Pokémon

Biodata

Species and Growth

• Pokémon have types that affect their care and battle matchups. Bai Shi initially seeks Bug-types because they grow quickly and Grass-types because they are comparatively easy to raise 1.
• Many species can evolve. Bai Shi’s first partner progresses from Starly to Staravia after a battle, then to Staraptor during another difficult match 23 79.
• Evolution can also require an item: Cottonee evolves into Whimsicott after touching a Sun Stone 190.
• Pokémon do not have clearly defined levels in this world; Bai Shi uses battles to judge their relative strength 8.

Trainers and Care

• Trainers catch Pokémon with Poké Balls, feed and train them, and direct them in battle. Paul catches a wild Starly before giving it to Bai Shi, who feeds it and begins earning its trust 3 4.
• Pokémon can contribute outside battle. Bai Shi and Starly are hired to guard Suzuki’s orchard, while his later team helps gather supplies and protect camps 10 64.
• The League normally limits a Trainer to carrying six Pokémon. Bai Shi discovers that Poké Balls issued by his Check-In System bypass this limit 65 107.
• The Pokémon Protection Act prohibits abuse, although Bai Shi notes that its practical threshold for removing a Pokémon from a Trainer’s custody is high 55.

Battle Abilities

Moves and Abilities

• Pokémon learn moves through practice as well as growth. Bai Shi trains Starly beyond its initial Tackle and later tailors exercises to the bodies and habits of individual Pokémon 3 5 66.
• A Pokémon’s Ability can shape its training. Bai Shi identifies Staravia’s Reckless, which strengthens certain recoil moves, and teaches it Brave Bird as a powerful but physically taxing option 31 69.
• Trainers can combine moves into specialized techniques. Bai Shi develops Manectric’s Electric Domain from Electric Terrain, Charge, and its Lightning Rod Ability, though maintaining the combination while attacking initially proves difficult 167.

Special Battle Forms

• Mega Evolution temporarily transforms a Pokémon through a corresponding Mega Stone, a Trainer’s Key Stone, and a sufficiently strong bond. Bai Shi later masters it with both Lopunny and Manectric 146 258.
• Z-Moves require compatible moves and training. Several of Bai Shi’s Pokémon learn them, but their use consumes considerable stamina from both Pokémon and Trainer 301.
• Totem Pokémon are unusually large, bear a distinctive aura, and often guard Z-Crystals in Alola 295.

Origins and Protection

• Ultra Beasts are Pokémon from another world. Bai Shi catches Buzzwole but must adapt its food to its unfamiliar dietary needs; ordinary Poké Balls cannot catch Ultra Beasts, which require Beast Balls 295 312.
• Pokémon Hunters capture Pokémon for profit. Bai Shi repeatedly intervenes against them, including when hunters attack a Tauros and when others try to steal a shopkeeper’s Shuckle 41 69.
• The League approves a bird Pokémon sanctuary after Team Rocket threatens its residents; catching Pokémon there is forbidden 33.