Castform is an artificial Pokémon created by the Weather Institute in Hoenn. It was designed to help scientists predict the weather, and consequently changes its appearance (and type) when the weather changes.
In its natural state, Castform is small, gray and resembles a cloud. When it is extremely sunny, Castform's lower half becomes pure white while the head turns orange with smaller orange balls surrounding it. This gives Castform's head a shape that is similar to the sun. During rain, Castform's lower half becomes a darker shade of gray. The head is blue, resembling a drop of rain. In hail or snowy weather, Castform's head turns purplish-blue. The rest of of the body changes into a mint green cumulonimbus cloud that also appears to resemble a decorative ice sculpture. Castform does not have a form for sandstorms or fog.
In all forms, Castform has markings around its eyes similar to a pair of sunglasses.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Castform has the aforementioned ability to change its form with the weather (although it lacks forms for sandstorms, fog and Shadow Sky). In normal weather, sandstorms, fog and Shadow Sky, Castform is Normal-type normal form; in sunny weather, it is in its Fire-type Sunny Form; in rain, it is in its Water-type Rainy Form; in hail, it is in its Ice-type Snowy Form.
Castform is capable of learning many Fire-, Water-, Ice- and Normal-type moves. Castform is one of the few Pokémon that can learn Weather Ball.
A Castform, nicknamed Popo, belongs to Ruby in Pokémon Adventures. Previously, she belonged to Mr. Stone, who was injured in an attack by Team Aqua. Popo 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 Ruru, Popo was Ruby's 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's weather-based transformations are the same color whether or not it is Shiny.
When Castform undergoes a weather-based transformation, the graphical interlude is the same as that of a Pokémon using the move Transform.
It is the only Pokémon able to learn both Ember and Water Gun, as well as the only Pokémon able to learn both Ember and Powder Snow.
It is also the only Pokémon to learn both Fire Blast and Hydro Pump by level up, as well as the only Pokémon to learn both Fire Blast and Blizzard by level up.
No other Pokémon have same dual egg group as Castform. In this case, both in Fairy and Indeterminate are unique.
Castform's weather-based transformations cannot be viewed in the forms section of the Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Pokédex, nor do they appear on the field in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. They do, however, appear in the forms section of the HeartGold and SoulSilver Pokédex.
Despite several Pokédex entries stating that its molecules are just like water, it is not a Water-type Pokémon, though it does become one in rain. It may also be a reference to the fact that it resembles a living cloud.
Despite being noted for learning many moves that take advantage of or influence the weather, Castform cannot learn Mist, Haze, Heat Wave or Hurricane.
It appears to be intended to resemble and act like a living cloud. Its ability to change shape and type depending on the weather condition makes similar to a weather balloon. It's also similar both in concept and design to a teru teru bozu, a Japanese charm doll used to wish for good weather.
Name origin
Castform's name seems to be a combination of forecast, predict the weather, and transform, referring to its ability to change type depending on the weather. The German and French names refer to this as well.
Powalen may be a combination of 天気予報 tenkiyohō, weather forecast, 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.
