Bulbapedia:Featured content/Archive/May 2012

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The following is a list of articles that have been used as Featured Content on the Main page in the month of May 2012.

Tuesday May 1, 2012: SolarBeam

Your move: SolarBeam

• SolarBeam (Japanese: ソーラービーム SolarBeam) is a damage-dealing Grass-type move introduced in Generation I. It is TM22 in every generation so far.
• SolarBeam does not do anything on the first turn other than state that the user is gathering sunlight. On the second turn it does damage. Once SolarBeam is selected, the Pokémon using it cannot be switched until the move has been fully executed or has been disrupted.
• In sunlight, SolarBeam does not need to be charged and will attack on the turn it is selected. In hail, SolarBeam does half the damasge it would normally do.
• In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Ivysaur uses SolarBeam as part of Pokémon Trainer's Final Smash, Triple Finish.
• SolarBeam was first used in the anime by Ash's Bulbasaur in Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden.
• SolarBeam has appeared in the Pokémon Trading Card Game 13 times; first on Venusaur from Base Set, and most recently on the Meganium from HeartGold & SoulSilver set.

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Wednesday May 2, 2012: Swift Swim

Know Your Ability: Swift Swim

• Swift Swim (Japanese: すいすい Smoothly) is an Ability introduced in Generation III. Thirty-three Pokémon can have this Ability. Swift Swim doubles the user's Speed stat in rain.
• Swift Swim is one of the three variations of the ability Chlorophyll.
• The three non-Water-type Pokémon to have Swift Swim as their ability have it as a hidden ability.
• Swift Swim was first activated in the anime by Juan's Luvdisc in Eight Ain't Enough. Ash's Buizel also has this ability and first activated it in A Triple Fighting Chance!.
• In the manga, Swift Swim was first activated in the Pokémon Battle Frontier manga by Enta's Feebas in Introducing the Frontier Brains!.
• Swift Swim has appeared once in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It was a Poké-Body that allowed Lotad to Retreat for free if it had any Water-type Energy attached to it.

Thursday May 3, 2012: Goldenrod City

Tourist Spot: Goldenrod City

• Goldenrod City (Japanese: コガネシティ Kogane City) is a sprawling metropolis located in western Johto. It is the largest city in the region, rivaling Celadon City, the largest city in Kanto. Goldenrod City is the third largest city in the Pokémon world, behind Unova's Castelia City and Nimbasa City.
• Major attractions for Trainers include the Goldenrod Radio Tower, the city's Department Store, Game Corner, Name Rater, Magnet Train, Global Terminal (HeartGold and SoulSilver only) and Gym.
• The city is home to Whitney the Goldenrod City Gym Leader. She uses Normal-type Pokémon and gives out the Plain Badge to trainers who defeat her.
• The player can receive a Bicycle at the Miracle Cycle for free. At first the owner loans the bike to the player to advertise it as the business doesn't look good for the shop thanks to its obscure location. After a while, the owner will call the player to tell him/her to keep it as sales and customers have greatly improved.
• Goldenrod City first appears in A Goldenrod Opportunity, when Ash and his friends arrive in the city so Ash may win his third Johto League Gym Badge. However, the Gym is closed, so the gang decides to explore the city, specifically the Goldenrod Galleria.
• Goldenrod is the hometown of Bill, the inventor of both Kanto's and Johto's Pokémon Storage System, as well as the rest of his family, who lives in a small house near the southern entrance to Goldenrod Tunnel. However, some of his family also lives in Fuchsia City and his grandfather lives in Sea Cottage on Route 25.
• Although not featured directly, Goldenrod City has appeared in the background of a few cards starting in the HeartGold & SoulSilver Series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. For example, Clefairy is featured in front of the Goldenrod Radio Tower and the Magnet Train and Chansey is featured in the Goldenrod Department Store.

Friday May 4, 2012: Old Gateau

Professor Rowan's Pick: Old Gateau

Hi! I'm Professor Rowan, and I have such a treat for you today! It's the Old Gateau.

• The Old Gateau (Japanese: もりのヨウカン Forest Yōkan) is a delicacy originating from the Sinnoh region. It is the hidden specialty of the Old Chateau.
• It was introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl where it is obtainable in the Old Chateau. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, it is obtainable by the Pokéwalker courses Scary Cave and Sightseeing. Cedric Juniper gives it out in Pokémon Black and White.
• Old Gateau's name in both English and Japanese is a pun based on the location it is found. In English, the French word gateau ("cake") plays on Chateau. In Japanese, the Chateau's name is "Forest Manor" (Japanese: もりのようかん) while the Gateau's name is "Forest Yōkan" (Japanese: もりのヨウカン); the two terms are homophones and are pronounced as mori no yōkan.
• It is used to heal poison, paralysis, sleep, burn, confusion, and freeze.
• Old Gateau made an appearance in Get Your Rotom Running!. In this episode, Ash Ketchum and his friends go to the Old Chateau to try some of the famous treat upon the recommendation of Professor Oak.
• It has never appeared in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

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Saturday May 5, 2012: Ribbon Syndicate

Tourist Spot: Ribbon Syndicate

• The Ribbon Syndicate (Japanese: リボンシンジケート Ribbon Syndicate) is a building located in the Resort Area of the Battle Zone.
• A Coordinator must have at least 10 different kinds of Ribbons spread among their current Pokémon party to gain access to the building
• The Ribbon Syndicate offer incredibly expensive ribbons; the Gorgeous Ribbon, Royal Ribbon, and Gorgeous Royal Ribbon.
• The Syndicate's Royal Gorgeous Ribbon is the most expensive purchasable item that has appeared in the series, selling for $999,999.
• The syndicate also features a spa on the top floor. A visit to this spa makes a Pokémon more friendly. They can only accept five Syndicate members a day and a Trainer who receives a massage may not receive another until the next day.
• Gym Leader Fantina is a member of the Ribbon Syndicate.

Sunday May 6, 2012: Masakazu Fukuda

Meet the cast and crew: Masakazu Fukuda

• Masakazu Fukuda (福田正和) is the sixth most active illustrator for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. He has illustrated 472 cards for the game.
• Fukuda-san started illustrating cards during the EX Series of cards in 2003, which was the beginning of Generation III.
• He is a fan of mecha and admires the work of designer Hajime Katoki.
• Masakazu Fukuda is a keen biker, engages in wide-angle photography, and enjoys electronic music and music from the late 60's, particularly that of James Brown.
• In addition to Pokémon, his credits include Ultra Galaxy Mega Monster Battle: NEO Card Game illustrations, Kamen Rider Battle: Ganbaride card illustrations, and FM Sound Maniacs (MelodyClip♪) CD cover design.
• He has provided illustrations for all the Pokémon ☆ in the TCG (including Jolteon ☆, the Pokémon shown), which are perhaps his most prominent as he purposefully exaggerates the angles and colors used to make them stand out. He has also provided artwork for deck kits and special packs in Japan, as well as booster packs and theme decks for English and European releases.

Monday May 7, 2012: Next Quest

Spotlight on: Next Quest

• Next Quest is the first set of the Pokémon Trading Figure Game. It is the only set to be fully released.
• The four packaging designs (seen to the right) feature Pikachu, Charizard, Groudon, and Feraligatr.
• There are six Crystal figures in the set: each is based on the SuperRare figures in the set. These figures are Charizard, Feraligatr, Groudon, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, and Lugia.
• There are eight Trainer cards included.
• Next Quest has at least two one-player starter sets, Flamethrower and Riptide. There is also a two-player stater set called Battle Starter, which is a combination of the Flamethrower and Riptide sets with an additional Judge figure.
• There are 42 figures in the expansion.

Tuesday May 8, 2012: Pinsir

Gotta Catch 'Em All!: Pinsir

• Pinsir (Japanese: カイロス Kailios) is a Bug-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I. It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon. It is classified as the Stag Beetle Pokémon.
• Its National dex number is 127. It is #113 in the Johto dex* and #167 in the Hoenn dex.
• Pinsir can have the abilities Hyper Cutter or Mold Breaker. Its hidden ability is Moxie.
• Pinsir made its anime debut in Challenge of the Samurai under the ownership of Samurai. It was used in a battle against Ash's Metapod.
• Pinsir first appeared in Pokémon Adventures as the Pokémon Pika fought and lost against due to the uselessness of the fake items Red bought from Green.
• Pinsir has been featured on 20 different cards since it debuted in the Jungle expansion of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Pinsir cards are normally Grass-type Basic Pokémon.
• In Pokémon Stadium 2, Pinsir stars in a mini-game alongside Scyther called "Clear Cut Challenge". Each player chops a falling log for each round of the game. The score for each player is determined by how close the player is to the white line on the log. Cut anywhere above the log will cause the player to lose points.

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Wednesday May 9, 2012: Dark Explorers

In the news: Dark Explorers

• Dark Explorers is the 52nd English Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, and is released today.
• The set includes 111 cards, and continues to bring older Pokémon from before Generation V to the Black & White TCG scene.
• Dark Explorers features two Theme Decks , Raiders and Shadows, which are centered around Cofagrigus and Zoroark, respectively.
• This expansion contains all the remaining cards from the Japanese Dark Rush expansion, as well as a few from the Reshiram-EX and Zekrom EX Battle Strength Decks, Battle Gift Set: Thundurus vs Tornadus, Psycho Drive and Hail Blizzard expansions, and the BW-P Promotional cards.
• The set features Darkness-type Pokémon as many of the Trainer cards benefit Darkness-type Pokémon.
• The set includes six Pokémon-EX cards: Entei-EX, Kyogre-EX, Raikou-EX, Groudon-EX, Darkrai-EX, Tornadus-EX.

Thursday May 10, 2012: Candice

Character of the Day: Candice

• Candice (Japanese: スズナ Suzuna) is the Gym Leader of Snowpoint City's Gym, known officially as the Snowpoint Gym. She hands out the Icicle Badge and TM72 (Avalanche) to Trainers who defeat her. She specializes in Ice-type Pokémon.
• She sometimes muses that she acts the opposite of the way people would expect an Ice-type Gym Leader to behave - warm and friendly instead of cold and distant. She also seems to enjoy talking in third person.
• Candice made her debut appearance in Classroom Training! where she was revealed to be a teacher in Snowpoint City's Trainers' School. She is also a childhood friend of Zoey and calls her by the nickname "Zo-Zo" (Japanese: ノゾチ Nozotchi).
• Ash battled her in a 4 on 4 battle in Sliding Into Seventh! where he was able to defeat her and earn himself his seventh Badge.
• She first appeared in a Pokémon Adventures manga when she saved Platinum after she was skiing on Route 217 and angered a pack of Graveler. Platinum then challenged her to a Gym battle and won.
• Candice has appeared on two TCG cards in the Rising Rivals set. She has yet to have her own card.
• Candice is the only Gym Leader from Sinnoh that Ash did not have a 3-on-3 battle with. Instead, it was a 4-on-4.

Friday May 11, 2012: EP030

Remember That Episode?: Sparks Fly for Magnemite

• Sparks Fly for Magnemite (Japanese: コイルはでんきネズミのユメをみるか！？ Do Coil Dream of Electric Mice!?) is the 30th episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on October 21, 1997 and in the United States on October 16, 1998.
• In this episode, Ash, Misty, and Brock arrive in Gringey City a polluted city. Ash notices then that his Pikachu is acting weird as its face is red. They then go to Pokémon Center to treat it when the local Nurse Joy dismisses it as as a cold. She then suggests that they leave Pikachu there for the night. As she is treating Pikachu the power to goes out.
• This episode marks the debut of the following Pokémon: Muk, Magnemite, Magneton, Fearow, Growlithe and Nidoran♀.
• The Japanese title is a reference to a book by Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. The next time the franchise would refer to the book is the creation of Mareep and its evolution family.
• This is the first episode to reveal the problem that an Electric-type Pokémon that has too much stored electricity has. It would later be expanded upon in Hoenn Alone! and subsequent episodes.
• Near the end of the episode, when the group is talking to Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny, there is a bunch of Pokémon beside them. Of them, there are two Pokémon, Raticate and Fearow, that appear very small for their size.

Saturday May 12, 2012: Palkia (Puck)

It's Puck Time: Palkia

• Palkia (Japanese: パルキア Palkia) is a Pokémon Battrio puck. It is part of the Dialga and Palkia Clash expansion.
• Its attack is Spacial Rend. It has a 1/36 critical hit probability.
• Palkia is a part of two combos that power it up: Sinnoh Creation and Sinnoh Myths.
• This puck was reprinted in the Best Selection expansion, using the updated puck layout.
• It has 105 HP, and attack and defense types of Dragon.

Sunday May 13, 2012: Mother's Day special

Happy Mother's Day!

• The player's mom (Japanese: おかあさん mother) is a character in every main series Pokémon game. Although different each time, she will always be the one to see her child off on their journey with their starter Pokémon.
• In the games, when the player speaks to their mother, she will heal their party, as there is no Pokémon Center in the town. The exception is in Johto, in which Professor Elm's lab has a healing machine and the player's mother will not heal the party. She also gives the player Running Shoes when they set off on their journey in later games.
• In Generation II and HeartGold and SoulSilver, the mother would save the players money after they win a battle and will often buy items that can be useful for the player. In the other Generation IV games, the mother, named Johanna, will sometimes compete in Super Contests.
• In the anime, each of the main characters which have a player character counterpart have had their mother introduced except for Jimmy and Marina. Unlike the moms in the games, however, all of them lead a moderately more active lifestyle.
• Ash's mother, Delia, has been in the anime since the first episode and has always being on her son's side and having high hopes for him.
• Mom has had one card in the Trading Card Game series. Mom's Kindness is a supporter card from the Majestic Dawn expansion. It depicts Johanna the mother of Dawn in the games and the anime and Diamond from the Pokémon Adventures manga.

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Monday May 14, 2012:

Pick a card. Any card: Brock's Kabutops

• Brock's Kabutops (Japanese: タケシのカブトプス Takeshi's Kabutops) is a Fighting-type Basic Pokémon card that is part of the Pokémon VS expansion. It was never released in English.
• Brock's Kabutops sports 60 Hit Points, a Weakness to and a Retreat Cost of .
• Numbered 069/141, it is illustrated by Katsura Tabata, who is a Character Motion Designer for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
• This card is a Common card. This is because the Pokémon VS only featured and types as Rare, due to their recent introduction into the card game in Neo Genesis.
• Its attack, Vacuum-Cut, is a move that would later appear in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games that Kabutops would be able to learn. For , Vacuum-Cut does 20 damage without applying Weakness or Resistance unless the Defending Pokémon has a Fighting Resistance. If it does, the attack does 40 damage without applying Weakness or Resistance.