Adam Dreifus

Adam’s Favorite Pokemon (of each type)

So a while back, Scythemantis decided to do a lovely little list of his favorite pokemon of each type. So I figured, hey, I might as well do the same thing. So here we go.

Normal: Togekiss
When some of the very first new pokemon appeared, I am sure that I am not the only one who was expecting Togepi to get some kind of big impressive evolution. So when Toketic was revealed, I was…less then thrilled, shall we say. But as of Gen IV, we finally have our impressive Togepi evolution, in the form of the enormous jet plane-egg-thing that is Togekiss. And it’s just so adorable, too!

Fighting: Toxicroak

Now, as types go, the fighting type is one that I have always been sort of apathetic about, I will admit. But I’ve got to say, this is just a neat concept; A Muy Thai style kickboxing poison dart frog. And design-wise, I just think is he plain swell. I love his smirky little expression, I love his unicorn horn, I love how he is always giving everyone rude gestures.

Flying: Archeops

If you know me well, you will know that I have a great fondness for paleontology. And out of dinosaurs, the adorable, four-winged gliding critter known as the Microraptor was just about my favorite. So when I discovered that they were making a pokemon based off one, I was…enthused, shall we say. And this is another neat design. I quite like the multicolored wing ruffles and the snakelike head.

Poison: Vileplume

One further thing that can be taken away from this list is that I have an unfortunate fondness for cute things. As a consequence, Oddish has found its way on to every single team I have had in the original generation of pokemon, and by proxy, its evolved form. And I have to give credit to anyone who can wear a flower that smells of corpses as a hat and pull it off so stylishly.

Ground: Torterra

Okay, this is singlehandedly the best concept for a starter pokemon that Gamefreak has ever had. Continent-sized subterranean island turtle ankylosaurus, we were meant to be.

Rock: Kabutops

Now I love just about all the fossil pokemon, and this is just another very well executed concept. Kabutops, while you may not be my absolute favorite fossil pokemon, I will always still hold the parasitic mantis-trilobite in high regard.

Bug: Anorith

Ahhhhhh! So cuuuuuute! Anorith is based on the Anomalocaris, a rather lovely three-foot long Cambrian marine predator, who’s name literally means “Unusual shrimp.” And I could not have pulled off the concept so adorably had I done it myself. Overall, my second favorite pokemon of all time.

Ghost: Haunter

Now, the ghost type is a typing that I like intrinsically, because of just how many strange concepts it will allow. But for this list, I feel that I will have to stick with a classic. One thing that does bug me though is just how much cooler Haunter looks then his evolved form. I mean, how can you go from something as awesome as a disembodied head and hands, to just this fat blobby thing. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one disappointed when they first traded their Haunter and saw the result.

Steel: Scizor

Now, I’m sure that I am not not alone here when I say that I used Scyther in my original pokemon team. It was after all, pretty much the only worthwhile bug type of the original generation. (Go away Pinsir, nobody likes you.) So when they decided to give it an evolution, it initially struck me as, I don’t know, a bit redundant. But you know what? I have decided that there isn’t such thing as too much of a good thing. Scizor, you are A-Okay in my book.

Fire: Volcarona

Oh. Oh my. This thing.
Well, this was an interesting choice. The fire type you see, is not my favorite type, nor even one that I usually care about that much. But at the same time, there are a good number of fire type pokemon that I like very much. Houndoom, Magmortar, Chandelure, they all have their appeal. But honestly, this choice was no contest. As soon as I saw this guy, it was clear the he was just about the most awesome thing on the planet. Well designed, good in battle, and a unique typing. Volcarona, you have the honor of being my favorite pokemon of all time.

Water: Chinchou

Another pokemon with a good concept. Water and electric are not commonly put together, but they play off one another well, and this is just another pokemon that I find irresistibly cute. The plus-sign eyes are an odd touch, but they have a certain charm to them, I think.

Grass: Ludicolo

Okay, now look at this guy and tell me that you cannot help but smile. Ludicolo is an absolutely ridiculous concept, but in the best possible way. She just wants to make you get up and party, am I wrong?

Electric: Mareep

Oh my goodness. This thing. I just want to take one home and use it as a pillow, I swear. It is, quite honestly, the cutest thing that Gamefreak has ever created. I say this without exaggeration.

Psychic: Exeggutor

Now this one earns points for sheer bizarreness. A psychic bipedal palm tree with coconuts that can fall off and turn into a hive mind of eggs is not something I would have normally come up with. We need more pokemon with this level of sheer weirdness.

Ice: Lapras

Now this one was a toughy. I quite like Ice types as a concept, but they are just so severely lacking in variety. So ultimately, I went with the Loch Ness Monster. Because hey, Loch Ness Monster. But seriously, how about some more decent ice types, huh?

Dragon: Dratini

The dragon type is another type that fails to reach its full potential. There is just so much potential variety you could have with dragons of various types. And things like Flygon or Garchomp are starting to get there, but it is most certainly not enough. So for now, I went with one that I just found really cute.

Dark: Bisharp

Everyone always goes on about how this guy is based on a tokusatsu hero. And as much as I love me some Kamen Rider, I am afraid that I just can’t see it. Accelgor is much more of a Rider pokemon in my opinion, while Bisharp seems to me more like some sort of feudal samurai warrior. Either way, it is just a lovely design, with that axe-head. Plus, I think I just like any pokemon that has arm-blades. Not quite sure why.