Post by Jafar on Jan 28, 2010 13:40:48 GMT -6
I looked around for a thread like this and could find none, and even if there does lurk one it is probably better not to bump it. So, I decided to create a thread which can reveal some insight into fellow members and maybe spark a conversation or two, plus overall bring about an increase in Pokemon discussion.
Basically, list your five favourite Pokemon (ordered or not) as of now and give a brief or long explanation (your choice). I will start out with mine.
5. Magnezone
First Encounter: Discovering that Magneton could evolve in Generation IV thanks to a mountain.
Initial Opinion: Did not like it that much, but its UFO appearance interested me.
What Made Me Like It: Using one on ShoddyBattle. Magnezone did a decent job in battling, but captured my heart with its excellent, appealing design and toughness. Battling alongside it about fifty times made me appreciate and admire it, a feat since I somewhat dislike Magneton.
Why I Still Like It: Definitely an unique Pokemon, in terms of appearance, ability and even evolutionary method, Magnezone stands out as one of the technological oddities of the Pokemon world, and technological oddities have always interested my "computer scientist" side.
4. Xatu
First Encounter: Seeing the Neo Discovery Xatu card in Beckett Pokemon Collector, sometime in 2001.
Initial Opinion: Heavily interested.
What Made Me Like It: First, I had been reading much about indigenous peoples around the world, specifically about their spiritual endeavours. I also had a recently acquired book about birds, and the combination of interest in shamanistic ritual and interest in fowls formed a deep admiration for Xatu. I dreamed about going to the Ruins of Alph in person (what childhood will do for you) and catching a Natu.
Why I Still Like It: While Xatu's design allured me to it, its psychic powers have kept me interested. Just read Sea Cottage, specifically Chapter 22, and you will see why Xatu much interests me. Not my favourite Psychic Pokemon, as you will soon see, but definitely a bird which inspires my soul with its calm observance of the past and future.
3. Gardevoir
First Encounter: Discovering in 2004 that there was a third generation of Pokemon. Yu-Gi-Oh! had pried my interest away from the Pokemon franchise.
Initial Opinion: How can this thing be both male and female?
What Made Me Like It: Initially, its elegant appearance intrigued me, but it was using one in Pokemon Emerald which drew me in. Basically, from Ralts to Kirlia to Gardevoir, Emotion the Psychic force hardly ever lost a battle for me. I then began to associate with its "emotional guardian" theme, and felt it to be my most reliable Pokemon in my first, second, maybe even third plays of Emerald.
Why I Still Like It: Gardevoir's being the only early Hoenn Psychic which appealed to me (Xatu was not available under after the sixth badge) has kept it in my teams and in my heart. It is simply a great blend of mental power and toughness which also associates with my relationship with my mother. We would both do anything to protect each other, just like Gardevoir does for its trainer.
2. Ludicolo
First Encounter: 90HP Ludicolo card from the Sandstorm set, I believe, with the Rain Dish Poke-Body and the attack Water Punch. Came with a Shiftry, as well as Lotad and Lombre.
Initial Opinion: Why, that is a happy-looking whatever-the-heck it is.
What Made Me Like It: Being the first Pokemon whose TCG evolutionary line I had in full (I later got Team Aqua's Chinchou and Team Aqua's Lanturn). This led to me staging battles with my thirty cards, resulting in classic Ludicolo-Shiftry showdowns. This resulted in me using a Ludicolo in Emerald, even though I already had a Grass Pokemon in Sceptile. Lotad's cuteness, and the long, eventful road to Ludicolo after Lombre came, appealed to the jolly journeyer in me.
Why I Still Like It: See Sea Cottage, specifically Chapter 24. Ludicolo quickly became my favourite Water and Grass Pokemon, and a Pokemon I never feel sad using in the games and writing into fan fiction. My interest was further strengthened by discovering the Mexican influence in its design. Ludicolo is simply a mesmerizing mixture of many things: sombrero-wearing dancer, pinata, lily pad, makeshift boat, water-dwelling monster, etc. ...
1. Arcanine
First Encounter: Seeing its Base Set card in my first Pokemon-related book, an unofficial guide to the Trading Card Game, specifically Base, Jungle and Fossil.
Initial Opinion: Wow, that is a powerful card, and it is Fire-typed, too. Wow.
What Made Me Like It: Just look at Arcanine's Base Set card. It oozes majestic beauty and strength and the card itself is quite formidable. I disliked Growlithe initially, being naturally scared of dogs after spending my first eleven years of existence living next to some of the loudest and most vicious canines I have seen in my life. But Arcanine was not a dog. It was a lion, a tiger, a dragon, a legendary rush of flaming air, bursting into battle with extreme speed, full of passion and energy. Further strengthened by, in the same pack as Ludicolo, obtaining an Arcanine TCG card. It may not have had 100 HP and an 80-damage Take Down, but it would do.
Why I Still Like It: I eventually discovered that Arcanine was, indeed, a canine, and I never used it in the games. So why do I still like Arcanine, even considering it my favourite Pokemon?
This is why:
1. Flannery, with whom I was instantly infatuated, uses one in her final Emerald team.
2. Arcanine has tiger stripes, and I have always adored tigers.
3. Its evolution from small, fierce Growlithe to large, fierce Arcanine has always appealed to the idealist in me. It makes me think I can always become stronger.
4. Fire. My favourite type.
5. It runs with the wind, and I like wind as well.
6. It oozes kindness, strength, passion, agility, toughness... see #3. An idealist likes what an idealist likes.
7. The fact I can like a version of an animal which almost always causes me to flinch upon sight.
So, list your favourites in any (if any) order and at least explain with a sentence.
Have fun.
Basically, list your five favourite Pokemon (ordered or not) as of now and give a brief or long explanation (your choice). I will start out with mine.
5. Magnezone
First Encounter: Discovering that Magneton could evolve in Generation IV thanks to a mountain.
Initial Opinion: Did not like it that much, but its UFO appearance interested me.
What Made Me Like It: Using one on ShoddyBattle. Magnezone did a decent job in battling, but captured my heart with its excellent, appealing design and toughness. Battling alongside it about fifty times made me appreciate and admire it, a feat since I somewhat dislike Magneton.
Why I Still Like It: Definitely an unique Pokemon, in terms of appearance, ability and even evolutionary method, Magnezone stands out as one of the technological oddities of the Pokemon world, and technological oddities have always interested my "computer scientist" side.
4. Xatu
First Encounter: Seeing the Neo Discovery Xatu card in Beckett Pokemon Collector, sometime in 2001.
Initial Opinion: Heavily interested.
What Made Me Like It: First, I had been reading much about indigenous peoples around the world, specifically about their spiritual endeavours. I also had a recently acquired book about birds, and the combination of interest in shamanistic ritual and interest in fowls formed a deep admiration for Xatu. I dreamed about going to the Ruins of Alph in person (what childhood will do for you) and catching a Natu.
Why I Still Like It: While Xatu's design allured me to it, its psychic powers have kept me interested. Just read Sea Cottage, specifically Chapter 22, and you will see why Xatu much interests me. Not my favourite Psychic Pokemon, as you will soon see, but definitely a bird which inspires my soul with its calm observance of the past and future.
3. Gardevoir
First Encounter: Discovering in 2004 that there was a third generation of Pokemon. Yu-Gi-Oh! had pried my interest away from the Pokemon franchise.
Initial Opinion: How can this thing be both male and female?
What Made Me Like It: Initially, its elegant appearance intrigued me, but it was using one in Pokemon Emerald which drew me in. Basically, from Ralts to Kirlia to Gardevoir, Emotion the Psychic force hardly ever lost a battle for me. I then began to associate with its "emotional guardian" theme, and felt it to be my most reliable Pokemon in my first, second, maybe even third plays of Emerald.
Why I Still Like It: Gardevoir's being the only early Hoenn Psychic which appealed to me (Xatu was not available under after the sixth badge) has kept it in my teams and in my heart. It is simply a great blend of mental power and toughness which also associates with my relationship with my mother. We would both do anything to protect each other, just like Gardevoir does for its trainer.
2. Ludicolo
First Encounter: 90HP Ludicolo card from the Sandstorm set, I believe, with the Rain Dish Poke-Body and the attack Water Punch. Came with a Shiftry, as well as Lotad and Lombre.
Initial Opinion: Why, that is a happy-looking whatever-the-heck it is.
What Made Me Like It: Being the first Pokemon whose TCG evolutionary line I had in full (I later got Team Aqua's Chinchou and Team Aqua's Lanturn). This led to me staging battles with my thirty cards, resulting in classic Ludicolo-Shiftry showdowns. This resulted in me using a Ludicolo in Emerald, even though I already had a Grass Pokemon in Sceptile. Lotad's cuteness, and the long, eventful road to Ludicolo after Lombre came, appealed to the jolly journeyer in me.
Why I Still Like It: See Sea Cottage, specifically Chapter 24. Ludicolo quickly became my favourite Water and Grass Pokemon, and a Pokemon I never feel sad using in the games and writing into fan fiction. My interest was further strengthened by discovering the Mexican influence in its design. Ludicolo is simply a mesmerizing mixture of many things: sombrero-wearing dancer, pinata, lily pad, makeshift boat, water-dwelling monster, etc. ...
1. Arcanine
First Encounter: Seeing its Base Set card in my first Pokemon-related book, an unofficial guide to the Trading Card Game, specifically Base, Jungle and Fossil.
Initial Opinion: Wow, that is a powerful card, and it is Fire-typed, too. Wow.
What Made Me Like It: Just look at Arcanine's Base Set card. It oozes majestic beauty and strength and the card itself is quite formidable. I disliked Growlithe initially, being naturally scared of dogs after spending my first eleven years of existence living next to some of the loudest and most vicious canines I have seen in my life. But Arcanine was not a dog. It was a lion, a tiger, a dragon, a legendary rush of flaming air, bursting into battle with extreme speed, full of passion and energy. Further strengthened by, in the same pack as Ludicolo, obtaining an Arcanine TCG card. It may not have had 100 HP and an 80-damage Take Down, but it would do.
Why I Still Like It: I eventually discovered that Arcanine was, indeed, a canine, and I never used it in the games. So why do I still like Arcanine, even considering it my favourite Pokemon?
This is why:
1. Flannery, with whom I was instantly infatuated, uses one in her final Emerald team.
2. Arcanine has tiger stripes, and I have always adored tigers.
3. Its evolution from small, fierce Growlithe to large, fierce Arcanine has always appealed to the idealist in me. It makes me think I can always become stronger.
4. Fire. My favourite type.
5. It runs with the wind, and I like wind as well.
6. It oozes kindness, strength, passion, agility, toughness... see #3. An idealist likes what an idealist likes.
7. The fact I can like a version of an animal which almost always causes me to flinch upon sight.
So, list your favourites in any (if any) order and at least explain with a sentence.
Have fun.