Paras (Pokémon)

← #045: Vileplume

Pokémon

#047: Parasect →

Paras パラス Paras #046
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Bug Grass Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Mushroom Pokémon
Abilities Effect Spore or Dry Skin Dry Skin Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,000,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #046 Johto #070 Hoenn #235 Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 1'00" Imperial 0.3 m Metric 1'00"/0.3 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 11.9 lbs. Imperial 5.4 kg Metric 11.9 lbs./5.4 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Red	Catch rate 190 (24.8%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Bug and Plant groups 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 1 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 70 Battle Exp.: 701*
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

Physiology

Paras is an insectoid creature, with the unique feature of having mushrooms known as tochukaso growing from its back. They grow from spores that are doused on this Pokémon's back at birth by the mushroom on its parent's back.

Though tochukaso are parasitic in nature, Paras manages to make use of the mushrooms by creating a semi-symbiotic relationship; the mushrooms draw their nutrients from the host Paras's body in order to grow, and Paras is able to use the mushrooms spores along with its own pincers for self-defense.

Paras may have fairly long life spans, because the tochukaso is known for having properties that are beneficial for longevity.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

The mushrooms growing out of its back will release irritating spores that can paralyze, poison, or put to sleep.

Behavior

The mushrooms on its back have a very commanding influence over Paras and order it to extract juice from tree trunks. It is also very timid as shown in the anime when it runs away from a battle with a Charmeleon.

Habitat

File:Forest.gif

{{{2}}}]]

Paras can often be found in caves, since sunlight and dry air hurt their skin. They can also thrive in dank forests with lots of humidity where conditions are ideal for fungi.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

It is unknown if Paras eats regular food in the wild or if it gets all of its nutrients from the roots that it sucks, though most of the food is absorbed by the mushrooms on its back.

In the anime

File:TheProblemwithParas.gif

Paras in the anime

Major appearances

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

Minor appearances

A group of Paras can be seen briefly in Clefairy and the Moon Stone removing the mushrooms on their backs.

A differently patterned Paras appeared in Poké Ball Peril.

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

It also appeared in The Bug Stops Here during the Bug-Catching Contest.

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 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 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. 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 Mushrooms named tochukaso grow on its back. They grow along with the host Paras. Platinum Mushrooms named tochukaso grow on its back. They grow along with the host Paras. HeartGold It is doused with mushroom spores when it is born. As its body grows, mushrooms sprout from its back. SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue Few Mt. Moon, Safari Zone Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Few 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 Dex) Platinum ? Great Marsh (after obtaining National Dex) HeartGold SoulSilver ? Ilex Forest Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
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	Quiet Forest

Held items

Game	Items
Gold, Silver, and Crystal	Tinymushroom (25%)	Big Mushroom (8%)
	Berry (trade from Generation I)
Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald	Tinymushroom (50%)	Big Mushroom (5%)
FireRed and LeafGreen	Tinymushroom (50%)	Big Mushroom (5%)
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum	Tinymushroom (50%)	Big Mushroom (5%)

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.

Pokéthlon stats

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

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | bug | style="background:#3FA129" |  grass 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Paras | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

|- style="background:#B8C26A" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

Special moves

Shadow moves	<span style="color:#{{{2}}};">Level 28+	Purified moves
Shadow Blitz	File:Box xd 046.png	Refresh	Normal
Shadow Shed		Spore	Grass
--		Slash	Normal
--		False Swipe	Normal

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.

Trivia

• Paras's name was originally "Parasyte". The name was probably abandoned because it was also the official English name of an extremely graphic Japanese horror comic.
• In Generation I, Poison attacks are super effective against Bug, making Paras and Parasect the only Pokémon to have ever had three 4× weaknesses or double weakness to Poison.
• Due to the ability Dry Skin, Paras and Parasect are also the only Pokémon to have a 8× weakness (to Fire).
• Paras and Parasect share the same species name with Shroomish and Breloom. They are all known as Mushroom Pokémon.
• Paras, Parasect, and Wormadam in its Plant cloak are the only Template:Type2s that also take super-effective damage from Bug attacks, due to their part Grass typing.

Origin

There are many forms of fungus that grow on insects, any one of which could have inspired Paras's design, like the Entomophthora muscae, which grows on the back of the common housefly. As for the insect itself, it bears a resemblance to a cicada larva, more so than Nincada.

Name origin

Paras's name is a shortening of the word parasite, referring to the parasitic mushroom growing on its back. "Paras" also means "the best" in Finnish.

In other languages

• German: Paras
• French: Paras
• Korean: 파라스 Paraseu
• Chinese (Taiwan): 派拉斯 Pai La Si - Transliteration of Paras.

Notes

← #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.