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Stantler

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Stantler
File:Stantler.png
National Pokédex
Porygon2 - Stantler (#234) - Smeargle
Johto Pokédex
Arcanine - Stantler (#129) - Marill
Japanese nameオドシシ Odoshishi
Evolves fromNone
Evolves intoNone
GenerationSecond
SpeciesBig Horn Pokémon
TypeNormal
Height4 ft 7 in (1.4 m)
Weight157.0 pounds (71.2 kg)
AbilityIntimidate / Far Sight (the latter from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl onwards)

Stantler (オドシシ, Odoshishi) is one of the Template:Pokenum fictional species of Pokémon from the Pokémon Franchise – a series of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. The purpose of Stantler in the games, anime and manga, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both wild Pokémon, untamed creatures encountered while the player passes through various environments, and tamed Pokémon owned by Pokémon trainers.

The name "Stantler" is a portmanteau of the words stare (look or gaze fixedly)[1] and antler, the boney, horn-like protrusions present on most deer species:[2][3] a reference to the peculiar shape of the Stantler's horns, which were designed to look like large eyes.[4] Its Japanese name, "Odoshishi", is a play on the term "Shishi odoshi" (ししおどし), a farming device used in gardens specifically to frighten away deer or other animals. The terms "Stantler" and "Odoshishi" are used to refer both to the species as a whole and to particular representatives of the species in the possession of a trainer.

Characteristics

Stantler's physical appearance is highly reminiscent of the asian Sika Deer. However, it has been demonstrated in both the Pokémon animé and video game series that it has several traits that are exclusive to reindeer, such as both males and females having full grown antlers in an adequate season, and preferring to live in cooler environments.[4]

The primary offensive capabilities of a Stantler revolve around the use of special orb-like glands that grow from the topside of the fork in their antlers. These orbs produce a psychotropic mist that, although pleasant smelling, can cause hallucinations to those exposed to it for prolonged periods of time. While a player is unable to call upon such a tactic themselves in the video games, this trait has been referenced in the anime, and remains a large part of the Stantler's characterization. The connection of a reindeer-like Pokémon and mind-altering pheromones may in fact be a reference to the ancient Scandinavian tradition of taking such substances, which in turn may have led to the famous Christmas myths of flying sleigh animals.[citation needed]

In the Pokémon video games

Stantler, like all Pokémon, can be battled, caught, and eventually befriended in a variety of Pokémon video games. It first appeared in the second generation of Pokémon games, Pokémon Gold and Silver, and could be found in Route 36 and Route 37, two in-game locales accessible in the second half of gameplay. In the later released Pokémon Crystal, a remastered version of the previous games, Stantler could only be seen along Route 37.[5]

In the third generation Game Boy Advance Pokémon title Pokémon Emerald, Stantler could be encountered in an African-themed preservation park that doubled as a tourist attraction called the "Safari Zone", but only after the player had completed the normal game and returned after the final boss character was defeated and game play was resumed.[6] Likewise, Stantler could also be seen in both Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen in a hidden area called the Altering Cave after completion of the regular game.

Pokémon Colosseum, a 3D Pokémon game released for the Nintendo Game Cube, utilizes a feature known as "snagging" that allows for a player to capture a pokémon currently in possession of another trainer. Stantler is one such pokémon that can only be obtained by taking it from a computer-controlled character, and only one Stantler can be caught in this fashion.[7]

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, are "dungeon crawling" action games developed by Chun Soft, which feature Pokémon that act independently from trainers and form specialized "rescue teams" of one to four Pokémon in order to assist injured or lost clients in one of the games myriad of levels called dungeons. Stantler, like all Pokémon released up to and including the third generation, can be battled and eventually recruited; they specifically inhabit the fictional areas of Mt. Thunder and Joyous Tower.

Unlike most Pokémon that can metamorphose into a stronger form after obtaining the requisite amount of experience points won from successful battles (referred to in the Pokemon series specifically as evolution), Stantler cannot become any stronger than it is initially. While it retains the ability all Pokémon have to increase its level by winning enough battles, therefore increasing its abilities somewhat, yet it cannot assume a stronger form regardless of how many levels it gains. However, Stantler's base statistics and strengths are comparable to several Pokémon at their most powerful form. Stantler's "attack power" (a statistic in the video games responsible for determining how much damage a Stantler's attacks will do) is in the top 20% of all current Pokemon species, and thus most of its special abilities revolve around causing direct physical damage.[8] Stantler's ability to disorient its opponent with its horns is also manifested in a number of its attacks, which usually revolve around inhibiting its foe's ability to battle in some way such as causing confusion (limiting the chance they have to land an attack, or worse, damage themselves in the process) or lulling them to sleep. Its horns are additionally used as defensive mechanism by using them to mimic a pair of large eyes. A startled opponent would then be stricken with immediate fear, lowering their attack strength. In the video games, this power is exhibited through the ability "Intimidate", an independent move that triggers regardless of a player using it or not, and can occur automatically whenever Stantler is called into battle.

Like all Pokémon, if Stantler is not available in particular Pokémon game, or if a player desires one from another player, it can be traded freely from one game cartridge to another by utilizing the Game Boy's link capabilities.[9] Some Pokémon games also feature characters in a non-battling capacity, yet still retain many of the same characters and Pokémon featured in other titles. Stantler has made appearances in several such games, including Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon Trozei.

In the Pokémon anime

File:Stantleranime.jpg
A Stantler from episode 474 of the Pokémon anime, "Forest of Hesitation! Shinjii Again!".

The Pokémon anime series and films are a meta-series of adventures separate from the canon that most of the Pokémon video games follow (with the exception of Pokémon Yellow, a game based on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character, Ash Ketchum[10]—an in-training Pokémon Master—as he and his companions must travel around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon partners.

Stanter's first anime appearance was in the short "Santa's Little Helpers", part of the Pikachu's Winter Vacation Christmas special in which Ash and his friends aid Santa by treating a sick Stantler responsible for pulling his sleigh, similar to famous reindeer of Christmas lore.[11] In the US released Pokémon Christmas Bash music CD, Stantler is also mentioned in song on a few tracks, often as a visual replacement for Santa's reindeer.[12]

In episode 127, "The Little Big Horn", a juvenile Stantler was briefly in the care of Brock, a major recurring character, after it was discovered that it had an injury. By utilizing its special horn orb, it was able to project illusions of several dozen Stantler in its vicinity whenever threatened, an ability that had been referenced in the Pokémon games, yet had not been seen in animated form until this time. By the end of the episode, the Stantler was returned to its family after it had recovered, but not until Team Rocket attempted to capture it with a gigantic Stantler robot that was promptly destroyed.[13]

In episode 474, "Forest of Hesitation! Shinji Again!", A Stantler is caught for only a brief moment by Shinji, a Pokémon trainer and primary antagonist who captured it just as he and Ash were about to have a match in the middle of the forest that was the Stantler's home. After commenting on how that particular Stantler knew so little special attacks, he quickly released it.

Stantler has played minor roles in several other episodes, including: episodes 126 "Snubbull Snobbery", episode 148 "Tricks of the Trade", episode 191 "Freeze Frame", Episode 243 "Hocus Pokémon", and episode 287 "A Bite To Remember".[14]

In the Pokémon manga

Pokémon Adventures is a manga series based primarily on the Pokémon Game Boy titles and features characters and Pokémon present in the original series. Professor Oak, a prominent character in the Pokémon franchise, and leading authority of Pokémon information in the Pokémon world, had a Stantler in his possession starting with "Chapter 94: Vs. Elekid!". In the following issue, "Vs. Stantler!", Gold, a Pokémon trainer and protagonist of the Gold and Silver series, battled against it. This would be Stantler's first and thus far only Pokémon Adventures appearance.[15]

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game made to simulate a Pokémon battle in the video game series. Players must use cards with individual strengths and weaknesses in an attempt to defeat their opponent by "knocking out" each of their respective Pokémon cards using a variety of attacks and support cards.[16] The game was first published in North America by Wizards of the Coast in 1999, until Nintendo USA started publishing the series in 2003.[17] In that time, Stantler has made four appearances, all being Normal-type Basic Pokémon and Colorless, in the Neo Genesis, Neo Revelation, Skyridge and EX: Unseen Forces expansions.[18]

References

Notes
  1. ^ Stare definition Dictionary.com. URL Accessed October 27, 2006.
  2. ^ Antler definition Dictionary.com. URL Accessed October 27, 2006.
  3. ^ Stantler name etymology Pokedream.com. URL Accessed September 16, 2006.
  4. ^ a b The in-game Pokédexes of the Pokémon video games (A copy of them from Psypokes.com.) URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  5. ^ Stantler Pokédex entry (with locations) Psypokes.com. URL Accessed October 27, 2006].
  6. ^ Pokémon Emerald guide; Safari Zone expansion Serebii.net. URL Accessed October 20, 2006.
  7. ^ Pokémon Colosseum guide, Catchable Pokémon Serebii.net. URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  8. ^ Stantler R/S Data Smogon.com. URL Accessed October 27 2006.
  9. ^ Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire Review (page 1) Ign.com. URL Accessed June 1, 2006.
  10. ^ Pokémon anime overview Psypokes.com. URL Accessed May 25, 2006.
  11. ^ Santa's Little Helpers Episode guide Serebii.net. URL Accessed October 27 2006.
  12. ^ Pokémon: Christmas Bash Amazon.com. URL Accessed October 27 2006.
  13. ^ The Little Big Horn Episode guide Serebii.net. URL Accessed October 27 2006.
  14. ^ Stantler anime appearances Serebii.net. URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  15. ^ Chapter 95: VS. Stantler guide Serebii.net. URL Accessed October 27, 2006.
  16. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game "How to play" guide Pokemon-tcg.com. URL Accessed July 3, 2006.
  17. ^ Pokemon Trading Card Game News; "Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire TCG Releases" Wizards.com. URL Accessed July 3, 2006.
  18. ^ List of Stantler appearances in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Psypokes.com. URL Accessed October 27, 2006.
Books
  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5
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