Weaponry in the Pokémon world

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There are various kinds of weaponry used in the Pokémon world.

In the games

Weapons are not very commonly depicted in the Pokémon games, however they are infrequently mentioned or even depicted, but usage of them is hardly ever seen. Many regions, such as Kalos and Unova were known to partake in war, with the prior directly using Pokémon in its actions rather than typical weapons. Alola's history also states that war between its four major islands took place, and that the guardian deities stopped being involved with such human affairs.

Game	Details	Image
Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!	In Generation I, numerous Trainers are armed with whips, including Cooltrainers, Team Rocket Grunts, Rockers, Tamers, and Gym Leader Sabrina. For the Generation III remakes as well as Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, most lost these whips, but Tamers did retain them.
Gold, Silver, Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl	The Policeman Trainer class are armed with batons.
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl	Team Galactic uses the Galactic Bomb to dry up Lake Valor and destroy the northwest area, resulting in earthquakes felt across the Sinnoh region.
X and Y	While there is no real world analogue for the ultimate weapon, in terms of purpose and destructive capabilities it can be classified as a fictional weapon of mass destruction.
Legends: Arceus	Zisu claims that Cyllene was "one of the finest to ever wield a sword in all Hoenn," suggesting the use of swords and related weapons in the Pokémon world.

In the anime

Weaponry, mainly firearms, have appeared in the anime numerous times. While there is generally no concern with this as weapon use is rather mild, an extreme case caused one episode to be banned. Weapons in the anime were a common occurrence in the first half of the original series, but when the Johto League story arc premiered, all kinds of real-life weapons were practically absent from the show, aside from weapons associated with Team Rocket's mechas.

Weaponry continued appearing from Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire onwards, though less often.

Episode	Details	Image
Challenge of the Samurai	The boy dressed as a samurai pulls out a katana (samurai sword) on several occasions during the episode, but never uses it. The sword is actually just a harmless plastic replica.
Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village	Brock uses a hunting knife to cut down a net trap that had caught Ash, Misty, and Pikachu.
Here Comes the Squirtle Squad!	Team Rocket use a bazooka, albeit with cherry blossom petals as ammunition, and an MP 40 submachine gun to carry out an armed robbery of the Poké Mart for bomb ingredients. Shortly thereafter, the store owners and customers mistake Ash for a member of Team Rocket trying to rob the store again and point a handgun and several MAS 36 rifles at Ash's head. Later in the episode, Team Rocket use the bombs that they had previously stolen to try to destroy the Squirtle Squad.
Mystery at the Lighthouse	Jessie and James try to ward off the Dragonite approaching Bill's lighthouse by using bazookas with live missiles.
Beauty and the Beach	Team Rocket try to destroy Porta Vista by firing a missile at the city.
Tentacool & Tentacruel	Nastina and her army use tanks, assault rifles, and rocket launchers to try to kill the Tentacool. She also fires several rounds from a tank, even once at Team Rocket. Team Rocket, Nastina, and her army also attempt to use biological weapons to destroy the Tentacool.
The Ghost of Maiden's Peak	During the flashback to the war 2,000 years prior, armored soldiers are seen carrying spears. Later, Jessie fires a bazooka at the Ghost of Maiden's Peak (a disguised Gastly) to no effect.
Bye Bye Butterfree	When Ash and his friends infiltrate Team Rocket's hideout where they have stashed all the stolen Butterfree, they attack Ash and Misty's Pokémon with sledgehammers and a clamp. Jessie even manages to hit Misty's Starmie with a sledgehammer.
Haunter vs. Kadabra	Haunter pulls out a spherical bomb from its mouth, which explodes in its and Sabrina's faces.
Pokémon Scent-sation!	Team Rocket uses a small but powerful bomb that explodes and blows a hole through the roof of the Celadon City Gym, as well as setting the Gym on fire.
Dig Those Diglett	The foreman uses a hammer to attack the Diglett, although the Diglett retreat into the ground before the hammer can hit them. This may be a reference to the game Whac-A-Mole.
The Ninja-Poké-Showdown	While wandering in the labyrinth of the Fuchsia Gym, Aya uses shuriken to pin Ash to a wooden trap door. Meowth also uses Koga's Voltorb as exploding bowling balls to attack Ash and his friends.
The Flame Pokémon-athon!	Right after the race begins, Team Rocket use a slingshot to hit a Trainer's Tauros in the face, causing it to run into a Nidorina, which takes them out of the race and into a fight.
The Kangaskhan Kid	This violent episode had much weaponry use throughout. In the first few minutes of the show, Ash tries to capture what he thinks is a Chansey but it turns out to be Safari Ranger Jenny wearing a Chansey hat. She then aims an M1 carbine at the group and orders Ash to drop the Poké Ball. James uses a tranquilizer gun to knock out the Kangaskhan. Tommy uses a boomerang as a weapon, hitting Ash in the face with it. With it, he also knocks the fuel cap off of Team Rocket's mecha, leaking fuel everywhere; combined with Ash's Charmander's Flamethrower attack set the mecha ablaze. Then, Tommy's parents crash into the mecha with a helicopter to save Tommy, Ash, and his friends. Throughout the episode, hammers, logs, and fists are used to hit people.
EP035	This episode was banned due to the Safari Zone Warden pointing a Colt Single Action Army revolver at Ash and even firing at Team Rocket. Team Rocket even held Kaiser hostage and pointed guns at him. Due to this, it left a major plot hole in the anime. Dubs were made, but never aired. Team Rocket also uses a bomb to hurt the Pokémon in the Dragon Valley in order to fish out a Dratini living there.
EP038	While Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket are inside the computer system, a virus clean-up software represented as a floating ambulance fires missiles at Porygon while the whole group is riding on it.
Pikachu's Goodbye	James fires a Bazooka Net to pin down Ash and his friends.
Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon	Team Rocket used a large amount of dynamite to blow up Grampa Canyon.
Princess vs. Princess	Before the final match of the Princess contest between Misty and Jessie, James and Meowth are dressed up in Mafia-style clothing and Meowth is holding a Thompson submachine gun. Meowth then asks Jessie "You want us to take care of her?"
The Purr-fect Hero	At the beginning of the episode, Ash and Brock tell Misty that Kids' Day should be a boy's holiday only, because of the Princess festival that had recently occurred. The next scene shows Brock dressed up in samurai armor and holding a katana.
The Case of the K-9 Caper!	Early in the episode, Ash and his friends come across a policeman acting as a burglar fleeing. Ash tries to order Pikachu to stop him, but the policeman is holding an M1911 pistol, which scares Pikachu. Also, Team Rocket use two gases as weapons to dull the Pokémon's sniffing ability and to cause the character's voices to become high-pitched. One substance may be Gloom pollen, as it is labeled with a Gloom, the same color as one, and accompanied by the same sound effect as Gloom's pollen. The latter is implied to be helium.
Pokémon Paparazzi	At the start of the episode, Ash panics and tries to get everyone down to the ground when he sees a glint of light from Todd's camera, which he assumes to be the scope of a sniper rifle. When Team Rocket captures Pikachu, James throws two bombs at Todd and Ash. James's third bomb blows up in his face after he is distracted by Ash's photo.
It's Mr. Mime Time	Team Rocket use a tank with live rockets to viciously attack Ash, his friends, Stella, and her Pokémon.
Make Room for Gloom	When Ash and his friends arrive at the Xanadu nursery, they start peeking through the glass dome that is the nursery. They then encounter a man named Potter who is holding something that they mistake as a flamethrower. It is then revealed to be a garden spray.
To Master The Onixpected!	Team Rocket successfully fire two rounds of a rocket launcher at an Onix. It emerges unscathed and chases after them.
Pallet Party Panic	Team Rocket attacks Pallet Town by throwing bombs at the townspeople.
Poké Ball Peril	Several attempts were made to open the GS Ball. One of them involves the use of a Laser Gun.
Shell Shock!	James throws a bomb at Umberto and many people hit it away until Ash gets it. He then throws it away and it explodes.
Stage Fight!	Team Rocket fires two live Magikarp look-alike torpedoes at the Pokémon Showboat.
Bound for Trouble	Team Rocket fire a beam cannon at Ash, his friends, and Psyduck.
Charizard Chills	Team Rocket use buzzsaws to attack Ash, Pikachu, and Charizard.
Viva Las Lapras	The two antagonists in this episode, Captain Crook and Ghali, fire cannons with live cannonballs at Ash, his Pikachu, and Lapras.
The Whistle Stop	James fires a bazooka loaded with a net to pin down Ash, his friends, and Arielle.
The Poké Spokesman	Team Rocket uses a rocket launcher with live missiles to attack the criminals' hideout in order to rescue Simon. This scene was removed for the dub.
The Big Balloon Blow-up	During the balloon race, Jessie and James use a rocket launcher to shoot down Ash and Skyler's balloons.
A Poached Ego!	Rico uses an FN P90.
A Togepi Mirage!	The royal army of the Mirage Kingdom use spears as weapons.
Crazy as a Lunatone!	This is one of the few occurrences of live missiles appearing in this arc of the Pokémon anime. Minor villains use live missiles to destroy the meteor containing Lunatone.
Losing Its Lustrous!	Mars detonates explosive charges inside the ruins of Celestic Town, causing a diversionary panic and serious damage to an archaeological site and landmark of Sinnoh.
Saving the World From Ruins!	Mars threatens to destroy Iron Island with a remote-controlled demolition system, but when she triggers the explosives, the attempt is foiled by Riley and his Lucario.
Stealing the Conversation!	Team Rocket attack Ash and his friends with a bowling pin mecha that's armed with bowling pin missiles. Also, it is shown that this episode's Officer Jenny uses three bowling balls to incapacitate and arrest criminals despite its potential to cause serious blunt force trauma in real life at the high speeds with which she throws them.
Noodles! Roamin' Off!	Meowth fires a bazooka to save Jessie and James from being blasted by a shiny Metagross's Hyper Beam.
Trials and Adulations!	Team Rocket try to attack Aggron and Mamoswine with a Golem mecha armed with rock-shaped missiles.
Pillars of Friendship!	Hunter J's airship attacks Regigigas, Regirock, Regice, and Registeel with Lasers.
Frozen on Their Tracks!	Meowth fires a bazooka loaded with a capture bag at Pikachu's group.
Gateway to Ruin!	Agent Looker fights off several Galactic Grunts armed with staffs.
An Egg Scramble!	Meowth uses a bazooka with a retractable grappling hand to steal Dawn's Cyndaquil Egg.
The Treasure Is All Mine!	The treasure chest that contains a love letter from James' childhood fired live missiles which caused damage to Growlie, and even had a laser gun that sent Team Rocket blasting off.
Dreams by the Yard Full!	Team Rocket's scanning machine attacks Ash and his friends with blue particle blasts.
A Rival Battle for Club Champ!	Team Rocket are found and entrapped by Officer Jenny and a sizable squad of Unova policemen armed with batons.
A Night in the Nacrene City Museum!	Ash and his friends are attacked by a sword-wielding suit of medieval armor controlled by a Yamask.
Gotta Catch A Roggenrola!	Team Rocket tests out the Roggenrola Cannon, an experimental energy weapon built by Dr. Zager that uses a hexagonal array of 19 Roggenrola which are energized and forced to use a combined and intensified Flash Cannon. When they try to use it directly on Ash and his friends, the 18 captive Roggenrola disable the weapon by taking control of their core energies and overloading its systems with a reverse-polarity charge.
Beheeyem, Duosion, and the Dream Thief!	Officer Jenny uses a small breaching charge to destroy a glass balcony door.
Ash and N: A Clash of Ideals!	Looker uses a pipe while fighting against Team Plasma.
Team Plasma and the Awakening Ceremony!
A Pokémon of a Different Color!	Under the command of Meowth, James holds and Jessie fires a bazooka loaded with a capture bag to catch a shiny Druddigon.
Meeting at Terminus Cave!
The Legend of X, Y, and Z!	Jan unsuccessfully tries to stop Yveltal's attack by firing arrows at it.
The Legend of X, Y, and Z!	Many of Veofum's soldiers carry spears. Several of them used spears to subdue Jan who tried to stop them from burning down Xerneas.
Pokémon: Mega Evolution Special III	A Missile Submarine appears and fires upon Mega Rayquaza.
Pikachu's Vacation	Meowth pulls out a bomb in attempt to stop all the noise that Pikachu and all the other Pokémon have been making trying to rescue Charizard.
The Power of One	Lawrence III's flying machine attacks Fire Island with a turret that can project ice energy blasts. Later, it is shown attacking Articuno with fire energy blasts.
Lucario and the Mystery of Mew	During the flashback to the war 2,000 years prior, armored soldiers are seen carrying swords and shields.
Arceus and the Jewel of Life	The past soldiers of Michina are armed with sasumata (Japanese man catchers).
Genesect and the Legend Awakened	Team Rocket use a bazooka in an attempt to capture the Genesect Army, but are seen by the Red Genesect and drop it.
Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction	Argus and Millis Steel use missiles fired from their ship in an attempt to stop Yveltal, but fail.
The Chase	The International Police carries out a raid on Viridian Gym with SWAT Officers equipped with riot gear (shields and batons).

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Chapter	Details	Image
Skirting Around Surskit I	Guile Hideout wields a sword called Instant (Japanese: 瞬 Instant) which has the ability to reflect attacks back to their senders. He had received it from Sird, and it is said to have the characteristics of both Reflect and Light Screen.

Pokémon RéBURST

Chapter	Details	Image
The Beginning of the Adventure!	Commander Yaza wields a spiked ararebo as his weapon of choice. By using the life force of Fire-type Pokémon, it can be set on fire, greatly increasing its strength and damaging capabilities.

In Pokémon designs

Pokémon themselves may be the primary reason weaponry is sparse in the Pokémon world: Pokémon battles are the main method of fighting, and thus Pokémon themselves can be considered the weapons. In fact, early design documents for the first Pokémon games mentions that they considered having Trainers fight alongside their Pokémon, but this was removed because "If you can fight on your own, what’s the point of having Pokémon?"

Many Pokémon either wield weapons or are themselves based on weapons.

Pokémon who wield weapons

Pokémon	Description
Farfetch'd	Farfetch'd wields a leek which its Pokédex entry states is used "like a sword". Galarian Farfetch'd wields a giant leek over its shoulder, like how samurai in modern Japanese fiction wield swords.
Cubone and Marowak	Cubone and Marowak wield clubs made out of bones.
Galarian Slowbro	Galarian Slowbro wields a Shellder as an arm cannon.
Lucario	Lucario can create and fight with a bone staff.
Oshawott, Dewott, and Samurott	Samurott's seamitar Scalchops and seamitars are specialized blade weapons made out of seashells. Oshawott and Dewott wield scalchops, which they use like Japanese war fans, while Samurott wields seamitars, which are based on katana.
Timburr, Gurdurr, and Conkeldurr	These Pokémon wield a unique weapon each used against foes: Timburr carries a plank of wood, Gurdurr carries a steel girder, and Conkeldurr carries two concrete pillars.
Chesnaught	Chesnaught bringing its arms together Chesnaught can create and wield a large shield from both it's arms.
Greninja	Ash-Greninja's water weapons Greninja are known to use shurikens, kunai, and daggers made of compressed water.
Golisopod	Golisopod can create and fight with a sword made of water.
Sirfetch'd	Sirfetch'd wields a leek cut to look like a sword, while the leaves in its other hand are used as a shield.
Crowned Sword Zacian	In its Crowned Sword form, Zacian wields the Rusted Sword.
Crowned Shield Zamazenta	In its Crowned Shield form, Zamazenta wields the Rusted Shield.
Meowscarada	Meowscarda are known to use explosive flower bombs.
Tinkatink, Tinkatuff, and Tinkaton	The Tinkatink line all wield handcrafted steel battle hammers.
Iron Valiant	Iron Valiant holds a form of dual-headed glaive that it can separate and reattach to its gauntlet-shaped arms.
Ogerpon	Ogerpon's cudgel Ogerpon can create and fight with an ivy-wrapped cudgel.

Pokémon who are based on weapons

Pokémon	Description
Blastoise	Blastoise's design contains aspects of a tank, most significantly the cannons which emerge from turrets on its shell. These aspects become more defined when Blastoise Mega Evolves or Gigantamaxes.
Mega Beedrill	Mega Beedrill's arms and legs resemble lances.
Alolan Golem	Alolan Golem's black structure on its back appears to be based on a railgun.
Voltorb and Electrode	Voltorb and Electrode seem to be based on bombs as well as Poké Balls.
Koffing and Weezing	The design of Koffing and Weezing may be partially inspired by naval mines.
Scyther and Scizor	Scyther's arms appear to be based after scythes, while Scizor's are based on scissors or pincers.
Tauros	Tauros heightens its will to fight by striking its body with whip-like tails.
Kabutops	Kabutops's arms resemble scythes.
Pineco and Forretress	Pineco and Forretress appear to be based on grenades and turrets, respectively.
Qwilfish and Overqwil	Qwilfish and Overqwil appear to be based on bombs or naval mines.
Remoraid and Octillery	Remoraid's design is based on a revolver, while Octillery is based on a cannon or tank. This is more apparent in their early designs, as seen in their sprites from the Pokémon Gold and Silver Spaceworld '97 demo:
Mantine	Mantine seems to be designed after fighter planes, especially considering the Remoraid that attatch under its wing-like fins.
Skarmory	Skarmory's wings and tail serve as swords, and have even been used as such by warriors of the past.
Grovyle and Sceptile	The leaves on the forelimbs of Grovyle and Sceptile are sharp enough to serve as blades. In its Mega Evolution, Sceptile can also shoot out its tail like a rocket launcher.
Mawile	Mawile's steel jaws may be based on bear traps.
Mega Sharpedo	Mega Sharpedo's body is covered with retractable blades.
Seviper	Seviper's tail has a blade on its tip.
Absol	Absol's horn resembles the head of a sickle-like bladed weapon.
Infernape	The gold plating above Infernape's hands are reminiscent of brass knuckles.
Empoleon	Empoleon's crown is based on a trident.
Cranidos and Rampardos	Cranidos and Rampardos seem to be inspired by the concept of an ultimate spear/unstoppable force.
Shieldon and Bastiodon	Shieldon and Bastiodon may be based on a shield, such as the ultimate shield/immovable object.
Stunky and Skuntank	Stunky and Skuntank line may be based on gas bombs and tanks, respectively.
Mega Garchomp	Garchomp's arms turn into scythes upon Mega Evolving.
Rhyperior	Rhyperior's arms resemble cannons, and are capable of firing rocks as projectiles.
Magmortar	Magmortar's arms can turn into cannons.
Leafeon	The leaf on Leafeon's tail is sharp enough to serve as a blade.
Gallade	Gallade's arms and elbows resemble tonfas.
Escavalier	Escavalier's arms are lances.
Axew, Fraxure, and Haxorus	The Axew line all have protruding fangs based on axes.
Galarian Stunfisk	Galarian Stunfisk is based on a bear trap.
Golett and Golurk	Golurk can transform itself into a cannon while Golett can turn its body into a cannon ball.
Pawniard, Bisharp, and Kingambit	The bodies of each member of the Pawniard line are covered in blades.
Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion	The three Swords of Justice can power up their horns and use them as swords.
Keldeo	Just like the other members of the Swords of Justice group, Keldeo's horn can transform into a sword.
Genesect	Team Plasma upgraded Genesect with a giant cannon on its back.
Fletchling, Fletchinder, and Talonflame	The Fletchling line are loosely based on arrows.
AZ's Floette	Floette's flower The ultimate weapon AZ's Floette holds a flower that greatly resembles the ultimate weapon, a weapon analogous to a weapon of mass destruction.
Honedge, Doublade, and Aegislash	The Honedge line are all based on swords. Aegislash also holds a shield.
Clauncher and Clawitzer	Clauncher and Clawitzer both have a large cannon-like claw that can fire beams.
Dartrix and Decidueye	Dartrix's dart-like blade quills Decidueye aiming an arrow quill Dartrix can throw dart-like feathers called blade quills. The way Decidueye attacks with arrows, as well as many of its other design elements, takes inspiration from an archer wielding a bow and arrow.
Toucannon	Toucannon's beak works like a cannon.
Vikavolt	Vikavolt's body appears to be based on railguns.
Turtonator	Turtonator may be designed after an exploding land mine.
Kartana	Kartana, as its name might suggest, is based on katana.
Magearna	One of Magearna's arms can transform into a flower-shaped cannon. Magearna's arm cannon
Inteleon	Inteleon creates sniper guns out of water. Gigantamax Inteleon assumes a sniper position on top of a watchtower.
Arrokuda and Barraskewda	Arrokuda and Barraskewda appear to be based on underwater ranged weapons such as torpedoes.
Dreepy, Drakloak, and Dragapult	Dreepy is based on a missile, Drakloak takes elements from fighter aircraft and crossbows, and Dragapult may be based on aircraft catapults.
Perrserker	Perrserker can extend its claws and put them together to form a blade.
Kleavor	Kleavor has stone axes for arms.
Armarouge	Armarouge's arms work like cannons.
Ceruledge	Ceruledge's arms are based on swords.
Frigibax, Arctibax, and Baxcalibur	The Frigibax line each use their sail-like spines as axes.
Chien-Pao	Chien-Pao is a broken sword imbued with hatred reborn as a Pokémon.
Iron Crown, Iron Leaves, and Iron Boulder	The three Paradox Pokémon based on the Swords of Justice possess a similar power to create swords out of their horns.

Trivia

• Silvally, Iron Treads, and Iron Crown are all labeled as weapons.

See also

• Team Rocket's mechas
• Rusted Shield
• Rusted Sword

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