The Pokédex is an inconsistent, contradictory and hyperbolic representation of the Pokémon World. From comparisons with Indian Elephants, to referencing South America, there are a lot of weird entries that boggle the mind. There is also a dark side to the Dex. While this is usually reserved for the ghost-type Pokémon, sometimes it’s the ones you least suspect of sinister intent. So for Halloween, I thought it would be fun to take a look at these devilish Dex entries and showcase the dark side of the usually colourful world!
Hattrem
“The moment this Pokémon finds someone who’s emitting strong emotions, it will pummel them senselessly with its braids to silence them.” – Pokémon Violet
We begin this list with a heavy hitter, literally. Hattrem cannot handle intense emotion; it’s an overbearing stimulation that is so intense that it lashes out. Meaning if someone in a foul (or extremely happy) mood passes by it, it creates a deafening scenario that Hattrem urgently needs to silence. Its methods? Violence. Beating their target into a pulp after pursuing them sounds absolutely awful. You never know when one is lurking nearby, so best to keep yourself centred and unenthusiastic to avoid a random beat down.
Gliscor
“It glides soundlessly on pitch-black wings and sinks sharp fangs into the throat of its prey. It takes on a look of satisfaction once it has entirely drained its prey of blood.” – Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Having a strong vampiric influence goes one step deeper than design inspiration with Gliscor. Sticking to the theme of draining prey’s innards like a bowl of soup, Gliscor feasts on the blood of its prey. But, not only does it drink its blood, it drinks it dry, leaving a dried-out husk of a corpse. To make matters even more sinister, it’s so pleased with itself for what it’s managed to achieve that it smugly boasts to anyone who dares catch its gaze.
Honchkrow
“One cry from this Pokémon, and a murder of Murkrow come flying. At such times, one would think the curtain of night had fallen, plunging the world into jet-black darkness.” – Pokémon Legends: Arceus
This entry was mostly picked due to the poetic wording of the entry, but its meaning is pretty bleak, too. Being inspired by a mob boss, it stands to reason that Honchkrow would have a murder of Murkrow at its beck and call. The imagery of the sky turning black due to the sheer number of Murkrow is terrifying, though. The entry doesn’t even get into what would happen to you if it decided to send its army at you. Maybe we’d rather not know.
Gothitelle
“It gazes to the stars to predict the future. It acts somewhat detached because it has seen the end of all existence.” – Pokémon Violet
So, you’re sat during your morning commute and contemplating your place in the universe and whether your life, the day-to-day grind and your actions mean anything. Existentialism sucks, right? Well, your mundane thoughts of insignificance are nothing compared to what Gothitelle has to live with. Witnessing the end of existence and living with that knowledge while you’re powerless to do a thing about it sounds like a special kind of hell I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Let alone my gothic Lolita special wall, maybe I’ll go with Reuniclus next time.
Spoink
“Using its tail like a spring, it keeps its heart beating by bouncing constantly. If it stops, it dies.” – Pokémon Violet
A classic, but still tragic nonetheless. Spoink is the very definition of a miserable existence. While it may seem happy bouncing around, frolicking and living its best life, this is all ultimately in vain. Whether Spoink is aware of its tragic plight is unclear, but it cannot rest, stop, fall over or be held without reaching its tragic end. Why did Arceus make it this way? What kind of cruel, sick, twisted joke is this!?
Tsareena
“A kick from the hardened tips of this Pokémon’s legs leave a wound in the opponent’s body and soul that will never heal.” – Pokémon Shield
Sentient humanoid plant Pokémon are a dime a dozen, which is a weird thing to consider. But Tsareena has big, deadly legs that you do not want to be on the receiving end of. If you think being booted by a kick of near immeasurable strength was bad enough, this one goes the extra mile. The fact that it created a wound that never heals your body is awful enough, but the fact that it somehow transcends the realms of existence and inflicts irreparable damage to your soul too is metal as fuck.
Golduck
“Old tales tell of Golduck punishing those that defiled its river. The guilty were dragged into the water and taken away.” – Pokémon Shield
Golduck may appear to be, and take its name from a duck, but its roots go much deeper. Being inspired by the kappa of Japanese mythology, it has a dark and twisted origin, which is explored in this entry. Kappas are known to lure people into rivers where they pull them under the water and drown them. While not explicitly mentioned in this entry, the implication of its origin is hard to ignore. Whether the people who defiled its home deserve that fate is debatable, but you don’t want to pollute a Golduck’s home, that’s for sure.
Mega Dragalge
“It spits a liquid that causes the regenerative power of cells to run wild. The liquid is deadly poison to anything other than itself.” – Pokémon Legends: Z-A
This entry genuinely shocked me, whilst being standard poison-type shenanigans on the surface, its choice of wording suggests something more sinister. Its very deliberate use of wording for the regenerative power of cells suggests a much darker implication. Whether it is actually the same as debilitating diseases that mess with cell functions that we are all very aware of is unclear. But still, it sounds like coming into contact with its poison will cause terminal illness to any living being that goes near it, which is absolutely horrific.
Roserade
“It lures prey in with a sweet scent, then finishes them off with the poisonous whips on its arms—either by constricting the prey or skewering them” – Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Roserade is a fan favourite. Its phantom thief inspirations and beautiful bouquets make it easy to see how it’s captured the hearts of fans. Taking an unassuming Pokémon like Roselia and giving it a swift upgrade was the boost it needed to hit the mainstream. Whilst it is beloved, its dark side is presented with this entry. Pokémon hunting and consuming others is nothing new or unusual to the Dex, but it’s the methodology that places it on this list. Constriction itself is unpleasant, but the thought of some defenceless Pokémon coming in for a pleasant scent and then being skewered to death is a dark way to go indeed.
Mega Starmie
“Its movements have become more humanlike. Whether it’s simply trying to communicate or wants to supplant humanity is unclear.” – Pokemon Legends: Z-A
The newest Pokémon to hit this list may appear visually goofy, but rest assured, it’s more than it appears. Looking like it walked out of the Mother series, Mega Starmie resembles the Starmen in more than just the visual sense. Its older Dex entries speak of communicating with the stars with its core, and its Mega Evolution has allowed it to gain its own sense of agency. Whether Mega Starmie is here to take over the world and replace humanity remains to be seen, but it will remember who laughed at it when it comes for its vengeance.
Houndoom
“The flames it breathes when angry contain toxins. If they cause a burn, it will hurt forever.” – Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Houndoom is an old faithful friend, sticking with us from the good old days of Johto, all the way up to modern Kalos. But, don’t get too friendly with this devilish pooch, for his bite is certainly worse than his bark. Burning and poisoning are a dime a dozen for fire, dark and poison types, but it’s the everlasting effect that earns its place here. The fact that the burn will hurt forever is messed up. I certainly will be thinking twice before putting my hands anywhere near the face of this hound in the future.
Mega Malamar
“It uses its colourful lights to overwrite the personalities and memories of others-and to control them.” – Pokémon Legends: Z-A
My friend Malamar would certainly do no harm, it is a benevolent and great being. These slanderous words about Malamar are simply untrue, and Malamar urges you to listen. When Malamar shines its lights, it takes your boring, inferior personality and improves it tenfold. You see, Malamar is kind; it is just helping you. Heed no notice of the rumours that the Professors are trying to spread here and accept Malamar as your friend. You’ll be much happier this way!
Those are some of my picks for dark Pokedex entries from more recent games. Obviously, if you include ghost types, it gets even more sinister. What are some of your favourite dark entries? If you want more content on Ghost-type Pokémon, check out this list we did on the ultimate Ghost type team! Thanks for reading, from all of us at Underlevelled we hope you have a Happy and safe Halloween!
Video game completionist and 3D platformer connoisseur, Riley is a fan of the whimsical frenzy of bright and colourful characters that blessed us in the late 90's. Their favourite game's are Spyro, Persona 5 and Super Mario Sunshine.
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