Tympole (Pokémon)

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Pokémon

#536: Palpitoad →

Tympole オタマロ Otamaro #535 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Water Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Swift Swim or Hydration Cacophony Cacophony Water Absorb Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 255 (43.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Water 1 Hatch time 21 cycles
Height 1'08" 0.5 m Tympole 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 9.9 lbs. 4.5 kg Tympole 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield Unknown Gen. IV Unknown IV 59	Leveling rate Medium Slow
EV yield Total: 1 Tympole 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 1 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Blue	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Tympole (Japanese: オタマロ Otamaro) is a Water-type Pokémon.

It evolves into Palpitoad starting at level 25, which evolves into Seismitoad starting at level 36.

Biology

Tympole is a round, tadpole-like Pokémon with a tan, circular face. It has large, oval, black eyes, a wide mouth with down-turned corners, and black eyebrows in the shape of quarter notes. Its spherical body is black with no visible limbs. Instead, it has two black-and-blue ringed half-spheres on either side of its head. These spheres are vibrated to create a sound too high-pitched for humans to hear. The sounds are used in rhythm to communicate with others of its kind, particularly for warning of danger. It has a long, blue tail with a fan-like shape and a black spot at its base. The anime demonstrates that Tympole swims and attacks in groups.

In the anime

A school of Tympole in the anime.

Major appearances

Tympole made its debut in Facing Fear with Eyes Wide Open!, when a group of them attacked Oshawott under water, under the command of a wild Palpitoad. They were trying to prevent it from getting the medicine to cure the team from the poisoning several Foongus inflicted, but fled when Oshawott opened its eyes while using Razor Shell.

Minor appearances

A Tympole made a very minor cameo near the end of Beheeyem, Duosion, and the Dream Thief!.

Multiple Tympole appeared in Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice.

A Tympole appeared in a flashback in Drayden Versus Iris: Past, Present, and Future!.

In the manga

Tympole in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

N used a Tympole to battle Black in Accumula Town. It was eventually defeated by Black's Tep.

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry Pokémon Adventures Listening to Pokémon Tympole emits rhythmic subsonic sound waves by vibrating its cheeks. These waves can be used to communicate.

In the TCG

Main article: Tympole (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold {{{golddex}}} Silver {{{silverdex}}} Crystal {{{crystaldex}}} Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III Ruby {{{rubydex}}} Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald {{{emeralddex}}} FireRed {{{firereddex}}} LeafGreen {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV Diamond {{{diamonddex}}} Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black They warn others of danger by vibrating their cheeks to create a high-pitched sound. White By vibrating its cheeks, it emits sound waves imperceptible to humans. It uses the rhythm of these sounds to talk. Black 2 By vibrating its cheeks, it emits sound waves imperceptible to humans and warns others of danger. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Trade Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl None Trade Platinum None Trade HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park None Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White Common Outside Pinwheel Forest Black 2 White 2 One Pinwheel Forest* Dream World Pleasant Forest*
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Gates to Infinity	Stompstump Peak, Forest Grotto, Mountain Pass, Magnagate dungeons, Dreamy Island, Slumbering Cave, Silent Tundra (Mapless Street), Moonlit Forest (Golden Chamber), Path of No Return
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Lake: Sun-Dappled Bank, Shimmering Lake

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Black	White	Persim Berry (50%)
Black 2	White 2	Pecha Berry (50%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 50		110 - 157	210 - 304
Attack: 50		49 - 112	94 - 218
Defense: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Sp. Atk: 50		49 - 112	94 - 218
Sp. Def: 40		40 - 101	76 - 196
Speed: 64		62 - 127	119 - 249
Total: 294	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 1× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 1× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon has Water Absorb, the effectiveness of  Water-type  moves is 0×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Bubble Water Special 02020 100100% 30 00Start Growl Normal Status 0000— 100100% 40 055 Supersonic Normal Status 0000— 05555% 20 099 Round Normal Special 06060 100100% 15 1212 BubbleBeam Water Special 06565 100100% 20 1616 Mud Shot Ground Special 05555 09595% 15 2020 Aqua Ring Water Status 0000— ——% 20 2323 Uproar Normal Special 09090 100100% 10 2727 Muddy Water Water Special 09595 08585% 10 3131 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— ——% 5 3434 Flail Normal Physical 0000— 100100% 15 3838 Echoed Voice Normal Special 04040 100100% 15 4242 Hydro Pump Water Special 120120 08080% 5 4545 Hyper Voice Normal Special 09090 100100% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tympole Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tympole Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM07	Hail	Ice	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM34	Sludge Wave	Poison	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM36	Sludge Bomb	Poison	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM49	Echoed Voice	Normal	Special	04040	100}}100%	15
	TM55	Scald	Water	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	HM03	Surf	Water	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tympole Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tympole

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	Earth Power	Ground	Special	90	100%	10
	Mist	Ice	Status	—	—%	30
	Mud Bomb	Ground	Special	65	85%	10
	Mud Sport	Ground	Status	—	—%	15
	Refresh	Normal	Status	—	—%	20
	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
	Sleep Talk*	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
	Water Pulse	Water	Special	60	100%	20
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Tympole in Generation V Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Tympole in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tympole Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tympole

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
B	W	B2	W2	Bounce	Flying	Physical	85	85%	5
B	W	B2	W2	Earth Power	Ground	Special	90	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Endeavor	Normal	Physical	—	100%	5
B	W	B2	W2	Hyper Voice	Normal	Special	90	100%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Icy Wind	Ice	Special	55	95%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Sleep Talk	Normal	Status	—	—%	10
B	W	B2	W2	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15
B	W	B2	W2	Uproar	Normal	Special	90	100%	10
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Tympole can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Tympole cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tympole Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tympole

Dream World moves

Generation V Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
Pleasant Forest	Water Pulse	Water	Special	60	100%	20
A superscript level indicates that Tympole can learn this move normally in Generation V at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tympole Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tympole

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!  N/A  Not available
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0% Friend Area: Beau Plains Phrases 51%-100% HP My HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP My HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP My HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up. Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0% IQ group: A
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast Attack ● Defense ● Speed ●●● Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed Attack Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: Weak: PokéPark Pad entry: Magikarp bothers them, because he acts like a king. Seismitoad is the only idol for Tympole.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Tympole  Water

Level 25 →

First Evolution Palpitoad  Water  Ground

Level 36 →

Second Evolution Seismitoad  Water  Ground

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation III.
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation IV.
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Tympole images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Tympole shares the same species name with Poliwag, Poliwhirl, and Poliwrath. They are all known as the Tadpole Pokémon.
• Tympole's face has become a phenomenon on the popular Japanese online artist community Pixiv.
• Although it is simulated as swimming in Pokédex 3D, Tympole does not display the bubbles effect that all other Pokémon simulated in an aquatic environment, such as Eelektrik and Stunfisk display. The reason for this is unknown.

Origin

Tympole appears to be a combination of a toad tadpole and a loudspeaker. Tympole's spherical "speakers" were probably inspired by toads' "warts" and poison glands, as well as the Surinam toad, an aquatic amphibian whose backs are covered in pockets that hold its eggs, or more likely, the typanum of a real-life frog, located in the same area. It is an eardrum-like body part the toad uses to hear. Its Pokédex entry also mentions the fact that it creates vibrations underwater, also like the Surinam. Its eyebrows resemble musical notes, specifically the quarter note, and the bumps on the side of its head are similar to headphones.

Name origin

Tympole may be a combination of timpani (a low-pitched drum-like sound or the sensation felt in the abdomen when a drum is struck), tympani (a type of drum), or tympanic membrane (eardrum; referring to the bumps on each side of its head), and tadpole. It may also involve tempo.

Otamaro may be a combination of おたまじゃくし otamajakushi (tadpole or musical notes) and まろ maro (an affectionate suffix or shaved eyebrows, the latter referring to the markings above its eyes).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese オタマロ Otamaro From おたまじゃくし otamajakushi and まろ maro French Tritonde From triton and onde Spanish Tympole Same as English name German Schallquap From Schall and Kaulquappe Italian Tympole Same as English name Korean 동챙이 Dongchaengi From 동글다 donggeulda or 동 (童) dong and 올챙이 olchaengi Mandarin Chinese 圓蝌蚪 / 圆蝌蚪 Yuánkēdǒu Literally "Round tadpole". Cantonese Chinese

More languages

External links

← #534: Conkeldurr

Pokémon

#536: Palpitoad →

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.