’s been a popular debate among the scientific community for decades. You could say It’s a hot topic.

Oh my gods. —LH

Magmortar
The Blast Pokémon
Type: Fire
Official Registration #: 467
Entry: The evolved form of magmar, via trading if the subject has had a magmarizer applied to it. As the final stage in an evolution line known for intense body temperatures, magmortar is no different. This dangerous pokémon is native to volcanic craters, where it may be surrounded by volcanic vents and a rugged terrain that can either provide or withstand the incredible heat it needs to survive. Magmortar itself has a body temperature that has not yet been measured by researchers, partly because it has a tendency to melt equipment before recordings can be taken and partly because it shoots fireballs of over 3600 degrees Fahrenheit from the cannons at the ends of both of its arms. Needless to say, this pokémon certainly has a tendency to heat things up in the average researcher’s laboratory.

Bill. —LH

I’m aiming to become a Fire type pokemon breeder and trainer, and I want to start cooking home made pokemon food rather than buying it. Is there any advice you could give to me, or anyone I should talk to?

First and foremost, the idea that all fire-type pokémon like spicy food is a myth. Only a select few individuals do; there are no species that, as a whole, enjoy spicy food. I only say this because there have been rather nasty incidents in which a new fire-type specialist made this mistake and wound up taking Flamethrowers to the face as a result of a charmeleon reacting badly to meals heavy in tamato berries.

That having been said, always be aware of your pokémon’s species. Some fire-types have different dietary requirements than others. For example, the growlithe, vulpix, and houndour lines should be fed primarily meat or meals heavy in proteins. The litten and litleo lines require a largely carnivorous diet, as they need the taurine from raw meat to avoid going blind. However, by contrast, numel and camerupt are strictly vegetarian and cannot be fed the same thing as any of the aforementioned lines. In fact, it’s important to ensure that your litten or litleo do not eat whatever you give your numel, as although plants are not toxic to those lines, some can actually cause dietary or longterm health problems (including obesity). And then you have the slugma lines, which despite being slug- and snail-like, eat mineral-rich rocks.

Not only that, but in some cases, your pokémon’s condition may affect what their diets need. For example, it’s actually possible for litten and litleo to develop diabetes, at which point they must be put on a diet low in carbohydrates to manage their condition. They can also develop severe lactose intolerance, which means a number of popular recipes for litten or litleo kibble should be avoided.

In short, my advice to anyone who wishes to make their own pokéfood is to tailor your dietary plans to your pokémon’s specific species. Do some research into what your pokémon eat in the wild and try emulating that for your tamed specimens. If you need specific guidance (especially if your pokémon have health conditions), be sure to consult your local Nurse Joy. Consulting breeders would also help, as reputable ones will have an in-depth understanding of pokémon nutrition as well.

How aren’t there more reports of fire type pokemon accidentally causing huge forest fires. Some species like ponyta and charmander actually have fire on their body so you’d expect this to be more common lol. Is pokemon fire different to “real” fire or do they all just have some amazing self control.

Well, anonymous, in most cases, it’s simply because fire-types don’t live in forests. Most of them are actually native to places that are better suited to withstanding fire (and lava and other heat-related problems) such as caves or deserts. Charmander in particular are only found in tropical volcanoes, if they aren’t simply bred in captivity. Likewise, a few of the other starters, namely tepig and torchic, only exist as domesticated, bred species, so their habitats are usually well-maintained, well-irrigated ranges.

Ponyta, meanwhile, are capable of controlling the temperature and height of their flames shortly after birth, which means that while brushfires are still a risk in their native grasslands, they tend to be less common than one would think, thanks to the superior control the species has over their abilities. It also helps that they’re well aware that burning their only source of food would be a bad idea, so it’s particularly imperative to them that they exercise such control.

As for the pokémon that do live in forests, most of them also exercise extreme control over their abilities. This goes especially for predatory pokémon, such as vulpix, growlithe, houndour, litleo, and fennekin. All of these species rely on biting and clawing tactics, rather than their fire abilities, to hunt, and as such, ranged fire attacks are only used in extreme defensive measures, such as to repel invading humans.

However, concerning the remaining—fletchinder, chimchar, pansear (despite what the Unovan pokédex states), and cyndaquil—those do start about as many forest fires as one would think. Luckily, almost all of these are rare, except for fletchinder and its normal-type pre-evolution, which is why this author for one is baffled that Kalosean forests and grasslands still exist.

Darumaka and Darmanitan

Darumaka
The Zen Charm Pokémon
Type: Fire
Official Registration #: 554
Entry: This Daruma doll-like pokémon maintains a minimum body temperature of 1100 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, even darumaka’s droppings are hot, which is why people in ancient times used to put fresh darumaka droppings in their clothing to keep themselves warm in winter months. Surprisingly (or, perhaps, unsurprisingly, depending on your viewpoint), people stopped doing this not because they were putting pokémon fecal matter into their clothes but instead because these droppings would be so hot they would inflict burns, if not set the user’s clothing on fire.

Darmanitan
The Blazing Pokémon
Type: Fire
Official Registration #: 555
Entry: The evolved form of darumaka, by battle experience. This orangutan-like pokémon is known for its ability to revert to a stone-like state when injured, but strangely enough, this trait is only present in a small percentage of darmanitan. The majority of the species will merely take damage until they faint in a single form, which, naturally, comes as quite a shock to many darmanitan trainers. And this, dear reader, is why it’s important to do proper research before you make any major decisions. Such as training darmanitan. Or posting on the internet.

Larvesta and Volcarona

Larvesta
The Torch Pokémon
Type: Bug/Fire
Official Registration #: 636
Entry: This rare larval pokémon possesses a great affinity for the fire type. It is most comfortable in deserts and at the base of volcanoes, it spews fire from its flame-colored horns, and it wraps itself in a cocoon of pure fire upon evolution. In fact, larvesta has such a strong affinity for fire that it was once said among the native Unovan population that its entire kind was born from the sun and flung to Earth and that the solar surface is still covered in similar larva-like fire creatures … which, in this author’s opinion, says a number of disconcerting things about the Unovan concept of the sun.

Volcarona
The Sun Pokémon
Type: Bug/Fire
Official Registration #: 637
Entry: The evolved form of larvesta, by battle experience. Volcarona emits flames from its brightly colored, bioluminescent wings, and even the slightest flap of these sends a dazzling rain of embers towards the ground. Although not a legendary-level pokémon, volcarona is said to be the embodiment of the sun. The reason why is because, supposedly, centuries ago, when Unova was covered with volcanic ash, a swarm of volcarona appeared and served as a replacement for the sun itself. This is a great story, of course, especially given the fact that, as mentioned in a previous entry, Unova isn’t a volcanic region.