Dugtrio

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Dugtrio
image:51dugtrio.png
National Pokédex
Diglett - Dugtrio (#51) - Meowth
Johto Pokédex
Diglett - Dugtrio (#133) - Mankey
Japanese name Dugtrio
Evolves from Diglett
Evolves into None
Generation First
Species Mole Pokémon
Type Ground
Height 2ft 4in (0.7 m)
Weight 73 lb (33.3 kg)
Ability Sand Veil or Arena Trap

Dugtrio (ダグトリオ Dagutorio?) are one of 493 fictional species of Pokémon in the Pokémon franchise. Dugtrio's name combines dug, the past tense of the English verb dig, and trio, a group of three.

Contents

[edit] Biological characteristics

Dugtrio are mole-like creatures. The tops of its heads are rounded, and its thin skin is covered with short brown fur. It has two small black eyes and a large roundish pink nose on each head. Interestingly, to date, no one has ever seen the entire body of a Dugtrio or its unevolved form Diglett. If seen above ground, it usually only sticks its body out of the ground about 2 feet, 4 inches (0.7m). Therefore it is impossible to know Dugtrio's true size. Some believe it has legs that it uses to dig, while others believe it is limbless and instead burrows like a worm or snake. An interesting thing to note about Dugtrio (and Diglett) is that they learn Cut, Scratch and Slash. This seems to support the theory that they have arms/claws.

Dugtrio, like Diglett, appears to be very similar to the artificial moles used in Whac-A-Mole arcade games.

Dugtrio is unusual in that, like Magneton, it is simply three members of its pre-evolutionary species, Diglett, irreversibly joined. The three heads actually split from one Diglett during evolution, so all three think exactly alike. Working together, the three heads allow Dugtrio to dig down to 60 miles (97 km) below sea level, where the soil and rock is very hard. While doing this, Dugtrio is able to trigger earthquakes. Although Dutrio is composed of three Diglett, it weighs as much as 30 Diglett.

[edit] In the video games

Dugtrio can be evolved from Diglett by leveling up. Wild Dugtrio can be only found in Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, and LeafGreen. Countless wild Diglett and Dugtrio inhabit Diglett Cave, a natural Diglett-dug tunnel that connects Pewter City and Vermilion City. In Pokémon XD, one could be snagged from Cipher Peon Kolax.

Dugtrio has an extremely high Speed rating, and a good Attack rating as well, so it can be used with the Earthquake attack-getting a STAB boost from Dugtrio’s ground-type- to hit hard and fast in the first round that it is out. And this may be the only viable tactic with it, for it has extremely low hit points and subpar defenses and Special Attack, making it fragile and easy to take out in one hit after it has attacked. Other moves Dugtrio may use for this tactic include Rock Slide, Aerial Ace, and Hidden Power. Dugtrio’s abilities include Arena Trap, which may serve an additional strategy by preventing the enemy Pokémon from retreating. In multiplayer battles, it is mainly used to defeat the pokémon Blissey by making use of its ability Arena Trap, then using Earthquake which is boosted by equipping a Choice Band. The Blissey is unable to switch out due to Dugtrio's ability Arena Trap, and since Blissey's defense is sub-par, it is usually beaten after two earthquakes. With its high speed, it can also be sent out to beat slower, weakened Pokémon, who will not be able to switch out.

Dugtrio are also found in the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap in the Tunnel Course. Diglett are seen popping their heads around a solitary Pikachu, and as pictures of Diglett are taken, more Diglett will appear. Eventually, Dugtrio will appear for photographing as well. A large mountain in the shape of a Dugtrio can be photographed at the start of the Valley Coursee as well. Snapping this will count as one of six Pokémon signs throughout Pokémon Island that need to be snapped in order to gain access to the seventh course.

A Dugtrio plays a minor character in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, asking for the player's help to rescue their son from a raging Skarmory atop Mt. Steel. This Dugtrio is an avid traveller and often tells stories of their travels to their Diglett son, who holds them in high regard:

Diglett: Papa, have you ever been to the sea?
Dugtrio: Of course we have!
Dugtrio: What do you take us for?!
Diglett: Papa, you're so special!

More often than not, they tend to forget that they're underground while speaking to people, and spend a few seconds popping up at random spots saying "Hah!" in attempts to appear face-to-face with whoever they're talking to.

[edit] In the anime

In the Pokémon anime, Diglett and Dugtrio first appear in Episode 31, Dig Those Diglett!, in which a large herd of them are attempting to stop the construction of a dam. When Pokémon trainers recruited to fend off the Diglett attempt to call their Pokémon out of their Poké Balls, the Pokémon protest by refusing to come out, apparently supporting the Diglett's efforts. The Diglett eventually succeed in their efforts by using Team Rocket to destroy the partly-constructed dam.

In Episode 116, The Underground Round-Up!, a group of Dugtrio and Diglett are used by Poncho, a Diglett Rancher, to herd troublesome Electrode away from a city into the wild by using underground tunnels. Poncho only used his Dugtrio to take out Team Rocket's Electrode Eliminator.

Dugtrio next appears in Episode 209, Got Miltank?, in which it accidentally leads Ash Ketchum, his friends, and Team Rocket to a natural sanctuary for wild Pokémon where a Miltank heals injured Pokémon, such as Ash's Cyndaquil, that are brought to it by Dugtrio.

A Dugtrio is used when Ash is battling in the Hoenn League finals in Episode 405, A Judgment Brawl!. In this episode, Ash's opponent uses a Dugtrio to create a whirlpool of sand with its Arena Trap, forcing Ash's Pikachu to concentrate on escaping instead of battling.

[edit] In the trading card game

Dugtrio in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Dugtrio in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Dugtrio was found as Stage 1 Ground-type cards in the Base Set, Team Rocket (as Dark Dugtrio), Gym Challenge (as Brock's Dugtrio), Expedition, Skyridge, EX FireRed & LeafGreen, and in the EX:Crystal Guardians.

The original Dugtrio was considered overpowered due to its Slash attack, which did 40 damage, and Earthquake attack, which did 70.

[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

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