Pokemon Black and White spotlight: Otamaro, Dokkora and their evolutions

Gamagaru
#042Unova / #536 National
Type:
Water/Ground
Species classification: Vibration Pokemon
Abilities:
Swift Swim – Speed doubles in rain
Hydration – Removes user's status ailment each turn when raining
Dream World abilities: Water Absorb – Restores 1/4 of total HP if user is hit with Water-type attack
Location found (Black/White): Route 8, Sekka City
Wild hold items: Persim Berry
Egg groups: Water 1
Capture rate: 120
Gender ratio: 50/50
Effort values: 2 HP
Evolution family: From Otamaro at level 25, to Gamageroge at level 36

Gamageroge
#043Unova / #537 National
Type:
Water/Ground
Species classification: Vibration Pokemon
Abilities:
Swift Swim – Speed doubles in rain
Underhanded – 30% chance of poisoning opponent whenever user makes contact
Dream World abilities: Water Absorb – Restores 1/4 of total HP if user is hit with Water-type attack
Location found (Black/White): Route 8 and Sekka City via Surf (rare)
Wild hold items: Persim Berry
Egg groups: Water 1
Capture rate: 45
Gender ratio: 50/50
Experience at lvl 100: 1,059,860
Base stats: 105 HP / 85 Atk / 75 Def / 85 SAtk / 75 SDef / 74 Spd / 499 Total
Effort values: 3 HP
Evolution family: Otamaro > Gamagaru at level 25 > Gamageroge at level 35

Like last week'sTabunne, Gamageroge has some pretty big shoes to fill when being compared with similar Pokemon from previous generations. His biggest competition is definitely the beloved Water/Ground type Swampert, who outclasses Gamageroge stats-wise. To an extent though, Gamageroge makes up for his lesser stats with some interesting abilities.

When little Otamaro finally assumes his final form in Gamageroge, his Hydration ability changes to Underhanded (or Poison Hand, not sure about the name yet), a rare new ability introduced this generation. Only five Pokemon have this ability, and Gamageroge is the only non-Poison type among them. Whenever he uses a move that makes contact (most, but not all, physical moves make contact), he has a 30% chance of poisoning the opponent. Even though his physical and special attack stats are split evenly, you'll probably want to go exclusively with physical attacks that make contact if your Gamageroge has the Underhanded ability. Of course, Swift Swim and Water Absorb are great abilities too, but they're such known quantities it's hard to get too excited about them. Still, all three of Gamageroge's abilities easily trump Swampert's boring Torrent or Damp options.

Previous Pokemon B&W spotlights:
The starters and their evolutions
Minezumi, Yorterii, Choroneko and their evolutions.
The monkey trio and their evolutions
Munna, Mamepato, Shimama and their evolutions
The ghosts of Isshu
Victini
Dangoro, Koromori and their evolutions
Tabunne, Moguryuu and and Doryuuzu

Nov 27, 2010

GamesRadarCarolynGudmundson
Life is nature's way of keeping meat fresh.