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Castform is an artificialPokémon that changes appearance and attitude based on the weather. Its body is made of cells exactly like those of water molecules, causing its cellular structure to be chemically altered by temperature and humidity. Though not of its free will, Castform uses this ability to protect its tiny body. In its Normal form, it resembles a plain, gray cloud with a single wisp extending from the top of its head.
Regardless of the form it takes, it will always have a large, spherical head and a lighter-colored mask-like marking over its eyes. Various experiments were conducted to change its form in artificial conditions, but all have failed. In Generation III, Weather Ball was its signature move. Despite its man-made origins, it can be found in grassland areas.
Castform has three alternate forms: Sunny Form, Rainy Form, and Snowy Form.
Under harsh sunlight, it takes on its Sunny Form. Its lower half becomes pure white, while the head turns orange has develops small orange spheres around it. This gives it the overall appearance of the sun above a small cloud. Its skin glows and dries, and becomes hot to the touch.
When it is soaked in rain, it takes on its Rainy Form. It has a dark gray lower half resembling a storm cloud. The head turns blue and resembles a raindrop. Its body is soft and slippery and seeps with water when compressed.
When it is hit by hail, it takes on its Snowy Form. Its head turns purplish-blue. The rest of the body changes into the shape of a mint green, cumulonimbus cloud. Its body becomes a smooth ice-like material, partially frozen measuring temperatures near 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ruby's Castform, nicknamed Fofo, debuted in Lombre Larceny. Previously, she belonged to Mr. Stone, who was injured in an attack by Team Aqua. Fofo was then given to Gabby and Ty to be cared for while he was being healed. She later decided to travel with Ruby when he began traveling with the reporters because she was lonely. Until he was reunited with Rara, Fofo was Ruby's go to Smart Contest Pokémon.
Castform borrows the power of nature to transform itself into guises of the sun, rain clouds, and snow clouds. This Pokémon's feelings change with the weather.
Castform borrows the power of nature to transform itself into the guises of the sun, rain, and snow-clouds. This Pokémon's feelings change with the weather.
Castform has four interchangeable forms, which it switches between based on the weather in battles, due to its AbilityForecast. Each of its forms has a different type to match the weather. Castform was the first Pokémon to have interchangeable forms.
By default, Castform is in its Normal form and is Normal-type. It is always in this form outside of battles. It begins battles in this form and reverts to this form if withdrawn. It has this form in any weather that does not trigger another form, or if the weather has its effects negated by an active Ability. In harsh sunlight, Forecast changes Castform into its Sunny Form, which is Fire-type. In rain, Forecast changes Castform into its Rainy Form, which is Water-type. In hail, Forecast changes Castform into its Snowy Form, which is Ice-type.
In Generations III and IV, if Forecast is suppressed or replaced, Castform will remain in its current form (regardless of the weather). From Generation V onward, if Forecast is suppressed or replaced, Castform will revert to its Normal form (regardless of the weather).
Castform's Weather Ball will usually receive STAB in any of its forms, except in a sandstorm, under Shadow Sky, or if it loses Forecast.
Castform's forms cannot be viewed in the forms section of the Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Pokédex, nor do they appear on the field in HeartGold and SoulSilver. All of Castform's forms will appear in the forms section of the HeartGold and SoulSilver Pokédex upon obtaining one, even if it never transformed.
Castform resembles a living cloud and acts like weather in general, but it may also be based on a weather balloon. It is similar in both concept and design to a teru teru bōzu, a Japanese charm doll used to wish for good weather. Its forms and their types may have originated from the English saying "rain, hail, or shine". Its shape of a large sphere with two smaller orbs resembles an H2O molecule, matching how it is said to be composed of molecules similar to water.
Conceptually, Castform may also draw inspiration from or be intended to contrast with the weather rock concept. These are stones jokingly hung up as a low tech way to tell the weather. They are intended to parody the poor forecasting of more complicated modern instruments. Given Castform’s artificial origins and design to predict weather, but failure to transform until after the weather is already present, it may be comparable to the opposite extreme of a weather rock.
The Sunny Form looks like the Sun on a cloud, the Rainy Form resembles a droplet of rain on a dark cloud, and the Snowy Form looks like a gust of wind or an ice cream cone.
Name origin
Castform may be a combination of forecast (the prediction of weather) and transform or form (referring to its ability to change form depending on the weather).
Powalen may be a combination of ポワン powan (onomatopoeia of a sudden transformation, similar to "poof" in English) and 変わる kawaru (to change or transform).
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
A Sunny Form Castform in the anime
A Rainy Form Castform in the anime
A Snowy Form Castform in the anime
A Sunny Form Castform in Pokémon Adventures
A Rainy Form Castform in Pokémon Adventures
A Snowy Form Castform in Pokémon Adventures
A Sunny Form Castform in Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire
A Rainy Form Castform in Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire
A Snowy Form Castform in Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire
Mystic Water (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Castform images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
