Paras (Pokémon)

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Pokémon

#047: Parasect →

Paras パラス Paras #046 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Bug Grass Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Effect Spore or Dry Skin Cacophony Cacophony Damp Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male, 50% female	Catch rate 190 (35.2%)
Breeding Egg Groups Bug and Grass Hatch time 21 cycles
Height 1'00" 0.3 m Paras 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 11.9 lbs. 5.4 kg Paras 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield 70 Gen. I-IV Unknown IV 57 V+	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 1 Paras 0 HP 1 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 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Red	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Paras (Japanese: パラス Paras) is a dual-type Bug/Grass Pokémon.

It evolves into Parasect starting at level 24.

Biology

Paras removing its tochukaso

Paras is an orange, insectoid creature resembling the nymph stage of a cicada. Its ovoid body is segmented, and it has six pairs of legs. The foremost pair of legs is the largest and has sharp claws at the tips. There are five specks on its forehead and three teeth on either side of its mouth. It has circular eyes with large pupils.

Red-and-yellow mushrooms known as tochukaso grow on this Pokémon's back. The mushrooms can be removed at any time, and grow from spores that are doused on this Pokémon's back at birth by the mushroom on its mother's back. Tochukaso are parasitic in nature, drawing their nutrients from the host Paras's body in order to grow and exerting some command over the Pokémon's actions. For example, Paras drains nutrients from tree roots due to commands from the mushrooms. The mushrooms are also popular among collectors and have medicinal uses, usually involving extended life.

Paras can often be found in caves, but can also thrive in damp forests with high amounts of humidity where conditions are ideal for fungi. It is also very timid as shown in the anime when it runs away from a battle with a Charmeleon.

In the anime

Paras in the anime

Major appearances

Paras is featured in The Problem with Paras under the ownership of Cassandra. It is extremely weak, but Cassandra needed it to evolve into a Parasect so she can use the giant mushroom to aid in her medical research. It does so towards the end of the episode.

Minor appearances

Paras made its debut in Clefairy and the Moon Stone, in which a group of Paras can be briefly seen removing the mushrooms on their backs. Seymour explained that this behavior was due to someone stringing lights in the caves of Mt. Moon, and implied that this was not good for them.

A Paras also appeared in Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village. It was one of the Pokémon in Melanie's care. It reappeared in a flashback in Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!.

A Paras appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash, A Chansey Operation and The Breeding Center Secret.

Multiple Paras were among the Pokémon seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral.

Two differently patterned Paras appeared in Poké Ball Peril.

A pink Paras appeared on Pinkan Island in In The Pink.

Paras had a small cameo in Tracey Gets Bugged as one of the Bug Pokémon on Murcott Island.

A Paras was one of the Pokémon stolen by Butch and Cassidy in The Fortune Hunters.

A Paras appeared in The Bug Stops Here where it was chased away by Misty after it scared her.

A Paras belonging to an unnamed competitor appeared in The Grass Route competing in the Grass-type tournament.

A Paras was one of the inhabitants of an oasis just for Pokémon in Got Miltank?.

Paras also appeared in The Power of One, Celebi: Voice of the Forest and Destiny Deoxys.

A Paras appeared in A Bite to Remember.

A Paras appeared in the opening of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.

A group of Paras also appeared in Genesect and the Legend Awakened at Pokémon Hills.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP044 Paras Ash's Pokédex Paras, the Mushroom Pokémon. Rare mushrooms grow on its back. EP044 Paras's type Ash's Pokédex Paras has qualities of both Bug and Grass Pokémon.

In the manga

Paras in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In the Yellow arc, Super Nerd Miles, disguised as Red, used a Paras to attempt to capture Pika (at that time with Yellow) using its spores alongside his Persian and Marowak.

In the TCG

Main article: Paras (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Burrows to suck tree roots. The mushrooms on its back grow by drawing nutrients from the bug host. Blue Yellow Burrows under the ground to gnaw on tree roots. The mushrooms on its back absorb most of the nutrition. Stadium Grows by sucking nutrients from the roots of trees. The mushrooms on its back grow by drawing extracts from the bug host.
Generation II Gold It is doused with mushroom spores when it is born. As its body grows, mushrooms sprout from its back. Silver As its body grows large, oriental mushrooms called tochukaso start sprouting out of its back. Crystal The tochukaso growing on this Pokémon's back orders it to extract juice from tree trunks. Stadium 2 It is doused with mushroom spores when it is born. As its body grows, mushrooms sprout from its back.
Generation III Ruby Paras has parasitic mushrooms growing on its back called tochukaso. They grow large by drawing nutrients from this Bug Pokémon host. They are highly valued as a medicine for extending life. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald A Paras has parasitic tochukaso mushrooms growing on its back. They grow by drawing nutrients from the host. They are valued as a medicine for long life. FireRed Growing out of the bug's back are mushrooms called tochukaso. The mushrooms grow with the bug host. LeafGreen Burrows to suck tree roots. The mushrooms on its back grow by drawing nutrients from the bug host.
Generation IV Diamond Mushrooms named tochukaso grow on its back. They grow along with the host Paras. Pearl {{{pearldex}}} Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold It is doused with mushroom spores when it is born. As its body grows, mushrooms sprout from its back. SoulSilver As its body grows, large mushrooms named tochukaso start sprouting out of its back.
Generation V Black Mushrooms named tochukaso grow on its back. They grow along with the host Paras. White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 Mushrooms named tochukaso grow on its back. They grow along with the host Paras. White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Growing out of the bug's back are mushrooms called tochukaso. The mushrooms grow with the bug host. Y Burrows under the ground to gnaw on tree roots. The mushrooms on its back absorb most of the nutrition.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Uncommon Mt. Moon, Safari Zone Blue (Japan) Unknown Mt. Moon, Safari Zone Yellow Uncommon Mt. Moon, Safari Zone
Generation II Gold Silver Few National Park, Ilex Forest, Mt. Moon Crystal Few National Park, Ilex Forest, Mt. Moon
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen Common Mt. Moon, Safari Zone Colosseum None Trade XD One Cipher Key Lair (Shadow)
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Rare Great Marsh (after obtaining National Pokédex) Platinum Rare Great Marsh (after obtaining National Pokédex) HeartGold SoulSilver Rare Bug-Catching Contest, Ilex Forest, Mt. Moon, Safari Zone Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker Noisy Forest
Generation V Black White Swarm Route 11 (White only) Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World Dream Park
Generation VI X Y Unknown Friend Safari

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball	Mt. Moon Safari Zone
Pokémon Trozei!	Secret Storage 1 Secret Storage 10 Endless Level 25 Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Silent Chasm (7F-9F)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Apple Woods (1F-12F)
Pokémon Ranger	Krokka Tunnel
Pokémon Rumble	Silent Forest Normal Mode C
Pokémon Rumble Blast	Treetops: Soothing Shore

In events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
	Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Synthesis Paras	English	United States	5	January 3 to 9, 2003

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Berry (100%)
Yellow*
Gold	Silver	TinyMushroom (25%)	Big Mushroom (8%)
Crystal
FireRed	LeafGreen	TinyMushroom (50%)	Big Mushroom (5%)
Diamond	Pearl	TinyMushroom (50%)	Big Mushroom (5%)
Platinum
HeartGold	SoulSilver	TinyMushroom (50%)	Big Mushroom (5%)
Black	White	TinyMushroom (50%)	Big Mushroom (5%)
		BalmMushroom (1%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 35		95 - 142	180 - 274
Attack: 70		67 - 134	130 - 262
Defense: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Sp. Atk: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Sp. Def: 55		54 - 117	103 - 229
Speed: 25		27 - 84	49 - 163
Total: 285	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. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 55.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/5 ★★☆☆☆	Power 1/3 ★☆☆
Skill 3/4 ★★★☆	Stamina 3/3 ★★★
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 11/18 ★★☆

Type effectiveness

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

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 4× Poison 2× Ground ¼× Rock 2× Bug 2× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 4× Water ½× Grass ¼× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 4× Poison 2× Ground ¼× Rock 2× Bug 2× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 4× Water ½× Grass ¼× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 4× Poison 2× Ground ¼× Rock 2× Bug 2× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 4× Water ½× Grass ¼× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 4× Poison 2× Ground ¼× Rock 2× Bug 2× Ghost 1× Steel 1× Fire 4× Water ½× Grass ¼× Electric ½× Psychic 1× Ice 2× Dragon 1× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon has Dry Skin, the effectiveness of  Water-type  moves is 0× and the effectiveness of  Fire-type  moves is 5×. In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Poison-type  moves is 4×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Scratch Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35 066 Stun Spore Grass Status 0000— 07575% 30 066 PoisonPowder Poison Status 0000— 07575% 35 1111 Leech Life Bug Physical 02020 100100% 15 1717 Fury Cutter Bug Physical 02020 09595% 20 2222 Spore Grass Status 0000— 100100% 15 2727 Slash Normal Physical 07070 100100% 20 3333 Growth Normal Status 0000— ——% 40 3838 Giga Drain Grass Special 07575 100100% 10 4343 Aromatherapy Grass Status 0000— ——% 5 4949 Rage Powder Bug Status 0000— ——% 20 5454 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100100% 15

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

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM01	Hone Claws	Dark	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM09	Venoshock	Poison	Special	06565	100}}100%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM16	Light Screen	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	30
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM22	SolarBeam	Grass	Special	120120	100}}100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM28	Dig	Ground	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM31	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	07575	100}}100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM36	Sludge Bomb	Poison	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	04040	100}}100%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM53	Energy Ball	Grass	Special	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM54	False Swipe	Normal	Physical	04040	100}}100%	40
	TM70	Flash	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM75	Swords Dance	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	30
	TM76	Struggle Bug	Bug	Special	03030	100}}100%	20
	TM81	X-Scissor	Bug	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM86	Grass Knot	Grass	Special	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	04040	100}}100%	15
	HM01	Cut	Normal	Physical	05050	095}}95%	30
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Paras Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Paras Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation VI Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  Cross Poison Poison Physical 70 100% 20 Fell Stinger Bug Physical 30 100% 25 Rototiller* Ground Status — —% 10 Wide Guard* Rock Status — —% 10

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Paras in Generation VI 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 Paras in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Paras Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Paras Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VI Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VII - VIII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP   Contest   Appeal   Jamming  This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.

A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Paras can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Paras cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Paras Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Paras Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball     Acquisition: Catch		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Common
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 046.png Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 11.4% Friend Area: Mushroom Forest Phrases 51%-100% HP The mushrooms on my back are my friends! 26%-50% HP Hey, my health is half gone... 1%-25% HP Please... I'm about to fall with my mushrooms... Level up Yay! I leveled up! That makes me happy! 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 Yay! I leveled up! That makes me happy!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 8.2% IQ group: A
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Bug  Poké Assist: ( Grass ) Field move: (Cut ×1) Loops: 4 Min. exp.: 13 Max. exp.: 24 Browser entry   Paras cuts the Capture Line with its front claws to avoid being caught.
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 Attack ●● Defense ●● Speed ●● Attack 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: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
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 Paras  Bug  Grass

Level 24 →

First Evolution Parasect  Bug  Grass

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

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

Other sprites

Crystal back	FireRed/LeafGreen back	Platinum/HeartGold/ SoulSilver back	Black 2/White 2 back

Trivia

• On early English promotional material for Pokémon Red and Blue, Paras' name is listed as "Parasyte". The name may have been shortened to just "Paras" because Parasyte is the official English name of a graphic horror manga series.
• In Generation I, Poison attacks are super effective against Bug, making Paras and Parasect the only Pokémon to have ever had three 4× weaknesses, as well as the only Pokémon to have had a 4× weakness to Poison prior to the introduction of the Fairy type in Generation VI.
• Paras and Parasect are the only Pokémon in the game to take more than 4 times as much damage from any one type of attack under normal battle conditions (if they have the Ability Dry Skin, they both take 5× damage from Fire-type attacks).
• No other Pokémon has the same Egg Group combination as Paras and its evolution.
• Paras and its evolved form, Parasect, share their species name with Shroomish, Breloom, Foongus, Amoonguss. They are all known as the Mushroom Pokémon.
• Paras can be seen as a parallel to Shroomish. Both of them are Grass-type Pokémon. Paras is exclusive to Pokémon White, while Shroomish is exclusive to Pokémon Black, with both Pokémon found in a Mass Outbreak in the same location in their respective versions. Additionally, both are based on fungi.

Origin

The fungus on Paras is identified as tochukaso, an endoparasitoid that replaces the host tissue and can affect the behavior of its insect host. The base insect appears to be a cicada nymph.

Name origin

Paras is a shortening of parasite, referring to the parasitic mushroom growing on its back.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese パラス Paras From parasite French Paras Same as English/Japanese name Spanish Paras Same as English/Japanese name German Paras Same as English/Japanese name Italian Paras Same as English/Japanese name Korean 파라스 Paraseu Transliteration of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 派拉斯 Pàilāsī Transliteration of Japanese name Cantonese Chinese 蘑菇蟲 Mòhgūchùhng Literally "Mushroom bug"

More languages

External links

← #045: Vileplume

Pokémon

#047: Parasect →

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.