Machoke is a bipedal, humanoid Pokémon covered in gray skin. It has a vaguely reptilian face with a short snout, narrow red eyes, and four pointed teeth visible inside its mouth. Two of these teeth are in the upper jaw, while two are in the lower jaw. On top of its head are three brown ridges. Its arms are muscular with dark red, vertical stripes on them. The lower part of its body has black markings that resemble briefs. It is always seen wearing a black and gold power-save belt resembling a championship belt. It possesses large pectoral muscles that protrude slightly over its belt.
Machoke is a Pokémon of immense strength. Its muscles are as hard as steel, and it is capable of lifting extremely heavy objects with only one finger. In spite of this, it is modest and often helps people with manual labor. The belt it wears regulates its strength, but Machoke removes it when facing a truly powerful opponent. It can be found in the mountains, where it trains daily. In the past, it claimed Low Kick and Vital Throw as signature moves.
A Machoke appeared in Chikorita's Big Upset as a member of a group of wildFighting-type Pokémon that roamed the streets of a city as a gang. It befriended Chikorita after she defeated its leader, a Primeape, and became the new gang leader.
A Machoke appeared in Turning Over A New Bayleef, under the ownership of Haruno. It helped her with her gardening and was responsible for finding Bayleef when she was washed away in some rapids.
A Machoke appeared in Machoke, Machoke Man, under the ownership of Chuck. He used it in his Gymbattle against Ash, where it was defeated by Bayleef after almost defeating her with Submission.
Multiple Machoke appeared in Bibarel Gnaws Best!, under the ownership of the expert stonecutter. Along with several Machamp, they served as construction workers.
A Machoke appeared in a flashback in Lost Leader Strategy!, under the ownership of Maylene. It was revealed that she used a Machoke in her Gym battle with Paul, where it was defeated by Honchkrow. Machoke physically appeared in A Triple Fighting Chance!, where Maylene used it during her Gym battle against Ash; it battled Staravia and was defeated.
Two Machoke appeared in Shell Shock!, under the ownership of an expedition crew led by Nurse Joy, which was looking for Kabuto Fossils. They rescued Ash, his friends, and the crew from a runaway boulder heading for them.
A Machoke appeared in Stage Fight! as part of a showboat stage show along with other Pokémon.
A Machoke appeared in Navel Maneuvers, under the ownership of Danny. It helped him carve a sled that he used during his second challenge against Ash. It reappeared in a flashback in Hello, Pummelo!.
A Machoke appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.
A Machoke appeared in Celebi and Joy!, under the ownership of a demolition crew. The demolition crew was eventually changed into a construction crew due to Ritchie changing the past.
Machoke's thoroughly toned muscles possess the hardness of steel. This Pokémon has so much strength, it can easily hold aloft a sumo wrestler on just one finger.
Machoke undertakes bodybuilding every day even as it helps people with tough, physically demanding labor. On its days off, this Pokémon heads to the fields and mountains to exercise and train.
Machoke's thoroughly toned muscles possess the hardness of steel. This Pokémon has so much strength, it can easily hold aloft a sumo wrestler on just one finger.
Machoke undertakes bodybuilding every day even as it helps people with tough, physically demanding labor. On its days off, this Pokémon heads to the fields and mountains to exercise and train.
Evolves from Machop when its Attack is 86 or higher Evolves into Machamp when it has a link of 60% or higher, after knocking out a Warrior's Pokémon in a manner that allows recruitment
In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Machoke was originally known as "Kung-Foo". This name is a corruption of kung fu, a Chinese martial art.
In The Official Pokémon Handbook, Machoke is described as being extremely narcissistic; "Machoke, [...]likes its own body way too much. Sometimes it's too busy looking at itself in the mirror to train", which is exactly the opposite of the description given in Pokémon Stadium; "Although it is incredibly strong, it is always modest".
Machoke appears to be based on a bodybuilder or wrestler with some reptilian traits.
Name origin
Machoke may be a combination of macho (Spanish for male, overly masculine or chauvinist) and choke. Macho has come to mean tough or masculine in English. Akin to Mr. Mime, the masculine attribute has no reflection on gender assignment, as both species can be male and female; however, Machop's evolutionary line does have a 3:1 male:female ratio, making the species predominantly—but not entirely—male.
Goriky is a corruption of 剛力 gōriki (herculean strength).
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.
Focus Band (5%)
Fighting Gem (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Machoke images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
