I'm guessing Ditto likes transforming into stuff (or as the dex calls it, "metamorphosis" which is really what evolution should be called) and hanging out with other Ditto means that neither of them have anything to transform into.
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SPOILERS! Mysteries and Conspiracies of Pokemon
- Thread starter stage7_4
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It's just a transformation joke
It can transform (metamorph, if you will) and get along with any pokemon (arguably people but.....) in any environment.
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"change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means"
That's the definition of "metamorphosis" from Merriam-Webster. "Metamorphosis" in the context of this entry just refers to Ditto being able to change its physical form to match that of any other Pokémon. Except itself, which is probably why Ditto don't get along with each other.
I'm obsessed with this video (also being pedantic, Metamon isn't a 1:1 with metamorph, that'd probably be metamofu)
It's very catchy. Also, my mistake, I thought Ditto's Japanese name was Metamorph, I corrected my post.
Nah don't worry about it, it's a fair conclusion tbh. metamon is metamorph + monster. it's pretty close to the pronunciation of metamorph in a Japanese accent too (so it's kinda like whismur, which is super close to whisper but the pronunciation is juuuuuust different enough)
For what it's worth Metamorph is indeed Ditto's French name.
Yeah, I kinda hate the fact that this was intentional
is not only unnecessary and nonsensical, Gamefreak has decided to stick to it in spite of it contradicting recent ("recent" as in "released in the last 15 years") pokedex entries as well as the anime canon
as for the Gym Leader thing, is pretty clear that in the games they're celebrities; whether they're paid well or are just looked up to (and get all the benefits that that implies) socially, it's up in the air
More like the other way around - the anime contradicting Game Freak.
Gives birth, then continues to raise its young as it grows to Nidorina then Nidoqueen.
It being intentional is weird and archaic, mind you, and they probably should just drop it.
we know the games are somewhat contradictory, but gamefreak cannot contradict anime canon, because the anime is a spawn of the games and comes afterwards. At best, they're completely separate worlds, at worst, the anime is the contradictory one. That's probably what siggu meant
The Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia, from which it was discovered that Nidorina and Nidoqueen being unable to breed was intentional, was released in April 5, 1996. The Anime was released in April 1, 1997, almost one year later, so it's the Anime contradicting Game Freak.
Highly doubtful, raising its young is continually mentioned in both Nidorina & Nidoqueen's dex entries up to & including Sword & Shield.
Here's the thing, both Nidorina and Nidoqueen entries as early as Gold and Silver mention them caring for their young
whatever the anime thinks about it doesn't matter
that book might have been written by Gamefreak but in the games, Nidorina and Nidoqueen have been mention to raise their young ever since breeding became a thing
it's basically Gamefreak contradicting its own games
whatever the anime thinks about it doesn't matter
that book might have been written by Gamefreak but in the games, Nidorina and Nidoqueen have been mention to raise their young ever since breeding became a thing
it's basically Gamefreak contradicting its own games
The book was written well before breeding was a mechanic, and then breeding became a mechanic and it was in line with what was previously established about the Nidoran family. The apparent odd one out is the Pokedex entries themselves, but really it's just saying that Nidoran mate and then evolve into Nidorina to better protect their young.
Huh, didn't think I'd need to place it here, but the discovery of the Nidorina and Nidoqueen intentionally being unable to breed & yet their Pokedex entry mentioning their young made me wonder how that could work. Eventually I made up a theory in Weird Theories that, honestly, has me convinced it's possible. I'll repost it here outside of a quote box to save you the trouble:
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So, I have weird new theory, maybe edging a bit on wishlisting or at least more going into an idea GF had but they didn't really follow-up on despite leading to a baffling decision they keep on today.
If you didn't know, FUN FACT, Nidorina & Nidoqueen can't breed. Very strange, especially since their male counterparts can. At first you could assume it was a glitch, yet its something which has been carried out with them for several gens and never "fixed".
If you haven't heard, an old Japanese Pokemon pre-release handbook guide was found recently and translated. The pre-release guide didn't really tell you much, but it did have Pokedex entries & trivia bits here and there that were never mentioned in the games. You can watch a video about it here (note it's a part 1 and the next part isn't out yet at the time of writing this):
Now, some of the information in the guide has likely been retconned, but there is one dex entry which has caught the ears of fans: Nidorina & Nidoqueen being unable to breed was intentional. It wasn't a glitch that for some reason they were keeping, it was purposely done. Now a response to that video I did I was critical with the decision, noting how it doesn't make sense on both a mechanical level (Nidoran female are said to do all their breeding before they evolve, but the Nidorans evolve early at Level 16) and with newer dex entries (Nidorina's and Nidoqueen's dex entries keep mentioning their offspring despite being unable to breed). Now, I mentioned a "workaround" to these conundrums but in a mocking matter... but as I thought more about it, and thinking back to another post I made where I had to read up on the behavior of hens (it had to do with the Chansey family and protection of their eggs), I think the workaround can honestly work if more thought was put into it. But that's not something for the Mystery & Conspiracy thread, well, it could fit there, BUT considering the topic matter I think it would fit better as a:
NEW THEORY: Nidoran F(emale) Breeding Behaviors
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So, I have weird new theory, maybe edging a bit on wishlisting or at least more going into an idea GF had but they didn't really follow-up on despite leading to a baffling decision they keep on today.
If you didn't know, FUN FACT, Nidorina & Nidoqueen can't breed. Very strange, especially since their male counterparts can. At first you could assume it was a glitch, yet its something which has been carried out with them for several gens and never "fixed".
If you haven't heard, an old Japanese Pokemon pre-release handbook guide was found recently and translated. The pre-release guide didn't really tell you much, but it did have Pokedex entries & trivia bits here and there that were never mentioned in the games. You can watch a video about it here (note it's a part 1 and the next part isn't out yet at the time of writing this):
NEW THEORY: Nidoran F(emale) Breeding Behaviors
- So, first let's remember a Pokemon can choose not to evolve. Upon reaching level 16 a Nidoran F doesn't have to evolve, infact I could even see a Nidoran F trying to get itself up to at least Level 16 BEFORE it begins breeding. But for now, a Nidoran F is not evolving because, like all species, it wants to reproduce so its species can thrive and pass along its genes.
- And so, no matter how many levels it gains, a Nidoran F will stay as its basic stage until it finds a mate, most likely a Nidoran M(ale) or a Nidorino, and produce a clutch of eggs. That is when its maternal instincts kick in. Nidoran F are mentioned not to be fighters having short horns (but have a strong poison to use in self-defense), but Nidorina and Nidoqueen are noted to have thick armor scales. Thus, now having their clutch of eggs, Nidoran F has accomplished its goal of procreating so now chooses to evolve (which is easy enough to do as its over Level 16) to better protect its eggs and soon offspring. It has traded its biological function to develop new eggs in order to grow thicker armor to protect the eggs/offspring it now has.
- Now, this is where the Nidoran M/Nidorino comes in. As the Nidorina are tending to the Eggs, it's the males turn to start doing some leg work. Yes, as 1st stage evos they are perfectly capable of protecting their offspring, BUT they would do a much better job if they were a 2nd stage. So, the duty of the male counterparts is finding Moon Stones for both itself and its breeding partner, and hopefully they can do so before the eggs hatch to the baby Nidoran have a strong Nidoking and Nidoqueen parent caring and protecting them. In my original response I asked wouldn't it be strange for the partner for the Nidoran F to suddenly change, but then I realized it wouldn't be if BOTH partners underwent the same change.
- Why can Nidorino and Nidoking still breed than? Likely a reflection of real like animals, notably mammals. A male's part in reproduction is just providing the sperm, in biological resource terms that's very little energy to do. Meanwhile its the female which has to spend the massive amount of resources to grow the child within them, and that's taxing on the body especially an older body. Female mammals go through menopause because the body has decided it likely won't (naturally) survive having a child. Now my above explanation danced around that, but I think that's the core idea behind this decision. Nidorino and Nidoking can still breed because it takes very little energy on their part to do so, could be possible for a sole Nidorino/Nidoking to have a harem. Now thinking of a Nidoking breeding with a Nidoran F is a bit squick, but this is the animal kingdom and if a Nidoking is strong than a Nidoran F would perfectly be happy making offspring with it (also who says the Nidokings need to breed with members of its own species; Kangaskhan need males so...). And after breeding that Nidoran F will evolve into the Nidorina, and if it has a Moon Stone become an equally sized Nidoqueen. In fact having an abundance of Moon Stones could also be something alpha male Nidokings use to attract mates as that not only shows its a provider but also means the female can be ready to protect its offspring to its fullest asap. Though, flipping this around, if we're to assume that the Nidoran family are more solitary creature and the males may not stick around/females may chase them off, then the male can just keep on doing its business and find another female.
- Is there any reason for wild Nidoran F to evolve before laying Eggs? I can see maybe in a colony structure there may be some Nidoran F who choose to evolve before laying Eggs. It would have to be a situation where there's not enough males (or not enough genetic diversity) that weaker Nidoran F decide it's better for its stronger sisters to pass on their genes, so they evolve immediately to provide extra protection for the colony (and especially their nieces and nephews to keep on passing down the family genes even if it's not directly theirs). Outside of that I would say the instinct to reproduce would be stronger for individuals living by themselves or in a small group that they would not evolve under normal circumstances.
- Why need a Moon Stone to evolve to their 2nd/final stage? In addition to the above explanation of being a way for the males to provide support and possibly use as a way to attract mates, could also be another way to show how much the Nidoran F's thinking & body has changed upon reproducing. It so much no longer sees a need to reproduce, it's perfectly willing to expose itself to radiation to further make itself stronger and bulkier to protect its offspring. While Nidorina may still have their reproductive organs but its shrunk and squashed by armor scales, Nidoqueen may have used the Moon Stone to completely remove them for extra muscle and armor. Heck, Nidoking could just be a byproduct of that, no reason to not give the males a 2nd/final stage as well.
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Alternatively it might be that the Moon Stone simply provides the energy that childbirth would provide in the wild. When a Nidoran-F births its young, its maternal instincts catalyse inside it and give it the impetus to grow larger and become powerful enough to defend them. Using a Moon Stone simply short-cuts the process.
I've always thought stone and item evolutions were like this. Take Steelix. You can catch wild Steelix; in nature, I envisage that Onix absorbs metal and gradually changes over years and years to become its evolved form. In-game and in-universe via the miracle of technology, you can "jump-start" the process with a Metal Coat and a surge of energy via the trading process. Evolution stones are similar; they concentrate the energy and power that a wild Pokemon might need years to fully imbibe.
In human terms I guess it'd be kind of like injecting a child with a booster of hormones and chemicals so that puberty suddenly triggers and overnight they're a deep-voiced homunculus with acne and way too much hair.
Lovely image, that...
I was thinking "it doesn't suit Giovanni to have a Kangaskhan, who has strong maternal instincts". However, that's when I realized, that it suits him a lot. Few Pokemon would like to cause harm. So, to make up for that, he probably would have threatened to harm the cub if Kangaskhan didn't obey him. This same logic serves for him to have a Nidoking and a Nidoqueen. It also serves him to have a Marowak, although he only has one in PWT, at the time he was probably already acting legally, and in Battle Agency, where it wasn't really him. If you're going to extend this logic further, you can also use it for Dugtrio.
I also have theories for his plans with the Rainbow Rocket. I don't think he was supposed to want an army of UBs just because he thought they were strong. I think it has a lot more to do with practical use. They are found in droves on their home planets. Apparently, Giovanni could freely travel between dimensions, so I think traveling there would be pretty easy. Meanwhile, they all have their own use. Nihilego: mind control, Buzzwole: tasks that require brute force, Pheromosa: chases, Xurkitree: electric power, Celestela: rocket, Guzzlord: mass destruction, Naganadel: flight, Stakataka: mobile barrier, Blacephalon: entertainment.
Another interesting thing to note: after you complete the Rainbow Rocket Episode, if you go to take a photo at Alola Photo Club, you are informed that a man dressed in black, who called himself Rainbow, had given the villain teams stickers for everyone to use. To support the theory I'm going to present, I'm going to assume he did it right before you faced him. These stickers were probably intended to promote the Rainbow Rocket, but based on that, we have something curious: among them we have one from Team Skull. Because? Here comes another theory: Giovanni planned to get Guzma to join him, so he wanted to appear on television. He knew Guzma would be attracted to Lusamine being in danger. He would likely use means like Nihilego, if necessary, to gain control over Guzma. Why would he do that? Because Guzma is not only strong, but he has control over many people.
My English is bad so maybe he has some mistakes. Anyway, if I remember correctly, those are my theories. Did I forget something? I don't think all my theories are right, but I think maybe some are.
I also have theories for his plans with the Rainbow Rocket. I don't think he was supposed to want an army of UBs just because he thought they were strong. I think it has a lot more to do with practical use. They are found in droves on their home planets. Apparently, Giovanni could freely travel between dimensions, so I think traveling there would be pretty easy. Meanwhile, they all have their own use. Nihilego: mind control, Buzzwole: tasks that require brute force, Pheromosa: chases, Xurkitree: electric power, Celestela: rocket, Guzzlord: mass destruction, Naganadel: flight, Stakataka: mobile barrier, Blacephalon: entertainment.
Another interesting thing to note: after you complete the Rainbow Rocket Episode, if you go to take a photo at Alola Photo Club, you are informed that a man dressed in black, who called himself Rainbow, had given the villain teams stickers for everyone to use. To support the theory I'm going to present, I'm going to assume he did it right before you faced him. These stickers were probably intended to promote the Rainbow Rocket, but based on that, we have something curious: among them we have one from Team Skull. Because? Here comes another theory: Giovanni planned to get Guzma to join him, so he wanted to appear on television. He knew Guzma would be attracted to Lusamine being in danger. He would likely use means like Nihilego, if necessary, to gain control over Guzma. Why would he do that? Because Guzma is not only strong, but he has control over many people.
My English is bad so maybe he has some mistakes. Anyway, if I remember correctly, those are my theories. Did I forget something? I don't think all my theories are right, but I think maybe some are.
Pretty much my view on this as well. It's not just the ground type that is similar between Nidoking/Nidoqueen/Rhydon.
I also like the idea that Rainbow Rocket Giovanni primarily had combat data for UBs while they had their auras up, making it seem like they had an edge in power over strong regular mons in addition to availability.