There is no tail! There's never been any tails! Tails are just a myth!!!

202: Wobbuffet

Now we're getting into fun ones! See, Gen 2 can have some fun too! Wobbuffet's another classic Pokemon design, leaning hard on not being based on any one thing in particular, just having a solid concept that it goes for and rolls with it as hard as it can.

In turn, Wobbuffet is here to be more or less a mascot for the moves Counter and Mirror Coat, moves that deal double the damage back if you hit it with a Physical or Special move respectively, the whole idea being that it's a living punching bag that takes all the brunt and deals it back on you if you can't beat it in a single hit, or at least out-predict your opponent. This made Wobbuffet a terror back when whether a move was Special or Physical depended on its type, so it was far easier to predict what your opponent was going to use, but nowadays while it can still pack a wallop, it's nowhere near as terrifying to fight as it used to be. (Though Shadow Tag certainly helps it) Still interesting to use, as it has a very unique battle gimmick! Seeing as it only learns these two moves, plus Destiny Bond and Safeguard, ensuring its only method of doing damage is by deflecting it back at an attacker.

Design-wise Wobbuffet pulls of the concept about perfectly though. Its body is all bulbous and round, with a flattened flap hanging off of the back of its head like it's been hit too hard a few times. And of course, it has a goofy expression on its face to juxtapose the abuse it takes. To layer on the weird and silly factor, this thing's only mode of locomotion is four nubby legs that it inches around on. Wobbuffet's already a perfect package! But wait a sec, what's up with that tail?

Wobbuffet's behind is a weird little black tail, that strangely enough, has eyes on it! And it's no accident or merely some eyespots; they move and blink, animations in some games feature the tail peaking out from behind Wobbuffet, and the tail is apparently important enough to include on things like Trozei-style icons. Pokedex entries also state that Wobbuffet is very protective of its tail! What could this mean, exactly? Well, what if that tail is the REAL Wobbuffet?!? I mean sure, the whole thing is the "real" Wobbuffet, but what if the big dopey blue monster we know and love is simply a decoy; an inflatable body that takes the brunt while the real Wobbuffet, the tail, hides away unscathed? Much like how Wobbuffet itself is based on inflatable punching bags!!

This takes Wobbuffet from "great" to "excellent" for us. It's one of those unsolved mysteries of Pokemon, and part of me doesn't want to ever know for sure, but it's still such a cool concept for a creature!! Made even better with how the tail is a bit shaped like "Wobbuffet" itself; bulbous and teardrop-shaped, like a little shadow hiding behind its fake body. How absolutely clever!

Wobbuffet is just absolutely wonderful! It fits so well into its thematic as-is, has a unique combat style that ensures, if nothing else, it'd be an interesting pick for your next run if you decide to use it, and it goes that little extra step by making an extra adorable little friend that goes with it! All of this without having any ties to any animal other than say, certain animals that have sacrificial body parts to escape predators with. Even then, it's absolutely unique! Wobbuffet is simply without a flaw.