Beyond the Ball

It's time to talk about a little mouse! A rascal AND a scamp! It's Beyond the Ball's second Pikachu-alike, Dedenne! Follow along with the entries below:

X: Its whiskers serve as antennas. By sending and receiving electrical waves, it can communicate with others over vast distances.

Y: It uses its tail to absorb electricity from power plants or from outlets in houses, and then it fires the electricity from its whiskers.

Ultra Sun: It sneaks into people’s homes and steals electricity from their outlets. When your electric bill seems off, it’s the handiwork of this rascal.

Ultra Moon: Its upper whiskers are sensors that survey its surroundings. Its lower whiskers are organs that shoot electricity.

Sword: A Dedenne’s whiskers pick up electrical waves other Dedenne send out. These Pokémon share locations of food or electricity with one another.

Shield: Since Dedenne can’t generate much electricity on its own, it steals electricity from outlets or other electric Pokémon.

Photodex: Dedenne love electricity, so they tend to live near humans. One often comes to my lab to feed on the electricity. Speaking of which, I was pretty shocked when it erased some of my data!

Smash Bros for Wii U/3DS: This Electric- and Fairy-type Pokémon's round shape and antennae-like whiskers make it very distinctive. It has a habit of sticking its tail into sockets to absorb electricity that it fires from its whiskers. Its Discharge attack shoots off in four directions, passing through obstacles and stunning any fighters it hits along the way.

BTB: It is a scamp and it will steal your electricity for seemingly no reason. It probably uses Morse code via radio waves. Or that'd be cool I guess.

Dedenne card art by Tomokazu Komiya - https://i0.wp.com/pkmncards.com/wp-content/uploads/en_US-SM6-088-dedenne.jpg?fit=734%2C1024&ssl=1

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

We're light on entries this week so we're pulling double duty to cover Sneasel's Hisuian regional variant and its unique evolved form, Sneasler from Pokemon Legends: Arceus! They've been hitting the gym AND the poison with new types, new capabilities, and new attitudes. Follow along with the entries below:

Hisuian Sneasel

Legends: Arceus: Its sturdy, curved claws are ideal for traversing precipitous cliffs. From the tips of these claws drips a venom that infiltrates the nerves of any prey caught in Sneasel’s grasp.

BTB: It's a nasty little weasel that just can't stop oozing poison.

Sneasler

Legends: Arceus: Because of Sneasler’s virulent poison and daunting physical prowess, no other species could hope to best it on the frozen highlands. Preferring solitude, this species does not form packs.

BTB: Sneasler should be president. She's the mean girl king of Frozen High. You will be ruined.

References:

Just King Things (https://rangedtouch.com/just-king-things/)

theamandafiles Sneasler video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HhAuaoYLK0)

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

Sneasel has evolved and grown in all sorts of ways as Weavile provides us with some delightfully detailed Pokedex entries! Beyond the Ball is eating well today! Follow along with entries below:

Diamond: They live in cold regions, forming groups of four or five that hunt prey with impressive coordination.

Pearl: It sends signals to others by carving odd patterns in frost-covered trees and ice.

Platinum: Evolution made it even more devious. It communicates by clawing signs in boulders.

HeartGold & SoulSilver: It lives in snowy regions. It carves patterns in trees with its claws as a signal to others.

Black & White 2: They communicate by clawing signs in boulders and work together to surround enemies.

Sun: They travel in groups of four or five, leaving signs for one another on trees and rocks. They bring down their prey with coordinated attacks.

Moon: They dwell in cold places. This Pokémon’s main food source in Alola is Vulpix and Sandshrew, which they carefully divide among their group.

Ultra Sun: One Weavile will trip a Sandshrew and flip it over, and then another Weavile will deal the finishing blow with its sharp claws.

Ultra Moon: Thanks to its increased intelligence, scrapping over food is a thing of the past. A scratch from its claws will give you a case of frostbite!

Sword: They attack their quarry in packs. Prey as large as Mamoswine easily fall to the teamwork of a group of Weavile.

Shield: With its claws, it leaves behind signs for its friends to find. The number of distinct signs is said to be over 500.

Legends: Arceus: This species corners prey as a pack, under the guidance of a leader. Weavile displays increased cunning, leading me to speculate that its evolution caused further brain development.

The Photodex: You probably noticed marks scratched into the tree trunks in the snowfields. Those are actually messages that Weavile leave for each other.

BTB: Weavile is wicked smaht. Its pack tactics ensure its survival in the harsh, frozen wild. Watch out, cuties!

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

It's time to talk about one of Braden's faves and a real cool customer, Sneasel! Join us as we discuss the Sharp Claw Pokemon, the problematic representation of Dark type Pokemon, Taggerung and more! Follow along with the entries below:

Gold: Its paws conceal sharp claws. If attacked, it suddenly extends the claws and startles its enemy.

Silver: Vicious in nature, it drives PIDGEY from their nests and feasts on the eggs that are left behind.

Crystal: This cunning POKéMON hides under the cover of darkness, waiting to attack its prey.

Ruby & Sapphire: SNEASEL scales trees by punching its hooked claws into the bark. This POKéMON seeks out unguarded nests and steals eggs for food while the parents are away.

Diamond: It feeds on eggs stolen from nests. Its sharply hooked claws rip vulnerable spots on prey.

Pearl: It is extremely vicious and will not stop attacking until its foe is incapable of moving.

Platinum: A smart and sneaky Pokémon. A pair may work together to steal eggs by having one lure the parents away.

Black & White 2: A smart and sneaky Pokémon, it makes its opponents flinch by suddenly showing the claws hidden in its paws.

Sun: It has a cunning yet savage disposition. It waits for parents to leave their nests, and then it sneaks in to steal their eggs.

Moon: It uses its claws to poke holes in eggs so it can slurp out the insides. Breeders consider it a scourge and will drive it away or eradicate it.

Ultra Sun: They will cooperate to steal eggs from the nests of bird Pokémon, but fights break out to determine which one gets to eat the eggs.

Ultra Moon: It blends into the dark of night to ambush its prey. Sneasel will attack Sandshrew, but its hard skin can cause Sneasel’s claws to snap off.

Legends: Arceus: This Pokémon shares roots with the Sneasel of Hisui, but unlike that species, this one is spiteful in personality. I hypothesize that water and earth can affect Sneasel’s mind and body.

BTB: It loves to eat eggs and it's trying its best to get them, and it could do without the judgment thank you very much.

References:

DC Pride comic: https://www.dccomics.com/comics/dc-pride-2022-2022/dc-pride-2022-1

Kamaitachi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamaitachi

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

Emboar! The largest of the fire pigs with scant few Pokedex entries. Join us as we glean what valuable info we can about this blazing, bulky battler and its magnificent mane! Follow along with the entries below:

Black: It can throw a fire punch by setting its fists on fire with its fiery chin. It cares deeply about its friends.

White: It has mastered fast and powerful fighting moves. It grows a beard of fire.

Black & White 2: A flaring beard of fire is proof that it is fired up. It is adept at using many different moves.

BTB: The Ron Perlman of Pokemon, its flaming beard is great for self-immolation but bad for hugs.

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

Coming July 8th from Partyfish Media! Oops, All Franchises is a new movie podcast ranking film franchises and sequels to find the best IP there ever was! What makes a good sequel? Does it have to be a good movie? Does it improve on the original?

Does a good follow-up have to reward the fans for waiting on the edge of their seat, decade after decade? We'll match each movie against each other based on entertainment, cultural impact, artistry, and more. Come with us on this journey through every film franchise we can find!

Oops, All Franchises premieres on Friday, July 8th wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe now or follow us on Instagram at @oopsallfranchisespod. For full info on the show, head to partyfish.media/oopsallfranchises. See you in the multiverse!

Oops, All Franchises Theme composed by Kurtis Skinner.

Pignite has arrived and is ready to rumble! Maybe! Join us as we explore the fire in this Pokemon's belly! Before we get to entries though, Braden takes us on an extended journey through the Anime Corner this week to reveal perhaps the most foul villain of the Pokemon franchise! If you want to check out the episodes mentioned, they are The Battle Club & Tepig's Choice! and Evolution by Fire! Follow along with the Pokedex entries below:

Black: When its internal fire flares up, its movements grow sharper and faster. When in trouble, it emits smoke.

White: Whatever it eats becomes fuel for the flame in its stomach. When it is angered, the intensity of the flame increases.

Black & White 2: The more it eats, the more fuel it has to make the fire in its stomach stronger. This fills it with even more power.

Ash's Pokédex: Pignite, the Fire Pig Pokémon and the evolved form of Tepig. Pignite's food converts into fuel for the flame that burns in its stomach, and when fuel burns in its stomach, its speed increases.

Ash's Pokédex: Pignite, the Fire Pig Pokémon. Pignite moves faster when its internal flame becomes more intense. This also occurs when it gets angry.

BTB: Pignite's gotta eat to feed the fire. You wouldn't like to race it when it's angry. We like it.

References:

Pignite card art: https://i0.wp.com/pkmncards.com/wp-content/uploads/en_US-SWSH5-024-pignite.jpg?w=734&ssl=1

Vincent D'Onofrio's famous Pig Tweet: https://twitter.com/vincentdonofrio/status/1119703427179663360?s=20&t=jFLd53Fnj0owRggzJ_tzoA

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

It's time to talk Tepig! Join us as we're inevitably charmed by a cute pig and get randomly sidetracked by Disney World and Waluigi. Follow along with the entries below:

Black: It can deftly dodge its foe’s attacks while shooting fireballs from its nose. It roasts berries before it eats them.

White: It blows fire through its nose. When it catches a cold, the fire becomes pitch-black smoke instead.

Black & White 2: It loves to eat roasted berries, but sometimes it gets too excited and burns them to a crisp.

Photodex: Tepig can use the flames it creates inside its body to shoot fireballs out of its nose! It also has a keen sense of smell, and it’s skilled at tracking scents to search for food.

Ash's Pokédex: Tepig, the Fire Pig Pokémon. Normally, fire shoots out of Tepig's snout, but it shoots out smoke instead when it is feeling ill.

BTB: It's a precious little oinker and aspiring chef. Its tail holds a great mystery.

References:

https://i0.wp.com/pkmncards.com/wp-content/uploads/en_US-BW7-024-tepig.jpg?w=734&ssl=1

https://twitter.com/alexander_laird/status/1285306167464468480?s=20&t=Zqj1vvH9Cs_j_KHr8QaLfQ

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

Now that we've covered Mewtwo it only seems natural that we discuss its cute, less-abused predecessor, Mew! What secrets do this ancient Pokemon hold and what new insight can they give is into the world of Pokemon? Find out as we go, once more, Beyond the Ball! Follow along with the entries below:

Red and Blue: So rare that it is still said to be a mirage by many experts. Only a few people have seen it worldwide.

Yellow: When viewed through a microscope, this POKéMON’s short, fine, delicate hair can be seen.

Gold: Apparently, it appears only to those people who are pure of heart and have a strong desire to see it.

Silver: Its DNA is said to contain the genetic codes of all POKéMON, so it can use all kinds of techniques.

Crystal: Because it can learn any move, some people began research to see if it is the ancestor of all POKéMON.

Ruby and Sapphire: MEW is said to possess the genetic composition of all POKéMON. It is capable of making itself invisible at will, so it entirely avoids notice even if it approaches people.

FireRed: A POKéMON of South America that was thought to have been extinct. It is very intelligent and learns any move.

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum: Because it can use all kinds of moves, many scientists believe MEW to be the ancestor of Pokémon.

Sword: It’s very intelligent and can use an incredible variety of moves. Many believe that all other Pokémon are descendants of this one.

Shield: This mythical Pokémon is said to be extinct, but sightings of it are still being reported to this day.

BTB: The OLD Species Pokemon, more like! It can do anything! Probably! Including being a real cutie.

Cover design by Kwesi Phillips

Music by Junichi Masuda and Go Ichinose

Season 3 of Save The D8 drops this June 16th! All new characters with all new adventurers and... a brand new player, Shane Regan!

People are getting abducted from their homelands and trapped in a prison with no name. Prisoners are kept under substandard conditions and either executed or forced to work for the prison when their time comes. Four of these prisoners plan to escape this terrible place and find their way home! Find your way this June 16th on Save The D8: Epoch.

Subscribe and listen to Save The D8 wherever you get your podcasts, and get full info on the show at https://partyfish.media/savethed8pod