Professor Forsythia's Electrical Adventures

Hello! My name is Professor Lucas Forsythia. I'm a pioneer in the field of Electric-Type Pokémon, their behaviors, physiology, and enivornment! I've studied under Elesa in my home region of Unova, and look forward to both spreading and gaining knowledge regarding Pokémon. Feel free to ask me anything!

[professor-forsythia]

(1/2) Thanks for all the tips! Especially about introducing the Vikavolt to anything it has type advantage over slowly- it doesn't like my Squirtle very much so I ended up keeping them in separate rooms. It would have been a disaster if you hadn't reminded me that they might not get on!

(2/2) Thankfully dad is coming back from his trip tomorrow so Squirtle can stop hiding under the sofa. I think Squirtle had a bad experience with a Vikavolt in the past which is why he's so terrified of them... Any ideas on how to help him overcome his fear? -Nick

Hello again Nick!I’m sorry to hear about your Squirtle’s shyness, but it’s not uncommon for Water Types to be a bit skittish around Electric Types. Most Pokémon realize when another has Type Advantage, and you can see during some battles certain Pokémon will look back to their Trainer for extra comfort or instructions, should they be against a Pokémon that they’d usually lose to. So by no means is it an unusual experience for your Squirtle to be frightened!However, trying to overcome a fear is a long process that takes time, dedication, patience, care, understanding - the whole ball of wax. Some small things to do -staggered over a period of time- would be say, watching official League matches focusing on Water or Electric Specialists; introducing your Squirtle to other Electric Types; having another Pokémon you own practice Electric Attacks around your Squirtle; or even trying to battle against weaker Electric Types.For the first one, this is a safe way to get your Squirtle more comfortable with the concept of Electric Types in general, as League matches are sanctioned and standardized - aka ultimately ‘safe’. Electric Type Specialists like my mentor, Elesa, are clever enough to be able to circumvent her Ground weakness, and it can teach your Squirtle that even something strong against it isn’t infallible. The same goes for Water Type Specialists, who can manage to outsmart even the quickest Electric Types. This shows that even something without Type Advantage can still pull off a win!As for introducing your Squirtle to weaker Electric Types, this can come in any form from walking around your neighborhood to accidentally finding a Joltik nest around your home! Squirtle can sniff around, say hi, or ultimately go back in its Pokéball. Exposure therapy, y’know? But small doses are key to getting your Pokémon comfortable - you don’t want to unnecessarily force confrontation or scare your buddy even more. Another option would be to introduce your Squirtle to say, the baby in the Evolutionary Family - Grubbin. This shows Squirtle that even big scary Vikavolt can come from something tiny and sweet! Plus, it might help Squirtle get a better feel for Vikavolt’s general personality. This can also be done with other members of your father’s team, should they either A) exist or B) be willing, since they’re the most acquainted with his Vikvaolt.Another good way to get your Squirtle more comfortable is through moves. Professor Kukui is more experienced at this than I am, but moves are a great way for Pokémon to express themselves. As an Electric Specialist, I know certain Pokémon use harsher Thunderbolts or glow brighter to express anything from joy to rage. What your Squirtle may not realize is that Electric Types can control the intensity, duration, and size of their moves, just like Squirtle can do with a simple Water Gun. Showing your Squirtle that Electric Types can control what they do can go a long way in understanding what’s an accident, what’s meant to hurt during battle, and what’s meant to be cruel, which is an important distinction to make, as each one has a different emotional impact!Finally, a good way to gain confidence is by battling. Most Pokémon enjoy battling for a variety of reasons - it’s fun, they want to grow stronger, they enjoy the thrill of the fight. Squirtle learning its limits and to stand up for itself is an important part of any being’s growth, human or Pokémon. Wether it fails or succeeds in battling against Electric Types will teach it what it’s like under the pressure of a fight, and will learn more about how it handles stress and opponents that’re stronger. Plus, as its Trainer, you’ll bond more with your partner and will be able to better spot when they’re stressed, and how to deal with defeat. All in all, it’ll be a great way to prepare for any battle, and more importantly, might just give your buddy the confidence it needs to simply just be in the same space as a Vikavolt, which is a remarkable achievement in and of itself.In conclusion, I truly hope you and your Squirtle find a way to grow past fear and into even better partners, be it by these methods or not. Each Pokémon is different, and each relationship they have is unique. Simply showing Squirtle that you’re there and willing to help them with something that scares them shows great promise in your Trainer skills. And don’t forget to praise your Squirtle and give a treats to show how proud you are for how far they’ve come! Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward building confidence and trust in both oneself and others. I wish you both well in this endeavor!- With Regards, Professor Lucas Forsythia.

[wormwoodbugsnpoison]

Hello! Fellow Unova-originating Professor here! When I was growing up in Nacrene City, I myself used to wander through Pinwheel Forest on the way to Castelia with my family. Scolipede was always my favorite Bug Type that originated in the forest, so I was wondering if you had any fun facts about the evolutionary line?

Ah, Forsythia, I think I recall reading some of your publications on the Joltik line, very interesting stuff.

As for the Scolipede line, I have a laundry list of them

Bug pokemon in the wild are territorial, this goes triple for this line. You so much as blink within a few meters of a Scolipede, you need to start running or prepare for a fight.

Curiously, despite this, I have noticed different mindsets between their previous evolutions.

Venipede are somewhat more lax about this, despite what the Pokedex says. They only target those who come looking for a fight.

Why I spent many a Summer observing them scuttle about the forest from only 3 feet away after giving them a hamper of berries to munch on. Then, with slow movements, of course, retrieve said hamper when empty. They gave me a determined look but paid me no mind.

Whirlipedes, conversely, are more like…well, a biker gang I suppose. They swarm deeper in the forests but tend to ‘show-off’ a bit on sunnier days closer to civilization; like forest paths or sometimes near small villages and towns if the leader of the swarm is brazen enough.

What you must mind is _where_ you meet them will determine how you interact with them.

If they are showing off as previously stated then you keep a decent distance and they’ll pay you no mind. If you’re going deeper into their homes and they corner you; keep in mind where you came from, battle if you absolutely must to break through their lines and run. They are either trying to beat you down themselves or, on rare occasions if the swarm leader is feeling a bit mischievous, will start forcing you into Scoliopede territory, where fights are pretty much mandatory.

…Of course, this is just them in the wild. They are absolute cuddle bugs once you’ve got one or a half dozen. My personal partner, Vici, tends to forget he’s not a lap-bug any more and tends to flatten me if he feels unloved.

A few closing notes as I feel this is getting far too long-winded;

Venipedes prefer honey or exceedingly sweet berries but as they evolve they go more for sour or borderline fermented flavours.

Do not give Whirlipedes fermented Berry Juice. This is very likely to result in walls having a 1-ish meter dent in them if not an entire hole.

Scolipedes love getting scratched on their neck joints. Be mindful of where their back legs are because some tend to kick out if they are more on the ticklish side. Lost many a coffee table to Vici I tell you what.

Hope this was informative, with regards

Prof. Wormwood.

[professor-forsythia]

fave electric type👀?

Any member of the Luxray line, easy. When I was little I was always obsessed with Shinx, and when I went out on my adventure I was lucky enough to catch one in White Forest. My first partner was a Minun, however, so I learned to appreciate a lot of other Electric Types before I finally got my fave. My Luxray is my current main partner, and I’ve raised her since she was a Shinx. Rhea’s my pride and joy, and I wouldn’t know where I’d be without her.

Special mentions go out to the Mareep line, Pachirisu, Electivire, Blitzle and Zebstrika, Rotom, Emolga, Helioptile, Dedenne, Toxel, Chinchou, and Joltik.

- With Regards, Professor Lucas Forsythia

[professor-forsythia]

Do you have any tips on taking care of electric Pokemon? I'm supposed to be looking after my dad's Vikavolt for the weekend but I don't know the first thing about electric Pokemon! -Nick

Hello Nick!Thank you for asking me about your father’s Vikavolt. I recently covered a bit of their temperaments here, but I didn’t go into too much detail.As it is your father’s Pokémon, it might already be a bit friendly with you, depending on your similar scent or any previous exposure to your person, so don’t be worried about making friends! If it’s still skittish around you, approaching it at eye-level and making sure to keep your posture open and welcoming is a must, but as you’re its acting Trainer for a moment, being a bit firm is key once you two get acquainted. Keep up any orders your father left, such as when and what to eat! Vikavolt, like all Electric Types, can survive off of electrical energy, but it’s not very nutritionally fulfilling. Standard Pokémon food should do the trick, and maybe some tree sap or fruit can serve as a treat!Exercise is an absolute must when it comes to Electric Types. Making sure Vikavolt gets lots of time and space to fly around during the day will do wonders toward its general mood. It also might want to release a few attacks, either for fun or to relieve stress, so if you have anything that can act as a target (old hula hoop, cans to be recycled, stuff like that) feel free to use it to practice with Vikavolt! They’re also rather territorial, so if you have any other Bug Types (or Arceus help you, a Pokémon it has Type Advantage over), it’d be best to introduce them to each other slowly, by sharing scents first, and separating the Pokémon when necessary.Vikavolt is mostly diurnal, but can become active during the night if there’s a storm brewing, as it loves the lightning. Be wary of it trying to escape to play around in the rain! When Vikavolt sleeps, it creates a buzzing sound due to the vibration of its wings, so if you want to keep it out of its Pokéball during the night, make sure to invest in some earplugs if you’re sensitive to sound.All of this is very crash-course, obviously, since each Pokémon is unique, but I hope it helps. If anything goes wrong, go to a Pokémon Center immediately, because they’re the best equipped to deal with injuries and illnesses. What I’ve listed should help curb any behavioral issues that come with being in a new environment with unfamiliar faces, so I wish you and Vikavolt well!

- With Regards, Professor Lucas Forsythia

[professor-forsythia]

What do you think about Jolteon?

Ah, Jolteon. It’s one of the most famous Electric Types due to the recognition its pre-evolution, Eevee, receives. However, due to the assumptions people place on Eevee, they can be quite surprised that their Jolteon isn’t the type of Pokémon they initially expected! All Eevelutions are known for their loyalty, but Jolteon is one of the rare ones in the line that makes you earn that trust and friendship once more upon evolving. While its contemporaries in the evolutionary family like Espeon, Sylveon, and Umbreon evolve due to friendship/affection, and thusly keep that trust and respect upon evolving, Jolteon, after evolving and coming into its own power, has a habit of making its Trainers reaffirm their skill and power before it listens to their Trainer once more, which is usually something Trainers expect from Dark or Dragon Types. Jolteon are often prone to mood swings as well, especially when their Trainers experience their own or when the weather is suffering harsh changes (which is when they store up their power). This is why Jolteon isn’t recommended for Trainers going through puberty or suffering from mental health issues, as they are a very demanding Pokémon, and not necessarily ‘low effort’. While every Pokémon needs love and exercise, Electric Types are one of the Types that absolutely necessitate the ‘exercise’ part. This is how they both store up and burn off their excess electricity. Alongside Jolteon’s natural temperamental state, their fur actually long needles, which they use to charge up their electrical attacks, so if their Trainer is unskilled in grooming, they’re going to receive a nasty shock, which could theoretically tank the Trainer/Pokémon relationship even further.This isn’t to say Jolteon is a lost cause, or someone shouldn’t try training one. Jolteon as a species simply require more effort than say, your average Mareep. Jolteon, once their trust is earned, is a great exercise companion, especially if you like running; a fantastic explorer (if you’re into hiking, for example); loves the rain and can cheer one up on dreary days with its boundless love for lightning; and like its evolutionary contemporaries will be there for you through both the best of times and the worst of times. Like all Pokémon, it takes love, effort, and time, and you’ll have a steadfast -but moody- friend.

- With Regards, Professor Lucas Forsythia

[professor-forsythia]

Joltik line or Grubbin line, which do you prefer?

Going with the hard questions first I see!Both the Joltik and the Grubbin lines have their pros and cons. While aesthetically and temperamentally I’d prefer Joltik as (to me, at least!) they are far cuter and much calmer, the Grubbin evolutions are better suited toward battles and are nowhere near as much of a common household pest.Joltik is known for sapping electricity by sneaking into homes and commercial buildings to ‘drink’ from electrical sockets when they can’t find a Pokémon to latch onto. This causes its own set of parasitic problems to the host Pokémon, should it not be a Galvantula of its own nest, who are far better suited to feeding young Joltik. Galvantula itself is also more prone to aggression than its pre-evolution, though that mostly manifests in cases of defense and when it hunts for food. The web it creates is also known for doubling as an electric barrier, should a Trainer or Officer need a corral or method of catching a runaway. Goodness knows I’ve had to use that method myself! Thankfully, Galvantula, should it be in connection to the web, can control the dosage.Grubbin, Charjabug, and Vikavolt are also much harder to maintain, health-wise, compared to ‘furred’ Pokémon like Joltik and Galvantula. The segments of Charjabug and Vikavolt’s bodies, for example, are notoriously difficult to clean, especially if the Pokémon in question doesn’t know or trust you. A mistake I made early in my career was approaching one without proper manners! Like most Bug Types, Vikavolt and its pre-evolutions have shiny carapaces when they’re in good health, and it starts growing mottled when they’re ill. Checking over a member of the Grubbin line (even though Grubbin itself is much calmer about it all) can be a hassle as, as stated, they’re far more aggressive than your average Joltik or Galvantula. However, the shine the Grubbin line gives off in good health is a beauty that simply cannot be ignored! They’re also far more useful than an average Joltik, being able to produce their own electricity (Charjabug and Vikavolt) and act as spare batteries (Charjabug).

- With Regards, Professor Lucas Forsythia

[professor-forsythia]

About Professor Lucas Forsythia

Forsythia grew up in Unova in Nacrene City, but moved to Nimbasa to study Electric Pokémon under Elesa. Eventually he learned enough to go out on his own and study Electric Types in their native habitats across the world. His first exposure to Electric Types was his father, who owned an Alolan Raichu. This is what first sparked Forsythia’s interest in Electric Types, and his first Pokémon was even a Minun! His current partner is a Luxray. While Forsythia specializes in Electric Types, he is also interested in Bug-, Ghost-, and Psychic Types, even owning a Sableye to help him with his jewelry hobby!

Some fun facts about Professor Forsythia include: he is genderfluid and asexual; has lived in Unova, Kalos, Alola, and Galar; speaks fluent Kalos; knits and makes jewelry in his spare time; and is rather petite for his age.

[professor-forsythia]

Rules and Regulations

1. Any and all exclusionary or hateful asks/submissions will be deleted on sight, so please be respectful.

2. Lucas is most knowledgable about Electric-Type Pokémon, but is willing and capable to answer questions about most Pokémon!

3. Professor Forsythia is willing to tag any triggers, and said triggers will fall under “tw:”

4. “My metas”, “Pokémon headcanons/theories, “Electric-Type Pokémon”, “answered asks”, “non-Electric” and “mun/muse asks” are all some of the tags you can check!