Your Pokémon's moves
What moves has your Pokémon learned so far?
A Trainer wrote this message to me the other day, asking for help:
“I am not familiar with Pokémon cards, it’s a gift for my son. Our dog is very energetic, eager to meet us at the door. Bounces like a bunny, is always ready for any food that we dropped. She is full of love, good energy, and part of the family! Let me know if this helps. Feel free to get creative on the other inserts.”
Yes! One of the things I like the most about Pokémon and their world is that, just like our beloved pets, Pokémon are friends and companions with their Trainers. We have fun with them by living great adventures or just goofin' around at home. They grow side by side with us and learn to trust us. Do you ever feel that when you “train” your pet, it's also the other way around – your pet is “training” you at the same time (trying to win itself a couple more treats by playing it cool, maybe) 😁? Because I definitely do, and I believe that with Pokémon, it works the same way!
So, who knows a pet better than its owner? To create the perfect Pokémon card, the best thing you can do is to think of your everyday life together: every crazy, fun, lovely thing your pets do speaks volumes about their character and attitude. This can be seen as the moves they have learned!
We just need to translate everything into “Pokémon language”. Don't worry, it will be very easy because it doesn't matter if they are funny little rascals (like my cat Edwin) or the laziest couch potatoes (like my dog Vixen): each and every one of our pets has a wild side, and when they become Pokémon, it comes out in the open!
Going back to the message I received: if a canine is very energetic like this, they will possibly know some electric moves. They may know the Zoomies, for example, and perform a Wild Charge to greet us at door! Bouncing like a bunny? That could be a Level 1 move Bounce or a Level 50 move High Jump Kick! When they are waiting for food to fall from the table, they are actually using the psychic move Telekinesis to actively make it fall. And yes, our pets know many, many moves that show us love and are able to heal the whole team: Cuddle, Nap Time, Sweet Kiss... Even a simple Head Bump may possess a healing touch sometimes – that's something every one of us Pokémon Trainers knows very well, I think.
Earlier I mentioned something about a Level 1 or a Level 50 move. Feline and Canine Pokémon are born with a set of moves that they practice since their baby stage of evolution: pounce, scratch, bite, beg, sprint, bark, and so on. Leveling up, they can upgrade those moves, develop some special abilities, and even learn some unique moves! Their skills can become Sonic, Hyper, Explosive, Hypnotic, Charming, Wild, or Clumsy, for instance, as they level up!
Let’s check out some of the most common movesets of our cats and dogs, and then find out how you can tell which unique abilities your own Pokémon have learned!
Some pets are funny, little (or maybe not so little), energetic, mischievous fellows that never run out of steam, and when indoors they seem to bounce off every wall like they were adorable balls of fur. In Pokémon language, this could be Bounce, that levels up into... High Jump: This Pokémon leaps into the air, dodging the next incoming attack, then somehow landing on the top of the tallest object in the area.
Some dogs take their guard duty very seriously. And when they bark, there's no stopping them until they've scared away any possible threat – giving us a headache in the process. In Pokémon language, this could be... Sonic Bark: This burst of sound stuns all Pokémon nearby and wakes up any sleeping Trainer.
Some cats are just the cutest mama's boys & girls. They look for the warmest spot in the house, purr like a tractor when they are happy, and become magnets for cuddles. In Pokémon language, this could be... Purr Aura: Curls up cutely and heals to full HP. Lures and charms any attacker to give pets for 2 turns.
Some pets are the kings and queens of the house, and they know it all too well. They like to show off, striking their proudest or cutest pose whenever you pull out your phone to take a picture. They can get a bit cocky sometimes, knowing that they will get away with pretty much anything, thanks to their charm – and more often than not, they'll be on their best behavior when there are guests around. In Pokémon language, this could be... Puppy Eyes: This Pokémon hits the Defending Pokémon's emotional defenses. Flip a coin. If heads, give this Pokémon pets and treats.
Some pets have the tendency to... pass gas. They can't help it, and we love them all the same. In Pokémon language, this could be... Noxious Bomb: This Pokémon releases toxic gas, poisoning the Defending Pokémon and grossing out everyone in the area.
… and so on! This should be enough to give you an idea, but here's the link to my gallery. You can check out some previous cards I made and draw some inspiration – most importantly, though, try and look at your pets the way a Pokémon Trainer would! They're an endless source of fun behaviors that can be translated into powerful, crazy, unique Pokémon moves!