Houndoom

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Houndoom
Image:Houndoom.png
National Pokédex
Houndour - Houndoom (#229) - Kingdra
Johto Pokédex
Houndour - Houndoom (#210) - Slugma
Hoenn Pokédex
Houndour - Houndoom (#367) - Porygon2
Japanese name Hellgar
Evolves from Houndour
Evolves into None
Generation Second
Species Dark Pokémon
Type Fire / Dark
Height 4ft 7in (1.4 m)
Weight 77.0lb lb (35 kg)
Ability Early Bird / Flash Fire

Houndoom (ヘルガー Herugā?, Hellgar in original Japanese language versions) are one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the Pokémon media franchise. The purpose of Houndoom 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.[1]

The name Houndoom is a portmanteau of the words hound, which refers to dogs, and doom, which means unavoidable misfortune and destruction. The name Houndoom refers to the species as a whole, as well as individuals in the games, anime and manga.

Contents

[edit] Biological characteristics

Houndoom is canine in appearance, resembling the Doberman breed, but some of its features closely match the stereotypical image of a hellhound, a monster once believed to torment and feed on the souls of sinners in Hell. Houndoom has two long curved horns on its head, a tail that ends in a spaded tip, and two bony rings around each ankle. These horns are larger in the male.[2] It also has three bony semicircles on its back and a bony collar around the neck. A Houndoom's fur is mostly black, but its muzzle and underbelly are reddish brown. A "shiny" Houndoom is dark blue instead of black, which is sometimes also seen in Dobermans under certain lighting conditions.

Houndoom live in packs, whose leader is decided by fierce fighting among its members. The leader develops horns sharply raked towards its back to display its dominant status. A Houndoom's body is filled with toxins. It releases these in the form of a toxic gas through its mouth, and, if inhaled by other Pokémon, is quite deadly. Houndoom is one of the most feared predators among Pokémon. Just the sound of its howl is enough to send all other Pokémon which hear it hurrying back to the safety of their nests.

Houndoom is particularly infamous for its fiery breath. While most Fire-type Pokémon have the ability to breathe fire, Houndoom's flame has a special property. Thanks to the toxins in its body, a burn inflicted by a Houndoom's pungent flame will cause persistent pain that can never be alleviated. This is why Houndoom is so greatly feared; if it burns you, you'll feel the pain of that burn forever with no hope of relief. Nevertheless, the burn status ailment caused by a Houndoom in the video games behaves in the same way as all other burns.

[edit] Possible inspirations

Houndoom possibly derives many of its traits from black dogs, mythical ghost dogs said to haunt the British Isles and much of Europe. Black dogs act as guardians of old graveyards and the treasures they may contain. Black dogs are best known for their terrifying habits, which include stalking human intruders into their territory with the intention of killing or frightening them. Black dogs are not always evil, however, as there are stories of them acting as guardian spirits for young women.

Another possible inspiration for Houndoom are the Hounds of Tindalos, terrifying inter-dimensional beings featured in the fictional works of H.P. Lovecraft and Frank Belknap Long. The Hounds of Tindalos are evil creatures born of the angles of the universe. They traverse through time in pursuit of time travelers, and will not quit their hunt until they have destroyed their target. The Hounds of Tindalos can materialize from any corner with an angle of 120˚ or smaller, and the only sure protection against them is to seal oneself in a completely round room without any corners. It is possible that Houndoom derives its Faint Attack and Odor Sleuth attacks from the Hounds of Tindalos.

Other (more well known) possible inspirations for Houndoom include Kerberos / Cerberus (Greek / Roman), and Garm (Norse mythology).


[edit] Role

[edit] Pokémon video games

In Pokémon Colosseum, Houndoom is a Shadow Pokémon that can be snagged in Realgam Tower. Otherwise, Houndoom cannot be found in the wild. However, it can be evolved from Houndour, so the availability of Houndour dictates the availability of Houndoom. In Pokémon XD, a Houndour can be captured at one of Cipher's lairs.

Houndoom is a very popular Pokémon thanks to its above-average stats and knowledge of powerful attacks. One of its main drawbacks, however, is its low defence.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, Houndoom is considered excellent for the "final" battle against Red, because it can defeat the difficult recovering Espeon, Venusaur, and can stall against Charizard.

[edit] Pokémon anime

Houndoom has made a fair number of appearances in the anime. In episode #182, "Houndoom's Special Delivery", a Houndoom used as a courier helps Misty's Togepi when it is lost in a forest. It has been used by a Pokémon Hunter in the fourth Pokémon movie (Celebi: Voice of the Forest), by Harrison against Ash in the Silver Conference (episode #274–"Johto Photo Finish"), and by Team Magma in episode #303 ("A Three Team Scheme").

[edit] Pokémon trading card game

Houndoom in the Pokémon Trading Card Game
Houndoom in the Pokémon Trading Card Game

Houndoom has many cards under its name, as evidenced by the following list of expansion sets in which it has appeared:

  • Neo Discovery (Dark-type)
  • Neo Revelation (Dark-type)
  • Neo Destiny (Fire-type, as Dark Houndoom)
  • Aquapolis (Dark-type)
  • Aquapolis (Fire-type)
  • Skyridge (Dark-type)
  • EX Dragon (Dark-type)
  • EX: Team Magma vs. Team Aqua (Fire-type, as Team Magma's Houndoom)
  • EX: Team Magma vs. Team Aqua (Dark/Fire-type, as Team Magma's Houndoom)
  • EX: Team Rocket Returns (Dark/Fire-type, as Dark Houndoom)
  • EX: Team Rocket Returns (Dark/Fire-type, as Dark Houndoom)
  • EX: Unseen Forces (Fire-type)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire Review (page 1) Ign.com. URL Accessed June 1, 2006.
  2. ^ Psypoke - Picture Dex :: #229 - Houndoom. Psypoke Psydex Picture Dex. Retrieved on March 10, 2007.
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../../../h/o/u/Houndoom.html"