Wobbuffet may also be based on an {{wp|Okiagari-koboshi}} doll, a Japanese traditional doll with squinted eyes that stands back upright when pushed over. It is a symbol of perseverance, such as [[Team Rocket]]'s constant attempt to catch [[Ash's Pikachu | Pikachu]].
Wobbuffet may also be based on an {{wp|Okiagari-koboshi}} doll, a Japanese traditional doll with squinted eyes that stands back upright when pushed over. It is a symbol of perseverance, such as [[Team Rocket]]'s constant attempt to catch [[Ash's Pikachu | Pikachu]].
*Wobbuffet also has many similarities to {{p|Quagsire}}, just as its pre-evolved form shares similarities between itself and Quagsire's un-evolved form, {{p|Wooper}}. It is possible that Wobbuffet and Wynaut are inflatable Okiagari-koboshi dolls of these Pokémon.
Wobbuffet is a tall, cyan-colored blob-like creature with a black tail that has two eye-spots on it. Wobbuffet has flipper-like arms and a crooked expression on its face, as opposed to the perpetual smile that its un-evolved form has. It's face, as with Wynaut, is an east Asian emote. It also walks on four legs at its base.
Gender differences
Female Wobbuffet appear to be wearing lipstick.
Special abilities
Wobbuffet seems to be highly skilled at countering enemy attacks, but not much else. It is also greatly tolerant of enemy attacks and can endure more attacks than most other Pokémon. If it is knocked out, it is capable of taking the attacker down with it, although it will usually only attempt this if its tail is attacked. It also has the curious ability to stop its opponent from escaping, which is helpful when attempting to catch roaming Pokémon in the games.
Behavior
Wobbuffet are typically stoic Pokémon, but hate light and shock. In a battle, Wobbuffet never make the first move. Their preferred style of battling mainly consists of counterattacks, depending entirely on how harshly they are damaged by their foes. It will inflate its body in order to do so. Wobbuffet are very protective of their tails, to the point where one will suddenly turn uncharacteristically aggressive if its tail is targeted by an enemy. If a Wobbuffet takes an attack on its tail, it will not attempt a counterattack, instead opting to use Destiny Bond. When two or more Wobbuffet meet, they tend to turn competitive in some kind of playing and will often try to test each others' endurance. These tests of endurance can include a competition to see who can go the longest without eating, which their trainers should be wary about.
Owing mainly to their overprotective nature where their pitch-black tails are concerned, as well as their hatred of light, Wobbuffet live in dark places, usually caves, in order to keep their tails perpetually hidden. Some can be found near bodies of water, namely lakes Acuity, Valor, and Verity in the Sinnoh region. Since these lakes are surrounded by dense forests and Wobbuffet that live near these lakes can only be lured into appearing before trainers by the Poké Radar, it can be implied that Wobbuffet will also live in forests, provided that they are dense and dark enough to hide their tails.
Jessie has a Wobbuffet that frequently emerges from its Poké Ball to shout its name or cause what Jessie considers to be trouble. It has appeared in almost every episode since she accidentally traded her Lickitung for it in Tricks of the Trade. She rarely uses Wobbuffet in battle, but when she does, the results are generally good. On the other hand, Jessie's few attempts at using Wobbuffet in contests have all had negative results.
When released from a Poké Ball, Wobbuffet will stand on the stage in one place. Anyone attacking or running into it will be damaged by its Counter, apart from the player who threw the Poké Ball, who will only be knocked back.
Wobbuffet is also a Poké Float in Melee. It appears on its side and never fully reveals itself. When it first appears, it will quickly return off-screen but will then come back and remain to allow for fighting to take place on top of it.
Melee trophy information
A Patient Pokémon, Wobbuffet lives in darkness to hide its mismatched black tail. Even for a stoic Pokémon, this creature is a testament to self-control; it will not actively attack an opponent. Its Counter and Mirror Coat moves are solely used for reflecting attacks directly back at its antagonist.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team: Wobbuffet and Wynaut send the player on a mission into the Uproar Forest. As thanks for completing it, they help to remodel the rescue base. Notably, the Wobbuffet is the only Pokémon in the entire game that doesn't speak human language. This may be an oversight by the translators, since in Explorers of Sky (as mentioned below) it does not speak this way.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: Wobbuffet (confirmed to be female by its lipstick) once again joins Wynaut, only this time, they're running a shop in the Spinda Cafe, called the Recycle Shop. Unlike the first game, it no longer says its name, and instead says "That's right!"
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
If two or more Wobbuffet meet, they will turn competitive and try to outdo the other's endurance. However, they may try to see which one can endure the longest without food. Trainers need to beware of this habit.
Wobbuffet does nothing but endure attacks - it won't attack on its own. However, it won't endure an attack on its tail. When that happens, the Pokémon will try to take the foe with it using Destiny Bond.
Its Japanese name ソーナンス Sonans, when paired with the Japanese name of its pre-evolution, Wynaut, ソーナノ Sohnano, makes for a potential perpetual conversation of "that's the way it is" followed by "really?", and so on, as seen in Camp Pikachu.
Wobbuffet has the third highest base HP stat in the games, after Blissey and Chansey.
It also has the highest base HP of all Template:Type2 Pokémon, the only stat among the Pokémon of this type that is not dominated by a Forme of Deoxys.
If the opponent does not attack Wobbuffet, Wobbuffet cannot harm the opponent except with Struggle (itself unusable unless Wobbuffet has run out of moves).
It is also the only fully evolved Pokémon that can't learn any TMs.
Wobbuffet is banned from many unofficial tournaments, due to its special moveset and ability, Shadow Tag, making it somewhat difficult to counter.
In the anime, there is a village dedicated to Wobbuffet in Johto. Every year they have a festival known simply as The Wobbuffet Festival. Battling is banned for the day in the village to honor Wobbuffet's nature to never attack first.
Before Generation IV, Wobbuffet could not damage a Template:Type2 Pokémon (without the use of Struggle) which used an attack of its own type. This is because Dark-types were immune to Wobbuffet's Mirror Coat which was its only attacking option against their attacks, which were all special attacks till Generation III.
It may be based on the late Japanese comedian 林家三平 Sanpei Hayashiya, who was famous for repeatedly touching his hand to his forehead while saying one of his trademark lines, そうなんす、奥さん sō nansu, okusan, "That's the way it is, ma'am."
In addition, its form and available moves may be based on a punching bag; that is, when it is hit, it bounces back.
Its form could also be based on the enemies from the Pac-Man series.
Alternatively, it may be based on the concept of Karma as it can only cause damage if it is attacked first, and Karma being an aspect of religion explains its Psychic typing.
It might also be based on the Flowerhorn cichlid, with the bump on the head being similar to Wobbuffet's.
Wobbuffet may also be based on an Okiagari-koboshi doll, a Japanese traditional doll with squinted eyes that stands back upright when pushed over. It is a symbol of perseverance, such as Team Rocket's constant attempt to catch Pikachu.
Wobbuffet also has many similarities to Quagsire, just as its pre-evolved form shares similarities between itself and Quagsire's un-evolved form, Wooper. It is possible that Wobbuffet and Wynaut are inflatable Okiagari-koboshi dolls of these Pokémon.
Name origin
Wobbuffet's name is a combination of buffet, as in to strike repeatedly, and wobble, both references to its punching-bag shape.
Its Japanese name is homophonous with the interjection そうなんす sō na-n-su, which roughly means "that's the way it is." Its Japanese name is played off by its pre-evolution, Wynaut, whose Japanese name of ソーナノ is nearly homophonous with the phrase "そうなの", meaning "really?". Other languages' names for the Pokémon in this family, due to the fact that they were introduced in different generations, do not feature this pun.
In other languages
German: Woingenau - Corrupted version of "Wohin genau?" ("Where to, exactly?").
French: Qulbutoke - A play on Culbuto (the French trademarked name for Weebles) and the expression OK.
Korean: 마자용 Majayong - A play on Majayo, which means "That's correct/That's right".
Chinese (Taiwan): 果然翁 Guǒ Rán Wēng - 果然 means "really/indeed/as expected" or "if indeed". 翁 may mean elderly man, father, or father-in-law.
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.
For other sprites and images, please see Wobbuffet images on Bulbagarden Archives.
