I’ve been looking to become a Ranger, but I’m not quite sure what kind of pokemon would make a good partner honestly

This is a bit difficult to answer, I’m afraid. It really comes down to the terrain of your home region. The best partner a ranger can have is one that can work closely with them no matter the terrain, particularly one with abilities that are both versatile and useful. After all, your partner is the only pokémon you’ll have on a long-term basis; you’ll need to choose one who can handle even the toughest assignments in the most extreme conditions.

Luckily, ranger schools across the globe will offer a choice of partners (or starting partners) to graduates. As you’ll need to attend ranger school in order to be a ranger, you’ll have a less overwhelming selection to work with (as opposed to, well, the entirety of possible partner pokémon in the world). This selection varies from school to school, and it’s often a point of consideration for aspiring rangers who are trying to decide which school to attend. (Of course, the other points should be the quality of education, who’s on the staff, location, and all the other considerations one would need to mull over when choosing a school. Do not choose which school you attend based on offered partners alone.) Additionally, there will also be advisers who might be able to guide your decision, and don’t be afraid to consult your teachers for advice while you’re there.

If it helps, though, electric-types such as pachirisu, pi(ka)chu, and plusle or minun are often popular choices. The capture styler has a limited amount of charge for each capture (that is, you need to let it recharge between captures, and there’s a chance you’ll run out of charge before you can successfully capture a pokémon). Electric-types, however, can have assists and field moves capable of recharging the styler. Even a small amount of electricity from an electric-type partner can be the difference between a successful capture and failure. Hence, many rangers prefer having an electric-type close by, just in case.

Best of luck, anonymous!

(Assuming it’s domesticated from birth) Might an Eevee display different behaviors/talents depending on its parentage? For example, an Eevee hatchling from Espeon and Vaporeon making a good future Leafeon, or an Eevee coming from a long line of Flareon suddenly displaying pre-evolution behaviors for a Sylveon? Whatever the answer, does the same also apply to Eevee with an unevolved parent or with a non-Eevee parent, or other species with branching evolution lines like Oddish or Rockruff?

Certainly! An eevee’s preferred evolution is a conscious decision made by the eevee itself; it’s an expression of both its interests and its identity, both of which can vary vastly from those of its parents’.

Of course, if an eevee is born to a solid pack of one specific eeveelution, then they’re more likely to evolve into that eeveelution as well. This may be for two reasons: either the climate/terrain is better suited to that specific eeveelution (thus, evolution out of necessity for survival) or the eevee sees it as easier to evolve into a matching evolution so as to fit in with the rest of its pack and get along well enough to survive (thus, evolution out of social obligation … and also necessity for survival again). Thus, you’re less likely to see pre-evolutionary behaviors that don’t match the rest of an eevee’s pack, although that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will never see differing pre-evolutionary behavior.

(Incidentally, yes, the point still stands if the eevee were domesticated. Sometimes, multiple tame eevee will also form a pack of like eeveelutions in order to better withstand certain climates and areas they’re raised in. This is generally more common in regions with extreme temperatures, such as the Arctic, where eevee, even domesticated ones, will generally try to evolve into glaceon to better withstand the elements.)

If an eevee came from a pack of mixed eeveelutions, and especially if its own parents were two different evolutions themselves, it’s more likely for the eevee to pick whatever feels right to it, even if that eeveelution isn’t that of either of its parents. The same can be said for eevee whose parents consist of one eevee or eeveelution and a completely different pokémon. Because such mate pairings occur in situations where there isn’t a need to evolve into one specific eeveelution to survive (either through better socializing or simple adaptation to the environment), the eevee feel freer to explore their options and express themselves according to which eeveelution they would prefer.

As for other evolutionary families, it absolutely works in similar ways: if you have a pack or garden of solidly midday lycanroc or vileplume, hatchlings will be more likely to display pre-evolutionary behavior consistent with their group’s evolution of choice. A mixed pack, garden, herd, and so forth will yield more varied behavior.

There is only one exception to the above rule, and it’s slowpoke. A slowpoke’s pre-evolutionary behavior is that of … well, a slowpoke. They’re fascinating and wonderful creatures, but no, all slowpoke are like that, if you understand my meaning.

I live in a pretty isolated area and we don’t often see Pokemon, much less crossbreeds, around but I recently came across Watt’s handbook on crossbreeds and the pictures are beautiful! Are hybrids more common as products of human intervention, or do they appear often in the wild as well? All the people living in my city have purebred (wild-caught or not) Pokemon; I’ve really only seen pictures of crossbreeds!

I’m afraid that the crossbreeds you’re referring to are purely hypothetical, anonymous. The truth of the matter is that all pokémon end up as one species or the other when two pokémon of different species mate. Additionally, traits of the species that isn’t presented are usually too subtle to be noticeable and typically don’t affect the pokémon in question. For example, if you have a pikachu mother and a clefairy father, the hatchling would be undeniably a pikachu—one that would look nearly indistinguishable from any other pikachu. If any of its clefairy heritage presented, it might do so in the form of slightly paler fur, pinker cheeks, or fur that tended to curl if allowed to grow out. It wouldn’t present itself as something as drastic as star-shaped cheeks or a clefairy body type.

Still, this isn’t to say the concept of hybrid pokémon isn’t fascinating. The idea of merging two pokémon together to get something new and different, with the abilities of both (or more) sources has captured the imaginations of human beings ever since we first encountered pokémon. And now with social media, it’s possible to share those ideas and what-ifs with a wider audience, which means the concept has, in my opinion at least, gotten far more creative than it has ever been.

Also, I quite agree that the art is quite lovely.

I’ve heard of books being written by pokemon. I know most of these are really written by humans but are any really written by pokemon?

Although there are rumors concerning a Common-speaking meowth writing his memoirs, the truth of the matter is that no book we know of was written by pokémon, I’m afraid, and it’s unlikely that there will ever be such a book. For one thing, pokémon communicate in an entirely different language to our own, one that has yet to be translated by humans, and we as a species aren’t yet at the point where we can coax pokémon that can communicate across that barrier (either by speaking Common or by using telepathy) to work on a long-term basis as translators.

Yes. Yes, that’s why there are no books written by pokémon. Not the fact that it’s physically difficult for pokémon to write long-form in the first place. —LH

You think I’m joking, but I’m really not this time. —Bill

Hey Bill and Lanette, Diabteic Gardevoir Anon here again. She and I LOVE Goldenrod City! We’re thinking of taking a proper Vacation next, in Hoenn! I was Wondering if i could get a few Recommendations on where to stay and what to see over a 1 week period? and Could someone put me in contact with Bebe for Sinnoh Recommendations, or Cassius in Kalos, Amanita in Unova or Molayne in Alola? I’m so excited to go globtrotting further than Johto! We started a Change Jug to help with some of th expenses!

Excellent to hear from you again, anonymous! I’m afraid that’s quite a tall order for one post, though, especially given the fact that each region is a large place with many cities and landmarks to visit. My advice would be to do some cursory research into each city and pick out which ones would interest you the most based on your preferences. Each city and town has its own atmosphere, after all, with places like Lilycove City appealing to entirely different people than Fortree or Mauville. If we knew more about you, we may be able to narrow down the list and talk about one city at a time, as I had with Goldenrod.

Also, I must admit certain developers might perhaps not be the best people to ask. Cassius, for example, is a wonderful person, but the places he typically frequents are a bit more … intense and underground than most people would enjoy. Amanita, meanwhile, is a bit too young to have a diverse set of experiences with her home region (and she hasn’t lived in Castelia for that long). Finally, Bebe … well. She’s enthusiastic, but there are times when she, too, comes up with suggestions that … perhaps should not be followed. Molayne is quite possibly the only one I can imagine would give sound advice on the matter (aside from Lanette, of course); I would have to see if he’s willing, should you be interested in any of the Alolan islands in particular.

Dear LH, Are there any Certified Pokemon Psychiatrists? I live in the town of Alto Mare. I’m sure you’ve heard of the disaster brought upon us by Team Rocket? Can you recommend anyone or give advice for consoling a Grieving Pokemon? I and the rest of the town Worry for our Guardian.

LH: I’m sorry, anonymous, but the truth is … trainers are therapists for most pokémon. We’re supposed to be the ones to help pokémon heal from their past traumas through a combination of emotional support and raw love and patience. When it happens to a wild pokémon, there isn’t much help. This all is because although pokémon are largely sentient, they’re still in many ways animals, so the resources available to take care of them are very similar if not the same as the resources available to take care of our animal pets.

There is one option you might try, though: Nurse Joy. Unlike a vet for animals, Nurse Joys receive training in a pretty wide variety of fields, including some emotional therapy, and they’re open to making house visits to wild pokémon too. If someone hasn’t already, maybe ask your local Nurse Joy to go out to your guardian and give them a check-up and maybe a consultation.

Hoping the best for your guardian!

Wait, what’s with Ho-oh’s wings?

Excellent question. It’s an oath, anonymous. Those who identify as Johtonian (that is, a member of the religion, not simply someone from Johto) consider oaths such as swearing on Ho-oh or Lugia’s wings—whichever of the two you place at the center of your beliefs—to be equivalent to, say, “as God as my witness” or similar statements the more human-centric followings would make. In other words, it’s perhaps the most serious oath one could make, reserved for promises a person intends on keeping or die trying. Personally, while I do believe that Ho-oh exists, that the story of the Tower is true, that one day, Ho-oh will return to Johto, and that after we die, our souls may be reincarnated, I don’t consider myself a religious fanatic but rather an agnostic open to all possibilities. Still, as much as I don’t believe swearing on Ho-oh’s wings would actually result in my burning should I fail to fulfill my promise (as the story goes), I do like how it adds a certain dramatic flair to vows I actually do intend on at least trying my hardest to keep.

Incidentally, for those who might have wondered about the other Johtonian phrase I’m rather fond of, “blazes” is similar. It’s short for “oh Ho-oh’s blazes” or simply “Ho-oh’s blazes,” which is either an expression of shock or exasperation, depending on context. That one, I admit, is more of a force of habit—not only for myself but many Johtonians as well. The phrase originally began as a sort of prayer, invocation of Ho-oh’s protection (by asking for its sacred flames, rather than Ho-oh itself), plea for purification (by asking Ho-oh and its sacred flames to show you mercy for your sins), or some combination of all three, and it disseminated into our regional vernacular over time, to the point where even the nonreligious say it. There is even a popular rumor that says you can tell whether or not someone was from certain parts of Johto if you surprise them, and they say this. (The truth: No.)

There is also “Ho-oh burn you” or “Lugia take you,” which are both expressions of anger that you say to sworn enemies, but I avoid using either. For one thing, I find such intense negativity towards another living being rather counterproductive, not to mention counter to my own personal beliefs. For another, it’s a bit of a taboo to ask either legendary to do anything serious on your behalf, even if it is simply an expression.

In case you’re wondering, there are no expressions for the legendary beasts, as they’re often seen as messengers of Ho-oh and thus don’t offer blessings or curses themselves. Celebi, on the other hand, gets “Celebi’s blessings,” which is said on holidays as a greeting … or after one sneezes. The latter has to do with the highly outdated belief that your soul escapes when you sneeze, so asking for Celebi’s blessings is meant to stop time and allow you to catch your soul so you don’t die.

Wait, does that mean that in practical terms there’s a finite number of active evolution stones in existence? Can we run out??

Yes, I’m afraid. Like all natural resources, there is a risk that evolution stones will one day run out. However, because known veins of evolution stones are numerous at the moment and because there are limits on how much humans can mine at one time (not only for practical reasons but also safety), it’s doubtful that we’ll run out anytime soon.

Also, as I’ve said in my previous post, there are ways for discarded or “replanted” stones to be recharged, although this will take thousands of years. Still, in a way, that’s like any other natural resource as well. As much as humanity takes from nature, nature will likely find ways to right itself and heal over the damage done to it. The catch is that it always happens long after humans leave it alone.

That’s rather … bleak, don’t you think, Bill? —LH

Bleak but true. —Bill

What happens to evolution stones after they’re used? Can they be reused? Do they break? Do they morph into the pokemon somehow?

To understand what happens with an evolution stone after it’s used, it might be worth it to start with how they’re used in the first place. You see, evolution stones are actually charged with elemental energies, much in the same way pokémon themselves are. These energies are actually present within our planet and are often thought to be either byproducts, strains, or close cousins to aura, or the basic essence of every living being, depending on whom you ask.

When an evolution stone is used on a compatible pokémon, the pokémon draws that energy within themselves to unlock the part of its genetic code that enables evolution (in much the same way other pokémon might do it when they gain enough battle experience, when they’re happy enough, and so on and so forth). Thus, when a stone is used, it enters an inert state and must be reintroduced to a known spring of compatible energy (that is, veins of its same type of evolution stone) in order to recharge. Of course, recharging is a very long process; if done naturally, it could take thousands of years for a single stone to regain enough energy to be usable again.

For this reason, stones are normally thought to be, well … less impressive or valuable upon use. Most trainers will simply throw them away (or toss them into the wild), but some stone collectors will keep used specimens. Additionally, some people fashion them into jewelry, as they’re essentially safe to have around like pokémon (meaning, pokémon won’t attempt to use them as evolution stones) at that point, and they’re not often seen as a valuable enough stone to steal. However, it’s worth it to note that used evolution stones are duller than their charged counterpart, so their value compared to charged stones is a matter of hot debate among jewelers and jewelry collectors.

In short, they don’t break. They just become inert, and what one does with them afterwards is really a matter of personal taste.

Why don’t some people nickname their Pokemon? It’s so weird to just call it by its species, yknow? It just feels like.. the trainers aren’t emotionally invested in their team if they don’t even name em… just very impersonal I guess. It’s like calling all your friends “Human!” Do you guys have any idea why someone would abstain from Ni? Oh, And do you guys use nicknames?

You’re actually one of two possible camps on the matter, believe it or not. The other side of the coin is that some people feel it’s not right to force a name on a possibly sentient creature, particularly one that the pokémon themselves didn’t help decide on. It would be very much akin to giving a human an unflattering nickname.

Either that, or they simply aren’t creative enough to give their pokémon names. That would be the third camp, but believe me when I say that this group is far smaller than one would think.

As for myself, I’m more of the second camp (the one that doesn’t believe in forcing names onto sentient creatures), but when I started my journey right up until my career as a researcher took off, I always offered names to my team. Some, like my various eevee, didn’t really take to any of them. Others, like my core team that had remained with me all these years, had. For example, my kadabra is very fond of his name, Foxglove (or Fox, for short). My venusaur is named Lucky after a very long story, my clefairy is Primrose (or Prim), and I’m also occasionally helped by a porygon-z named Beatrix. On the other hand, my farfetch’d absolutely refuses to respond to anything but Farfetch’d, and any attempt at an offer for otherwise would typically be met with a near-swordfight.

As for Lanette … I’ll let her speak for herself, actually.

LH: Well, I was part of the second camp too when I started out, but Bill convinced me that offering names to pokémon was a good idea. It helped that it was such a cute method. Of my personal pokémon, though, only my swampert really wanted one; the others didn’t really show any interest in getting named whatsoever. In any case, my swampert’s name is Cetus, after the constellation.

Oh, and then there’s the porygon I work with as part of the storage system. I don’t really consider her mine, though, so I haven’t really thought of a name for her. Yet, anyway.