Solrock

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Solrock
Image:Solrock.png
National Pokédex
Lunatone - Solrock (#338) - Barboach

Hoenn Pokédex
Lunatone - Solrock (#126) - Barboach
Japanese name Solrock
Evolves from None
Evolves into None
Generation Third
Species Meteorite Pokémon
Type Rock / Psychic
Height 3 ft 11 in (1.20 m)
Weight 340.0 lb (154.0 kg)
Ability Levitate

Solrock (ソルロック Sorurokku?) is a fictional being from the Pokémon franchise, that was introduced in the 3rd generation of games, anime, and cards. It is a floating, sentient meteorite Pokémon evocative of the sun.

The name Solrock is a portmanteau of the Latin word sol, meaning "sun" (compare "solar") and rock.

Contents

[edit] Biological characteristics

Solrock resembles a large orange spherical rock with yellow outgrowths all around and a pair of flat, textured eyes. The appearance of the Pokémon is the iconic shape of the Sun. Its shiny appearance is similar, but the orange area around Solrock's "face" is red.

Solrock, apparently a meteorite whose origins appear to be from outer space, is expressionless, yet is somewhat sentient. It was discovered along with Lunatone in Meteor Falls, a site where a rain of meteorites impacted the ground. The Pokémon’s solar connections are apparent in battle: It absorbs solar power during the day and unleashes the sunlight as a concentrated beam of energy as its main weapon (compare with Venusaur). Since it also carries Psychic powers, Solrock can also sense what the foe is thinking.

[edit] In the video games

A Pokémon Emerald screenshot featuring an enemy Pupitar and Solrock fighting in a double battle against a player's Aggron and Smeargle.
A Pokémon Emerald screenshot featuring an enemy Pupitar and Solrock fighting in a double battle against a player's Aggron and Smeargle.

Solrock can only be captured in Pokémon Ruby and Emerald, where it is found commonly in Meteor Falls, the same place where Sapphire players can catch Lunatone. It will sometimes hold a Sun Stone, potentially giving the player an infinite supply of Sun Stones. However, the only Pokémon that can be evolved from usage of a Sun Stone are Bellossom and Sunflora. In Pokémon XD one could be snagged from Cipher Admin Snattle at Citadark Isle.

Among wild Pokémon, Solrock is somewhat strong and durable, but it is not the flashiest Pokémon that can battle in competitive play. Solrock holds more influence as a Pokémon carried by Tate and Liza of the Mossdeep Gym.

In Pokémon Ranger, Solrock is available in the Panula Cave.

[edit] Battle Comparison with Lunatone

Solrock and Lunatone are both Meteorite Pokémon and are both found in Meteor Falls in their respective versions of Pokémon (Ruby in Solrock’s case). Their Levitate ability guarantees that they will not be hit at all by a ground-type attack such as Earthquake (an attack which both would normally be weak to), and their semi-signature move Cosmic Power raises their Defense and Special Defense statistics. The two Pokémon have very different offensive strategies, however.

Both Pokémon have mostly average stats. Solrock, statistically, has above-average Attack and Defense statistics and below average Special Attack and Special Defense, and the reverse applies for Lunatone. The Pokémon have different paths movewise as well; Solrock learns Fire Spin, Rock Slide, and Solarbeam while Lunatone learns Hypnosis, Psychic, and Future Sight. When battling others, Solrock’s high Attack supports its ability to use the strong Rock Slide which receives a STAB boost from its Rock-type. It can also learn Earthquake and Shadow Ball.

It's worth noting that whilst Lunatone can learn Calm Mind (a move that raises Special Attack and Defence), Solrock is incapable of learning the Bulk Up move (the opposite of Calm Mind, it raises the physical Attack and Defence of the user).

[edit] Anime appearances

Solrock has appeared in three episodes of the Pokémon anime, the first of which is entitled "Take The Lombre Home". In it, a Solrock falls from the sky, and a superstitious village tries to banish it, relying on Brock's Lombre. With some help from Ash and friends, it saves the village from a drought, and becomes their new idol.

When Ash arrives in Mossdeep City, he meets the Gym Leaders, Tate and Liza. They battle with a Solrock and Lunatone.

Brandon reveals his Solrock in his final battle against Ash. It managed to take down Ash's Squirtle, but fell to Ash's Bulbasaur, who also fainted.

[edit] In Other Properties

Solrock appears with Lunatone in Chapter 229 of Pokémon Adventures, which is in Volume 19. Tate and Liza use them to try to protect the orbs on Mt. Pyre.

So far, Solrock has appeared on three cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, all as Basic Pokémon:

  • EX Sandstorm (Fighting-type)
  • EX Deoxys (Psychic-type)
  • EX Legend Maker (Fighting-type)

[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

In other languages