Raticate

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Raticate
image:Raticate.png
National Pokédex
Rattata - Raticate (#020) - Spearow
Johto Pokédex
Rattata - Raticate (#018) - Sentret
Japanese name Ratta
Evolves from Rattata
Evolves into None
Generation First
Species Rat / Mouse Pokémon (The latter from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire onwards)
Type Normal
Height 2 ft 4 in (0.7 m)
Weight 40.8 lb (18.5 kg)
Ability Run Away / Guts

Raticate (ラッタ? Ratta in original Japanese language versions) is one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon in the Pokémon franchise (a series of video games, anime, manga, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri).

The name Raticate seems to be a play of the word "eradicate", which makes sense considering its fearful nature.

Contents

[edit] Biological characteristics

Raticate resembles a large rodent, and may be based on the nutria. It has light brown fur, a long tail, and webbed hind feet with 3 toes each. In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, like Rattata, the females whiskers are dramatically smaller.

It is a nimble predator Pokémon, and the majority of its features are adapted for this purpose. Its whiskers are used for balance and it slows down if they are cut off. Its webbed feet act as flippers, so it can swim in rivers as it hunts.

If attacked, Raticate stands up on its hind legs, bares its tough fangs and shrieks at its enemy in an attempt at intimidation. The fangs are its main weapon, and it will gouge anything with them. As with some real rodents, Raticate’s fangs grow steadily, and it must pare them down by gnawing on rocks, logs, and even houses. It may even topple concrete buildings with its constant chewing.

[edit] In the Pokémon video games

Raticate can be found in several locations within Kanto and Johto, and can also be obtained by evolving the Rattata found in abundance in those regions. Players can also snag a Shadow Raticate in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness (from Chaser Furgy on Citadark Isle).

Raticate is vulnerable to Fighting-type moves, and Ghost Pokémon are immune to most of its naturally-learned attacks. His 2 good stats are an average attack, and a high speed stat. It is easily overshadowed by other Pokémon of the same type like Snorlax and Slaking. It can, however, learn two moves exclusive moves to Rattata and itself: Hyper Fang, which does heavy damage and may cause flinching, and Super Fang, which halves the opponent’s current HP. A Rattata or Raticate with Hyper Fang is one of the best creatures in the beginning of the games, but will lose value soon after as opposing Pokémon will have stronger attacks that have little problems KO'ing Raticate. A good double-battle combo technique for a Raticate with the Guts ability is to have its partner inflict a status problem (poison, burn, etc.) on Raticate while the latter is holding a status-curing berry. This has the net effect of increasing Raticate’s attack by 50%. It can learn both the Dark-type move Bite and the Fire-type move Flame Wheel as egg moves.

[edit] In the Pokémon anime

A Raticate was briefly a member of Ash Ketchum’s team when he traded his Butterfree for it, but, dissatisfied with the trade, he soon asked the other trainer to trade back. Raticate have had minor roles in several episodes, and Butch and Cassidy of Team Rocket also have a Raticate. It was their first Pokémon, assigned to them as part of their training. Raticate is seen in episode 40 (Showdown at Dark City) as one of the Kaz Gym's Pokémon.

[edit] In other media

Raticate in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Raticate in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Yellow’s first Pokémon, a Rattata named Ratty, evolved unexpectedly after exhaustive training under Blue’s tutelage. Yellow, not familiar with the concept of Pokémon evolution, was taken completely by surprise, and cried herself to sleep. In the morning, however, she decided that whatever Ratty looked like, she still loved her friend.

Spoilers end here.

There have been quite a few Raticate cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, in the Base Set (included in Base Set 2 and the Legendary Collection), Team Rocket (as Dark Raticate), Gym Heroes (as Lt. Surge’s Raticate), Gym Challenge (as Lt. Surge’s Raticate), Southern Islands, Skyridge, EX FireRed & LeafGreen, and EX Team Rocket Returns (again as Dark Raticate, now a Darkness-type Pokémon). The Base Set Raticate includes its signature Super Fang attack which cuts the defending Pokémon’s HP in half.

[edit] Trivia

In the original Red and Blue versions of Pokémon, the Pokédex classified Raticate as a Rat Pokémon, as seen on Raticate's Base Set card (see picture). However, for unknown reasons, Raticate was (re)classified as a Mouse Pokémon in Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen and Emerald. This could have been to further affiliate it with other such rodent Pokémon as Raichu and Sandslash (which are also classified as Mouse Pokémon), or simply as an issue of inconsistency; the Japanese word used, nezumi, refers to both rats and mice.

[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../../../r/a/t/Raticate.html"