From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Ash's Swellow (Japanese: サトシのオオスバメ Satoshi's Ohsubame) was the first Pokémon caught by Ash during his travels through Hoenn. Its Japanese voice actor is Unshō Ishizuka, and its English voice actors are Darren Dunstan (4Kids dub) and Billy Beach (TPCi dub). As a Taillow, it was voiced by 吉原ナツキ Natsuki Yoshihara in Japanese and by Kayzie Rogers in English. In the Pokémon Learning League it's voiced by Bill Rogers.
History
Swellow was caught as a Taillow in the episode You Can Never Taillow!. It was the leader of a flock of Taillow. It stole Max's chocolate and challenged Pikachu to a battle. In its debut episode, it was shown to be a determined battler and even though it took countless Thunderbolt attacks from Pikachu, it still kept fighting. Ash captured Taillow to prevent it getting hurt more.
Taillow evolved into Swellow in the episode That's Just Swellow. It had progressed to the final round in a PokéRinger tournament. It was up against James and Jessie's Dustox, and evolved at the last second to fly to victory. Several episodes later, in Sky High Gym Battle!, Swellow defeated Winona's Swellow despite Winona's Swellow using more powerful attacks such as Aerial Ace. After this victory, Ash became determined to teach his Swellow Aerial Ace. With the help of Vladimir, Ash was able to teach Swellow the move in Lessons in Lilycove!.
As a Taillow it was not used much, similar to Pidgeotto and Noctowl. Since its evolution, Swellow has become one of Ash's strongest battlers. It was used in the Ever Grande Conference as well as the Battle Frontier.
Coupled with its impressive speed and admirable aerial maneuvers, Swellow is considered to be one of Ash's strongest and most valuable Pokémon. Ash left Swellow at Professor Oak's lab when he set off for Sinnoh.
Moves used
Moves improvised
Thunder Armor was a one-time technique in the episode Solid as a Solrock, Pikachu is seen using Thunder on itself while Swellow carried Pikachu. This increased their attack power greatly and easily overpowered Tate and Liza's Lunatone and Solrock.
Trivia
- Swellow is Ash's second Template:Type2 Pokémon (the other being Charizard) to be used as a main competitor on his team for more than one region.
- Swellow has won at least once in every battle it has been used in except against Morrison where it tied with his Gligar, and as a Taillow, it lost to Brawly's Machop upon Ash's first challenge.
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