Lucy’s Pokémon Sword and Shield Nicknames: Part 2 — The Galar Team

I am very proud of my young neice Lucy Sinnoh.  The little lady has been busy leveling up her Galar Pokemon, trying to get all of her team up to level 100. Here is a quick peek at her recent team members. I did help her with some of the names and cultural references.

Lucy chose Scorbunny as her starter. She kept it in baby form. She also used a Gold Bottle Cap to hypertrain it. It may be still pre-evolved form, but the little bunny can hold its own with any Pokémon in the Tournaments.

Boltund was caught as Yamper. The incorrigible little yapper stayed with Lucy most of her adventure.

Lucy caught a girl Chewtle and named it “TheMunchies” due to her biting skills.  This Drednaw was also employed as Lucy’s main “False Swiper” and Pokémon catcher.

KnightFlight (a Corvinight) was raised from a little Rookidee through Corvisquire. Unfortunately, its Corvinight form does not GigantaMax. This loyal knight was often used in battles where she had a type-disadvantage. It was Hypertrained for each stat as a reward for its loyalty.

Lucy needed a Grass-type, and caught a Gossifleur which soon evolved up to Eldegoss with the help of some Experience Candies. This grass type flower evolved. Lucy is like me, she likes her grass types to have a very strong Special Attack. I suggested that Lucy name him “Green Revolution” after the famous global food production miracle. Unfortunately, that is too many letters. Green-Revolt still sounds kinda revolutionary.

Lucy caught a lot of fish Hulbury trying to get an Arrowcuda with good stats. This one evolved into Barraskewda. At first Lucy tried naming the fish as they were caught. I suggested that she just put them all in a box and have the Galar Name Rater change them all later. You can change a name from your box now, it does not have to be in your party. Yet another of the privileges of the Galar Region. What do you name a Barracuda with a spinning-torpedo tail. In fact, its Hidden Ability is Propeller Tail.  I like to name them after Caribbean island imagery. “Barbados” is a tough name.  Names like “Bahama” “Bahama Yama” or “Bermuda” are cool. Lucy named it “Bermudashort” because she says I look ridiculous in them. To be short — as in a short temper — may be characteristic of these angry little fish. I named this cigar-shaped fish “Just-A-Cigar“. Touche Lucy.

Fortunately, the little RolyColy she caught had the “Flame Body” ability. I suggest naming females a name like “D.Motherload”, after the mining jargon. When “Motherload” evolved she became the main egg-hatcher while biking and battling through the wild area. So many ice-types succummed to this firery rock! She usually holds a Quick Claw, so ice never stands a chance. Many a Max Raid was carried out with her combo of Rock, Fire, Ground and Fighting moveset.

Lucy caught several of these fire-bug types. I think that they are one of the more interesting new Galar Pokémon. Sizzlipede and Centiskorch are a kind of Chinese Dragon, only it is a centipede. (I must say … good call GameFreak! You have NOT run out of ideas.) Lucy almost always named these after some type of Asian Stir-Fry. Later, she could a Gigantamax version who she named “DanDanNoodles“. Lucy would never let me cook up one of her fire centipedes.  I bet that “tastes like chicken” would be appropriate. Speaking of that, I have noticed that whenever I search the “Asian” Tag here on WordPress, all I ever see are stir-fry recipes and porn advertisements … and yes, I digress once again.

This post is getting a little long, so I will just show you some more of Lucy’s team next week.

Lucy’s Pokémon Sword and Shield Nicknames: Part 1

Readers: I have been very slow about posting new Pokémon Nicknames recently. I wanted to take-on a partner, and who better than my “niece” Lucy Sinnoh.

Lucy and her Mum are originally from Valor Lakefront, SR. I knew (cough) Lucy’s Mum when she worked as a cocktail waitress at the Seven Stars Restaurant at Hotel Grand Lake, I tried to help out the struggling single mum and her pretty young daughter as much as I could. Times were tough. We stayed home and played Diamond and Pearl a lot.They moved to Galar a few years ago. Good that they did, as Lucy has become the new Galar Champion! Here is her trainer card:

I’m so proud of her and how well she grew up. She’s a Pokémon Champ, plus the little lady can cook up a great curry!

I also like teaming up with Lucy for new Pokémon Nicknames, because many of names are from cultural references from decades past. Many younger players in search of nicknames might not “get” or appreciate my generation’s names. Many of the nicknames you will be reading about on this blog will be Lucy’s idea.

Denny: Lucy – I will still help you with the naming Lucy …

Lucy: OK Boomer. (giggles)

Denny: “OK Boomer” … What? … that quip again? Wait … “OK Boomer” might just be a great name for a Drampa!

Sword and Shield has made a few changes to the nicknaming system. There is an important change for users who choose to view/use nicknames. As the Name-Rater in any Pokécenter will tell you — trainers may change the name of a Pokémon already nicknamed by its previous trainer. You do only get one chance. Once you change the name of a traded Pokémon it has to stick forever. The 12 letter space format continues. However, I have noticed that the various symbols available in previous generations are no longer available. Darn it! No “Heart” symbol anymore? Also, I have noticed that if a Pokémon comes in from the Surprise Trade in of another language, the name cannot be changed. (Please leave a note in the comment section if you know otherwise.)

Starlight: Yeah, she takes after her Mum.

Pokémon Nicknames: Yamper and Boltund

Pokémon Nicknames: Yamper and Boltund

‘ello Galar region! It has been months since I last posted on this blog … way back in August in fact! Well, the new game — Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield – has been out for a couple of weeks now, so you may be in need of Denny’s nicknaming suggestions.

Credit goes to the artist.

One of the first Pokémon you encounter in the Galar Region is little “Yamper” (in Japanese: ワンパチ “Wanpachi”).  Yamper is the Generation VIII “Puppy Pokémon” and is an Electric type. (Source: Bulbapedia)

The way I see it, Yamper is based on the “Welsh Corgi” dog breed. These dogs have distinctive short legs, and despite that, the breed is often used as a herding dog. (Perhaps to herd the numerous Wooloo in Galar?) Corgis are sometimes bred with other dogs, but they retain their short legs, and their friendly temperament. These are those cute little “yapper” dogs. The little dogs that are always excited when you meet them, and jump up on you, as they always want to play.

Yamper evolves into “Boltund” (in Japanese: パルスワン  “Parusuwan”) at level 25 where it remains an  Electric-type. Ahem … Boltund reminds me a little too much of the dog in the Disney movie “Bolt”.

Here are some nicknames that I have used:

You could just go with “Yapper” or “LittleYapper”. (Note that nicknames still have a 12-character limit in Galar.) I also used the name “Yakety-Yak” as in the Coasters song – “Yakety Yak – Don’t Talk Back.”

My favorite name for Yamper/Boltund is “Incorrigible” – as in an endearing person, who always does things their way — and does not give up!!!

“HappyCamper” fits, because camping, playing and cooking curry are an important part of building friendship with your Pokémon in the Galar Region. I had previously used “HappyCamper” for Pokémon’s other puppy —  Rockruff.

“Corgi Girl” – for female Yamper. Alternatively “Georgy Girl” , “Georgie” , “Georgy Gyrl”  after the great hit song from 1967 by England’s The Seekers — “Hey There – Georgy Girl”. It is an upbeat tune with good vibes, man.

Of course I grew up in the 1960s, so that is my cultural reference. You kids might name your little yapper “Baha Baha” or the like, after that terrible song about “letting the dogs out”. Oy.

“Pembroke” – From the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed. Pembroke is also the name of one of the colleges at the University of Cambridge.

“House Bolton” as a GOT reference. Those dogs in that show were too mean though. (Not like my incorrigible little Yamper.)

“Striker” – as in a lightning strike of course. “Dart Leader” is a related lightning term, and is good for a herding dog. “Step Leader” as well. “ReturnStroke” is another lightning term, and is especially appropriate as one of Yamper’s abilities is “Ball Fetch”. This is an ability new to the Galar region.

Now who’s a GOOD BOY?  What is your name for your little yapper? Please comment!

This is NOT Galar Denny.

 

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield starters — Grookey

Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield starters — Grookey

I will call her “Plantain Jane”

It looks like I am going to have to buy a Nintendo Switch. My son owns one already, but I want both of us to be able to play our own copies of the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games due this fall. It is already common knowledge in Nintendo world that most S/S players will play in “handheld mode.” I have also heard rumors about a “Switch Mini” which may be even more portable (?) than the current hardware. Perhaps this will be a hardware and software release like when Nintendo released the 2DS at the same time as Pokémon X and Y. I am out of the loop, so maybe you gamer’s gamers can let me know if you think that a Switch Mini will be released along with the Pokémon Sword and Shield on November 15 (?) this year. Smells like a bundle.

Here Nintendo – take my money: I will need a Switch, something to protect the Switch when I carry it around, and I will need two copies of the Pokémon game. for my son and I. Then I will need something like a t-shirt or a hat which identifies me as belonging to the Pokémon secret society … probably will need to update the online Pokébank … then purchase whatever downloadable content packs, subscriptions, etc.

I know everyone has already seen the first teaser trailer, but here then …

It used to be that I would not give my starter Pokémon a nickname, as the starters are unique in the game. Later however, especially after trading, then breeding new starters Pokémon from eggs, I would give the starter forms a nickname. I also like to keep my starter Pokémon in “baby” form, up until I finish the main story (become Champion, etc.).  I make my other Pokémon evolve, but I think it is cute when you battle the regional champ with a cute Pokémon, raised up to a near level 100.  I always let my starter evolve for the after-story however.

You know what would be a hoot? If the Pokémon developers could have different after stories and side missions available as downloadable content. (Cough, Cough … there’s another cash cow for you Nintendo!)

Sword/Shield will take place in the Galar Region, which is based on the island of Britain (similar to how Unova was New York, or Sinnoh was Hokkaido flipped upside-down). “Galar” seems to resonate like the word “gallant” as in a gallant English knight.

I sincerely hope that Nintendo accurately portrays the spirit of the Celtic/Gaelic cultures of the British Isles correctly.

Well you are here to hear my suggested nicknames. Let us assume there will still be the 12-letter limit, and other naming rules enforced, or at least censoring which makes sense.

Grookey: Hmmm … a grass-type monkey Pokémon? There are not a lot of monkeys in Britain …

My first choice of a name for female Grookey is “PlantainJane”. Plantains are a banana-like fruit, and monkeys like bananas of course. This is also a play on the phrase “Plain Jane” which is an archaic way of describing a drab or unattractive young woman. One who usually eschews makeup and/or sexy clothing. There is nothing plain about these plantains however!

“Plain Jane” like “Mary Jane” is also a word sometimes used as a euphemism for marijuana.

“Jain” might be good, in honor of the Indian religion Jainism. This dharmic religion has strict views on vegetarianism and respect for all living beings. Life is venerated so much that the local monkeys are allowed to have their run at certain temples in India.

Grookey has that stick held at the top of its head. If you really want a marijuana joke as a name I might suggest naming a male “Blunt”, or “Bluntz”, “Mr. Bluntz”, etc.

Grass-type and all that. Just calling it “Sticks” might be good, as the name is sometimes used for drummers.

Other names: “Rhythm Stick”, as in “hit-me-with-your-rhythm stick”.  These stay with the drumming theme: “Mook”, “Da Mook”, “Mookie”, “Melodius”, “The Mooch”. “Weed Wanker” might be a playful grass-type name, based on the “Weed Wacker” lawn cutting tool. There is nothing whacky about ths cosplay though …

“Sherwood” after “Sherwood Forrest” home to the British legend Robin Hood! I might suggest other forest or jungle type names. “The Coolest” for example, or perhaps “Coco-Nutz“.

I used “DrunkyMonkey” and “Mo Drunkie” because “the monkey … he likes to get drunkie, he sings boogie-woogie and it sounds real funky“.

If you remember the old department store, I might suggest “Monkey Ward“.

Another variation would be “Glockey” or “Nime mm” or “Glock 9”  after the 9mm handgun Grookey possessed in the fake meme which made its way into a Mexican newspaper announcement for Sword and Shield. Link here.

I hope that these nicknames sound logical — Please come back tomorrow night when I suggest nicknames for the next Sword and Shield starter!