So I recently got back into X and Y. (PM me your Friend Code if you care to: 0044-4249-9562)
It got me into thinking what my "real" favorite Pokemon are. This list (and hopefully the discussion) disregards legendary-status, starters, and statistical and competitive values. This list goes by design, flavor, and even personal attachments. Here's my top 32 and why:
1. Ninetales - I've always liked this Pokemon. I always consider it Fire-Psychic since it's moveset and lore make it out to be either Psychic or Ghost. I like the elegant design and Vulpix would totally be my starting Pokemon if they were real. [Extrasensory, Shadow Ball, Flamethrower, Confuse Ray for the win!]
2. Breloom - The third generation was one of my favorites (after the second). One of my first playthroughs I trained a Shroomish knowing it would evolve into Breloom. I also liked the Effect Spore ability and found it infinitely interesting. The typing was also original and I loved Mach Punch and Sky Uppercut with Giga Drain and Leech Seed.
3. Medicham - Another interesting type match up that I appreciated. I also liked the design. Having a Pokemon know Hi Jump Kick and Psychic was cool to me and I still find it interesting to this day.
4. Jumpluff - This was a recent favorite of mine and realized it was the first Grass Flying type (I found Tropius interesting but didn't care for its design). Its fast, which was also interesting to learn, and learned Bounce instead of Fly, which I found odd. Even though its not the strongest, I found it cute and almost playable.
5. Espeon - The only eeveelution that I ever cared about. Again, I like elegance and this Pokemon has it. I liked it during a time I thought Psychics ruled and just found it pleasant to look at.
6. Shiftry - I found its design and type-match up interesting as well as its evolution process. With Shiftry I learned that evolving right away wasn't always the best option. I liked the move Extrasensory (which is a major reason Ninetales is first) and found Shiftry to be considerably good in battle.
7. Flygon - I didn't much care for it until Garchomp came around. With Garchomp being over-powered, I enjoyed the idea of favoring the original Ground Dragon. I know this is petty, but I learned to like its design as well.
8. Froslass - I don't really know why I enjoy this Pokemon so much. The type-matching was original and I always had a fondness for Snorunt. I never liked Glalie so this was a great alternative. Though she's weak, she's, again, elegant and fun to use.
9. Bisharp - He's just really cool to me. I like its design and the idea that he can't touch himself without getting cut (hurr hurr) is a bit humorous. But its typing and design were unique and I found instant attraction to it. It's just a pain that you find it so late and it evolves so late. :/
10. Masquerain - I liked the idea of a Bug being able to use Bubblebeam for some reason. As soon as I figured this out, Masquerain was a part of my team in Ruby Version (Another solidification of stalling evolution). I wish they would add another Water Bug type, but Masquerain is a good enough pseudo-replacement for now. ;)
11. Ledian - I always found Ledian adorable yet impossible to play with. Ledyba was so difficult to train and Ledian was difficult to win with. I always imagined it being a Bug Fighting type since it learned all the punches. Also, ladybugs are just fricken cute.
12. Bellossom - The idea of having this tiny flower child kicking butt with Petal Dance is both awesome and adorable. I've never played with her but being the first branching evolution that I noticed was interesting and unique.
13. Sunflora - I've actually trained one of these and it's almost impossible. Slow and with low defenses, Sunkern and Sunflora are possibly the worst Pokemon right after Magikarp. Probably worse since it doesn't drastically improve after evolution. Still, they're cute and nice to look at. ;)
14. Sawsbuck - This took me a while to grow fond of, but I enjoy the seasons and the idea of a Pokemon changing with them is interesting. Also, being a Grass Normal type was unique and this Pokemon is a more attractive version of Stantler (and actually usable). I also like its unique moveset.
15. Toxicroak - I've never used him but I always thought his design was wicked cool. The type match-up was unique and I thought Poison Jab was a cool move.
16. Lanturn - Again, a unique type match up and a useful ability made Lanturn a quick favorite of mine. I liked its bulk and thought Chinchou was infinitely adorable.
17. Houndoom - This moved down because it became so popular (I know, I'm such a hipster). But I always thought it was scary cool and thought the Rocket Admin's Houndoom was difficult of which to take care.
18. Archeops - I've read that some people hate Archeops but I thought it was cool. It was a powered-down Aerodactyl but still useful. It's also kind of pretty. xP
19. Chimecho - I don't know what it is about Chimecho but I always found it cute and nice to look at. It's along the same lines as Sunflora but with less appreciation.
20. Banette - This was the first Pokemon of which I was actually frightened to some degree. After reading its description, I found it even more dark and all the more interesting.
21. Sandslash - I've always liked Sandslash. I thought its design was cool but never found myself playing with it.
22. Ampharos - Mareep is adorable and I liked the idea of a non-fast electric type. For some reason I like the idea of Pokemon learning a random yet supremely flavorful Rock-type move, Power Gem (yes, I'm looking at you, Vespiquen).
23. Pyroar - Finally, a lion. I think it's a cool idea and even more unique that it's Normal and Fire. It's moveset is also quite flavorful.
24. Grumpig - I thought a bouncing piglet was adorable, and then I learned that it would die if it doesn't, and I found it infinitely more adorable. Also, another Bouncer which I thought was interesting. I've trained one once but it never made it to the Elite Four with Blaziken and Breloom.
25. Crobat - One of the only competitive Pokemon on this list, probably. I thought its method of evolution was intriguing. It's also a plus that it's not as ugly as Golbat. Its method of flight was also interesting (I never knew if they were legs or secondary wings...).
26. Weavile - This is a like for a friend. My best friend raved over Sneasle specifically and thought Weavile was cool. So even though this is mostly an ode to them, I think its typing is unique as well as its usefulness (or lackthereof).
27. Chandelure - One of my first favorites of the fifth generation but quickly fell down the list. I think making Pokemon out of previously inanimate objects is interesting, though only for Ghost types, and only if they look cool (lookin' at you, Rotom...).
28. Gardevoir - Another quick favorite of the third generation but its popularity made me seek out others to favorite instead. I'm currently using the one Diantha gives you post game and her elegance remains a key factor of why I like her so much.
29. Dragalge - This is a more recent favorite for having caught one and trying it out (for typing purposes, mainly. I also caught a shiny one! :D). I maxed out its Defenses and I find the idea of algae and seaweed as a Pokemon both humorous and interesting (it's holding leftovers for the idea that it's eating itself xP). There's a level of elegance here.
30. Mothim - He actually replaced Butterfree here. I liked that Butterfree could learn Psychic and such but Mothim seems like the more wholesome Bug, whatever that means. I like his design but never used him much in-game. You wouldn't know it but the Bug type is one of my favorites (after Fire and before Fighting).
31. Zangoose - I always thought Zangoose was cool and the idea of rivalries between Pokemon intrigued me.
32. Talonflame - The first non-legendary Fire-Flying type had to be a favorite, but it's not the coolest. I still think its interesting and the naming was obvious (to the point of being lazy) yet flavorful. I'm still waiting on a Fire-Dragon type (and not a Legendary one).
So, what are some of your favorites that others might not take interest in? What's one Pokemon that always has to be in your party? Was there anything in my list that you agree or disagree with? Since there was a constant theme of "elegance," are you surprised that Milotic isn't in the list?
It got me into thinking what my "real" favorite Pokemon are. This list (and hopefully the discussion) disregards legendary-status, starters, and statistical and competitive values. This list goes by design, flavor, and even personal attachments. Here's my top 32 and why:
1. Ninetales - I've always liked this Pokemon. I always consider it Fire-Psychic since it's moveset and lore make it out to be either Psychic or Ghost. I like the elegant design and Vulpix would totally be my starting Pokemon if they were real. [Extrasensory, Shadow Ball, Flamethrower, Confuse Ray for the win!]
2. Breloom - The third generation was one of my favorites (after the second). One of my first playthroughs I trained a Shroomish knowing it would evolve into Breloom. I also liked the Effect Spore ability and found it infinitely interesting. The typing was also original and I loved Mach Punch and Sky Uppercut with Giga Drain and Leech Seed.
3. Medicham - Another interesting type match up that I appreciated. I also liked the design. Having a Pokemon know Hi Jump Kick and Psychic was cool to me and I still find it interesting to this day.
4. Jumpluff - This was a recent favorite of mine and realized it was the first Grass Flying type (I found Tropius interesting but didn't care for its design). Its fast, which was also interesting to learn, and learned Bounce instead of Fly, which I found odd. Even though its not the strongest, I found it cute and almost playable.
5. Espeon - The only eeveelution that I ever cared about. Again, I like elegance and this Pokemon has it. I liked it during a time I thought Psychics ruled and just found it pleasant to look at.
6. Shiftry - I found its design and type-match up interesting as well as its evolution process. With Shiftry I learned that evolving right away wasn't always the best option. I liked the move Extrasensory (which is a major reason Ninetales is first) and found Shiftry to be considerably good in battle.
7. Flygon - I didn't much care for it until Garchomp came around. With Garchomp being over-powered, I enjoyed the idea of favoring the original Ground Dragon. I know this is petty, but I learned to like its design as well.
8. Froslass - I don't really know why I enjoy this Pokemon so much. The type-matching was original and I always had a fondness for Snorunt. I never liked Glalie so this was a great alternative. Though she's weak, she's, again, elegant and fun to use.
9. Bisharp - He's just really cool to me. I like its design and the idea that he can't touch himself without getting cut (hurr hurr) is a bit humorous. But its typing and design were unique and I found instant attraction to it. It's just a pain that you find it so late and it evolves so late. :/
10. Masquerain - I liked the idea of a Bug being able to use Bubblebeam for some reason. As soon as I figured this out, Masquerain was a part of my team in Ruby Version (Another solidification of stalling evolution). I wish they would add another Water Bug type, but Masquerain is a good enough pseudo-replacement for now. ;)
11. Ledian - I always found Ledian adorable yet impossible to play with. Ledyba was so difficult to train and Ledian was difficult to win with. I always imagined it being a Bug Fighting type since it learned all the punches. Also, ladybugs are just fricken cute.
12. Bellossom - The idea of having this tiny flower child kicking butt with Petal Dance is both awesome and adorable. I've never played with her but being the first branching evolution that I noticed was interesting and unique.
13. Sunflora - I've actually trained one of these and it's almost impossible. Slow and with low defenses, Sunkern and Sunflora are possibly the worst Pokemon right after Magikarp. Probably worse since it doesn't drastically improve after evolution. Still, they're cute and nice to look at. ;)
14. Sawsbuck - This took me a while to grow fond of, but I enjoy the seasons and the idea of a Pokemon changing with them is interesting. Also, being a Grass Normal type was unique and this Pokemon is a more attractive version of Stantler (and actually usable). I also like its unique moveset.
15. Toxicroak - I've never used him but I always thought his design was wicked cool. The type match-up was unique and I thought Poison Jab was a cool move.
16. Lanturn - Again, a unique type match up and a useful ability made Lanturn a quick favorite of mine. I liked its bulk and thought Chinchou was infinitely adorable.
17. Houndoom - This moved down because it became so popular (I know, I'm such a hipster). But I always thought it was scary cool and thought the Rocket Admin's Houndoom was difficult of which to take care.
18. Archeops - I've read that some people hate Archeops but I thought it was cool. It was a powered-down Aerodactyl but still useful. It's also kind of pretty. xP
19. Chimecho - I don't know what it is about Chimecho but I always found it cute and nice to look at. It's along the same lines as Sunflora but with less appreciation.
20. Banette - This was the first Pokemon of which I was actually frightened to some degree. After reading its description, I found it even more dark and all the more interesting.
21. Sandslash - I've always liked Sandslash. I thought its design was cool but never found myself playing with it.
22. Ampharos - Mareep is adorable and I liked the idea of a non-fast electric type. For some reason I like the idea of Pokemon learning a random yet supremely flavorful Rock-type move, Power Gem (yes, I'm looking at you, Vespiquen).
23. Pyroar - Finally, a lion. I think it's a cool idea and even more unique that it's Normal and Fire. It's moveset is also quite flavorful.
24. Grumpig - I thought a bouncing piglet was adorable, and then I learned that it would die if it doesn't, and I found it infinitely more adorable. Also, another Bouncer which I thought was interesting. I've trained one once but it never made it to the Elite Four with Blaziken and Breloom.
25. Crobat - One of the only competitive Pokemon on this list, probably. I thought its method of evolution was intriguing. It's also a plus that it's not as ugly as Golbat. Its method of flight was also interesting (I never knew if they were legs or secondary wings...).
26. Weavile - This is a like for a friend. My best friend raved over Sneasle specifically and thought Weavile was cool. So even though this is mostly an ode to them, I think its typing is unique as well as its usefulness (or lackthereof).
27. Chandelure - One of my first favorites of the fifth generation but quickly fell down the list. I think making Pokemon out of previously inanimate objects is interesting, though only for Ghost types, and only if they look cool (lookin' at you, Rotom...).
28. Gardevoir - Another quick favorite of the third generation but its popularity made me seek out others to favorite instead. I'm currently using the one Diantha gives you post game and her elegance remains a key factor of why I like her so much.
29. Dragalge - This is a more recent favorite for having caught one and trying it out (for typing purposes, mainly. I also caught a shiny one! :D). I maxed out its Defenses and I find the idea of algae and seaweed as a Pokemon both humorous and interesting (it's holding leftovers for the idea that it's eating itself xP). There's a level of elegance here.
30. Mothim - He actually replaced Butterfree here. I liked that Butterfree could learn Psychic and such but Mothim seems like the more wholesome Bug, whatever that means. I like his design but never used him much in-game. You wouldn't know it but the Bug type is one of my favorites (after Fire and before Fighting).
31. Zangoose - I always thought Zangoose was cool and the idea of rivalries between Pokemon intrigued me.
32. Talonflame - The first non-legendary Fire-Flying type had to be a favorite, but it's not the coolest. I still think its interesting and the naming was obvious (to the point of being lazy) yet flavorful. I'm still waiting on a Fire-Dragon type (and not a Legendary one).
So, what are some of your favorites that others might not take interest in? What's one Pokemon that always has to be in your party? Was there anything in my list that you agree or disagree with? Since there was a constant theme of "elegance," are you surprised that Milotic isn't in the list?
