Pokemon Pokemon Counterparts (CAUTION: lots of pics) - WIP

[Mitja]

There are many ways that a group of Pokemon are related to each other.
Some Pokemon are designed as equivalent pairs, polar opposites.
Some Pokemon are recycled new versions of previous Pokemon, usually to replace their role in a different region.
Some Pokemon have the same basis as a previous one, but take a new approach to it.
And then there are also some very distinctive roles (like starters, pseudo-legends..)
Some, but rather few, are even more directly related, by breeding, or by shared early stages.

Ive tried to pinpoint down all kinds of such relations for many years, and this is my most elegant and thought through approach on this topic.

Also note this is WIP, I will improve/change/adjust this post every now and then.


--1--Counterparts--
Partner/Rival/Version Exclusive/Designed as duo
All of these have been introduced at the same time, as pairs of opposites or equivalents. Sometimes visually, other times thematically.
But there is in most cases shared data (total base stats, number of stages, evolution requirements, gender ratio, etc.)
VISUAL: not necessarily
DATA: YES
Distinguishing Justifications:
-Version exclusive
-Recycled data, same generation

-Original Caterpillar duo

&

• Conclusive reason: Just look at them lol.
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Identical Evolution: lv.7 - lv.10
• Identical TBS: 195->205->385
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept: Metamorphosis
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Natural Enemies I

vs

• Conclusive reason: Version exclusive
• Identical Evolution: lv.22
• Similar TBS: 294±6 -> 444±6
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-The Nido Family

• Conclusive reason: Shared breeding
• Identical primary type: Poison
• Identical type gained: Ground
• Identical Evolution: lv.16 - Moon Stone
• Identical TBS: 275->365->495
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• Gender counterparts

-Too pink

&

• Conclusive reason: Pink fat over-cute creatures with identical evolution
• Identical type: Normal
• Identical Evolution: Happiness - Moon Stone
• Identical stages gained in later generations
• Similar TBS: 214±4 -> 296±26 -> 451±26
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Mythic Fire Duo

&

• Conclusive reason: Version exclusive
• Identical type: Fire
• Identical Evolution: Fire Stone
• Similar TBS: 225±25 -> 530±25
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept: mythological creature
• Minor data
• Switched Gender ratio
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-The Venomous Plant Duo

&

• Conclusive reason: Version Exclusive
• Identical primary type: Grass
• Identical secondary type: Poison
• Identical Evolution: lv.21 - Leaf Stone
• Similar TBS: 310±10 -> 392±3 -> 480
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept: Venomous plant-like creature
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• * currently broken due to missing equivalent to: Bellossom

-Mammal Duo

&

• Conclusive reason: Version Exclusive
• Identical Evolution: lv.28
• Similar TBS: 298±7 -> 448±7
• Similar stat distribution
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Pollution

&

• Conclusive: polluting amorphous 2-stage creatures
• Identical type: Poison
• Identical Evolution: lv.35/38
• Similar TBS: 332±8 -> 495±5
• Similar concept
• Minor data
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Ocean bottom

&

• Conclusive reason: Version Exclusives
• Identical primary type: Water
• Secondary type gained upon evolution
• Identical Evolution: Water Stone
• Similar TBS: 323±17 -> 522±3
• Similar concept
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): rare fishing encounter
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• Gender counterparts

-Fishing

&

• Conclusive reason: Similar data & same role
• Identical type: Water
• Identical Evolution: lv.33
• Similar TBS: 307±13 -> 445±5
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): common fishing encounters
• * currently broken due to missing equivalent to: Kingdra

-Fighters I

• Conclusive reason: Choice Gift
• Identical type: Fighting
• Identical TBS: 455
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Strong Bugs

vs

• Conclusive reason: Version Exclusive
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Identical TBS: 500
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept: lethal mono-stage bug
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• * currently broken due to missing equivalent to: Scizor

-Elemental Humanoid

&

• Conclusive reason: Version Exclusive
• Identical Evolution: lv.30 - Trade with Item
• Identical stages gained in later generations
• Similar TBS: 362±3 -> 492±3 -> 540
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept: humanoid-animal with elemental focus
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Fossils I

&

• Conclusive reason: Fossil Choice
• Identical primary type: Rock
• Identical secondary type: Water
• Identical Evolution: lv.40
• Identical TBS: 355 -> 495
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept: Revived prehistoric Pokemon
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): casual fossil

-Dawn/Dusk Insect

&

• Conclusive: Version Exclusive
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Similar Evolution: lv.20±2
• Similar TBS: 257±8 -> 390
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): 2 stage Bug appearing at specific time of the day
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Eeveelutions

/

/

• Conclusive: Eeveelutions
• Identical Evolution: Ele.Stone / Happiness / Lv.Up at Ele.Rock
• Identical TBS: 525
• Identical stats, just different distribution
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Dusk duo

&

• Conclusive: Identical gained evolution & role
• Identical Evolution: Dusk Stone
• Identical stages gained in later generations
• Similar TBS: 420±15 -> 500±5
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): rare Night-time pokemon
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• Became Version exclusive after gaining equivalent evolutions

-Razor Sharp duo

&

• Conclusive: Identical gained evolution & role
• Both consistent dual-types
• Identical Evolution: Lv.Up with Razor Item
• Identical stages gained in later generations
• Identical TBS: 430 -> 510
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Mountain duo

&

• Conclusive: Version exclusive
• Consistent single type
• Similar Evolution: lv.25/30
• Identical TBS: 330 -> 500
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept: cute mammal turns threatening
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Rare bulky

&

• Conclusive: Version exclusive
• Identical secondary type: Flying
• Identical TBS: 465
• Identical stats, simply swapped physical/special
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): rare bulky secondary Flying type
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• * currently broken due to missing equivalent to: Mantyke

-New Catterpillar duo

• Conclusive reason: shared early stage
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Identical Evolution: lv.7 - lv.10
• Identical TBS: 195->205->385
• Identical stats, just swapped special/physical
• Similar concept: Metamorphosis
• Obvious visual similarity (especially cocoon)
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Humanoid Plant duo

&

• Conclusive: Version exclusive
• Identical Evolution: lv.14 - Elemental Stone
• Identical TBS: 220 -> 340 -> 480
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept: slowly turning humanoid plant-creature
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): early 3-stage Grass type
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-New Common Bird duo

&

• Conclusive: similar data and role
• Consistent primary type
• Identical secondary type: Flying
• Similar Evolution: lv.22/25
• Identical TBS: 270 -> 430
• Similar stat distribution
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): common 2-stage bird

Empty Shell

• Conclusive: simultaneous evolution from Nincada
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Secondary type change after evolving
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data

-Little Creep duo

• Conclusive: Version Exclusive
• No evolution
• Identical TBS: 380
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept: Sneaky little humanoid
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): rare mono-stage cave dweller
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Double Pika

• Conclusive: Double Battle showcase
• Identical type: Electric
• Identical TBS: 405
• Similar stat distribution (swapped offense/defense)
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Firefly duo

• Conclusive: Double battle showcase
• Shared breeding
• Identical type: Bug
• No Evolution
• Identical TBS: 400
• Similar stat distribution (merely swapped offense)
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• Gender counterparts

-Magma vs Aqua

vs

• Conclusive: Thematic Pokemon used by opposite villainous teams
• Thematic dual types
• Similar Evolution: lv. 31.5 ± 1.5
• Identical TBS: 305 ->460
• Opposite concept: core land/sea creature
• Minor data
• Same role (encounter, rarity): used by opposite vaillainous team

-Land vs Sea

vs

• Conclusive: consistent serious dual type 3-stage land/sea creature
• Thematic obvious type combinations
• Similar Evolution: lv.32 - lv.42/44
• Similar TBS: 310±20 -> 420±10 -> 530
• Similar stat distribution
• Opposite concept
• Minor data

-Natural Enemies II

vs

• Conclusive: Version Exclusive
• No Evolution
• Identical TBS: 458
• Similar stat distribution
• Rival concept
• Visual hint: identical wound-like markings
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Cosmic Duo

• Conclusive: Version Exclusive
• Identical type: Rock/Psychic
• No Evolution
• Identical TBS: 440
• Similar stat distribution (swapped physical/special)
• Identical concept
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

- Fresh Water Bottom

&

• Conclusive: Similar data & same role
• Identical primary type: Water
• Identical Evolution: lv.30
• Similar TBS: 298±10 -> 468
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): rare fishing at single location

-Fossils II

&

• Conclusive reason: Fossil Choice
• Identical primary type: Rock
• Identical Evolution: lv.40
• Identical TBS: 355 -> 495
• Identical concept: Revived prehistoric Pokemon
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): casual fossil

-Casual Ghosts

&

• Conclusive: Version exclusives
• Identical type: Ghost
• Identical Evolution: lv.37
• Identical TBS: 295 -> 455
• Similar concept
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• * currently broken due to missing equivalent to: Dusknoir

-Clamperl

• Conclusive: shared early stage
• Identical type: Water
• Identical Evolution: Trade with DeepSea Item
• Identical TBS: 485
• Similar stat distribution: just different offense focus
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Fossils III (Dinosaurs)

&

• Conclusive: Version exclusive fossil
• Identical primary type: Rock
• Identical Evolution: lv.30
• Identical TBS: 350 -> 495
• Similar concept: dinosaur-based fossil
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Burmy

• Conclusive: shared early stage
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Secondary Type gained with evolution
• Identical Evolution: lv.20
• Identical TBS: 424
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Gender counterparts

-Meanie

&

• Conclusive: Version Exclusive
• Similar Evolution: lv.36±2
• Similar TBS: 319±10 -> 465±14
• Minor data
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Mimicry

&

• Conclusive: Version exclusives
• Consistent single type
• Identical Evolution: lv.up with Mimicry
• Identical stages gained in later generations
• Similar TBS: 300±10 -> 435±25
• Similar stat distribution (physical/special focus)
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Fighters II

• Conclusive: Version Exclusive
• Identical type: Fighting
• Identical Evolution: none
• Identical TBS: 465
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Forest Insects

&

• Conclusive: Stronger 3-stage Bug
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Constant Dual types
• Similar Evolution: lv.22 - lv.30/<3
• Similar TBS: 285±25 -> 370±10 -> 482±8
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): stronger 3-stage bug

-Forest Plants

&

• Conclusive: pseudo Version Exclusive
• Identical type: Grass
• Identical Evolution: Sun Stone
• Identical TBS: 280 -> 480
• Similar concept: forest plant fairy
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): 2-stage Grass duo
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Psychic Duo

&

• Conclusive: Version Exclusive
• Identical type: Psychic
• Identical Evolution: lv. 32 - lv.41
• Identical TBS: 290 -> 370 -> 490
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): common 3-stage Psy duo
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Fossils IV

&

• Conclusive: Fossil Choice
• Shared type: Rock
• Identical Evolution: lv.37
• Identical stages gained in later generations
• Identical TBS: 355 -> 495*
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): fossil duo
• * Arcehops actually has 567 total, but similar to Slakings case, it has unnaturally high stats due to a crippling ability. Specifically, its attack stats were increased by 40%, raising its 495 TBS to 567. Same for Archens case.

-Shell Swap

vs

• Conclusive: Double Trade Evolution
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Identical Evolution: double trade
• Similar TBS: 310±5 -> 495
• Similar stat distribution with interesting swap upon evolution
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Great Bird duo

&

• Conclusive: Version Exclusive
• Identical secondary type: Flying
• Identical Evolution: lv.54
• Similar TBS: 360±10 -> 510
• Similar stat distribution (Attack vs Defense)
• Similar concept: predatory bird
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): strong 2-stage bird
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• Gender counterparts

-Natural Enemies III

vs

• Conclusive: Rivals
• Identical TBS: 484
• Similar concept: Natural rivals, construction machinery inspired
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): mono-stage Victory-road encounter

-Tower duo

• Conclusive: GS Mascots
• Identical secondary type: Flying
• Identical TBS: 680
• Identical stats: shuffled around
• Similar concept: Legendary Flying guardians
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): opposite main legendaries
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Eon Duo

• Conclusive: Version exclusive legendary
• Identical type: Dragon/Psychic
• Identical TBS: 600
• Identical stats: swapped physical/special
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): Extra roaming legendary
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• Gender counterparts

-Weather Duo

• Conclusive: RS mascots
• Identical TBS: 670
• Identical stats: swapped physical/special
• Similar concept: hebrew mythological creature
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Weather inducing ability
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): opposite main legendary
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Dimension Trio

• Conclusive: DPt mascots
• Identical secondary type: Dragon
• Identical TBS: 680
• Identical stats: shuffled around
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): opposite main legendary
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Lunar Duo

• Conclusive: Mirrored secret islands
• Identical TBS: 600
• Opposite concept: dream/nightmare
• Minor data

-Dragon Duo

• Conclusive: BW mascots
• Identical primary type: Dragon
• Identical TBS: 680
• Identical stats: physical/special swapped
• Opposite concept
• Obvious visual contrast
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity): opposite main legendary
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

duos in red have been broken by just one member gaining new stages. This might be temporary as the counterpart could gain the appropriate new stage in future generations.


--2--Recycled & Reused--
Recycled AND similar basis AND same role for different region.
These are the same as #3 (shared role, shared stats & other data), however, unlike them, these don't merely have similar bases, but have very striking VISUAL and conceptual similarities too.
In other words, these are the biggest "matches" out of all these groupings.
VISUAL: YES
DATA: YES
Distinguishing Justifications:
-Recycled data, different generation
-Recycled concept, basis, appearance

-Elemental Mouse (the Pikablu case)

• Conclusive: Appropriately colored elemental mouse with funky tail and baby
• Similar Evolution: happiness - ThunderStone/lv.18
• Identical stages gained in later generations
• Similar TBS: 197±8 -> 275±25 -> 442±33
• Opposite stat distribution (high attacks&speed - high defenses&HP)
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data

-Strong Bugs II

• Conclusive: mono-stage powerful bipedal beetle
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Identical Evolution: none
• Identical TBS: 500
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates

-Moo

• Conclusive: strong rare mono-stage Normal Mooooooooo
• Identical type: Normal
• Identical Evolution: none
• Identical TBS: 490
• Similar stats
• Similar concept
• Obvious visual similarities
• Minor data

-The Catterpillars

• Conclusive: early weak 3 stage proper metamorphosis
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Identical Evolution: lv.7 - lv.10
• Identical TBS: 195 -> 205 -> 385
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Suddenly Imago

• Conclusive: Weird bug gains imago apperance without pupal stage
• Identical primary type: Bug
• Similar Evolution: lv.22/31
• Similar TBS: 287±18 -> 432±18
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept
• Minor data

-Fish -> Serpent

• Conclusive: awful derpy fish turns into powerful serpent
• Identical primary type: Water
• Identical TBS: 200 -> 540
• Identical stats, atks/defs shuffled
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data

-Elemental Canine

• Conclusive: elemental 2-stage canines
• Identical Evolution: lv.24/26
• Similar TBS: 312±17 -> 487±13
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept
• Minor data

-The main Birds

• Conclusive: early 3-stage common bird
• Identical type: Normal/Flying
• Identical Evolution: lv.18/14/21 - lv.36/34/32
• Similar TBS: 251/245/264 -> 349/340/358 -> 469/475/478
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Elemental Slug

• Conclusive: Elemental slug gains earthly type
• primary elemental type: Fire/Water
• Secondary "earth" type gained: Rock/Ground
• Identical Evolution: lv.34±4
• Similar TBS: 287±28 -> 442±33
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Fishy

• Conclusive: fancy typical 2 stage pure water type fish
• Identical type: Water
• Identical Evolution: lv.32±1
• Similar TBS: 325±5 -> 455±5
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Unbreakable

• Conclusive: genderless levitating bulky thing
• Identical secondary type: Psychic
• Similar Evolution: lv.33/36
• Identical TBS: 300 -> 500
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept
• Minor data

-The Sneaky Feline

• Conclusive: casual mean 2-stage cat
• Similar Evolution: lv.20/28
• Similar TBS: 285±5 -> 443±3
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Similar concept:
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data

-Elemental Horse

• Conclusive: elemental 2-stage horses
• Constant elemental primary type
• Similar Evolution: lv.27/40
• Similar TBS: 352±58 -> 498±2
• Similar stat distribution
• Similar concept
• Minor data

-Living Rock

• Conclusive: 3-stage literally living rock
• Identical primary type: Rock
• Identical Evolution: lv.25 - Trade
• Similar TBS: 290±10 -> 390 -> 495±10
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)

-Fighters

-Nurse

-Tadpole

-Main Muscle

-Waste

-Crustacean with Backpack

-Jellyfish

-Tough Nut

-Machinery

-Teddy, Bear

-Battle Shrooms

--3--Recycled / Same Role--
Recycled/Same role for different region
These groupings DO NOT necessarily visually resemble each other. Their similarities lie in their ingame roles, the same stat-league, the same kind of evolutions and stages, obtainability, and other data; sometimes related themes that contribute to the design even though they might not seem obvious.
VISUAL: not necessarily
DATA: YES
Distinguishing Justifications:
-Recycled data, different generation
-Same in-game role, recycled concept

-Starters
---Grass

---Fire

---Water

-Common Rodent

-Common Bird (offensive / benign)

/

/

-Wannabe Extra Starter

/

/

-Proper 3-stage Electric

-Powerful 3-stage Psychic

-Powerful 3-stage Ghost

-The Angry Fella

-Gimmick Bird

-Exotic Bird

-Strong Mono-stage bovine

-Fossils

-Badass Mythic

-Pseudo-legends

-Traditional Legendary Trio

-Epic Legendary

-Event fairy

-Extra Legendary

--4--Reused but Improved--SPECULATIVE--
Reused concept with new approach
The complete opposite of Group 2. These do share visual similarity/basis or have the same role for another region, however, they are unique/not recycled in terms of data unlike the earlier groups.
Also, this group is more speculative.
VISUAL: YES
DATA: NO
Distinguishing Justifications:
-Recycled concept, basis, appearance, role, theme

--Pika-clones (Pika --> Double ----> New --> Newer)

-->

---->

-->

-Diggers

---->

-Main Plant (Venomous --> Fresh)

-->

--Proper Shroom

-->

--Toxic Blob

-->

--Natural Enemies (I--->II)

--->

--->

-Trap

--->

-Seal

--->

-Armored monster stands up

--->

-Mythic canines

-->

-->

--Everything

-->

-Artificial --> Natural

>

--->

<

-Sleep Tapir

-->

-The Bat (mean --> love)

-->

-Buff the Bugs

-->

-->

-Pure Grass Duo

-->

-->

-Floating Gas (hazard -> pure)

-->

-Symbiosis

-->

-Healer (land --> sea)

-->

-Crustacean

-->

-Armed

-->

-less special mean doggie

-->

-serious spider

-->

-Common bird duos ---> Great bird duo

/

---->

/

---->

-serious early canine

-->

-Seaside birds

-->

--Feminine Medium

-->

-slow bug loses shell to ninja

-->

-Quadruped Trio

-->

-->

-->

-Modified

--->

--5--Late Bro--
Alternative evolutions that were added later than the original, employing an interesting thematic turn.
VISUAL: not necessarily
DATA: YES
Distinguishing Justifications:
-shared early stage

Purification

• Conclusive: Gloom
• Alternate Evolution
• Special stats swapped

A real frog

• Conclusive: Poliwhirl
• Alternate Evolution
• Physical/Special focused stats

The Wise

• Conclusive: Slowpoke
• Alternate Evolution
• Defenses swapped

Armor

• Conclusive: Same evolutionary line, stages equally powerful
• 40 speed swapped for 20/20 physical stats

Eeveelution

• Conclusive: Eeveelutions
• Multiple Evolutions
• Identical stats shuffled around

-Extra Fighter

• Conclusive: Tyrogue
• Harder to get alternate Evolution

Attack

• Conclusive: Kirlia
• Alternate Evolution
• Offense swapped

Kimono

• Conclusive: Snorunt
• Alternate Evolution
• defense 10/10/10 swapped for 30 speed

**Minor data: Gender ratio, capture rate, base happiness, egg-group, similar, ability...

Template

Spoiler

• Conclusive: Just look at them lol.
• Identical primary type:
• Identical type gained:
• Identical Evolution: lv. - lv.
• Identical stages gained in later generations
• Identical TBS: ->
• Similar TBS: ±4 -> ±26
• Similar stat distribution
• Identical concept
• Similar concept:
• Obvious visual similarity
• Minor data
• Same role (location, encounter, rarity)
• Version switched locations/encounter rates
• Gender counterparts
• * currently broken due to missing equivalent to:

--6--Close Legendary Relations--
This one is specifically about legendaries, because over the generations they have become deeper than the rest with more than one layer of similarities: in many instances groups having closely related additional members who stand out or are superior etc.



--------------------------WIP-------------------


So, anyone else likes to look at this stuff? xD

Any of the groupings I put up so far that aren't obvious or need elaboration?

Know any groupings I don't have yet that would fit? (particularly the more speculative categories #2-4)

How much of this do you think is intentional?
And which cases are gamefreak being clever...or lazy??

Are there any pokemon right now that you wold want to see counterparts of either kind added in future?
Like, Id love to see a Water-element horse to compliment Ponyta and Blitzle etc...

 

[ryter78]

Nice list!
I believe it's intentional as it sets precedents to newer games, there will always have to be that rodent we have to face or the ultimate legendary we'll encounter. If there wasn't this gradual process it wouldn't be as much fun in my opinion.

 

[The-Kaiser]

This was a fun read

 

[Trainerhan1]

Nice, but since Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan are in the first section shouldn't Throh and Sawk be there too? Looks like you just forget to put them there since Lee and Chan say Fighters I.

 

[Mitja]

Nice, but since Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan are in the first section shouldn't Throh and Sawk be there too? Looks like you just forget to put them there since Lee and Chan say Fighters I.

Thanks, fixed :B

 

[m7mad133]

woow i really love this list
but i think there should be in the main psychic gradvoir & pre-evos
and in the Pseudo-legends you forgot flygon & pre-eovs
and main plant you forgot to add seedot/evos and bedwe/evos
dont know if people will agree with me or not

 

[Mitja]

woow i really love this list
but i think there should be in the main psychic gradvoir & pre-evos
and in the Pseudo-legends you forgot flygon & pre-eovs
and main plant you forgot to add seedot/evos and bedwe/evos
dont know if people will agree with me or not

The "main psychic" guys are in the category #2, which is about RECYCLED pokemon. Meaning if you look at them as DATA, Solosis/Gothita are tweaked Abras, while Ralts data was made from scratch.
(one distinction here is that Gothita/Solosis/Abra all have a strong middle stage, while Kirlia is still almost as weak as Ralts)

But I see what you mean. Ralts was like a successor to Abra in a more simple way.
That is fitting for category #4. I will add an Abra->Ralts line there in a moment.
EDIT: actually, thinking about all 3-stage psychics, I realize that Ralts looks much more like it inspired the Gothita-line conceptually, whereas it doesn't have really anything in common with Abra apart from being 3-stage and psy


Trapinch is not a pseudo-legendary. A distinct feature of those is their enormous stats, ending up with 600, which only legendaries share (hence the name pseudo-legends), while Flygon ends up with 520, a decent but very common total for a 3-stager.


the newer 3stage plants might be loosely inspired by previous 3stage plants..but Seedot/Lotad did a unique enough thing on their own (becoming more "humanoid" and less plant-like), and Roselia is hard to figure, because it might have been inspired by anything...its just as likely they just wanted a new Grass type and ended up with it.

Btw. A Problem I will face soon is the picture limit for 1 post XDD...

 

[m7mad133]

oh ok
i guess my thoughts were wrong
and if you want i can make more than 1 sprite in 1 picture with a clear background if you want
so you can have almost triple the pokemon!

 

[Mitja]

and if you want i can make more than 1 sprite in 1 picture with a clear background if you want
so you can have almost triple the pokemon!

I am already doing that XD
notice how the starters are each type a single picture for example, otherwise I would be way over the limit already ;D

 

[Juliacoolo]

This is wonderful!

Might I recommend that you use the forums' built-in sprite mechanism?

You just type

[animate]lowercasepokemonname[/animate]

and you'll get the sprite. Much easier, and cleaner than a bunch of links.

 

[Mitja]

This is wonderful!

Might I recommend that you use the forums' built-in sprite mechanism?

You just type

[animate]lowercasepokemonname[/animate]

and you'll get the sprite. Much easier, and cleaner than a bunch of links.

Oh, I didn't know these! O:

Each evolutionary line is a single picture right now, so the amount of pics would almost triple if I went changing to those...and with them being animated it would probably even start lagging for many people I think.

Unless there is no limit on how many of those can be used in a single post (?), then I might switch to these if I reach the img limit xD

 

[Juliacoolo]

I do not believe there is a limit, however, I imagine that your code looks rather messy with a lot of URLs. Using the tags will help clean things up.

 

[Bogleech]

You're missing Koffing and Weezing! They're gaseous, air-dwelling waste opposed to Grimer and Muk as sludgy, water-born waste. Also the same typing, of course, and roughly similar stat distribution and movepool.

Trubbish and Garbodor are solid garbage off the ground, so they form a trio of "elemental pollutants" with those two lines. They're all pure poison, but their composition and concepts are the "poisons" of air, water and earth.

An argument however could also be made for the gulpin and ekans lines fitting in with them too.

With the exception of Seviper, every PURE poison line consists of two stages and embodies a different distinct "theme" of the poison type.

Grimer, Muk - sludge
Koffing, Weezing - gas
Ekans, Arbok - venom
Gulpin, Swalot - acid
Trubbish, Garbodor - trash

Any repeats they've done, like the venomous two-stage Croagunk or the gassy Stunky, are always dual types.

 

[Mitja]

I wonder if the next 2 traditional legendary trios will be "airborne/birds" and "amorphous/mineral" to compliment the birds and golems in a similar way as the musketeers do the cats o_o

You're missing Koffing and Weezing! They're gaseous, air-dwelling waste opposed to Grimer and Muk as sludgy, water-born waste. Also the same typing, of course, and roughly similar stat distribution and movepool.

Trubbish and Garbodor are solid garbage off the ground, so they form a trio of "elemental pollutants" with those two lines. They're all pure poison, but their composition and concepts are the "poisons" of air, water and earth.

Yoah
Koffing & Grimer even have version swapped encounter rates at the mansion in RB and fiery path in RS, I never noticed o_o
Added these 2 as "pollution" in #1 right away ;D

Interesting solid/liquid/air theory!
Though they don't seem to be an intentional trio. I mean, in one way Grimer/Koffing are almost version exclusives (a #1 relation), while Trubbish is a clone/recycle/unovas version of Grimer (a #2 relation). They're both related to Grimer but in a different way, one being its counterpart and the other its succesor.
Like how Mankey and Meowth are initially version exclusives, but Purrloin is a Mewoth "replacement"

 

[Metalizard]

Let's see:

.In the Ursaring/Donphan duo, you say "Identical stages gained in later generations"... which is wrong...

.Why isn't Hitmontop next to the other Hitmons? That leads me to my next point:

.Why no trios? You only put duos. Weather, Dimensional and Dragon Duo? More like Weather, Dimensional and Dragon Trios... Where's Rayquaza, Giratina and Kyurem? (The epic legendary section doesn't count).

.Regigigas?

.I don't agree with your pairing of Slugma and Shellos... Just because they're slugs, have an elemental type and gain an "earthly type", they're counterparts? The BST and stat distribution is completely different, and the main reason I don't agree is the Gastrodon line has different forms, the Magcargo line doesn't.

.I always thought Venonat/Venomoth and Paras/Parasect were somewhat counterparts in gen I. The only 2 Stage bugs in gen 1 and had different secondary types. btw, I don't think the Venomoth and Masquerain cases are really that similar...

.I also think Ralts/Kirlia/Gardevoir should be in the main Psychic group. They're the main Psychic of their gen.

.The Walrein and Aggron lines. They don't share any real data similarities other than the gender ration (which is pretty common anyway), but both lines are 3 stage families with 2 types commonly paired together: Walrein is Ice/Water, Aggron is Steel/Rock. The difference in BST is minimal. Spheal and Aron have the biggest difference with Aron's being 40 points higher than Spheal's but the difference decreases as they evolve. The difference between Sealeo and Lairon is 20 points, and in the final stage, they have the same BST: 530. Spheal and Aron both evolve at level 32 and Sealeo only evolve 2 levels later than Lairon (Lairon: lv. 42; Sealeo: lv. 44). I know you don't really care much about the TCG, but in Team Magma vs Team Aqua set, Walrein and Aggron are the only stage 2 cards of each team and the 2nd main pokémon after Kyogre and Groudon. Which also brings me again to their types. Walrein is a sea animal while Aggron is more related to the Land. Finally, they also look similar to two gen 1 2 stage families, Dewgong and Rhydon (which at the time was a fully-evolved pokémon) respectively. Honestly, I don't think this is that much of a stretch considering some of the duos you put on your list that I already mentioned...

.Finally, I still think Smoochum and Jynx should have been included with Elekid/Electabuzz and Mabgy/Magmortar as a trio until Gen 4. That's when the link was broken... but I already know you don't agree so meh...

ps: I also made a similar list once, on a portuguese forum where we were discussing counterparts too. It is very similar to your list, just much less elaborated (I only listed the pokémon, and the reason in cases where it wasn't that obvious... I also included some counterparts only in the TCG...)

 

[Mitja]

I appreciate the incoming replies : )

.In the Ursaring/Donphan duo, you say "Identical stages gained in later generations"... which is wrong...

was an error from using the full list and getting rid of what doesnt fit, missed that one xD

.Why isn't Hitmontop next to the other Hitmons?

I felt like Hitmonlee/chan are opposites, whereas Hitmontop is the more special third guy... but yeah Ill add it there, cause they are really way too comparable not to.

Will probably do the same with eeveelutions then.

EDIT: actually, you were looking at category #1, where being released in the same generation is a requirement; but you're still right at pointing out I missed them as a trio in the appropriate category #5, which is about later added alternative evolutions, which I did expand with hitmons now.

.Why no trios? You only put duos. Weather, Dimensional and Dragon Duo? More like Weather, Dimensional and Dragon Trios... Where's Rayquaza, Giratina and Kyurem? (The epic legendary section doesn't count).

.Regigigas?

The thing with the mascot "trios" is, that to me a trio is not a trio if one member is in several ways different/superior/special.
Take the weather guys for example.
Groudon and Kyogre are perfect polar opposites in every imaginable way.
But Rayquaza, while sharing tons of stuff, is superior.
KG=1 colored pattern, R=3 colored patterns
KG single type, R=secondary Flying
KG physical/special swapped 670 total, R full offense 680 total
KG awakend by respective villains, R stepping in to calm their fight
KG cause neverending weather effect, R nullifies weather effects..

That makes me look at them as a duo with a guardian figure.

Same with Regigigas (...and Keldeo..and Arceus...and Landorus), its not A fourth golem (which would make them a quartet), it is THE fourth golem (making them a trio with a stronger extra guy)

Ill think about including these relations somehow when I get to it.

.I don't agree with your pairing of Slugma and Shellos... Just because they're slugs, have an elemental type and gain an "earthly type", they're counterparts? The BST and stat distribution is completely different, and the main reason I don't agree is the Gastrodon line has different forms, the Magcargo line doesn't.

I see what you mean, its certainly one of the fishier examples.. but I just cannot brush it off as coincidence for some reason S:

Maybe it was a recycled Slugma but they tweaked it to fit its Sinnoh place so much. (note that Shellos was supposed to be featured in RS at first, so its a safe guess it had another revision for DP) altho that might actually be more of an argument against listing it LOL

Maybe its completely unintentional.

.I always thought Venonat/Venomoth and Paras/Parasect were somewhat counterparts in gen I. The only 2 Stage bugs in gen 1 and had different secondary types. btw, I don't think the Venomoth and Masquerain cases are really that similar...

I'll look into that.

Paras and Venonat are met at quite different points in the game. Paras is encountered much earlier, evolves earlier and is weaker than Venonat...the only thing that's confusing is that they're next to each other in the dex for no apparent reason. Also Venonat has a radical evolution, design-wise I mean.

Category #2 is less objective...I mean I decided to give it more freedom on how much the pokemon can vary, one reason being that these have more similarities (data & design & concept) but therefore allowing less accurate matches in data (the question is where the limit is before this goes into category #4 as data becomes way to different), the other reason being that "recycled" pokemon data is guaranteed to be tweaked to accomodate its place its native generation (which for example means level evolution might occur at drastically different levels)

.I also think Ralts/Kirlia/Gardevoir should be in the main Psychic group. They're the main Psychic of their gen.

Its data is quite unique compared to Alakazam and Reuniclus/Gothitelle.

If gen 6 gave us recycled Ralts-lines, Id add "the other main Psychics" and have Ralts and the new ones in it.
I mean, sure Ralts fits the tag as main psychic (maybe I should change the title, but no idea to what..), but its not a recycled Abra, or if it is, there is like no trace of that.
The category this is in, is about recycled pokes.

.The Walrein and Aggron lines. They don't share any real data similarities other than the gender ration (which is pretty common anyway), but both lines are 3 stage families with 2 types commonly paired together: Walrein is Ice/Water, Aggron is Steel/Rock. The difference in BST is minimal. Spheal and Aron have the biggest difference with Aron's being 40 points higher than Spheal's but the difference decreases as they evolve. The difference between Sealeo and Lairon is 20 points, and in the final stage, they have the same BST: 530. Spheal and Aron both evolve at level 32 and Sealeo only evolve 2 levels later than Lairon (Lairon: lv. 42; Sealeo: lv. 44). I know you don't really care much about the TCG, but in Team Magma vs Team Aqua set, Walrein and Aggron are the only stage 2 cards of each team and the 2nd main pokémon after Kyogre and Groudon. Which also brings me again to their types. Walrein is a sea animal while Aggron is more related to the Land. Finally, they also look similar to two gen 1 2 stage families, Dewgong and Rhydon (which at the time was a fully-evolved pokémon) respectively. Honestly, I don't think this is that much of a stretch considering some of the duos you put on your list that I already mentioned...

I've actually been thinking about including those two fellas in #1
Is a similar case as Carvanha/Numel.

Because Yeah they definitely got some interesting similarities going on (like they're the same league of Pokémon families). Heck it gets especially freaky when you consider they both gain 2 spiky features in their face upon final evolution but lets not go there LOL

oh and Rhyhorn/Rhydon-->Aron/Lairon/Aggron looks like fitting category #4 material. adding too.

.Finally, I still think Smoochum and Jynx should have been included with Elekid/Electabuzz and Mabgy/Magmortar as a trio until Gen 4. That's when the link was broken... but I already know you don't agree so meh...

Don't you see that Electabuzz and Magmar share lots of things which Jynx doesn't (like resembling an animal whilst being more humanoid, or having the elemental type heavily obvious in its design, whereas Ice on Jynx is not obvious at all..)? And that Jynx is doing its own thing with things like gender, extra type, noteworthy weaker stats...
they are said to have been planned as the legendary trio at first but it seems like not much of that idea was actually left in the final designs..

 

[Fennex]

Wow, that's a well-elaborated list. Well done!

I really like this kind of in-depth analysis.
Counterparts have always been an interesting aspect of the Pokemon games. They add a welcome background to the affected evolution lines instead of keeping them isolated.

I always thought of Tauros and Miltank as "real" counterparts, too. Though they weren't introduced in the same Gen, I suppose Miltank was created as a female counterpart of Tauros, when GF decided to introduce genders in Gen2 and determined Tauros' gender to be 100% male. (also, they have same TBS and learn moves on same levels, except Tauros learns one additional move)

Regarding your "Recycled/Same role category", I think there is a motif of common canis (or more precisely carnivorans) on-going since Gen3: We had Poochyena/Mightyena in Hoenn, Shinx/Luxio/Luxray in Sinnoh and Lilipup/Herdier/Stoutland in Unova. All of them appear on the first routes of their region and have the same function. (similar to the regional birds and rodents on these routes)

On the other hand Poochyena/Mightyena may be a weaker form of Houndour/Houndoom, this is of course speculative, but they were used as version-exclusives in DP and in BW (as well as Paras/Parasect and Shroomish/Breloom in BW). Both might fit in your "Reused but Improved" category, though I guees being version-exclusive in later games is not as meaningful as being it in the first games the Pokemon occur.
Oh well, and Luxray might be a slightly stronger and more balanced version of Manectric, too.

EDIT: Just noticed that Electrike/Manectric even more resemble Houndour/Houndoom. They evolve at Lv.26/24, have similar TBS and moreover an almost identical distribution of stats. Might be elemental canis/dogs, similar to the groups you labelled elemental horses and slugs

 

[Mitja]

OH CRAP!
I just realized I have 5 categories but 4 numbers...two of them are #3
Meaning any "category #__" currently in any of my posts in here should be confusing -.-
sry Ill fix that later.
fixed.

Regarding your "Recycled/Same role category", I think there is a motif of common canis (or more precisely carnivorans) on-going since Gen3: We had Poochyena/Mightyena in Hoenn, Shinx/Luxio/Luxray in Sinnoh and Lilipup/Herdier/Stoutland in Unova. All of them appear on the first routes of their region and have the same function. (similar to the regional birds and rodents on these routes)

Poochyena definitely started the "early dawg" trend.

I'll add Poochyena->Lillipup to category #4 as they took this concept to the serious level that early birds already had from the start with Pidgey...its like Lillipup is a hybrid of "Pidgey" as data and "Poochyena" as concept lol

Shinx however is a feline, and so far the only curious thing about it I found is that its a recycled Mareep (featured in #3)

On the other hand Poochyena/Mightyena may be a weaker form of Houndour/Houndoom, this is of course speculative, but they were used as version-exclusives in DP and in BW (as well as Paras/Parasect and Shroomish/Breloom in BW). Both might fit in your "Reused but Improved" category, though I guees being version-exclusive in later games is not as meaningful as being it in the first games the Pokemon occur.
Oh well, and Luxray might be a slightly stronger and more balanced version of Manectric, too.

postgame version exclusives involve old pokemon with similar concepts regardless of their data...which then results in pairings like Flygon/Salamence simply for being Hoenns 3-stage dragons (a TCG homage? ), or Marill and Wooper on Sevii islands simply because Johto and Water.

But most still have reasoning behind that which hints at a category #4 spot.

also shrooms!!!1
Offensive Brelooms successor is among us in the form of a defensive mushroom? Lets see.
Adding Paras->Shroomish #4 and Shroomish->Foongus #2

EDIT: Just noticed that Electrike/Manectric even more resemble Houndour/Houndoom. They evolve at Lv.26/24, have similar TBS and moreover an almost identical distribution of stats. Might be elemental canis/dogs, similar to the groups you labelled elemental horses and slugs

Yep. Adding in #2




I feel like Lanturn belongs somewhere in the list...but its not distinctly similar to any particular of the other handful 2-stage fish..

 

[Metalizard]

The thing with the mascot "trios" is, that to me a trio is not a trio if one member is in several ways different/superior/special.
Take the weather guys for example.
Groudon and Kyogre are perfect polar opposites in every imaginable way.
But Rayquaza, while sharing tons of stuff, is superior.
KG=1 colored pattern, R=3 colored patterns
KG single type, R=secondary Flying
KG physical/special swapped 670 total, R full offense 680 total
KG awakend by respective villains, R stepping in to calm their fight
KG cause neverending weather effect, R nullifies weather effects..

That makes me look at them as a duo with a guardian figure.

Okay, that suffices for Rayquaza, but Giratina... the only real difference is it has a 2nd forme. It is not superior to the other two...
And Kyurem... that one is a weird case... It is weaker than the other two but when it fuses with one of them, it becomes stronger than the absorbed dragon... But they're definitely recognized as a group.

edit: Nevermind, I only focused on the superior part... Still, I don't think that just because Giratina has a 2nd forme, it should be left out of the group...

edit2: btw, there's also a 2 stage family of cat-based pokémon every gen (except gen 2 I think...). You already have the Meowth and Purrloin lines, but there's also Skitty and Glameow... They're all different but I think it can be considered a recurring theme...

 

[Mitja]

The thing with the mascot "trios" is, that to me a trio is not a trio if one member is in several ways different/superior/special.
Take the weather guys for example.
Groudon and Kyogre are perfect polar opposites in every imaginable way.
But Rayquaza, while sharing tons of stuff, is superior.
KG=1 colored pattern, R=3 colored patterns
KG single type, R=secondary Flying
KG physical/special swapped 670 total, R full offense 680 total
KG awakend by respective villains, R stepping in to calm their fight
KG cause neverending weather effect, R nullifies weather effects..

That makes me look at them as a duo with a guardian figure.

Okay, that suffices for Rayquaza, but Giratina... the only real difference is it has a 2nd forme. It is not superior to the other two...
And Kyurem... that one is a weird case... It is weaker than the other two but when it fuses with one of them, it becomes stronger than the absorbed dragon... But they're definitely recognized as a group.

edit: Nevermind, I only focused on the superior part... Still, I don't think that just because Giratina has a 2nd forme, it should be left out of the group...

Its certainly the "equal mascots" case, and I've reffered to them as the first uber trio until I saw that forme (was disappointed the other 2 didn't get any...would love it if they made sequels to DP when their "remake time" comes, and have the mascots be their interdimensional formes lol..).
I added it for now. The thing gets shaky for musketeers then though, since Keldeo is data-wise a perfect fourth match with a forme...but I guess the design and concept present it as the apprentice so they don't lose the traditional trio classification (like the folks on bulbapedia insist @_@)

But doesn't matter, I'll squeeze in an extra secton dedicated to closer legendary relations somewhere soon.