Judge a Pokémon Express: Gen 8 starters
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Codraroll
Last week, Nintendo announced a pair of proper Pokémon games for the Nintendo Switch, formally kicking off Gen VIII. Pokémon Sword and Shield will release some time in late 2019. In addition to a tease of gameplay and a look at the new region, the announcement trailer also gave us a good look at the new starter Pokémon: the Grass-type monkey Grookey, the Fire-type bunny Scorbunny, and the Water-type chameleon Sobble. All of them look interesting and quirky in their own way, so they deserve to be given a closer look. According to Smogon tradition, we've gathered a Judge-a-Pokémon Express panel to give their impressions of the new starters. Take it away, panel!
| Grookey | Scorbunny | Sobble |
| Click on the images to reveal everyone's thoughts! | ||
Codraroll
Even though it may be a groovy monkey, this Pokémon doesn't really strike a chord with me. As others have noted, its color scheme is sort of unappealing, and even though its concept is unique among Grass-type starters, I get a sort of "seen it before" feeling when I look at it. It might be the colors, the fact that we've had grass monkeys before, or its general big-eyed, friendly demeanor that's been seen in dozens of other Pokémon. And I can't get over how its head is shaped like a compost bag, complete with handles tied in a knot and a brown banana that pokes through its sides.
Lyd
I really like Grookey; it looks like it will have some relation with percussion and music, as during the reveal trailer it drummed its stick to scare away Sobble. Grookey is likely derived from the word "groove," and I'm a big fan of music and percussion, so that's surely a positive. I can't wait to see how they incorporate this concept into Grookey's evolutions. Grookey's personality reminds me a lot of Chimchar too, which was one of my favorite starters overall, so I'm definitely happy with Grookey.
I don't really know which direction they could take Grookey's evolutions when it comes to typing, but the most likely option to me seems to be Grass / Fighting. It'd be really cool if they could make it a rhythmic fighter or something, perhaps with a hidden ability a la Metronome? It's not unprecedented for them to turn items into abilities, and Neuroforce is proof.
Back to Grookey, though, I really like the direction they seem to be taking it. And its personality and charisma have caught my attention more than previous Grass-type starters, that's for sure. Can't wait to see how they'll develop Grookey and its evolution line.
Kalalokki
Oooo, this one's a cheeky little bastard. Running around with his little stick and wacking on everything all over the place. The ears are a bit off-putting, like someone slapped two pieces of coconut shells hard enough against its little head for them to just get stuck in place. I could see this fella grow up to be a football hooligan or something, as it could never match the athleticism of Scorbunny, forever relegated to drunken brawls in some sad alleyway.
Pilo
I'll be the first to say it: Grookey is kind of cute, but man, talk about a busy design. Sure I may not love Scorbunny, but its design is great in the way of simplicity. When I lay eyes on Grookey, it takes me a while to figure out what I'm even looking at. I like the orange on Grookey's paws and around its mouth and how it contrasts with its green fur, but the yellow "mask" and the twig that seems to inexplicably float behind its tuft of hair are way extra. I can't imagine this ‘mon being too popular with trainers.
heritage
Not gonna lie, the orange here? Obnoxious. I'm not sure, sometimes colors like this complement the overall design, but this one just doesn't stick the landing. It does look a little better in the trailer; the orange isn't as vivid as it is in the art, but it could just be the lighting of the animation, so I'm not going to say it'll look perfect in-game yet. Other than the color scheme, the design is... fine. The little twig in its hair is actually kinda cute. And apparently the little guy can actually play music with it? Kinda charming. I am very excited for a music-related starter, though, and I hope that really is the direction they end up taking. The personality in the trailer makes up for the design honestly; it seems like a really cheerful thing. Won't end up mattering much in the actual game, but it is a nice little plus.
Jordy
How could one not love Grookey? I mean, just look at it. What is there not to love? That's right. Nothing. Between its posture, color scheme, and absolutely adorable face, there's just no way to not love it. To add onto that, I really like what they did with its name, with it likely being a mixture of "groove" and "monkey", and it doesn't even sound bad. Grookey's design also seems to leave a lot of different ways to take its evolutions, so I really hope that they make something great out of it.
Lotus
Grookey looks like it is ready to go all out any moment despite its smile. From what I can guess from its appearance and pose, Grookey will grow as a tank that will reward players that invest time to form a bond with it. My general perspective on Grass-type starter Pokémon isn't too positive because of their disadvantageous matchups against at least a few Gyms and many of them being less viable in competitive scenes, but if my prediction towards this Pokémon is correct, it may actually change my point of view.
TJ
While Grookey may be arguably the cutest starter of the bunch, it's my least favorite. Its design is a bit too underwhelming for my taste, since its face reminds me way too much of previous Grass-type starters like Chespin and Rowlet. Its color scheme isn't very appealing either; I think Grookey would have looked much cooler if its feet, mouth, and hands were brown. However, I do see some potential in it and like the direction that they are going in with it. I think being able to play music with its twig is pretty cool and is something that makes it unique compared to traditional starters. I'm also very interested to see what it will evolve into. I can't really see Grookey evolving into a Dark-type, but I can definitely see its final evolution being Grass / Fighting based on its ape-like appearance and stance, which gives off a Conkeldurr vibe with the stick as something to use as a weapon. I could also see its final evolution being Grass / Rock because of the little stick in its head, or even Grass / Psychic, since it was able to regrow the grass in the trailer.
Ryota Mitarai
Grookey, as far as I see it, looks like the mix of a monkey and some typical inhabitant of some isolated, ancient civilization from the lands of New Zealand and similar places. If the rumors about the Galar region being based on London or the UK are true, I would certainly find it strange to have a monkey in a region with a general cold climate where the majority of the forests have been cut down. Now, design-wise, there are 2 things that stand out to me: its nose and what appears to be a stick on its head. Its mouth gives it more of an ape-like appearance (although I initially saw it as a beak), while the stick on the head makes it look like the inhabitant of a New Zealand civilization, as I mentioned earlier.
Aurora
Green and orange don't really go together, but Grookey is supposed to be a baby monkey, and I think almost all baby monkeys are cute, so that doesn't faze me too much. Judging by the stick nestled in its head, this Pokémon is going to be either the next Conkeldurr or the next Ringo Starr when it finishes evolving. This is indisputable. I do not particularly want it to evolve into a plant-based King Kong, though. Instead, I really hope it evolves into another Pokémon musical virtuoso. This would bring us one step closer to creating the ideal Pokémon band. Off the top of my head, we already have many choices for the role of lead vocalist available, such as Chatot and Meloetta. Grookey's musically gifted hypothetical final stage of evolution would make for an excellent drummer. I suppose it wouldn't be the end of the world if the alternative scenario came to pass, though. The Pokémon world sorely needs a simian representative of the benefits of a plant-based diet.
Yoshi
Grookey is definitely my personal favorite of the bunch. While many people have discredited its design for having the same color palette as Chespin or perhaps for being the 14th monkey Pokémon (I counted), I still think that Grookey's design is refreshing from the other monkeys before it. The design is clearly supposed to resemble a chimpanzee, although it does have a tail, which chimpanzees do not. Also, I think the little twig through its ears was a great design detail by the Pokémon company, which could've been easily left out. Something that I have not heard a lot of people talk about were its actions in the trailer. Scorbunny put the grass on fire, Sobble put out the fire, but a lot of people missed that Grookey actually regrew the fire with its stick. That was a really cool aesthetic that many people overlooked. In terms of what its typing might end up being, I think that the Fighting-type ending is likely (although more people seem to predict Fire / Fighting for Scorbunny). Overall, while it may seem like Grookey results from an overused concept, it is my favorite of the bunch and will most likely be my starter choice.
{Pokémon_Vigilante}
It's easy to see the similarities between this Grass-type starter monkey and the other primates of the Pokémon community. It most closely resembles the Pansage/Simisage genus in my opinion, which isn't entirely a bad thing, but it certainly isn't the best thing either. The only thing from a purely physical standpoint that makes me think that Grookey could be a threat is if it somehow had access to a move that allowed it to use its stick similar to the way that Cubone and Marowak are able to use their bones when using the move Bone Club. If it grows up to be built like a silverback gorilla, that would be totally sick. But I doubt something like that is in the cards, and it likely wouldn't be bigger than Passimian. Throw this chimp a banana, because the yellow would give it some color variation. While Grookey has a decent design, its stale color pattern has me wanting to hide in the bushes.
Estronic
Pokémon seems to be having a trend where they're seemingly getting more rounder and smoother as the generations go by, and Grookey is no exception. However, it's actually my favorite out of the three. I'm really interested in its quirk with the stick thing, being able to grow things on the fly with it and all. Could it perhaps be an insight into its final evolution stage's typing? A safe guess is that it'll be a Fighting-type and use the stick as a fighting rod, but with the powers it seems to have, I really hope it ends up being Fairy-type and uses it as a wand. Of course, these can be debunked, as Chesnaught already had a Grass / Fighting typing, and Delphox already has that wand niche. Who cares, though? If we can get Fighting-type Fire starters for three generations in a row, repetition is always on the table. It may be the least popular right now, but I'm hoping for a Froakie / Greninja situation again so I can call out the bandwagoners. #TeamGrookey
GatoDelFuego
Grookey is probably the best "design" out of all these three Pokémon. Grass monkey that carries sticks around? I can dig it. But I have to say, this art does look seriously terrible. The giant mouth is supposed to look like an orangutan, I guess? But the rotten-orange color makes it look more like a duckbill of a parrot. Dark green + dark orange + dark brown + faded yellow? Yuck. It's like Turtwig took a bath in a bowl of hummus. What's up with the giant triangle ears? This thing is too smug for its own good, and I am not happy. But considering we'll probably get the final evolutions revealed soon, I'll be keeping my eye on this one because I have a feeling it's going to turn out good.
Pikachu315111
Of the three, Grookey looks the least appealing to me. It feels like it's trying to copy what other Grass-type starters did, leaving little room for what makes it unique. It combines Rowlet's face mask and emphasized mouth with Chespin's plant clothing. Not to mention we've already had Grass-type monkey Pokémon, Pansage and Simisage, which didn't exactly wow us either. I also feel the colors don't work together, or that its mouth, hands and feet should have also been brown. In the trailer we see it using the stick on its head (most likely a clave, a musical tool used to keep rhythm) as a sozu (a Japanese gardening device usually made with bamboo to scare animals), hinting to its mischievous personality and maybe a direction its evolutions can take. I can see it being a more physical Pokémon, wielding its stick to deliver STAB Wood Hammers!
DHR-107
Another Grass monkey… I thought we went over this before with Pansage. We have Passimian as well, though it is at least a Fighting-type. Grookey has me sold, however, on its rather tough and "up and at ‘em" pose and intimidation technique with bashing a stick on a rock. It looks like a happy-go-lucky sort of Pokémon, scaling a building like it's nothing in the trailer and looking out over the city.
The colors work for me as a Grass-type, with the green contrasting nicely with with the brown. The orange, however, is a little out of place. The hands and nose should have also been brown. The bow leaf with his stick (presumably the one seen hitting the rock) gives us an idea of what it might be using to attack with. This could go either way with evolutions, with me leaning towards a Raijin god of storms approach, which could leave us with a Grass / Electric final form.
Codraroll
At first glance, I was prepared to not really like this, but it has grown on me. While most other Fire-type starters have sported various shades of orange or tan occasionally interspersed with some black, Scorbunny is mostly white with red accents. It doesn't even have any appendages on fire, although there is a shine of fire in its eyes. That gives its design some originality, although its energetic personality is rather generic (hi, Chespin!). All in all, Scorbunny evokes images of a sports mascot, which I guess was what the designers were going for. It's not a bad design base. Some points removed for having such a proportionally tiny body, however.
Lyd
Scorbunny looks adorable! I feel that its personality and charisma are almost unmatched amongst starters, yet it still looks cute and cool all at once. Almost reminds me a bit of Bugs Bunny to be honest, because it really does pack that almost cliche-esque cartoon bunny type of design—which is not a completely bad thing, since it helps in the charisma department, but Scorbunny has some unique stuff of its own. The fire trail thing is really creative and I hope it gets explored more throughout the evolutionary line. The slick design of white with orange highlights looks amazing too.
I don't really know where they could take Scorbunny's evolutions, but a secondary Electric typing would surely be interesting. Its description of being full of energy surely suggests it, not to mention some yellow details on its body. I really hope they do make Scorbunny and its evolution fast and not pull another Decidueye or Vikavolt on us, but this one seems to be getting more emphasis on Speed so we'll see.
All in all, I really liked this starter; despite the cliches it has, it really stands out.
Kalalokki
Scorbunny sure is a tiny ball of big energy, which immediately brings to mind the Energizer Bunny, or at least one that isn't dirty pink and out of shape. This leads me to my biggest concern: how are they gonna keep the evolutions from not becoming fat and lazy? I sense there's gotta be some dark side to this if they're gonna keep being fast and lean, maybe some crippling addiction to electricity that they're gonna have to sustain by all means. Another sad victim of society.
Pilo
"Is that you Chespin?" was the first thing I thought when I looked at Scorbunny. My second thought immediately afterward was that it kind of looked like an Olympic mascot, which is probably what GameFreak were going for seeing as the little guy is donning sports tape. Yeah, a sports-themed Pokémon is kind of cool, but is it enough to save Scorbunny from an otherwise incredibly cookie-cutter design? No way.
heritage
We've stepped into uncanny valley here folks. There's just something so off-putting about the whole design and I just can't place what it is. Not really sure what tips it off, but it's probably the eyes. They just don't look like they should be on that body. I dunno, the Pokémon doesn't really seem unique other than the fact that it looks weird, haha. Echoing a lot of people's thoughts, it's another bipedal Fire-type that heavily takes design elements from other Pokémon (the official art also has practically the exact same pose and expression as Chimchar from a few generations back, so no points for originality here). Cool to keep the Zodiac theme going at the very least, but they could have done better than this. Hopefully the evolutions mix it up. They've done it in the past, so I'm sure they can do it again. I've always wanted an Electric-type starter, so hopefully this one won't let me down.
Jordy
While I absolutely adore Grookey, I don't know how to feel about Scorbunny. Although it has plenty of character, being a football player and whatnot with a color scheme that I really like, it just looks like it'll end up as another Fire / Fighting starter. I really hope that's not the case, though. However, it looks like it's ready to swipe through every Gym in the region, just like the preceding Fire / Fighting starters, certainly leaving it as a solid pick.
Lotus
Scorbunny looks like a cheery bunny ready to lift the mood of the young audience ready for an adventure. But at the same time, it doesn't display the fieriness from its look when compared to other Fire-type starters like Chimchar. I have a feeling that this starter will end up a fast Pokémon that won't simply wipe out the entire in-game storyline by itself after overleveling but will likely be a fast Pokémon with some utility like pivoting. I'd recommend this starter to players who try Pokémon Sword and Shield with the intent to enjoy the aesthetics and brightness of a Pokémon game. I don't think anyone would have negative first impressions of this bunny... until they realize its appearance is overly similar to Chespin.
TJ
Scorbunny crossed off the rabbit on the Chinese Zodiac. I think it's definitely going to be the starter that people end up either loving or hating the most. Scorbunny is my favorite starter at the moment. However, my first impressions on it were not good; it looked like they had put Blossom from Powerpuff Girls into the game. Upon a second watch, though, I think its design is pretty cool, despite looking a little similar to Chimchar and Chespin. Its red and white ears are cute, and it seems like it has the most personality of the three. As far as type predictions go, I think it will be either a Fire / Electric type based on its energetic personality or a Fire / Ground type because it gives off Bunnelby vibes and rabbits burrow holes. I could even see it as a Fire / Normal based on its design and other Bunny Pokémon such as Bunnelby and Buneary. While unlikely, I think a Fire / Fairy typing is plausible too! Of the three, I think Scorbunny has the most competitive potential, as it's clearly going to be a fast Pokémon. Lets just hope its not another Fire / Fighting type...
Ryota Mitarai
Yes, you are not the only one to think the same as me in that this is some replication of Chespin. And it's not crazy to believe it; just compare both Pokémon's official arts and the similarities are clearly visible. Pretty much the result of when you write from someone else's homework and try to hide it. Judging by the trailer, Scorbunny might end up with a high Speed stat, considering we saw how fast it runs to the point of leaving fire below its feet. I wonder what the orange area above its nose is. I guess they added it just so there's no color monotony. Game Freak at least nailed the coloring in the ears, because I think that's the best part about its design. Its apparent cheerfulness is also somewhat cute!
Aurora
I have already drawn Scorbunny drinking a can of energy drink while wearing sunglasses and a pair of off-brand shoes. If that doesn't indicate that I really like it, then I don't know what does. I love how energetic it looks. I'm becoming increasingly convinced it will end up acquiring a Fighting typing upon evolution, given how its artwork reminds me a lot of Chimchar's Platinum artwork. The thing on its nose is also reminiscent of that Fighting-type Gym Leader from Sinnoh... but I will not lose hope for now. One other thing I do like is that it's clear that Scorbunny knows how to keep its feet clean. There are not many opportunities afforded to see the soles of Pokémon feet, but it's good that Scorbunny is continuing the legacy of other meticulous groomers such as Chimchar. I've been using Fire-type starter Pokémon on my first playthrough since Generation V and Scorbunny is definitely not going to change that.
Yoshi
Scorbunny seems to be the Pokémon that people either love or hate. Personally, I am in between on Scorbunny. A lot of people have argued that it is too similar to the other bunny Pokémon, such as Bunnelby and Buneary. I think that argument is valid for sure, it is kind of similar to those Pokémon, which slightly hints to lazy design work. However, I still do sort of enjoy Scorbunny's design. The reason I say "sort of" is because its design is fairly basic, at least in my opinion. Both Grookey and Sobble have something about their designs that make them stand out, but Scorbunny simply lacks that feature. Many people are predicting it to be Fire / Fighting type. However, I actually think that it will be a Fire / Fairy type. It has pixie-like qualities as shown by its lightness (the bouncing and fast moving), and being a bunny and all, it does seem like a magical Pokémon, like something out of Alice and Wonderland. Overall, I like Scorbunny, but its design is fairly basic and reminiscent of previous rabbit Pokémon.
{Pokémon_Vigilante}
Stop me if you've heard this one before: "Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!!" Well, now it's time for the kids to get silly, cause Scorbunny are for them!! The fire color pattern is as overplayed as the other starter patterns, not that it's nothing new. Just remember to train your bunny well, otherwise that unsightly band-aid it wears may be a permanent fixture on its face. Many players are praying Scorbunny doesn't evolve with a Fighting typing in the end, and I'm just over here hoping Scorbunny doesn't turn out looking like Roger Rabbit on steroids. Say what you want, but it could be worse. It definitely could have been better, but it still could be worse than it is already. It sure would be nice to see a Fire-type starter with a little gray in their color scheme, to represent smoke and/or ash. That's all I really want to see in my lifetime.
Estronic
Continuing the tradition of a Fire-type starter based on a zodiac sign, Scorbunny unfortunately fails to really grab my attention. The design just doesn't strike at me well; in fact, it feels like one big fusion of Pokémon. I mean, come on, you can't tell me its mouth is literally Chespin's mouth: shape, expression, and even tooth. The color choice, however, I do enjoy. The majority white covering touched with areas of vibrant reds and orange look really nice. Though, if you take away that color, it'll probably look like a generic rabbit, but you can say the same for other Pokémon I guess. In terms of typing predictions, my wish is for an Electric typing, since I feel it can work very well in terms of its already established color palette and flavor. The most likely outcome, however? Judging by its bandage thing on its nose and following that trope, it sadly seems to be leaning towards Fighting. Oh, whatever shall we do?
GatoDelFuego
Why is it that we have so many bunny Pokémon designs, yet nobody thinks to actually have them walk on four legs? It would be a great way to break the mold. Though quadruped Fire starters have never worked out well in the past... anyway, I hate Scorbunny. It's just a recolored Bunnelby with Chespin poured in. Fast bunny Pokémon. Fast Fire-type starter Pokémon. Probably Fire / Fighting. Yawn. The worst part is the name. Scor-bunny. Like, scorch bunny. Why could they not call it Scorabbit? That at least blends the words together. This is like calling Charmander Charsalamander instead.
Pikachu315111
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a sucker for Fire-type starters, and I'm glad to say that Scorbunny doesn't disappoint (for the record I never really cared whether my Fire starters were bipedal or quadruped, though I do hope it's not Fire / Fighting)! It has an energetic and athletic feel to it: sleek body, long legs, and the yellow rectangle above its nose resemble nasal strips that athletes who run a lot wear to improve their breathing. Creating flames with its feet is a great visual for a runner Pokémon, leaving a scorching trail behind it like the Back to the Future's DeLorean. Kind of sounds like a lost Sonic character, like what a Cream version of Blaze would be like. No doubt Speed is going to be its top stat, though would it lean toward physical or special attacks? I suppose it could be a mixed attacker, but would that make it too much of a bunny version of Chimchar? Either way, just the sheep, horse, snake, and ox left...
DHR-107
Scorbunny jumps into action in the trailer, showing off its speed and agility. If this thing is anything other than fast I will be sorely disappointed. Scorbunny's looking like a bizarre cross between Chespin and Chimchar (with a bit of Meowth thrown in), and I like its bright and excitable disposition. The contrast of white and orange works really well, but orange is also used on Grookey! At least this time it makes sense on a Fire-type... And as the Fire-type starter, Scorbunny hopefully won't end up as a Fighting-type; but that bandage across its nose looks worrisome, as Maylene also has something similar. It could remain a pure Fire-type, which would be a new take on rabbits in Pokémon, with its brethren Buneary and Bunnelby also taking shots on the rabbit motif. We also find another Fire-type starter taking a slot of the Chinese Zodiac, leaving 4 remaining.
Codraroll
What a poor, fragile thing Sobble is! At a party, Scorbunny is the starter that runs up to you and starts talking about what it had for breakfast before remembering to introduce itself. Grookey gives a friendly wave from the back, ready to talk to you when you feel like talking to it. Sobble hides behind the sofa. Sobble takes the timid personality of Froakie and turns it up to eleven. It has big, wavering eyes, a permanently worried expression, and spaghetti-like arms and legs that wouldn't be much of a use in fight or flight. It looks like it is ready to cry at any moment, and for good reason. But don't worry, Sobble, we are here to back you up until you become stronger!
Lyd
Last, but surely not least, is Sobble. And while it doesn't stand out as much as the other two, well, that's kind of what it wants really; it's a timid Pokémon that can camouflage itself, what would you expect. And I really like this timid approach because that's how I feel most starters should feel when they first meet their trainer. Its camouflaging ability is also really interesting, and I can't wait to see how far they're willing to go with that.
Speaking of, I'd love to see another Ghost-type starter, and this one looks like it fits the bill. The camouflaging ability could develop into all-out invisibility, and that'd be a cool little concept, especially for a Pokémon as timid as Sobble. Would be really cool if they could fit that in in-game too, with maybe some ability like Protean or something brand new?
Overall, Sobble is the starter I gave the least attention to at first, but it has kind of grown on me after I rewatched the direct a couple times; it's really cute and I kind of relate with it for being a tad bit timid when the circumstances call.
Kalalokki
This is just the type of neighbourhood kid your mom forced you to play with when you were little, as they were too creepy to have any friends of their own. Sure, the whole camouflage deal can be cute at first, but eventually they're just gonna go way too far by sneaking into the girl's locker room to have a peek. From then on it's a slippery slope towards pickpocketing, burglary, and the occasional stalkings. But while they might just be some slithery scum, I bet they're gonna be insanely strong once cornered and out of options. They'll make them regret ever making them an outcast.
Pilo
If you held a gun to my head right now I'd probably name Sobble as my starter of choice. Why? Why not? The thing is just too darn cute. Call me a sucker for reptilian designs, you'd probably be correct (this guy is a lizard, right?), but when I compare Sobble with the other two starters it's pretty much no contest. All I can say in terms of criticism is, eat some more protein dude, your arms look like noodles.
heritage
This is the only one of the starters I think has very few problems, even if it doesn't really stand out. While I'm not really a fan of how the mouth looks since it looks more like "D:" or the shocked Pikachu than an actual face, overall the design is cute and simple! The color scheme is kinda just "standard Water-type starter", but it's visually soothing and doesn't burn your eyes. I can kinda see it swimming with that little fin above the water like a shark, and honestly that's the cutest thing. To be honest, out of all the starters it's the only one I think has the feeling of an actual "Pokémon", if there's even a definition for that. Honestly though? This Pokémon has some serious wizard-like vibes from it. Feels like a Merlin Pokémon for some reason. Excited for a water lizard starter as well.
Jordy
Lastly, there's Sobble.. which is, in my opinion, underwhelming. To say the least. I just find it far too bland, there's nothing about the design that speaks. To add onto that, from the trailer, you can tell that it has a very timid characteristic, which I generally dislike about Pokémon.
Lotus
Sobble is another Pokémon that shares a very similar appearance to one of the Kalos starters: Froakie. There is some difference, though. "Sob" gives me a feeling that this Pokémon will incorporate some concept of sadness or grudge as it evolves into different formes. It may receive Dark or Ghost typing as it evolves or a signature move that completely changes any vibe players had on this Pokémon. A necessary evil that throws a wrench into a group of meant-to-be-adorable starters in a Pokémon game.
TJ
As Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield have made their first debut, Sobble has become the most favorable of the three starters, with all of the memes of it going around. I absolutely love the concept of it disappearing in the water, adding an air of mystery. I think this makes it really unique compared to traditional starters. Its design is okay, but it just doesn't appeal to me as of right now, as it appears to be very timid. I do think later on it'll grow on me, especially with its potential final Water/Dragon, Water/Ice, Water/Ghost, and Water/Poison typing predictions. I'm really hoping that it gets access to Protean as its hidden ability, since it can camouflage, making it what I think will be the strongest of the starters.
Ryota Mitarai
Honestly, I think from all starters, Sobble was pulled off the worst. First, in my opinion, it looks the most like a Digimon (although I haven't played Digimon myself so I might be biased). Second, the fact that it is based on a frog is hardly visible; the only reason why I recognized it as one was because of its hands, as frogs are generally portrayed with such hand gestures. Finally, from the trailer, it looks like some easily scared creature; I have never liked overly scared "characters", unless you have the appropriate backstory to explain it. Its cry is also unbearable. I kind of also see it as half squirrel as well, judging by the tail, though we already have a half-squirrel Water starter (looking at you, Squirtle). If the people have the same opinion as me, this might be the first time the Water starter won't be the most popular first choice.
Aurora
I didn't really like Sobble much when I first saw it. I thought it looked like some odd-looking tadpole. However, after a sustained bombardment of my Twitter feed with lots of adorable artwork featuring it, things have changed. First, I have been made aware that it is not a tadpole; it is, in fact, supposed to be a chameleon. Maybe it's time I went and got another eye test. However, the main thing is that I now think it's the cutest of the three starters—I just cannot get past those big, adorable eyes. A big selling point for me is how its endearing facial expression somewhat resembles how I react every time my beloved Arceus-Fire manages to win me an Ubers match. I wonder what its favorite unviable Arceus forme is? I expect some grotesque montrosity to be the final stage of evolution for Sobble, given how things usually are, but that's OK. On its own merits, Sobble is super cute.
Yoshi
This already seems to be the fan favorite of the bunch, and while it isn't my personal favorite, I definitely see why people are all over this Pokémon. While I don't think its design is as detailed as Grookey's, it is still very nice to look at. Most lizard Pokémon we've had started quadrupedal, such as Salandit, but have ended in a bipedal stance, like Salazzle. I am curious to see if the same will happen with Sobble, as it does appear to be quadrupedal as seen in the trailer. In terms of what typing Sobble could end up being, there are many possibilities people have been discussing. In my opinion, Poison is the most likely secondary typing because iguanas are actually known to be venomous. Using the camouflage shown in the trailer (iguanas are also known to camouflage), Sobble could potentially sneak up on prey to then quickly attack and poison the target, alluding to a Poison typing. Overall, while Sobble doesn't have my most favorite design, I definitely think it is the coolest from what we already know about its behavior.
{Pokémon_Vigilante}
Water, Water, Water, Water Chameleon, you come and go... You come and go! (Admit it, you all sang it after you read it through the first time!) Anyway, let's get down to the brass tacks of the situation. Sobble has the ability to be deceitfully strong. I'm inclined to believe it would have a unique ability to make use of the whole camouflage deal, but we've had hopes of that before and wound up kicked in the teeth for our troubles. But the color scheme leaves a little to be desired, though it can easily be adjusted to match the evolutions as Sobble grows. I'm generally not one to be drawn in by the Water-type starters, with the exception of Froakie / Frogadier / Greninja, but if I play both versions as I plan to currently, I may decide to use Sobble in one of them just to see how it goes. Here's to hoping that Sobble doesn't just leave us in a puddle of misery, soaking wet and sad...
Estronic
Sobble's name just feels like it has been used as name for something, and lo and behold, after some research, it's the name of a... baby bathtub brand? Well, at least it somewhat fits, since Sobble seems to be the most baby-like and fragile out of all them. I mean, is it skipping leg day AND arm day? No wonder they're practically twigs. Though, I do find its "derpy" look to be assuming. In fact, it looks like a combination of multiple memes in one. We can see Surprised Pikachu and the now beaten-to-death "Just Do It" pose, but Twitter and seemingly everyone else (thank God) only seem to care about its overwhelming cuteness. Besides, we all know that the fact the new region is based on the UK will cause quite a meme insurgence, oi lad? Oh yeah, Sobble. I suppose it's cool, but not the best. With it's invisibility powers shown in the trailer, perhaps it'll be a Ghost-type in its final evolution? I'm down.
GatoDelFuego
This design is just straight up bad. Round ball head, round ball body, and tail that coils up to make a round ball. Literally the only interesting thing about this Pokémon is that it becomes invisible. Wow! So cute and adorable! What an "absolute unit" it is! Anybody that actually thinks this thing has merit should get their head examined.
Pikachu315111
It didn't take long for the internet to fall in love with the newest woobie: Sobble. It took a while for it to grow on me, mainly because I didn't know what it was based on. Once I learned it was a veiled chameleon (what's with chameleon Pokémon turning invisible instead of changing colors?) I was more accepting of its timid charm. I would also say it does look like the most "Pokémon" of the three, with Grookey looking like a fakemon and Scorbunny for some reason reminding me of a Rookie level Digimon (I think it's the eyes). As the old joke goes, you take a real world animal, exaggerate some details, paint it bright primary colors, and voila: you have a Pokémon. Next would be stating it, and going by the trailer it would be the special attacker, but outside that I'm not quite sure—would high Defense in exchange for Speed be too obvious?
DHR-107
What do I even say here? As a die-hard Water starter picker (except Oshawott), Sobble has me incredibly interested in using it. Creeping out of a fountain invisibly while stopping Scorbunny's attempted arson says it has good intentions, even if it meekly runs away from Grookey. Its design echoes Mudkip's, but with a deeper chameleonic appearance. This is extremely highlighted in its limbs, which appear to simply be gripping paws. Where this will go is anyone's guess for evolutions. The traditional blue color for Water-types is a good shade, and the darker blue sections play well against the lighter tones. I like its little adorable cheek pouches and shocked look. I just want to scoop it up and give it a giant hug. I haven't been this excited about a Water-type starter since Piplup, and I hope Sobble keeps up the tradition by getting some kickass evolutions.
Codraroll
So there you have our thoughts. I hope they gave you some new perspectives on the Gen VIII starters! Of course, this is only the first taste we've had of the eighth generation. Presumably, there will be a lot more to come in the next few months. A new generation means the introduction of dozens of new Pokémon, and the crew here at JAPE will do our best to provide a closer look at as many of them as possible! So look out for a lot more JAPE articles to come in 2019!
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