Ampharos

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Ampharos

National
Flaaffy - Ampharos (#181) - Bellossom
Johto
Flaaffy - Ampharos (#55) - Wooper
Japanese name Denryū
Stage Stage 2
Evolves from Flaaffy
Evolves to none
Generation Second
Species Light Pokémon
Type Electric
Height 4 ft 7 in (1.4 m)
Weight 136.0 lb (61.5 kg)
Ability Static

Ampharos (Denryuu デンリュウ in Japanese) is one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar[1] Pokémon media franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. Ampharos is the Stage 2 evolution of Mareep, a small, yellow sheep, and debuted in the Nintendo Game Boy Color bestsellers, Pokémon Gold and Silver. Its main purpose in the games, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both "wild" Pokémon, untamed creatures that are encountered while players pass through various natural environments in the game, and to fight against tamed Pokémon owned by Pokémon trainers.

The name Ampharos is a portmanteau of the words amp a unit used to measure electric current, and pharos, the name of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and the island near Egypt where it can be found. Pharos is also the Latin accusative plural form of the noun for 'lighthouse'. Ampharos' Japanese name may be a reference to denryu (電流? current of electricity), or could literally mean "electric dragon". The latter explanation seems to hold true for Ampharos' Chinese name, 电龙, which means the same thing, although Ampharos neither resembles a dragon nor has any relation to Dragon-type or dragonshape Pokémon.

The drawing and sprite design[2] of Ampharos was created by Ken Sugimori for its 2001 release.

Contents

[edit] Characteristics

Ampharos, as a species, are powerful, bipedal creatures, after gaining the ability to stand upright full-time upon evolution from Flaaffy. Although evolving from Mareep and Flaaffy, Pokémon based on common farmyard animals sheep, Ampharos is more slender and has no fur known as wool on its body, which sheds because of the static coming from Ampharos. Its sleek yellow body is marked with black rings around is neck, and tail. It has black markings along its horns as well as the orbs on its body.

Ampharos has powerful light abilities, its main light sources being the large orbs on its tail and head, and because of this is often used as a beacon in lighthouses, and mythical legend says that these lights can even be seen from outer space. Before the introduction of modern technology, Ampharos' light was used to communicate between long distances, in much a similar way to smoke signals.

[edit] In the video games

Ampharos is generally not considered a bad Pokémon, but is still not strong enough for high level competition. Ampharos represents an interesting mix of advantages and disadvantages. It has one of the highest Special Attacks in the game and has fairly good defenses and hitpoints. Arguably, Ampharos' two major weaknesses are (1) the relative lack of variety in its movepool and (2) its speed.

Ampharos' problems with speed can be countered with Thunder Wave, slowing down its opponent to a crawl, but this takes up a valuable move slot that could be otherwise used for something else. Unfortunately, because Ampharos doesn't really have that many great potential moves, it usually has Thunder Wave anyway.

A standard moveset is: Thunder Wave, Thunderbolt, Fire Punch, Reflect.

However, it is much more versatile with the creation of D/P. With the special switch, it loses Fire Punch, but gains Signal Beam and Power Gemstone to work with its high special attack.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Ampharos appears in Pokémon Gold and Silver as an injured pokémon. He is in control of the lighthouse in Olivine City and falls ill. Trainers must help out the Ampharos by obtaining some medicine from Cianwood City to be able to challenge Jasmine - the sixth gym leader of Johto.

[edit] Anime Appearances

Four Ampharos have been seen in the anime. The first was in Olivine City. It was used as the light in The Shining Lighthouse, but it fell ill, and Jasmine could not battle until she received some medicine from Cianwood City. (The same thing happens in Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal.)

The second was in the area of the electric crystal and helped to heal Zapdos. The third was owned by Wattson's son Watt, and used in a battle against May's Skitty. The fourth was a doctor in-training that had an Ampharos. The fifth was owned by the father of Casey's hero, Corey DeMaggio, a pitcher for her baseball team the Electabuzz, in the Pokémon Chronicles episode "Those Darned Electabuzz".Th name "Corey DiMaggio is a spoof of Joe DiMaggio, another baseball player.

[edit] In other media

Ampharos appears in chapters 109, 110, 152, and 155 of Pokémon Adventures. In all cases, it is owned by Jasmine of Olivine City.

Ampharos is the first and only inductee to the collection of Stage-2 Lightning types, making it the backbone to most electric-themed decks. That is why it has eight different versions.

Ampharos has appeared on eight trading cards, all as stage 2 Lightning-types. The following eight sets have one Ampharos each:Neo Genesis, Neo Revelations, Neo Destiny (as Dark Ampharos), Expedition, Aquapolis, EX Dragon (as Ampharos EX) EX Team Rocket Returns (as Dark Ampharos as a dual-type Dark/Lightning Pokémon), EX Unseen Forces.

[edit] Trivia

  • Prior to Diamond/Pearl, Ampharos was the only stage-2 electric pokemon
  • The German name for Ampharos is unusually Ampharos, one of the small number of Pokémon who have an English name the same as foreign variations.
  • The French name for Ampharos is Pharamp.
  • In Gold, Silver & Crystal, an Ampharos is encountered in a lighthouse, and the ancient island of Pharos in Egypt was where the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria was located (one of the Seven Wonders of the World).

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Publications
  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
  • Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector’s Edition: Prima’s Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21 2004. ISBN 0-7615-4761-4
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../a/m/p/Ampharos.html"
In other languages