Appendix:Fan terminology

The Pokémon metagame has a wide range of fanmade terminology for various aspects of the games. These are colloquial terms originating from unofficial sources, and are not found within the games themselves. However, some terms originally coined by the fandom have been used officially, such as Eeveelution and Shiny; these terms are not listed here.

Pokémon terms

Early-route Pokémon

A Pokémon found in the first few routes of the game. These can be divided into ones that are based on mammals that are either Normal or Dark types (Rattata, Sentret, Poochyena, Zigzagoon, Bidoof, Patrat, Lillipup, Purrloin, Bunnelby, Yungoos, Skwovet, Nickit, and Wooloo), birds that are Flying (Pidgey, Spearow, Hoothoot, Taillow, Wingull, Starly, Pidove, Fletchling, Pikipek, and Rookidee) and Bugs (Caterpie, Weedle, Ledyba, Spinarak, Wurmple, Kricketot, Sewaddle, Venipede, Scatterbug, Grubbin, Cutiefly, and Blipbug).

Electric rodents

Artwork of the electric rodents and Mimikyu

Pikachu clone redirects here. For the Pikachu that is a clone, see Pikachutwo.

A group of Electric-type Pokémon based on rodents, consisting of Pikachu, Raichu (sometimes omitted), Pichu (sometimes omitted), Plusle, Minun, Pachirisu, Emolga, Dedenne, Togedemaru, and Morpeko. Design-wise, all of them have electric sacs on their cheeks. All are in the Fairy or Field Egg Groups, and all have English names very close to being pure transliterations of their Japanese names. This group is also referred to as the Pikachu family, Pikachu clones or Pikaclones. An equivalent term used within the Japanese fandom is 電気袋組.

Pachirisu is the only one revealed to actually be biologically related to Pikachu's evolutionary line.

In Pokémon X and Y, the "Stickers" battle menu background features all the members of the group that existed at the time. This is the only time that the group has ever been acknowledged in the games.

According to the official Pokémon Singapore's Facebook, the group are referred as electric mice, and were featured in the "Mouse Pokémon" (Japanese: ねずみポケモン Nezumi Pokémon) collection of Pokémon Center merchandise.

Marill, its evolutionary relatives, and Mimikyu are also sometimes referred to as Pikachu clones.

Elemental monkeys

Main article: Elemental monkeys

Pansage, Pansear, Panpour, Simisage, Simisear, and Simipour.

Eon duo

Main article: Eon duo

Latios and Latias. Often referred to collectively as Lati@s.

Game mascot

Main article: Game mascot

A Pokémon that appears on the boxart of one of the Pokémon games in the core series.

Hitmons

Main article: Hitmons

Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Hitmontop, and sometimes Tyrogue.

Kasekimera

Main article: Fossil → Generation VIII

(Japanese: カセキメラ Kasekimera) is used within the Japanese fandom to collectively refer to Fossil Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII: Dracozolt, Dracovish, Arctozolt, and Arctovish. The term is derived from 化石 kaseki (fossil) and chimera.

Legendary duo

Main article: Legendary duo

A group of two Legendary Pokémon that share some association.

Legendary trio

Main article: Legendary trio

A group of three Legendary Pokémon that share some association.

Mew variants

A subset of Mythical Pokémon. Each of their base stats are 100 with a base stat total of 600, and share the same EV yield, with 3 HP EVs when defeated. They are available only as event Pokémon. Includes Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Manaphy, Shaymin, and Victini. Sometimes referred to as Mythical fairies, although that term is also used to describe the lake guardians.

Novelty Pokémon

A Pokémon that possesses a unique trait, usually in battle.

Pseudo-legendary Pokémon

Main article: Pseudo-legendary Pokémon

A Pokémon that has a three-stage evolutionary line, 1,250,000 experience at level 100, and a base stat total of exactly 600. Includes Dragonite, Tyranitar, Salamence, Metagross, Garchomp, Hydreigon, Goodra, Kommo-o, and Dragapult.

Sub-Legendary Pokémon

Legendary Pokémon that are permitted in battle facilities and usually permitted in official tournaments. These Pokémon include Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Heatran, Regigigas, Cresselia, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Type: Null, Silvally, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, Kubfu, Urshifu, Regieleki, Regidrago, Glastrier, and Spectrier.

A list in the data of Pokémon Sun and Moon, named "sublegend" in the game code, groups the Ultra Beasts with all of the sub-Legendary Pokémon, despite them not being Legendary Pokémon.

Legendary Pokémon that are not sub-Legendary Pokémon are officially known as Special Pokémon.

Trio master

Main article: Trio master

A Legendary Pokémon that is associated with and regarded as superior to (in in-universe lore) the members (or other members) of a Legendary trio.

Type triangle

A trio of types where one beats another and loses to another, such as Water-Grass-Fire or Dark-Fighting-Psychic.

Version-exclusive Pokémon

Main article: Game-exclusive Pokémon

A group of Pokémon that are only found in one or two games within a particular set, to encourage trading between players.

Fan terms

Balltism

A pejorative term used to describe fans who have a decision on catching Pokémon with a desired Poké Ball.

Dexit

A term referring to the controversy surrounding Game Freak's announcement that some Pokémon would not be usable in the Generation VIII games. Derives from Pokédex and Brexit (a debate between UK citizens that the UK (which is the basis of Galar, the main region within the generation) will leave the European Union).

Genwunner

A pejorative term used to describe fans who dislike elements of the Pokémon franchise released after Generation I (and, to a lesser extent, Generation II). A corruption of "Generation One". Originated from the Transformers fandom's term of "Geewun", where some fans have a similar stance on their franchise. However, fanon terms relating to other generations in the franchise (such as Generations III or IV) are less often used.

Game terms

Boss

The general concept of a boss in video games may refer to special, strong opponents who must be defeated to obtain an important reward or advance past a particular point in the game. In the Pokémon games, there are various figures who may fit this description:

• Core games
  • Gym Leaders: these are characters the player explicitly has to defeat if they wish to reach the Elite Four. Oftentimes, defeating a particular Gym Leader is also required for the player to advance past certain obstacles, especially those that require the use of an HM.
  • Elite Four: the "point" of the core series games is generally to beat the Elite Four, who will be stronger than any other Trainers the player has faced previously.
  • Champion: after beating the Elite Four, the player must also defeat the region's Champion in order to be allowed to enter the Hall of Fame.
  • Rivals: the player will often cross paths with a rival character, and usually they must face off with this character one last time before being able to face the Elite Four.
  • Team leaders: the core games (and many spin-offs) include villainous teams who the player will frequently cross paths with. In the course of the game, the player will eventually have to defeat various high-ranking members of these teams and ultimately their leader.
  • Tower Tycoons, Frontier Brains, Subway Bosses, Boss Trainers, Battle Chatelaines and Battle Legends: these are the leaders of certain special battle facilities presented as an optional challenge once the player has beaten the Champion. Defeating them usually grants the player a special achievement.
  • Legendary Pokémon: the player will encounter these later in the game, usually resulting in a boss battle, unless the player has a Master Ball. Legendary Pokémon are hard to fight because of their generally large base stats. Eternamax Eternatus fits the traditional "boss" terminology, as it has the highest base stats out of any Pokémon and is not obtainable in battle.
  • Max Raid Battles are co-op battles with a Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon, similar to a traditional boss battles as they are fought at various intervals through the game.
  • Noble Pokémon are encountered during the story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus and need to be quelled through throwing balms (while optional, periodic battling makes this easier). This acts similar to a traditional RPG boss fight.
• Side games
  • Pregymleader Justy: Justy is the leader of the Pre Gym in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD.
  • Area Leaders and Mt BtlMaster: these are the heads of different Mt. Battle areas in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD.
  • Colosseum Leaders, Colosseum Masters, and the Pokétopia Master: these are the heads of Colosseums in Pokémon Battle Revolution.
• Spin-offs
  • The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series has various boss characters at different points in the story:
    • Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team → Bosses
    • Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness → Bosses
    • Gates to Infinity → Bosses
    • Super Mystery Dungeon → Bosses
  • Shadow Mewtwo: the opponent in the final battle of the storyline of Pokkén Tournament

Collection terms

Living Pokédex

Main article: Living Pokédex

Having a Pokémon of every species (available in that game) in the Pokémon Storage System at the same time.

Legitimate

A Pokémon or item obtained without cheating. The term legal, in contrast, could be used to mean that a Pokémon was created or altered by a cheating device or save editor, but this exact same Pokémon could technically exist without cheating.

Untouched

A Pokémon that is in the same state as it was obtained in. Specifically, it has gained no experience, levels, EVs, or Ribbons, had none of its moves changed or reordered, and has not evolved, gained Pokérus, or had its pre-existing Pokérus become inactive. Commonly used to refer to event Pokémon and in-game gift Pokémon.

Gameplay terms

6V

Refers to a Pokémon with perfect/maximum individual values in all stats.

The term "5V" (a Pokémon with perfect/maximum individual values in five stats) is also commonly used due to the breeding effect of Destiny Knot, which was introduced in Generation VI.

Chaining

A method used to repeatedly encounter the same Pokémon via a feature such as Poké Radar and DexNav, which lines up the chance of getting a desired Pokémon.

Cheating

Main article: Cheating

The use of any device unauthorized by The Pokémon Company to modify a Pokémon game. Being found to have cheated in any way, or having a Pokémon that was obtained by cheating on another game will result in immediate disqualification from any official tournament, and disqualification from all future official tournaments.

EV training

Intentionally battling Pokémon for the EVs they give out in order to ensure EVs are distributed in a specific way or capped.

Focus Miss/Stone Miss

Derogatory terms for Focus Blast and Stone Edge, referring to the moves' mediocre accuracy.

Gear Station or Centrico Plaza trick

Securing the D-pad or analog stick in one direction so that the player continuously walks around the circular Gear Station or Centrico Plaza, resulting in an effortless refilling of Hidden Grottoes, increase in friendship, hatching of Eggs, and accumulation of Poké Miles.

Grinding

Training a Pokémon to a certain level through repetitive battling.

Hatcher

A Pokémon with the Ability Flame Body, Magma Armor, or Steam Engine such as Fletchling, Slugma, and Rolycoly in the party, mainly used for hatching Eggs faster.

HM mule

A Bibarel that knows four field moves

A term used within parts of the fandom to refer to a Pokémon in a Trainer's party that is used for navigational support through the use of field moves—generally those taught by Hidden Machines. HM mules will typically have three or four move slots occupied with field moves, allowing smooth passage through caves, across oceans, or past other obstacles at the expense of their battling capabilities.

With the retirement of HMs and field moves from Generation VII onward, HM mules are no longer necessary. In Generation VII, the functions of HMs are replaced by Poké Rides^SMUSUM and Secret Techniques^PE. In Generation VIII, the Rotom Bike's Water Mode replaces Surf and the Flying Taxi replaces Fly.

Often referred to as HM slaves. An equivalent term used within the Japanese fandom is 秘伝要員, with 秘伝 being from 秘伝マシン Hidden Machine followed by 要員 personnel.

HSOWA

A Skitty and a Wailord at the Day Care

The fan term HSOWA is an initialism that stands for "Hot Skitty On Wailord Action". It is derived from the fact that Skitty and Wailord can breed in the games despite the massive size difference. It has reached cult status on some message boards. The term originates from GameFAQs.

IV breeding

Intentionally breeding Pokémon to have a specific IV or set of IVs.

Masuda method

Main article: Masuda method

The game mechanic that increases the likelihood of Shiny Pokémon to hatch from Eggs if the parents are from differing real-world geographical locations. Named after Junichi Masuda, who first documented this mechanic in his blog.

Nuzlocke Challenge

Main article: Nuzlocke Challenge

A special challenge playthrough of a Pokémon game in which the player must follow a set of self-enforced rules to make the game more difficult. Most notably, the player can only catch the first Pokémon they encounter on each route, and must release any Pokémon that faints. Named after the comic series of the same name that first proposed the type of playthrough.

Professor Oak Challenge

A time-consuming challenge playthrough of a Pokémon game in which the player must fill up the Pokédex to its limit before taking on each Gym Leader. This challenge was created by user Chamale on Reddit, and popularized by YouTuber 'JohnStone'.

Repel trick

Main article: Appendix:Repel trick

Using Repels and a lead Pokémon of a specific level to restrict wild Pokémon encounters to a specific Pokémon or group of Pokémon due to the maximum level at which wild Pokémon can appear.

Shiny-locked

Referring to a Pokémon obtained in the specific game that is prevented from being Shiny.

Spinner trick

Securing the D-pad or analogue stick in a single direction so that the player continuously walks into a spin tile, resulting in an effortless increase in friendship and hatching of Eggs. Often called the "Fuego trick" in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum due to Fuego Ironworks being the optimal location for doing so.

Synchronizer

Pokémon with the Ability Synchronize such as Abra and Ralts in the first place in the party, mainly used for obtaining Pokémon with the desired Nature.

Walking Pokémon

Main article: Walking Pokémon

Pokémon that walk alongside their Trainer when they normally would be inside their Poké Balls outside of battle. Also referred by fans as Pokémon following you.

Metagame terms

Main article: Appendix:Metagame terminology

Technical terms

EVs

Main article: Effort values

Effort values, often shortened to EVs, are capped permanent stat bonuses gained by defeating Pokémon, using items such as vitamins or wings, or using services such as those in Join Avenue. They ensure trained Pokémon are stronger than newly caught Pokémon.

IVs

Main article: Individual values

Individual values, often shortened to IVs, are fixed values that can be inherited from the Pokémon's parents. They ensure Pokémon are genetically different.

RNG

Main article: Pseudorandom number generation in Pokémon

Refers to the Random Number Generator, or rather the practice of manipulating it through the use of fan-made software, in order to obtain Shiny Pokémon or Pokémon with specific IVs—both endeavors which would otherwise leave a lot up to chance.

This article is a part of Project Fandom, a Bulbapedia Project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every aspect of the Pokémon Fandom.