Vulpix
| Vulpix | |
|---|---|
| File:Vulpix.png National Pokédex Clefable - Vulpix (#37) - Ninetales Johto Pokédex Granbull - Vulpix (#125) - Ninetales Hoenn Pokédex Absol - Vulpix (#153) - Ninetales | |
| Japanese name | ロコン - Rokon |
| Evolves from | None |
| Evolves into | Ninetales |
| Generation | First |
| Species | Fox Pokémon |
| Type | Fire |
| Height | 2 ft 0 in (0.6 m) |
| Weight | 22.0 pounds (10.0 kg) |
| Ability | Flash Fire |
Vulpix (ロコン Rokon in Japanese) is one of the Template:Pokenum fictional species of Pokémon in the Pokémon franchise. Most commonly female, it is listed as #153 in the Hoenn Pokédex and #37 in the National Pokédex.
The name Vulpix is a combination of the words vulpes (or vulpine) and six. Vulpes is a Latin word used to identify fox genus and ix indicates that it has six tails. Also, Vulpix's element most likely may have been derived from Vulcan, who was the god of fire, volcanoes and blacksmiths, in Roman mythology. Its Japanese name may be a portmanteau of two words. "Roku" is the Japanese word for "six" (i.e., six tails). "Kon" comes from "kon kon", an onomatopoeic word describing the bark of a fox (Many Japanese children's tales feature small foxes named "Kon"). In the beta versions of the game, Vulpix was known as "Foxfire".
Characteristics
It is typically depicted as a very vain, fox-like animal with six curled tails. When it is born, Vulpix has just one, white tail but, as Vulpix get older, this tail splits from its tip. Both its fur and tails are beautiful; as it grows larger, its coat grows even thicker and more luxurious. Inside Vulpix's body burns a flame that never goes out. During the daytime, when the temperature rises, this Pokémon releases flames from its mouth to prevent its body from getting too hot.
If attacked by an enemy stronger than itself, it feigns injury to fool the enemy so to escape unharmed. It can freely control fire, making fiery orbs fly like will o' the wisps. Just before evolution, its six tails grow hot as if they are on fire. Vulpix is impervious to fire moves, as they also heal Vulpix when struck. This is identified in the context of the games by Vulpix's ability, Flash Fire. The artwork design of Vulpix was created by Ken Sugimori in 1996.
To evolve a Vulpix into a Ninetales, a Fire Stone must be used. However, as is common for Pokémon that evolve by use of a stone, doing this will prevent Vulpix from learning any new attacks on its own. Instead, the player must make sure it has learned all the attacks they want it to know before evolving it.
In the Pokémon video games
Vulpix, in Pokémon Blue, lives abundantly in the ruins of Pokémon Mansion and along routes 7 and 8 but a trade must be negotiated in order to obtain Vulpix in Pokémon Red. It can also be purchased from the game corner in Pokémon Yellow. It is most common in Pokémon Silver, where it may be found on routes 7, 8, 36 and 37. Vulpix cannot be found in the wild in Gold or Crystal. In the Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Pokémon Emerald games, it can be found at the peak of Mt. Pyre. In Pokemon XD, one could be snagged from Cipher Peon Mesin.
Vulpix has average special attack, special defense and special, but is weakest in terms of hit points and in the bottom 20% for attack and defense. This makes Vulpix a poor choice for battle use; however, the majority of Vulpix owners use it in Pokémon contests, or choose evolve it into the much more powerful and much more beautiful Ninetales. As with most Pokémon who evolve with the use of elemental stones, Vulpix does not learn any additional moves after evolution, or at least not on its own.
A common technique when battling with Vulpix is to daze and confuse its opponents with Confuse Ray, and then trap them in its powerful Fire Spin technique. It can learn other powerful fire-type techniques, such as Flamethrower.
In the Pokémon anime
In the Pokémon anime, Brock, the former gym leader of Pewter City and traveling companion of Ash Ketchum, is given a Vulpix by a Pokémon breeder named Suzy in episode "Pokémon Fashion Flash" (from season 1)[1] [2], citing that he could take better care of her than she could, after Brock, Misty and Ash defeated her in battle. It is voiced by Japanese voice actress, Rikako Aikawa[3]. Later in the series (in the episode "Beauty and the Breeder"), he gave Vulpix back to Suzy. This annoyed many fans, as Vulpix had quickly become Brock's Pokemon of choice, being powerful enough to take on Pikachu in one-on-one training. Vulpix had several fights through its time being with Brock, and was considered by many to be Brock's "Pikachu", its signature attack being Fire spin`.
Notes and references
- ^ "Brock's Vulpix," Bulbapedia. URL accessed on February 16, 2006.
- ^ "Pokémon - Fashion Victims", Amazon.com. URL last accessed on February 16, 2006.
- ^ "Disk Reviews >> Pokémon Vol. #9", AnimeOnDVD.com. URL last accessed on February 16, 2006.
- Books
- Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0439154049.
- Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 130206151.