Voltorb

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Voltorb
Image:Voltorb.png
National Pokédex
Kingler - Voltorb (#100) - Electrode
Johto Pokédex
Magneton - Voltorb (#120) - Electrode
Hoenn Pokédex
Magneton - Voltorb (#084) - Electrode
Japanese name Biriridama
Evolves from None
Evolves into Electrode
Generation First
Species Ball Pokémon
Type Electric
Height 1 ft 8 in (0.5 m)
Weight 23.0 lb (10.4 kg)
Ability Soundproof/Static

Voltorb (ビリリダマ? Biriridama in original Japanese language versions) is one of 493 fictional species of the Pokémon franchise. Voltorb is a conjunction of volt, a measure used in electricity studies, and orb, a reference to its spherical shape. Its original Japanese name comes from two sources. "Dama" is derived from "tama", meaning "ball" or "sphere". "Biriri" comes from "biri biri", an onomatopoeic word describing the prickling sensation of an electric shock. Oddly enough, despite being Electric-type Pokémon, neither Voltorb nor its evolved form, Electrode, learn any Electric attacks naturally until Generation III.

Contents

[edit] Biological characteristics

Voltorb looks remarkably like a Poké Ball in shape and coloration. It is a red-and-white small sphere which has eyes on the red part.

The most peculiar thing about the Voltorb species is its origins, which are not fully understood. The first reported appearance of a Voltorb was near a factory which made Poké Balls, shortly after the introduction of modern Poké Balls to the market. Voltorbs were later found in other places, such as power plants and electric train tracks, from where they draw power.

Since its appearance is so similar to that of a standard Poké Ball, it is theorized that Voltorbs are somehow derived from Poké Balls. Some believe that a Voltorb is created when a Poké Ball is exposed to a powerful pulse of energy. Voltorb's similarity to a Poké Ball makes it easily mistaken for the latter, and there are many who have been zapped by a Voltorb thought to be a Poké Ball. Voltorb's components are not found in the wild, which emphasizes its artificial nature.

A Voltorb's attitude seems to be rather volatile - it can and will Self-Destruct with very little notice. Even the slightest stimulus, such as a bump it encounters while rolling along, may cause it to explode. For this reason, everyone dealing with Voltorbs in any way exercises extreme caution in their handling.

It is also interesting to note that the original Pokéballs exploded after usage so they could not be used again, unlike in the anime. This may be a reason why Voltorb's and its evolved form Electrode's signature attacks are Self-Destruct and Explosion (both of which cause the Pokémon using it to lose all its energy). This evolution occurs once a Voltorb reaches level 30.

They are often found near power plants. They are also seen in towns sometimes, rolling along power cables.

[edit] In the video games

In Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed and LeafGreen, Voltorb can be found in the Power Plant. Some are disguised as item-bearing Poké Balls on the game screen, making them the pokémon equivalent of the treasure chest monster seen in other RPGs.

In each of the aforementioned games except Pokémon Yellow, Voltorb are also found in Route 10. In Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue, Voltorb are additionally found in Route 9.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, Voltorb is found in Team Rocket's underground base in Mahogany Town and in Route 10.

In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, Voltorb can be found around and inside New Mauville. Again, some are disguised as Poké Balls.

In Pokémon XD one can be snagged from Wanderer Miror B.

Voltorb's speed is excellent, but the rest of its statistics, including its special attack, are not very good. Its evolved form, Electrode is used in its place.

Since Voltorb have no gender, they cannot breed in the game without a Ditto.

In the Nintendo 64 game, Pokémon Stadium, Voltorb can be used in the mini game Thundering Dynamo. However, there's a 50/50 chance between using either Pikachu or Voltorb. The object of the game is to tap A when the light turns blue, B when it turns green, and if the player reaches full electric charge, then their Pokémon will zap the other three users.

[edit] In the anime

Voltorb have made a number of appearances, which are mostly cameos. Their role is usually to appear, get agitated by something, and self-destruct, with various consequences. The ninja Gym Leader Koga uses exploding Voltorbs like smoke bombs in episode #32 (The Ninja Poké-Showdown).

Voltorb's most prominent appearance can be said to be in episode #116 (The Underground Round-Up), where a Voltorb belonging to a Diglett rancher named Poncho befriends Misty's Togepi and helps some Electrode escape from Team Rocket agents Jessie, James and Meowth.

A popular comedy sequence is the red Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum looking for a Pokéball and finding a Voltorb and getting shocked (similar to his reaction with Pikachu).

[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../../../v/o/l/Voltorb.html"