Day 39: Obstagoon
(BGM: Turrfield from Sword & Shield)
Me: So, a bit of an error in yesterday's segment. I said that when Greninja becomes Ash-Greninja that his Water Shuriken has the potential of hitting a total of five times, meaning that the move can potentially have 100 power. Well, that's a lie. Doing some research after the fact, I found out that Ash-Greninja can only hit Water Shuriken a total of three times, meaning the power maxes out at 60. Furthermore, it's a special move in Generation 7 and beyond, but physical in Generation 6. Further-furthermore, as of Generation 9, Greninja can't turn into Ash-Greninja and it has no effect on Water Shuriken at all, so instead Battle Bond raises both of Greninja's attack stats and his speed stat upon KO'ing an opponent. I'm going to go my bad on this one, I have never used an Ash-Greninja before as I said yesterday so I had no way of knowing until it was too late.
Lyra then comes in.
Lyra: Man, you are losing so much credibility it is not even funny. What are you going to do now to get back in your fans' good graces?
Me: I don't know Lyra, why don't you ask Gene Simmons! (Points at an Obstagoon that wandered onto the set and Lyra looks at him)
Lyra: That's not Gene Simmons, that's Obstagoon.
Me: Close enough.
…
Lyra: This is an awkward segue into today's topic.
Me: Just play the damn cry.
Lyra: Okay.
(Insert Obstagoon cry here)
(BGM: Battle! Piers from Sword & Shield)
Ever since his conception, Zigzagoon and his evolved form Linoone have been Hoenn's designated HM Slave. So what happens when Generation 7 and beyond basically abolishes them? Well, you make a Galarian variant of Zigzagoon and Linoone, first of all, then you give Galarian Linoone a third stage evolution that turns out to be my personal favorite Pokemon in Galar!
You thought Toxtricity was the only rockin' Pokemon out there? Obstagoon over here clearly takes inspiration from the band KISS and its lead singer Gene Simmons with his color scheme and the fact his tongue is always sticking out. This is a design that is so awesome, especially if you're a hard rock fan. KISS isn't even a British rock band yet Obstagoon still looks like he fits in a region such as Galar!
Awesome design aside, what else about Obstagoon makes us Pokemon fans want to 'Rock and Roll All Nite?'
Well, his stats are a good place to start, and for the most part he's pretty balanced with 93 in HP, 90 in Physical Attack, 101 in Physical Defense, 60 in Special Attack, 81 in Special Defense, and 95 in Speed. These are some pretty good stats and with his strongest stat being Physical Defense, I can see Obstagoon being somewhat of a tank, and that tankiness if further assisted by his signature move of Obstruct.
With Obstruct, not only does Obstagoon avoid taking damage, but if his opponent makes physical contact with Obstruct, then the opponent's Physical Defense is lowered by two stages, giving Obstagoon free reign to wreck his opponent like the car in the end of 'Detroit Rock City'.
Obstagoon also has some pretty nifty abilities. First is Reckless, which raises the power of recoil moves, which is especially good since he learns Double-Edge. Then there's Guts, which boosts his Physical Attack power when inflicted with a major status ailment. And finally is his hidden ability Defiant, which raises his Physical attack stat when hit by a stat-lowering move. All in all, Obstagoon has some banger abilities.
And of course, being part Normal-type, Obstagoon has an impressive movepool that consists of the aforementioned Double Edge, Cross Chop, Night Slash, Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Brick Break, Cross Poison, Shadow Claw, Throat Chop, Seed Bomb, Stomping Tantrum, X-Scissor, Close Combat, Ice Beam, and Thunderbolt. And as for status moves there's Baby Doll Eyes and Scary Face, and for raising his own stats Obstagoon gets moves like Hone Claws and Bulk Up!
'Made for Lovin' You'...more like made for fuckin' the opponent's shit up!
Everything about Obstagoon is a straight up badass. His appearance, his movepool, his well balanced stats. It's all just sublime!
I knew from the first time I saw Obstagoon that I'd love him, but I didn't know how much I'd love him until I used one in my Shield Team.
Without a doubt my favorite Pokemon from Generation 8!
