Pokemon What Characterizes Pokémon of Each Type?

Frezgle

Frezgle

Winged Death
Member
Since threads concerning particular types were starting to crop up, I figured it would be a good idea to have those discussions be in one thread instead.
(The threads about Normal types and Dragon types can stay, since those two types are so vague and inconsistent that they're worth threads of their own.)

So, what do you think each type is meant to represent? Is the Dark type about darkness, evil, trickery, or all three? Are Water types just aquatic Pokemon, or is it something else when you consider outliers like Stunfisk and Palkia? Discussion of that nature goes here.

And as always, back up your reasoning with logical explanations. and examples.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

My takes on them:

This is the basic type, it can cover a wide range of Pokemon and it has no particular association. Pretty much any animal would have the potential to be a Normal type. If you want to properly discuss the Normal type, here's the thread discussing it. Most gimmicky Pokemon are Normal, yet can change types (as part of their gimmicks). Normal type attacks are pretty much basic forms of attacking; scratches, headbutts, hitting etc.

This type is all about using specialized fighting techniques; punches, kicks, all of that. Most Pokemon of this type are humanoid, some based on bodybuilders, and some on other strength-related figures. It's only with dual typing do we see more animals be incorporated into the Fighting type; we have a Fire/Fighting chicken, pig and monkey, a Grass/Fighting mushroom, and a Bug/Fighting beetle. This is the unofficial counter to the Dark type; whilst the Dark type are all about sneaky moves, Fighting types are more about proper justified fighting techniques.

All Pokemon of this type have the ability to go into flight, or are permanently in the air/flying. Most Pokemon of this type are various birds, however it does include some flying bugs and dragons. Flying is famous for having only one pure Flying; Tornadus. This I assume is because Tornadus only has association with the wind, whilst all the others of the Flying type have different elemental association. However, I'm not really sure about the mass of Normal/Flying types. The moves of this type have association with the wind - Gust, Hurricane, beak based attacks - Pluck, Drill Peck, and then others which don't fall into those 2 categories, but don't make their own - Aerial Ace, Brave Bird etc.

This type is made up of animals who irl have potentially dangerous venom; spiders, snakes, jellyfish etc. There are some based on various poisonous substances - grime, trash etc. This type is commonly paired with the Grass and Bug types; poisonous plants such as fungi, and various poisonous bugs. The attacks of this type don't really seem to have much more to them than either 'the Pokemon sends sludge at its opponent' or stabbing the opponent with poison or poisonous gas.

The Pokemon of this type have some relation to the earth; some use it as part of their lifestyle, some live in the ground, and there are some that have relation to mud. This type often goes with Rock, and the 2 are sometimes considered too close to be seperate types; I'll get to that in the Rock section. This type can include various animals; however some of them have relation to the ground - moles etc. The attacks of this type include using the ground as a weapon - Bulldoze, Earthquake, some include mud - Mud Shot, Mud Bomb, and in a couple the Pokemon actually utilises the ground whilst using its own powers - Dig etc.

A lot of people say that the Ground and Rock types should just be merged into one, however there are differences between the two. Whilst the Ground types have more association with the actual earth - soil and stuff, the Rock type is more about the actual detached rock (boulders etc).
Whilst Ground types don't really have an official theme with their types, Rock types are different - they usually have rocks incorporated in their designs, whether it be a shell, armor or if the Pokemon's body is actually made of rock.
The difference is also prominent in the attacks; Ground types utilize the ground, whereas Rock types usually are using rocks to attack - whether its throwing them at the opponent, or using rocks in a sneaky way to damage opponents.

I'm gonna keep the themes short, because there's only one real theme that Bug types have: they're all Bugs (well, except Pineco and Shuckle). Pineco is based on a bagworm - a caterpillar that makes a shell out of leaves, twigs etc. Pineco is a bagworm in a pinecone. (thanks Pokequaza :])
I'm not really sure how to describe Bug attacks :L if anyone wants to tell me feel free

Ghost types are often based off of folklore; banshees, and then there are some Japanese-folklore-inspired Ghosts. Some are ghostly creatures - Jellicent etc. and some are possessed objects - Honedge, Golurk.
Ghost type moves typically use shadows - Shadow Claw uses a claw made of shadows, Shadow Ball etc. Ghost status moves often involve grudges; Destiny Bond will knock out the Pokemon who knocked the user out, Spite lowers the PP of the last move hit etc.

Steel types are often creatures made of metal; they either have steel plates, or armor, or they just have bodies that are made of steel. These can be robotic Pokemon, or actual animals made to look robotic (Genesect). Several Steel types are inanimate objects; Klinklang, Magnezone, Bronzong etc.
Steel type physical moves usually involve using body parts as sharp as steel (or as hard), whilst the special types are a bit different. The special Steel moves typically involve light - I'm guessing this is because they have the idea that steel=reflection=bright or something.

Fire types are typically defined by a red/yellow/orange coloration, flame-like details, and in a regular occurence, actual flames. Fire type designs can pretty much include anything; there are various animals of the fire type (pigs, camels, snails, even a moth), and there are some that have basis in mythology and folklore.
Fire type moves are typically defined as 'the Pokemon sends a blast of fire at the opponent' and on the physical spectrum, hitting the opponent with various body parts and on one occasion their whole body (Flare Blitz).

Water type animals are usually designed after marine life - we have whales, octopi, jellyfish etc. There are some mammals/mustelids that have water abilities -monkeys, otters etc.
Water type moves often include using bubbles to attack, or shooting water at the opponent. Physical Water moves include using shells to attack, or just hitting the opponent with a watery blow.

Grass types are generally mammals or reptiles that are notable by their green color and/or foliage/flowers/whatever, and then there are some Grass types that are actual plants (Sunflora, Lilligant, Tangrowth).
Grass type moves include drawing power from nature, using vines to attack, and stealing nutrients from the opponent to regain their own HP.

Electric types are generally mammalian; there are a couple of exceptions (Eelektross). They typically have yellow, or blue coloration. Some of them have electrical themes incorporated into their designs.
Electric moves are pretty much the same as Fire; special ones mainly consist of 'The user sends an electrical blast at the opponent' and physical ones are 'The Pokemon uses its electrical fangs/fists/whatever to hit the opponent'.

Psychic types don't really have a definitive theme with their designs; some are humanoid, some are animal-like, some are animals, and some are based on inanimate objects.
Their major theme in terms of abilities is using ESP, telekinesis, and other psychic abilities to battle.
Psychic moves tend to consist of telekinetic forces, materializing odd waves, peculiar beams etc.

Dark types are generally characterized by their sneaky characteristics; in this sense they are the counterpart to the Fighting type (who only use valiant, fair fighting).
In terms of design, there's a huge range; there are a few mammals, there are a couple birds, and recently revealed, a squid.
Dark type attacks are all about sneakery and unfair tactics; Sucker Punch deals high damage before the opponent can use their move, Pursuit does double damage on Pokemon switching out etc.

Ice types are generally mammalian; there are also several different inanimate objects - ice cream (formed out of icicles and snow), snowflakes and a golem.
The attacks of this type include shooting beams of ice, using snow to attack, and using icicles to attack.

Dragon types are almost all reptilian, there are a couple exceptions (most notably the legendary Dragon types). Dragon has frequently been referred to as the 'mythical' type; most dragons are rare, and evolve at high levels. (it's uncommon for a 3 stage Dragon line to be fully evolved before level 50) Dragon is the most common type for Psuedo legendaries; only 2 out of 6 don't have the Dragon type, and after that only 1 is fully distinct from Dragon type - Tyranitar still has a slightly draconic appearance and is able to learn several Dragon moves.
If you really want to go into detail about them, here's a link to the thread that solely discusses Dragons.
Dragon type attacks typically have reference to rages/brutality; Outrage, Dragon Rage, Dragon Rush, Dragon Claw.

This is gonna be short due to only having limited knowledge on the Fairy type, but from the revealed Fairies I'm seeing it as a combination of mythical, magical and cutesy.
Fairy attacks are even harder to specify; we only have 5. So far, we appear to have a bit of trickery - Baby-Doll Eyes goes fist and lowers attack, Draining Kiss drains HP - they both involve things that include cuteness - cutesy eyes and kisses.

additionally:
As far as I see it, there are 3 kinds of dual types.
The first is the Normal type:
Has some elemental association, but not enough to justify an entire type so is part Normal. Litleo and Helioptile have had many speculation about their secondary Normal typing; I'm assuming that this is the case, yet GF are switching stuff around for some variation.

The second is the 75-25%:
Where a Pokemon is clearly one type, however has aspects of a second. Weavile is a good example - its behaviour is Dark type through and through, however it lives in the snow and can utilize the snow, but the Dark type behaviour take prominence.

The second is the 50-50%:
This is where a Pokemon is clearly 2 types, and in terms of design its equal. Abomasnow is a good example; as is Galvantula.

god, that took me about 3 hours to write.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

Pineco is based on a bagworm, a caterpillar that lives in a ''shell'' made from various objects; leaves, twigs, etc. Pineco, obviously, is supposed to be a bagworm inside a pinecone.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

^Which also means, biologically speaking, Pineco and Forretress are another moth/butterfly line. As also demonstrated by Wormadam, real bagworms sometimes don't even leave their bags; the females in many species remain there until they die, never developing wings or even legs!

Anyway, I've always found poison the hardest one to define, really. "Poison" can refer to any substance an organism finds toxic. Some things poisonous to us humans are nutritious to other animals or plants, and vice-versa. Different organisms produce wildly different types of poison or venom, and obviously there's a HUGE difference between a biological venom and what toxic waste would do to you.

I like to think maybe there's a single, unique chemical element found in all poison pokemon, possibly infused into every cell of their being, that happens to be harmful to all other creatures. Some pokemon evolved to channel it into a venomous sting, others mix it with other volatile substances to produce corrosive compounds or gases.

I have no idea why they would be weak to ground, but that chemical element could happen to act as a sort of conductor to psychic attacks.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

And what about the types color? grass type pokemon are green and its clear to all of us why but why fighting pokrmons type is brown? Why psychic pokemons type is purple?
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

Purple has long been treated as a "magical" sort of color.

Fighting types have brown because it's a neutral, fleshy sort of color.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

Bogleech said:
Fighting types have brown because it's a neutral, fleshy sort of color.
Click to expand...

Well that fits the Pokemon of this type that are human like (most of them)
In fact, Cobalion, Virizion, Terrakion, and Keldeo are the only non bipedal Pokemon so far iirc. All the other fighting types walk on two legs with two hands.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

scattered mind said:
Bogleech said:
Fighting types have brown because it's a neutral, fleshy sort of color.
Click to expand...

Well that fits the Pokemon of this type that are human like (most of them)
In fact, Cobalion, Virizion, Terrakion, and Keldeo are the only non bipedal Pokemon so far iirc. All the other fighting types walk on two legs with two hands.
Click to expand...

I feel like their fighting typing has more to do with sword fighting and that whole justice motif they have going on
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

In my opinion, each Pokemon is assigned a type depending on its resistances and weaknesses. For instance, Snivy was classified in the Pokemon world as a Grass-type because it is weak to Fire-, Ice-, Bug-, Poison-, and Flying-type moves, and resists Water-, Grass-, Electric-, and Ground-type moves. It is the weaknesses and resistances that determine type, not the other way around.

As far as dual-types go, I think it has to do more with characteristics of the individual Pokemon.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

I dont think so. Unless they design pokemon with no colors think of what weakness he will have and then gives it type and green color.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

Keep in mind that Physic is actually Esper, Dark is Evil, and Fire is Flame. Name differences can mean a lot.
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

scattered mind said:
And what about the types color? grass type pokemon are green and its clear to all of us why but why fighting pokemon's type is brown? Why psychic pokemons type is purple?
Click to expand...
because of classic color connections in our everyday lives.

Purple = popular halloween color associated with mystery, witches, occult

Green = grass, earth, nature

Brown = earth, skin, rocks, strength, masculinity
 
RE: What characterizes Pokemon of each type?

ChicaSkas said:
scattered mind said:
And what about the types color? grass type pokemon are green and its clear to all of us why but why fighting pokemon's type is brown? Why psychic pokemons type is purple?
Click to expand...
because of classic color connections in our everyday lives.

Purple = popular halloween color associated with mystery, witches, occult

Green = grass, earth, nature

Brown = earth, skin, rocks, strength, masculinity
Click to expand...

make sense. :) by the way I think that fighting type used to be red colored with fire type being orange in gen 3.
and dragon type had red and blue and was changed to sort of purple which is funny because purple is what you get when you mix red and blue
 
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