Pokemon Field Guide: Grovyle Report

#253: Groyvle
The Wood Gecko Pokemon
Grass

Height: 2-3 ft

Length: 3-4 ft

Weight: 45-50 lbs

Sound: They don’t make a lot of noise in general, but they do make some kind of strange noise which can either come across as a hissing, or a kind of scratchy chirping. This sound is usually very obscure in the forest, and even if you do hear it, you can’t bet on finding them without anything short of a Luxray to see them. You’d have even harder luck catching them in their natural habitat, even/ESPECIALLY if you use a fast Pokemon like Ninjask.

All in all, you’d probably be better suited to getting it as a starter Pokemon, or having it traded to you.

Gender: 87.5% male, 12.5% female. Males have darker underbellies and longer head leaves with more veins on them, since males have more blood siphoned to their leaf than the females do (I’ll explain in a moment).

Usually, they have no courtship season, and a male and female Grovyle will simply begin courting if they see they’re both mature enough to reproduce. When they do so, a male and a female will first have a race across the forest, to test each other’s endurance, dexterity, and perceptiveness to the environment around it, as well as to make sure how in-shape it is. After that, they have a sparring match with each other, doing little more than simply parrying each other’s arm-blades to test how quick their reflexes and bodies are to react. These two tests are essential to courtship as they both make sure how healthy they are, and how interested they are in each other. When they’ve finally finished, then they will mate with each other before departing. There, the female lays about 6 mottled green eggs and simply puts them high above a very large, very old tree, placing them in holes covered in dead leaves to make them both completely inconspicuous and warm enough for the eggs. The Treecko will hatch several months later, completely able to survive on their own from the time they’re born.

However, what’s interesting to note is that they usually wait until they evolve into Sceptile to court and mate for one reason: the seeds on a Sceptile’s back. Because they have such a huge amount of nutrients in them, they wait until evolution so they get these seeds. The father will give the female his seeds to eat, so she can sustain herself after laying a clutch, while the ones from her own back are given to the embryo so they can directly absorb them. These nutrients will be sure to produce very strong offspring, which is why most of the time they wait until evolution to court and mate.

HP: 50
Attack: 65
Defense: 45
Sp. Attack: 85
Sp. Defense: 65
Speed: 95
Total: 405

Effective moves against it:
Grass (1/2x), Water (1/2x), Electric (1/2x), Ground (1/2x)
Fire (2x), Ice (2x), Poison (2x), Flying (2x), Bug (2x)

Location: In forests all over the Hoenn region, especially nearby very large and ancient trees, but the trick is how to find them. But definitely NOT because they are endangered like other Starter Pokemon species.

As most scientists know, Treecko’s line is one of a kind among starter Pokemon, as it’s never been endangered by anything other than their own changing biology!

The only time their line has been close to death was thousands of years ago, when their plant had taken on a parasitic lifestyle, leading to the Treecko’s family quickly changing biology in order to survive both with and against the plant’s influences. It turns out their adaptations worked, to great effect.

This means they haven’t been threatened by extinction via outer influences once, not even by threats such as deforestation and pollution that completely killed off other species of wildlife! On top of that, despite an independent and headstrong nature that would often lead to other Pokemon dying early (i.e. Piplup, Tyrogue), they are incredibly elusive to all but those with the best senses. As such, their existence has gone completely by people unnoticed until only a few hundred years ago.

( A ) General: Grovyle tend to stick out like a sore thumb amongst other Grass-type starter Pokemon in their second evolution-stage.

It suffers much of the same biological problems as Ivysaur, but in the wild, it’s not a bit as docile as they are. They’re capable of being calm and cool headed like Bayleef, but this lasts only as long as it’s not hungry. Unlike Grotle, it unfortunately doesn’t get the pleasure of having free access to photosynthetic byproducts. And, most egregiously, unlike Servine, it can’t use photosynthesis at all (unless it’s been taught Synthesis). And unlike all of them (excepting Ivysaur), it eats meat. Lots of it.

Overall, Grovyle is a much, much different Pokemon than any of them, and a different Pokemon than when it was a Treecko. One might ask, what happened? What’s it thinking now that it’s evolved. These questions will be answered in this report,  as this stage is especially urgent to take note of.

Evolution: The process of its evolution is almost like that of Bulbasaur’s or Snivy’s likes, but it’s not quite the same.

On a Treecko, there’s a thick appendage that appears to be its tail, but is actually a very large pod for a seed contained within it. As a Treecko, this seed spends much of its time dormant and developing. In the meanwhile, the seed pod itself can act as a primary offensive tool, able to either attack opponents physically (Pound, Slam, Strength), use it to drain away nutrients from a specific source and inject them into the Treecko’s bloodstream (Absorb, Mega Drain, Giga Drain, Synthesis), or use it to release plant material that act as Grass-type attacks (Leaf Storm, Leech Seed, Magical Leaf, Worry Seed). This is all on top of constantly pumping nutrients into its bloodstream to keep its host healthy and eventually ready to evolve.

However, there comes a point where it stops being such a big help. Eventually, the seed and the growing Treecko absorb all the nutrients inside the seed pod. On one hand, the Treecko grows into a Grovyle, having gained much a much more refined capacity for using its own muscles. On the other hand, the plant contained within the seed pod roots itself into the Grovyle’s body via its posterior. It spreads its roots to such an extreme extent that essentially, it takes over the Grovyle’s whole circulatory system, to drain nutrients from its blood instead of the other way around! (Which explains, it can’t learn the drain attacks naturally or with TMs unless it holds an everstone, and trains for a very long time so its plant can still absorb nutrients after evolving)

That is why Grovyle now becomes an active predator; the plant has very poor capacities for photosynthesis, as it’s better suited to simply sucking its nourishment from the Grovyle’s blood. So, Grovyle needs to eat a lot in order to sustain itself every day.

( B ) Anatomy Grovyle is similar to Treecko in some regards, but its plant’s rooting has brought about many dramatic physical changes that overshadow those few similarities.

Like Treecko, its feet are lined with tiny cleat-like hooks which allow it to stick to surfaces, and walk on them on all fours. Their bones are still relatively light to live an arboreal lifestyle. Its underbelly color is also red like Treecko’s because of the presence of many large blood vessels there.

However, unlike Treecko, its muscles are a lot bigger and stronger. Its circulatory system has grown much larger and feverishly quick to adapt to the present of its parasitic plant. Its nervous system goes smoothly during times it doesn’t need to eat, but can skyrocket its activity in a heartbeat when it’s hungry or travelling between trees. This hyperactive nervous system can also let it jump quickly from tree to tree via creating a muscle spasm in its legs every time it lands, making it able to jump again as soon as it lands. This makes it unrivaled in chasing down fleeing prey even in the treetops, and able to pounce on anything in the water.

On top of that, Its leaves are now covered in a solidified biofilm that makes them razor-sharp. This allows it to use a variety of cutting techniques with its leaves (Fury Cutter, Leaf Blade, False Swipe, X-Scissor, Cut).
All of this makes it excellently adapted to its life in the trees, able to meet its food quota to feed itself and its plant at the same time.

Further Evolution: Of course, once a Treecko’s evolved, there is simply no way it will allow itself to remain at the mercy of its own plant. The Grovyle has the option to evolve into a Sceptile, and will thus usually aim to evolve into one, wild or not. It can do this by “working out” or battling regularly while also eating voraciously to sustain itself and its parasitic plant.

Once it’s had enough experience on how to control and suppress its plant, and ate enough, evolution occurs to correct its physical flaws. Its circulatory system grows absolutely huge, to allow a fast and steady bloodstream which also allows it to be very quick on its feet. A tail grows which is chock full of blood vessels, and is very heavy to allow it to stand bipedally. Its leaves still need the same amount of blood to nourish it, but this is not a problem now that there’s more than enough nutrients for both parties to be satisfied. And all the extra nourishing material their bodies gain go directly to the seeds on their back.

These seeds were originally reproduction products of their parasitic plant, but are now useless to the plant now that they can simply transplant their DNA inside a Sceptile’s sex cells. So now, these seeds are stored chock full of healthy, revitalizing nutrients that can be carried with water to a the roots of plant life, or absorbed into the Sceptile in times of need (think of a camel’s hump full of stored fat, except the seeds are removable and can be given to others). This fertilizer it produces is so effective at repairing dead tissue and strengthening live components that it can even bring a dead tree back to life, or save a Sceptile something that would usually kill it.

(WARNING: You mustn’t eat the seeds of a Sceptile’s back! While it’s good for Grass-type Pokemon, the high amount of nitrates inside of them will poison you. It won’t revitalize you or any other solely organic creature in a time of need. So...don’t do it. Just don’t. That’s what Pokemon centers are for.)

C ) Behavior: Because of their heavily changed anatomy, it also undergoes many psychological changes

Grovyle are cool-headed like Treecko...most of the time. However, they are also considerably more high strung and hyperactive than a Treecko, because of its circulatory and nervous system working overtime to support itself and the plant. Wild or not, it works a lot harder than before in order to meet its quota, and will easily become stressed out if they are incapable of doing so.

Also, like Treecko, wild ones are territorial of the tree that they inhabit. They know their tree well, and oftentimes plan ahead to hatch its offspring in that same tree. They have no tolerance for deforestation and the like, knowing that it not only endangers their own tree, but the lives of Pokemon that it depends on. That ranges anywhere from the Pokemon it eats for food, or those that constantly give water to the forests.

Thus, just like it’s previous form, it will defend its forest with its life if it means giving itself or another Grovyle a chance at life. That is why, they call them the guardians of the forest.

The final thing to note is that for all Treecko-family members, being a Grovyle’s an important part of its life. To evolve into a Grovyle means that its goals, wild or not, are resolute. And thus, it will do its earnest to make it past this unstable state, so that the future will grant it knowledge,  perceptiveness, and strength it wouldn’t think itself capable of. As a Grovyle, it’s given the chance to become greater than it has ever been before.

When a part of a human’s training curriculum, evolving means its decided to stay with you on your journey, and will never leave your side when left to its own devices. So hear this plea...recognize that. And finish evolving your Grovyle to help it fulfill that quest for greatness, before you finish yours.

( D ) Relationship with Humans/Other Pokemon: For the most part, it doesn’t have any.

The whole Treecko line has evolved to be able to survive on their own, without help from other members of their kind. That’s why they tend to come off as hostile to both people and Pokemon trespassing their tree, unless they’re sure they haven’t come to take anything from them. However, both in the wild and domestically, some exceptions are made to this behavior.

While it may seem unlikely, Grovyle are closest to the Seedot line. The reasons for being so are as follows: Shiftry are adept at finding suitable prey in the distance, and are usually more than happy to accommodate a Grovyle if it can keep the tree safe and leave the other inhabitants to their own volition. Nuzleaf can come along with it during hunts, so that while it performs Grasswhistle to put prey to sleep before being killed, the Grovyle can find a fresh source of soil and water for them to keep growing. And lastly, it even helps Seedot find trees with moisture, not asking the Seedot for any favors in return. All in all, they both get along excellently, and will continue to assist them even after evolving.

In the meanwhile, it has a wide selection of Pokemon to eat in the forests and swamps. Some of its most common choices are Barboach, Whiscash, and Feebas. Using their leaves they are relatively easy for them to take down. However, it will also go after Slakoth and Linoone, but won’t do so commonly as one provides hardly any nourishing, while the other has a strange running pattern it can’t pinpoint at first glance. So, it keeps it choices limited to what it can catch.

However, their worst enemies are none other than Bug-type Pokemon, such as Ninjask, Dustox, Beautifly, and most notoriously of all, Caterpie. Because think of it summarized like this: bugs eat leaves. Grovyle’s leaf siphons out its blood. If the bug eats the leaf, that means it also ate a very large blood vessel. I.e. a hungry Bug-type Pokemon can kill a Grovyle. Please keep this in mind.

Trainer Tips:
- IF YOU’RE CHOOSING TREECKO AS YOUR STARTER, KEEP THIS EVOLUTION IN MIND SO YOU CAN PLAN AHEAD. Now that you know why they eat so much meat, and why they’re so hyperactive in comparison to their previous form, you can hopefully be able to provide for your Treecko once it evolves. If you’re short on money, then it would be a good idea to use an Everstone to keep it from evolving just a little while, and get a temporary job and bank account until you’re sure you’ve saved enough to buy provisions.
- TAKE YOUR GROVYLE OUT HUNTING. This is very important. To make sure it meets its food quota, try regularly taking it out to a field with a lot of relatively low-leveled Pokemon, and let it hunt to its leisure. This helps it re-stock on energy it can use to level up the next time it goes to a battle.
- IF IT STARTS TWITCHING AND INCREASINGLY MORE ACTIVE, DO NOT IGNORE IT. This is a sign it’s hungry, and knowing Grovyle’s plant, this needs to be tended as soon as possible, unless you give it permission to simply hunt a wild Pokemon in tall grass. But with that, WARN IT NOT TO EAT OTHER PEOPLE’S POKEMON. Then you should be good, although for safety’s sake, it seems like a better idea to supervise it when going hunting.
- IF YOU GO ON A POKEMON JOURNEY, AND EVOLVED YOUR TREECKO, FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED WITH YOUR GROVYLE. In other words, even if you start to feel depressed or angry because something happened in the middle of the journey, you mustn’t give up on your Grovyle. It’s undergoing a part of life where it needs to continue to grow to for both its own sake, and yours, so please be considerate to your Pokemon.
- DON’T LET IT GO NEAR DANGEROUS BUG-TYPE POKEMON. This also means don’t bring it to them, because like I said before, having its leaves eaten can be fatal for it. It also sets of a reflex causing it to continuously claw at it, to kill it as soon as possible. Keep this in mind when introducing a Bug-type teammate, because they will have a hard time learning to get along with what it knows can end its life.

Personal Experiences:
My personal experiences with Grovyle weren’t many.

However, before becoming an expeditioner, I’ve given out starter Pokemon to registered trainers. I know too many trainers who loved their Treecko at first, or at least thought it was a cool Pokemon, but then thought it took way too much effort to take care of after evolving. Some of those same trainers were tempted to release their Grovyle out of frustration, because of their constant hunger pangs and sudden hyperactivity.

Every time I heard that, I called them on their phone number, or I sat down with them personally to talk about it. Every single time, I brought up the fact that their plant is parasitic. Every time, I brought up the anatomy their plant has changed, and why it needs to act the way it does.

And every time, I said...never give up on Grovyle. The time when it needs you most is now. That’s the time where you feed it, train it, and let it grow so that one day you may treasure what it can bring and do when it finally evolves.

Every time, I said “Give it some time and effort...these problems won’t last forever”.