Appendix:Fan terminology: Difference between revisions

The Pokémon metagame has a wide range of fanmade terminology for various aspects of the games. These are colloquial terms originating from unofficial sources, and are not found within the games themselves. However, some terms originally coined by the fandom have been used officially, such as Eeveelution and Shiny; these terms are not listed here.

Pokémon terms

Early-route Pokémon

A Pokémon found in the first few routes of the game. These can be divided into ones that are based on mammals that are either Normal or Dark types (Rattata, Sentret, Poochyena, Zigzagoon, Bidoof, Patrat, Lillipup, Purrloin, Bunnelby, Yungoos, Skwovet, Nickit, Wooloo, and Lechonk), birds that are Flying (Pidgey, Spearow, Hoothoot, Taillow, Wingull, Starly, Pidove, Fletchling, Pikipek, Rookidee, and Wattrel) and Bugs (Caterpie, Weedle, Ledyba, Spinarak, Wurmple, Kricketot, Sewaddle, Venipede, Scatterbug, Grubbin, Cutiefly, Blipbug, Tarountula, and Nymble).

Electric rodents

Pikachu clone redirects here. For the Pikachu that is a clone, see Pikachutwo.

A group of Electric-type Pokémon based on rodents, consisting of Pikachu, Raichu (sometimes omitted), Pichu (sometimes omitted), Plusle, Minun, Pachirisu, Emolga, Dedenne, Togedemaru, Morpeko, Pawmi, Pawmo, and Pawmot. Design-wise, all of them have electric sacs on their cheeks. All are in the Fairy or Field Egg Groups, and all have English names very close to being pure transliterations of their Japanese names. This group is also referred to as the Pikachu family, Pikachu clones or Pikaclones. An equivalent term used within the Japanese fandom is 電気袋組.

Pachirisu is the only one revealed to actually be biologically related to Pikachu's evolutionary line.

Mimikyu is sometimes considered a “Pikachu Clone” by the fandom, though it is not an Electric-type type nor is it actually a rodent, thus being excluded from the “Electric Rodents” list. It is often featured in instances of artwork showcasing the “Pikachu Clone” Pokémon.

Pawmi is the only one (aside from Pikachu itself) to have an evolutionary line, having 3 stages, mirroring Pikachu itself.

In Pokémon X and Y, the "Stickers" battle menu background features all the members of the group that existed at the time. This is the only time that the group has ever been acknowledged in the games.

Character designer Ken Sugimori acknowledged the concept of the recurring "electric rodents" theme in an interview published in Volume 201 of the Nintendo Dream magazine.^[1]

According to the official Pokémon Singapore's Facebook, the group are referred to as electric mice, and were featured in the "Mouse Pokémon" (Japanese: ねずみポケモン Nezumi Pokémon) collection of Pokémon Center merchandise.

Marill, its evolutionary relatives, and Mimikyu are also sometimes referred to as Pikachu clones.

Elemental monkeys

Main article: Elemental monkeys

Pansage, Pansear, Panpour, Simisage, Simisear, and Simipour.

Game mascot

Main article: Game mascot

A Pokémon that appears on the boxart of one of the Pokémon games in the core series.

Hitmons

Main article: Hitmons

Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Hitmontop, and sometimes Tyrogue.

Kasekimera

Main article: Fossil → Generation VIII

(Japanese: カセキメラ Kasekimera) is used within the Japanese fandom to collectively refer to Fossil Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII: Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, and Arctovish. The term is derived from 化石 kaseki (fossil) and chimera.

Legendary duo

Main article: Legendary duo

A group of two Legendary or Mythical Pokémon that share some association.

Eon duo

Main article: Eon duo

Latios and Latias. Often referred to collectively as Lati@s.

Legendary trio

Main article: Legendary trio

A group of three Legendary or Mythical Pokémon that share some association.

Weather trio

Main article: Super-ancient Pokémon

Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza. They are officially referred to as the super-ancient Pokémon.

Mew variants

A subset of Mythical Pokémon. Each of their base stats are 100 with a base stat total of 600, and share the same EV yield, with 3 HP EVs when defeated. They are available only as event Pokémon. Includes Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Manaphy, Shaymin, and Victini. Sometimes referred to as Mythical fairies, although that term is also used to describe the lake guardians.

Novelty Pokémon

A Pokémon that possesses a unique trait, usually in battle.

Pseudo-legendary Pokémon

Main article: Pseudo-legendary Pokémon

A Pokémon that has a three-stage evolutionary line, 1,250,000 experience at level 100, and a base stat total of exactly 600. Includes Dragonite, Tyranitar, Salamence, Metagross, Garchomp, Hydreigon, Goodra, Kommo-o, and Dragapult.

Sub-Legendary Pokémon

Legendary Pokémon that are permitted in battle facilities and usually permitted in official tournaments. These Pokémon include Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Heatran, Regigigas, Cresselia, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Type: Null, Silvally, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, Kubfu, Urshifu, Regieleki, Regidrago, Glastrier, and Spectrier.

A list in the data since Pokémon Sun and Moon, named "sublegend" in the game code, groups the Ultra Beasts with all of the sub-Legendary Pokémon, despite them not being Legendary Pokémon.

Legendary Pokémon that are not sub-Legendary Pokémon are officially known as Special Pokémon.

Trio master

Main article: Trio master

A Legendary Pokémon that is associated with and regarded as superior to (in in-universe lore) the members (or other members) of a Legendary trio.

Type triangle

A trio of types where one beats another and loses to another, such as Water-Grass-Fire or Dark-Fighting-Psychic.

Waifu Pokémon

A female Pokémom to whom one is romantically attracted and/or whom one considers their significant other.

This includes Gardevoir, Froslass, Gothitelle, Gourgeist, Lopunny, Mismagius, Tsareena, Lurantis, Salazzle, Blaziken, Braixen, Delphox, Lilligant, Primarina, Roselia, Roserade, Kirlia, Weavile, Diancie, Eevee, Leavanny, Meloetta, Pheromosa, Sneasel, Celebi, Celesteela, Magearna, Mawile, Poipole, Tapu Lele, Tapu Fini, Vespiquen, Florges, Cinderace, Boltund, Hatterene, Alcremie, Sneasler, Sprigatito, Floragato, Meowscarada, Dolliv and Arboliva.

Fan terms

Balltism

A pejorative term used to describe fans who have a decision on catching Pokémon with a specific Poké Ball. Oftentimes this involves a desire to have the Ball's color scheme, thematic properties, or release animation align with the Pokémon it contains.

Dexit

A term referring to the controversy surrounding Game Freak's announcement that some Pokémon would not be usable in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Derives from Pokédex and Brexit (a debate between UK citizens that the UK (which is the basis of Galar, the main region within the generation) will leave the European Union).

Genwunner

A pejorative term used to describe fans who dislike elements of the Pokémon franchise released after Generation I (and, to a lesser extent, Generation II). A corruption of "Generation One". Originated from the Transformers fandom's term of "Geewun", where some fans have a similar stance on their franchise. However, fanon terms relating to other generations in the franchise (such as Generations III or IV) are less often used.

Pokégirl

A term used to refer to any female character from the Pokémon franchise.

The main Pokégirls are Misty, May, Dawn, Iris, Serena, Lillie, Mallow, Lana, and Chloe. These are all main girls in the anime.

When Pokégirls is referring to the games, the main ones are Leaf, Kris, Lyra, May, Dawn, Hilda, Rosa, Serena, Selene, Elaine, Gloria, Akari, and Juliana. These are all the female player characters.

Game terms

Boss

The general concept of a boss in video games may refer to special, strong opponents who must be defeated to obtain an important reward or advance past a particular point in the game. In the Pokémon games, there are various figures who may fit this description:

• Core games
  • Gym Leaders: these are characters the player explicitly has to defeat if they wish to reach the Elite Four. Oftentimes, defeating a particular Gym Leader is also required for the player to advance past certain obstacles, especially those that require the use of an HM.
  • Elite Four: the "point" of the core series games is generally to beat the Elite Four, who will be stronger than any other Trainers the player has faced previously.
  • Champion: after beating the Elite Four, the player must also defeat the region's Champion in order to be allowed to enter the Hall of Fame.
  • Rivals: the player will often cross paths with a rival character, and usually they must face off with this character one last time before being able to face the Elite Four.
  • Team leaders: the core games (and many spin-offs) include villainous teams who the player will frequently cross paths with. In the course of the game, the player will eventually have to defeat various high-ranking members of these teams and ultimately their leader.
  • Tower Tycoons, Frontier Brains, Subway Bosses, Boss Trainers, Battle Chatelaines and Battle Legends: these are the leaders of certain special battle facilities presented as an optional challenge once the player has beaten the Champion. Defeating them usually grants the player a special achievement.
  • Legendary Pokémon: the player will encounter these later in the game, usually resulting in a boss battle, unless the player has a Master Ball. Legendary Pokémon are hard to fight because of their generally large base stats. Eternamax Eternatus fits the traditional "boss" terminology, as it has the highest base stats out of any Pokémon and is not obtainable in battle.
  • Totem Pokémon are encountered at the end of every trial throughout the island challenge, serving as the boss of each trial.
  • Max Raid Battles are co-op battles with a Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon, similar to a traditional boss battles as they are fought at various intervals throughout the game.
  • Noble Pokémon and Arceus are encountered during the story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus and need to be quelled through throwing balms (while optional, periodic battling makes this easier). This acts similar to a traditional RPG boss fight.
• Side games
  • Pregymleader Justy: Justy is the leader of the Pre Gym in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD.
  • Area Leaders and Mt BtlMaster: these are the heads of different Mt. Battle areas in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD.
  • Colosseum Leaders, Colosseum Masters, and the Pokétopia Master: these are the heads of Colosseums in Pokémon Battle Revolution.
• Spin-offs
  • The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series has various boss characters at different points in the story:
    • Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team → Bosses
    • Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness → Bosses
    • Gates to Infinity → Bosses
    • Super Mystery Dungeon → Bosses
  • Shadow Mewtwo: the opponent in the final battle of the storyline of Pokkén Tournament

Collection terms

Living Pokédex

Main article: Living Pokédex

Having a Pokémon of every species (available in that game) in the Pokémon Storage System at the same time.

Legitimate

A Pokémon or item obtained without cheating or excessive glitch use. Typically this refers to a Pokémon or item obtained through normal gameplay, without any third party modifications to the game's ROM or RAM. Pokémon obtained via RNG Abuse, or via bugs that the player would run into naturally during normal gameplay, (Gen 3's Roamer IV bug for example), are still typically considered legitimate as the game would generate those Pokémon within the bounds of what was possible to obtain naturally, in an unmodified instance of the game.

• Note that Legitimate does not inherently mean Legal, it is possible to encounter Pokémon during normal gameplay that have otherwise impossible attributes, and the The Pokémon Company would consider unauthorized.
  • Hydro Pump Drilbur is an example of a Pokémon that is legitimately obtainable but Illegal, as it was programmed with a Game move error, and therefore The Pokémon Company does not permit its use online.

Illegitimate

A Pokémon or item obtained via cheating or intentional glitch use. Typically this refers to a Pokémon or item obtained via any third party modifications to the game's ROM or RAM, or with the use of intentional glitches to drastically alter the game into a state where it produces Pokémon or items in a way it would never be able to during the course of normal gameplay.

• Illegitimate Pokémon and items are not limited to just those produced via cheating using third party tools, as Pokémon or items produced Cloning glitches or Arbitrary code execution would still fall into this category, even if the result would be considered Legal.

Legal

A Pokémon or item in a state that is possible to achieve through normal gameplay. This means that regardless of what method was used to obtain it, one could obtain this Pokémon in its current state without cheating or intentional glitch use.

• Note that this is not inherently the same as Legitimate. While most Legitimate Pokémon are also Legal, this term only refers to the current state of the Pokémon and whether it could be theoretically obtained in that state through normal gameplay. A Pokémon may still be Legal even if it was obtained through the use of third party modifications, cheats, glitches, etc.

Illegal

A Pokémon or item in a state that is typically impossible to achieve through normal gameplay, and/or is disallowed by The Pokémon Company. This means that regardless of what method was used to obtain it, this Pokémon has at least one value that could only be obtained via cheating, intentional glitch use, or via an oversight by the developers of the game that permitted it to be obtained.

• Note that a Pokémon can still be illegal even if permitted to be used online, having not been detected by the server's anti-cheat detection, as the term refers to the Pokémon itself being in an unobtainable state, not necessarily whether it is detected by the game's anti-cheat.
  • Shiny Keldeo is an example of a Pokémon that is illegal but remains usable online. It has never been obtainable in-game, nor distributed as an Event Pokémon in its Shiny form. Despite being a Shiny-locked species, Shiny Keldeo is not detected by any anti-cheat in Generation V through Generation VIII.
• It is also possible for illegal Pokémon or items to be obtained, or even generated by players who are not cheating, having only interacted with the game via legitimate means, as a result of interference by other cheating players.
  • One such instance would be breeding using a parent Pokémon that has an impossible combination of Poké Ball and species, obtained via trade from a cheating player. A Cinderace in a Beast Ball for example, is currently an impossible combination due to Cinderace being unavailable to be captured in the wild. If bred, an illegal Scorbunny Egg would be produced, inheriting the Beast Ball from the illegal parent.
  • Another instance would be a player joining a hacked Max Raid via Y-Comm, (prior to Sword and Shield v1.2.1), and then catching the resulting illegal Pokémon, or receiving unobtainable item as a reward for defeating it. As a result, Pokémon and items that were impossible to receive via trade due to anti-cheat detection were made possible to obtain on an unmodified savefile, as the Pokémon and items are generated client-side by the non-cheating participant's game.

Untouched

A Pokémon that is in the same state as it was obtained in. Specifically, it has gained no experience, levels, EVs, or Ribbons, had none of its moves changed or reordered, and has not evolved, gained Pokérus, or had its pre-existing Pokérus become inactive. Commonly used to refer to event Pokémon and in-game gift Pokémon.

Gameplay terms

6V or 6IV

Refers to a Pokémon with perfect/maximum individual values in all stats.

The term "5V" or "5IV" (a Pokémon with perfect/maximum individual values in five stats) is also commonly used due to the breeding effect of Destiny Knot, which was introduced in Generation VI.

Chaining

A method used to repeatedly encounter the same Pokémon via a feature such as Poké Radar and DexNav, which lines up the chance of getting a desired Pokémon. Chaining with the Poke Radar is often tried for the purposes of getting a shiny Pokémon of a specific species.

Cheating

Main article: Cheating

The use of any device unauthorized by The Pokémon Company to modify a Pokémon game. Being found to have cheated in any way, or having a Pokémon that was obtained by cheating on another game will result in immediate disqualification from any official tournament, and disqualification from all future official tournaments.

EV training

Intentionally battling Pokémon for the EVs they give out in order to ensure EVs are distributed in a specific way or capped.

Focus Miss/Stone Miss

Derogatory terms for Focus Blast and Stone Edge, referring to the moves' mediocre accuracy.

Gear Station or Centrico Plaza trick

Securing the D-pad or analog stick in one direction so that the player continuously walks around the circular Gear Station or Centrico Plaza, resulting in an effortless refilling of Hidden Grottoes, increase in friendship, hatching of Eggs, and accumulation of Poké Miles.

Grinding

Training a Pokémon to a certain level through repetitive battling.

Hatcher

A Pokémon with the Ability Flame Body, Magma Armor, or Steam Engine such as Fletchinder, Slugma, and Rolycoly in the party, mainly used for hatching Eggs faster.

HM mule

A term used within parts of the fandom to refer to a Pokémon in a Trainer's party that is used for navigational support through the use of field moves—generally those taught by Hidden Machines. HM mules will typically have three or four move slots occupied with field moves, allowing smooth passage through caves, across oceans, or past other obstacles at the expense of their battling capabilities.

With the retirement of HMs and field moves from Generation VII onward, HM mules are no longer necessary. In Generation VII, the functions of HMs are replaced by Poké Rides^SMUSUM and Secret Techniques^PE. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Rotom Bike's Water Mode replaces Surf and the Flying Taxi replaces Fly. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, various ride Pokémon provide similar functions, allowing the player to traverse through Hisui faster, swim through water, climb steep cliffs, and glide through the air. The Arc Phone's map allows players to warp between locations, replacing Fly.

HM mules are often referred to as HM slaves. An equivalent term used within the Japanese fandom is 秘伝要員, with 秘伝 being from 秘伝マシン Hidden Machine followed by 要員 personnel.

HSOWA

The fan term HSOWA is an initialism that stands for "Hot Skitty On Wailord Action". It is derived from the fact that Skitty and Wailord can breed in the games despite the massive size difference. It has reached cult status on some message boards. The term originates from GameFAQs.

IV breeding

Intentionally breeding Pokémon to have a specific IV or set of IVs.

Masuda method

Main article: Masuda method

The game mechanic that increases the likelihood of Shiny Pokémon to hatch from Eggs if the parents are from differing real-world geographical locations. Named after Junichi Masuda, who first documented this mechanic in his blog.

Nuzlocke Challenge

Main article: Nuzlocke Challenge

A special challenge playthrough of a Pokémon game in which the player must follow a set of self-enforced rules to make the game more difficult. Most notably, the player can only catch the first Pokémon they encounter on each route, and must release any Pokémon that faints. Named after the comic series of the same name that first proposed the type of playthrough.

Professor Oak Challenge

A time-consuming challenge playthrough of a Pokémon game in which the player must fill up the Pokédex to its limit before taking on each Gym Leader. This challenge was created by user Chamale on Reddit, and popularized by YouTuber 'JohnStone'.

Repel trick

Main article: Appendix:Repel trick

Using Repels and a lead Pokémon of a specific level to restrict wild Pokémon encounters to a specific Pokémon or group of Pokémon due to the maximum level at which wild Pokémon can appear.

Shiny-locked

Referring to a Pokémon obtained in a particular game that is prevented from being Shiny.

Spinner trick

Securing the D-pad or analogue stick in a single direction so that the player continuously walks into a spin tile, resulting in an effortless increase in friendship and hatching of Eggs. Often called the "Fuego trick" in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum due to Fuego Ironworks being the optimal location for doing so.

Synchronizer

Pokémon with the Ability Synchronize such as Abra and Ralts in the first place in the party, mainly used for obtaining Pokémon with the desired Nature.

Walking Pokémon

Main article: Walking Pokémon

Pokémon that walk alongside their Trainer when they normally would be inside their Poké Balls outside of battle. Also referred to by fans as Pokémon following you.

Apriball

Main article: Apricorn

Referring to the Poké Balls crafted using Apricorns in Johto, Kanto^HGSS, or Galar regions, specifically the Heavy, Lure, Friend, Love, Level, Fast, and Moon Balls.

Despite Poké Balls in Pokémon Legends: Arceus also being craftable using Apricorns, this term doesn't refer to Poké Balls from the Hisui region.

Metagame terms

Main article: Appendix:Metagame terminology

Technical terms

EVs

Main article: Effort values

Effort values, often shortened to EVs, are capped permanent stat bonuses gained by defeating Pokémon, using items such as vitamins or wings, or using services such as those in Join Avenue. They ensure trained Pokémon are stronger than newly caught Pokémon.

AVs

Main article: Awakening values

Awakening values, often shortened to AVs, are used in Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! in place of EVs. AVs are used to increase a Pokémon's stats, but are awarded through the use of Candy and leveling up, rather than by defeating other Pokémon in battles or consuming vitamins.

ELs or GVs

Main article: Effort level

Effort levels, often shortened to ELs, (referred to internally as "Ganbaru values", often shortened to GVs), are a mechanic introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Effort levels take the place of effort values from previous games. Pokémon gain effort levels through the use of Grit items, but will initially begin with 0-3 ELs in each stat, with the amount being determined by the Pokémon's IVs.

IVs

Main article: Individual values

Individual values, often shortened to IVs, are fixed values that can be inherited from the Pokémon's parents. They ensure Pokémon are genetically different.

PID or EC

Main article: Personality value

A shortened version of the term personality value, a hidden value used to determine several properties of a Pokémon, including Shininess. Generation VI onwards, this value is split into two separate values, with the latter being referred to as the Encryption Constant, often shortened to EC.

PSV or ESV

Pokémon Shiny Value, often shortened to PSV, and Egg Shiny Value, often shortened to ESV, are values derived from a Pokémon or Egg's personality value, designed as an easy way to tell if the Pokémon or Egg will appear as Shiny for a given player, if the value is the same as that player's Trainer Shiny Value, (often shortened to TSV).

TID or SID

Main article: Trainer ID

Trainer ID, often shorted to TID, is the 5 to 6 digit value displayed on the player's Trainer card, League Card, or in-game save menu. The Secret ID, often shortened to SID, is a hidden 4 or 5 digit value used alongside the Trainer ID to determine which Pokémon will appear as Shiny for the player, according to the Pokémon's personality value.

TSV

Trainer Shiny Value, often shortened to TSV, is a value derived from the player's Trainer ID and Secret ID, designed as an easy way to tell if a given Egg or Pokémon will be shiny for the player, if their Egg Shiny Value, (often shortened to ESV), or Pokémon Shiny Value, (often shortened to PSV) is the same value as the player's Trainer Shiny Value.

OT

Main article: Original Trainer

Original Trainer, often shortened to OT, is the Trainer who originally caught, hatched, received, snagged, or otherwise obtained a Pokémon. The Original Trainer of a Pokémon is displayed in the Pokémon's summary page.

RNG or RNG Abuse

Main article: Pseudorandom number generation in Pokémon

Refers to the Random Number Generator, or the practice of manipulating it through the use of fan-made software (commonly referred to as RNG Abuse), in order to obtain Shiny Pokémon or Pokémon with specific IVs—both endeavors which would otherwise leave a lot up to chance.

References

This article is a part of Project Fandom, a Bulbapedia Project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every aspect of the Pokémon Fandom.