Arboliva

Arboliva first appeared in Generation 9, in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Its design is based on an olive tree, a choice linked to Paldea’s Mediterranean inspiration, and adds a humanoid shape reminiscent of a tree nymph. The olives hanging from its arms and the canopy forming its head set it apart from other plant species in the region. In battle, it adopts a pose resembling an olive crown, a gesture traditionally associated with peace.

The name combines “tree” or arbor with “olive”, two direct references to its appearance. In Japanese, it is known as オリーヴァ.

It occupies the final stage of its evolutionary line. Smoliv evolves into Dolliv upon reaching level 25, and Dolliv reaches this form upon reaching level 35. Arboliva retains the plant theme of its pre-evolutions, but develops it with a more mature appearance, closer to that of a complete tree.

Arboliva works as a slow, bulky special attacker, but it is not a general-purpose competitive choice. Its base stats concentrate its damage in Special Attack, at 125, while Special Defense reaches 109 and Defense 90. It has 78 HP, but only 39 Speed, so it usually moves after its opponent. Attack is left at 69, bringing the total to 510.

Seed Sower defines much of its use: when it is hit by an attack, it turns the terrain into Grassy Terrain. This effect strengthens its ability to wear opponents down and helps it stay on the field while using Leech Seed, Giga Drain or Protect. Harvest, its hidden Ability, allows it to reuse the same Berry several times, although it offers a less direct game plan.

The Grass and Normal types give it two useful STAB options. Hyper Voice hits hard and does not depend on the target having any particular resistances, while Energy Ball and Leaf Storm provide Grass-type damage. Earth Power expands its coverage against Steel, Poison and Fire. Defensively, it is immune to Ghost and resists Water, Electric, Grass and Ground, but it stacks weaknesses to Bug, Fire, Fighting, Flying, Ice and Poison.

Smogon places it in ZU for Scarlet and Violet singles. There, it fits into slow, offensive and balanced teams, where it can switch into attacks it resists, activate Grassy Terrain and wear opponents down. Its low Speed and the pressure from super effective attacks limit its opportunities to enter the field, especially against Fire-, Fighting- or Poison-type opponents.

Arboliva belongs to the Grass Egg Group and has a 50% female gender ratio. Its Eggs require 20 Egg cycles to hatch, equivalent to approximately 5355 steps using the usual conversion from cycles to steps.

The evolutionary chain starts with Smoliv. Upon reaching level 25, it evolves into [Dolliv], and Dolliv evolves into Arboliva upon reaching level 35. This condition is fixed: it does not depend on friendship, a stone or a specific location.

Its catch rate is 45, so obtaining it directly is difficult compared with species with high catch rates. It can be obtained in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Its growth follows a Medium Slow experience curve, and the species yields 3 Sp. Atk. when defeated.