Indian Zangoose
The Tiger Ferret Pokémon
These Zangoose were brought to this region for protection from dangerous predators. Calm and easygoing, their main defense is their thick fur, which accumulates heat over time.
Since its coat releases clouds of smoke with every movement, it often remains still to avoid unwanted attention, opening up its mind in the process. Seviper is still its mortal enemy.
Type: Psychic/Fire
Size: 8'10", 120 lbs
Stats: 83/85/60/80/60/90 (BST: 458)
Abilities: Fur Coat (HA Toxic Boost)
Design/Flavor: This Zangoose is more mellow than regular Zangoose, with thicker, fluffier fur around its body. Its color scheme is reminiscent of the
stripe-necked mongoose along with tigers - that is, reddish orange in color, with charred-black stripes like Arcanine's on its back and arms along with bands on its tail and ear tips that are also black, a light blue snout along with a chest patch of the same color so the fur pattern invokes a monk's robes, and shaggy light blue "eyebrows" obscuring its eyes like Piloswine. It still has the same long sharp black claws as before, but they're somewhat more obscured by thicker fur on its hands. The fur around its waist is long enough that it obscures its legs, also like a robe, though they'd be the same as regular Zangoose aside from color.
Notable Moves:
- Added moves: Smog, Flame Charge, Confusion, Flamethrower, Psycho Cut, Calm Mind, Flare Blitz, Slack Off, Psychic
- Removed moves: Quick Attack, Fury Cutter, Pursuit, Revenge, False Swipe, Embargo, X-Scissor, Taunt, Close Combat
- TM Updates: Remove all Dark and Ghost TMs, and add all Fire and Psychic TMs along with Safeguard and Helping Hand.
Evolves with a Fire Stone into...
Vyaghris
The Forbearing Pokémon
Local legends tell of a sage who was given the pelt of one of these Pokémon after injuring himself, and gained its strengths as a result. In battle, its dense fur and evasive movements help it tire out attackers such as its rival, Nagurkha.
The pleasant-smelling smoke rising from its fur calms down those who smell it. This kind-hearted Pokémon senses its surroundings by meditating constantly, so it can detect when its peers are in trouble and then move in to end the crisis.
Name Origin: Vyaghrapada + Tigris (as in
Panthera tigris, the binomial name of the tiger)
Type: Psychic/Fire
Size: The same height as Snorlax (6'11"), but half the weight (507 lbs)
Stats: 93/85/90/80/85/90 (BST: 525)
Abilities: Fur Coat (HA Toxic Boost)
Design/Flavor: This regional evolution is based on several sources: the weretiger of Indian lore, the rivalry between tigers and dragons in East Asian folklore along with the relationship between mongeese and snakes (mongeese are feliforms, meaning they're closely related to cats), incense burners, Hindu monks and religious "wise men", and the mythical sage known as Vyaghrapada, who was given a tiger's legs after injuring his feet when gathering an offering of flowers for the god Shiva. It's a bigger, fluffier version of the Indian Zangoose, almost reminiscent of
those scrapped Electric-type tigers, though upright and with the same shapes to the arms, ears, and tail as Zangoose. Its most notable changes are around its face - the eyebrows are much fluffier, and its snout is now covered by a mustache and beard giving the impression of an elderly wise man. The legs are now visible peeking out from under the "coat" of fur around its waist, resembling those of Lucario except shorter and stockier, but still strong enough for speed and agility. Despite this, it's often found seated in meditation, conserving energy for when it has to fight in defense of the innocent. Essentially, it is the counterpart to Nagurkha - peaceful where its rival is aggressive, warm and dry where its foe is wet and cold, and tough where its foe is frail.
New Moves (relearnable at Level 1):
- Incense Smoke - Fire-type Aromatherapy clone, also removes all negative stat changes
- Intercept - Psychic-type Avalanche clone
Competitive Info: Whereas Nagurkha is more specialized on the speedy, specially offensive front, Vyaghris is more defensive, especially on the physical side, though decently fast and with enough physical power to serve as a mostly physical tank as well. It resists six types but is weak to five, with no double-resistances or double-weaknesses to exploit. With Intercept, it can spring a nasty surprise on opponents trying to simply hit it really hard or just dish out good physical Psychic STAB in general, and it can also use Flame Charge to increase its speed and deal damage at the same time, or Flare Blitz to take down enemies quickly, with just enough HP to take the recoil and hopefully heal up with Slack Off. It also has access to such support moves as Helping Hand, Safeguard, Protect, Light Screen, Reflect, and Psychic Terrain.