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.
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.
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:
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.