Meowth (Pokémon)

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#051: Dugtrio

Pokémon

#053: Persian

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Meowth
ニャース Nyarth

#052

Artwork from FR/LG

Type

Normal

Category

Scratch Cat Pokémon

Abilities

Pickup or Technician

Exp. at Lv. 100

1,000,000

Regional Pokédex numbers

Kanto
#052

Johto
#138

Hoenn
#241

Height

1'04"
Imperial

0.4 m
Metric

Weight

9.3 lbs.
Imperial

4.2 kg
Metric

Dex color

Yellow

Catch rate

255 (33.3%)

Body style

Blue-Striped

Footprint

Blue-Striped

Gender ratio

Gender unknown	Unknown
50% male, 50% female

Breeding

Ground group

21 cycles
(5355 minimum steps)

EV yield

HP 0	Atk 0	Def 0	Sp.Atk 0	Sp.Def 0	Speed 1
Base Exp.: 69			Battle Exp.: 691*

External links

On Smogon Pokédex:
Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Meowth (Japanese: ニャース Nyarth) is a Template:Type2 Pokémon.

It evolves into Persian starting at level 28.

Biology

Physiology

Meowth has a distinctly feline appearance, resembling a small house cat. It has cream-colored fur, which turns brown at its paws and tail tip. Its oval-shaped head features four prominent whiskers, no nose, black-and-brown ears, and a glimmering gold oval coin (also known as "charm") embedded in its forehead.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Meowth are valued for their ability to collect coins using Pay Day, as it is the only Pokémon that learns it. Meowth are also capable of dealing relatively powerful scratching attacks like Fury Swipes or Night Slash.

Behavior

Meowth are very fond of anything round and shiny. As such, they have been known to wander about city streets and pick up anything that is round and shiny—coins in particular. Although they are apparently not nocturnal, they spend most of the daytime napping. Meowth are considered rivals of Murkrow, because Murkrow are also known for stealing round and shiny objects and these two Pokémon have been known to steal from each other's hordes.

Wild Meowth tend to live in groups in urban areas.

Habitat

File:Urban.gif

Urban Pokémon

Meowth usually live in towns and cities. They can also occasionally be found in vibrant forests or near beaches.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

File:Meowth.png

Team Rocket's Meowth

Major appearances

Team Rocket's Meowth

Meowth is one of two main Pokémon in the series (the other obviously being Ash's Pikachu). Meowth is a member of Team Rocket, and he is unlike ordinary Meowth in that he can speak human language and walk on two legs instead of four. His first appearance was in Pokémon Emergency!.

His background story, including another female Meowth named Meowzie, was told in Go West Young Meowth.

Meowth was cloned in Mewtwo Strikes Back, but his clone couldn't talk or walk on two legs, likely due to the fact that Meowth needed to learn how to do this. The Meowth clone is encountered again in Mewtwo Returns.

Tyson's Meowth

Tyson's Meowth debuted in Like a Meowth to a Flame. This Meowth was dressed up like Puss in Boots.

Other

Over 100 years ago, The Black Arachnid had a Meowth.

Minor appearances

Ash used a Meowth during the Pokémon League entrance exam in The Ultimate Test. The Meowth was defeated by the instructor's Vaporeon.

Pokédex entries

Episode	Pokémon	Source	Entry
AG109	Meowth	Ash's Pokédex	Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. Meowth loves to roam at night to gather coins and other objects that sparkle, but it spend most of the daylight hours sleeping.

Episode	Pokémon	Source	Entry
DP002	Meowth	Dawn's Pokédex	Meowth, the Scratch Cat Pokémon. It sleeps a lot during the day time and during the night-time it becomes active, moving around its territory.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Meowth's first appearance is a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory.

In the TCG

Main article: Meowth (TCG)

In the TFG

One Meowth figure has been released.

Next Quest: Meowth

Other appearances

Pokémon Snap

Multiple Meowth can be found during the Beach level. These Meowth are prone to accident and injury, as Pidgey is easily evoked to use Gust on them. Snap can also knock Meowth off a rock, making it fall to the ground.

Super Smash Bros.

Meowth appears from a Poké Ball. It attacks opponents with Pay Day.

File:MeowthGame.jpg

Meowth using Pay Day in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Meowth returns as a Poké Ball Pokémon, attacking opponents with Pay Day.

Game data

Pokédex entries

Generation I

Blue
Red	Adores circular objects. Wanders the street on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.
Yellow	Appears to be more active at night. It loves round and shiny things. It can't stop from picking them up.
Stadium	Sleeps in the daytime. At night, its eyes glow as it happily collects coins, its favorite things.

Generation II

Gold	It is fascinated by round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.
Silver	It loves anything that shines. It especially adores coins that it picks up and secretly hoards.
Crystal	It loves things that sparkle. When it sees a shiny object, the gold coin on its head shines too.
Stadium 2	It is fascinated with round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.

Generation III

Ruby	Meowth withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
Sapphire	Meowth withdraws its sharp claws into its paws to slinkily sneak about without making any incriminating footsteps. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
Emerald	Meowth withdraw their sharp claws into their paws to silently sneak about. For some reason, this Pokémon loves shiny coins that glitter with light.
FireRed	All it does is sleep during the daytime. At night, it patrols its territory with its eyes aglow.
LeafGreen	Adores round objects. It wanders the streets on a nightly basis to look for dropped loose change.

Generation IV

Diamond	It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
Pearl	It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
Platinum	It is nocturnal in nature. If it spots something shiny, its eyes glitter brightly.
HeartGold	It is fascinated by round objects. It can't stop playing with them until it tires and falls asleep.
SoulSilver	It loves anything that shines. It especially adores coins that it picks up and secretly hoards.

Generation V

Black	{{{blackdex}}}
White	{{{whitedex}}}
Black 2	{{{black2dex}}}
White 2	{{{white2dex}}}

Generation VI

X	Unknown
Y	Unknown

Game locations

Generation I

Red

Blue

Common	Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8 (Blue only)

Blue (Japan)

None	Trade

Yellow

None	Trade

Generation II

Gold

Silver

Many	Routes 5, 6, 7, 8, 38, and 39 (Silver only)

Crystal

Many	Routes 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 38, and 39 (night)

Generation III

Ruby

Sapphire

None	Trade

Emerald

One	Trade Skitty

FireRed

LeafGreen

Common	Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8, Bond Bridge, Canyon Entrance, Cape Brink, Five Isle Meadow, Kindle Road, Ruin Valley, Sevault Canyon, Treasure Beach, and Water Path

Colosseum

None	Trade

XD

One	Phenac City (Shadow)

Generation IV

Diamond

Pearl

Rare	Trophy Garden

Platinum

Rare	Trophy Garden

HeartGold

SoulSilver

Many	Routes 5, 6, 7, 8, 38, and 39 (SoulSilver only)

Generation V

None	Trade

Black 2

White 2

None	Trade

Generation VI

X

Y

None	Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	Beach
Pokémon Channel	Upgrade binder
Pokémon Trozei!	Secret Storage 9 Secret Storage 18 Endless Level 22 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Starter Pokémon Western Cave (3F-6F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Starter Pokémon Marine Resort (B1-B19) Happy Outlook (B1-B19)
Pokémon Ranger	Fall City Dusk Factory
Pokémon Rumble	Cold Meadow

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*		Berry (100%)
FireRed	LeafGreen	Nugget (5%)
Diamond	Pearl	Quick Claw (5%)
Platinum		Quick Claw (5%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
Stat		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 40		100 - 147	190 - 284
Attack: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Defense: 35		36 - 95	67 - 185
Sp. Atk: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Def: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Speed: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Total: 290	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 40.

Pokéthlon stats

Speed
4/4	★★★★

Power
1/2	★☆

Skill
4/4	★★★★

Stamina
1/1	★

Jump
3/4	★★★☆

Total
13/15	★★☆

By TM/HM

By breeding

Template:Eggmoves Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Eggmoves/note

By tutoring

Template:Tutor Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4

|- style="background:#C1C2C1" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

Special moves


Shadow moves	<span style="color:#{{{2}}};">Level 22+	Purified moves
Shadow Hold	File:Box xd 052.png	Sing	Normal
Shadow Rush		Slash	Normal
--		Pay Day	Normal
--		Bite	Dark

Side game data

Template:Side game

Evolution

Unevolved

Meowth
Normal

Level 28

→

First evolution

Persian
Normal

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
I
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back


III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back


IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back


V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Meowth images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

In the Pokémon anime episode Go West, Young Meowth, it was stated that Meowth of Team Rocket had to learn and practice standing on his hind legs like a human, implying that Meowth as a species are not naturally able to stand on their hind legs. However, almost all sprites in the games and the Pokédex in the anime depict it standing on its hind legs, suggesting Meowth has the natural ability to walk on two legs. Tyson's Meowth is also able to walk on two legs, seemingly naturally.
- It is possible, however, that all Meowth must learn to walk on their hind legs.
- Strangely, the Meowth sprites outside of the Poké Ball in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions show it walking on four legs.
Meowth is the first Pokémon in the Pokémon anime to talk.
In Pokémon Platinum, Meowth is the one of the few Pokémon not in the Sinnoh Dex, and not introduced in Generation IV, to have a new sprite. Muk, Oddish, Hitmonlee, Ninetales, Primeape, and Registeel are the others.

Origin

Meowth seems to be based upon the Japanese legend of the 招き猫 Maneki Neko, also known as the lucky cat or beckoning cat. According to one legend, a cat raised its paw to welcome a lord and saved his life when a lightning bolt hit the spot where he had been standing. Maneki Neko are often used as charms in restaurants and shops to bring customers or fortune and good luck. Statues of the cat are usually depicted holding a koban, an ancient coin used in Japan, like the one on Meowth's head.

Junichi Masuda states that Meowth is based on Satoshi Tajiri's own pet cat.

Name origin

Meowth's name appears to be a combination of meow, the sound a cat makes, as well as mouth, possibly referring to the anime version's gift of gab. Nyarth is similar, with nyā being the Japanese equivalent of meow.

In other languages

German: Mauzi
French: Miaouss - From miaou (meow).
Korean: 나옹 Naong
Chinese (Taiwan): 喵猫 Miao Mao - 喵 is the sound a cat makes, pronounced like "meow". 猫 means "cat".
Chinese (Hong Kong): 喵喵怪 Miao Miao Guai - 喵 is the sound a cat makes (meow). Literally "meow meow monster".