Rapidash

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Rapidash
Image:Rapidash.png
National
Ponyta - Rapidash (#78) - Slowpoke
Johto
Ponyta - Rapidash (#202) - Cubone
Sinnoh
Ponyta - Rapidash (#091) - Bonsly
Japanese name Gallop
Stage Stage 1
Evolves from Ponyta
Evolves to None
Generation First
Species Fire Horse Pokémon
Type Fire
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.7 m)
Weight 209 lb (95.0 kg)
Ability Flash Fire/Run Away

Rapidash (ギャロップ Gyaroppu?, Gallop) are 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. The purpose of Rapidash in the games, anime and manga, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both wild Pokémon, untamed creatures encountered while the player passes through various environments, and tamed Pokémon owned by Pokémon trainers.[2]

The name "Rapidash" is a portmanteau of the words rapid and dash, both references to its high speed [3]. It also contains ash, which may be a reference to its fire-type [4].

Rapidash resembles very much a real horse, although it also has a horn on its forehead, a reference to unicorns. Rapidash's head, lower back, and ankles are aflame with orange-red fire, which streams out to form an impression of a mane and tail. [5]

Contents

[edit] Biological characteristics

In the Pokémon universe, Rapidash is usually seen in fields and plains, probably as a part of a herd. In its natural environment, a Rapidash canters around casually, not in a particularly high speed. [5] However, competition is deeply ingrained in a Rapidash's demeanor, especially if it relates to speed.[6] If a Rapidash sees something that is currently moving faster than itself, such as a vehicle, it will try earnestly to outrun it.[7] In such a state, the fire burning on Rapidash blazes at full power as it accelerates to speeds approaching 150 miles per hour in less than ten strides.[5] At full gallop, its speed is such that its hooves scarcely touch the ground. Rapidash's hooves are harder than diamonds, like its pre-evoloutionary form, Ponyta.[5]

[edit] In the video games

Rapidash can be evolved by raising Ponyta to level 40,[8] but it can also be found in the wild. In Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, at Mount Silver and in Route 28. In Pokémon FireRed, it can be found in Kindle Road and outside Mt. Ember. In Pokémon XD, it can be seen and captured in Citadark Isle.

Its attack and speed are both very high. Unfortunately, Rapidash is Fire type and mostly learns Fire-type attacks, limiting the opportunity to use one to the best of its ability. Other than the Hikozaru evolution line, Ponyta and Rapidash are the only fire types in the Sinnoh region Pokédex. Though, in the Diamond and Pearl games, they're slightly improved, due to the "Physical/Special" split in all the attacks.

Rapidash are also found in the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap in the Volcano Course. They will charge past the player’s vehicle at the very start, but if hit with Pokémon Food or Pester Balls, they will rear up and a quality photograph can be taken.

[edit] In the animé

The Pokémon anime series and films are a meta-series of adventures separate from the canon that most of the Pokémon video games follow (with the exception of Pokémon Yellow, a game based on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character, Ash Ketchum[9]—an in-training Pokémon Master—as he, May and Hikari (as well as several other companions[9]) travel around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon partners, Pikachu, Blaziken,[10] and Pochama.[11]

In episode #33 (The Flame Pokémon-athon), a Ponyta Ash was riding in a race evolved into a Rapidash just in time to win, and won by an inch after running at 100/mph. It was shown in this episode that a Rapidash can actively choose not to burn a human rider, if it trusts the trainer. In episode #65 (Holiday Hi-Jynx), we learn that Santa Claus uses Rapidash to pull his sleigh instead of the reindeers used in our world's tradition (with the advent of new Pokémon, this job was reassigned to the more reindeer-like Stantler). Rapidash also appeared in the movies Mewtwo Strikes Back and Mewtwo Returns. In Mewtwo Strikes back one of the three trainers that had made it to New Island had one. After that Rapidash was cloned, and the same clone Rapidash appeared in Mewtwo Returns.

[edit] In the Pokémon Trading Card Game

Rapidash in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Enlarge
Rapidash in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game similar in goal to a Pokémon battle in the video game series; players must use cards (with individual strengths and weaknesses) in an attempt to defeat their opponent by "knocking out" all of his cards.[12] The game was first published in North America by Wizards of the Coast in 1999, until Nintendo USA started publishing the series in 2003.[13]

Most Rapidash cards are typical, Stage-1 Pokémon cards. [14] Rapidash appear in the Jungle, Team Rocket, Gym Challenge (as Blaine's Rapidash), Expedition, Aquapolis, and EX FireRed and LeafGreen sets.[15]

[edit] References

Notes
  1. ^ Pokemon Franchise Approaches 150 Million Games Sold. PR Newswire. Retrieved on 2006-02-28.
  2. ^ Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire Review (page 1) Ign.com. URL Accessed June 1, 2006.
  3. ^ Dictionary.com definition for "Rapid" and "Dash. reference.com. Retrieved on July 27, 2006.
  4. ^ >Dictionary.com definition for "Rapid" and "Dash. reference.com. Retrieved on July 27, 2006.
  5. ^ a b c d The in-game Pokédexes of the Pokémon video games (A copy of them from Serebii.net) URL Accessed July 25, 2006
  6. ^ Pokémon of the day: Rapidash. Serebii.net. Retrieved on July 28, 2006.
  7. ^ Pokémon List. samcon.com. Retrieved on July 28, 2006.
  8. ^ Pokédex entry and stats for Rapidash. pokemonelite2000.com. Retrieved on July 28, 2006.
  9. ^ a b Pokémon anime overview Psypokes.com. URL Accessed May 25, 2006.
  10. ^ Pokémon anime; May character bio Serebii.net. URL Accessed May 25, 2006.
  11. ^ Pokémon anime character bio; Hikario bio Serebii.net. URL Accessed October 13, 2006.
  12. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game "How to play" guide Pokemon-tcg.com. URL Accessed July 3, 2006.
  13. ^ Pokemon Trading Card Game News; "Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire TCG Releases" Wizards.com. URL Accessed July 3, 2006.
  14. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game glossary Pokebeach.com. URL Accessed July 21, 2006.
  15. ^ List of Rapidash appearances in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Psypokes.com. URL Accessed October 19, 2006.
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

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