Axew

The Tusk Pokémon uses its tusks to break open the Berries it finds, and also uses them as tools to mark the trees in its territory. If one breaks, it quickly grows back, so skirmishes between specimens rarely leave lasting damage. Pokédex entries describe it living in underground burrows and competing with its peers to open the toughest Berries. It also enjoys clashing tusks with others of its species, as if it were a game.

Its design is based on a dinosaur, with a crest reminiscent of certain hadrosaurs and tusks that evoke axe blades. It is 0.6 m tall and weighs 18 kg. It is a Dragon-type Pokémon and occupies the first stage of an evolutionary line focused on physical strength: it evolves into Fraxure upon reaching level 38 and then into Haxorus at level 48.

It is not a general competitive choice, but it has a clear use in lower-level formats such as Little Cup. Its base Attack of 87 is its greatest strength, backed up by 57 Speed. The rest of its spread is modest: 46 HP, 60 Defense, 30 Special Attack and 40 Special Defense. With such limited durability, it needs to come in against a target that cannot punish it and find a turn to set up.

The ability that best defines its use is Mold Breaker, which allows its moves to ignore the target's abilities. This lets it hit opponents protected by defensive abilities. Dragon Dance raises its Attack and Speed, while Dragon Claw provides a physical Dragon-type attack without locking it into Outrage. Against Fairy-types it has Poison Jab, and Iron Head also covers that type in games where it is available.

The Dragon type gives it resistances to Fire-, Water-, Grass- and Electric-type attacks, but leaves it exposed to Dragon, Ice and Fairy. Its 46 HP and 40 Special Defense make it difficult for it to switch into strong hits. Rivalry can increase its damage against targets of the same gender, although the effect depends on the opponent; Unnerve prevents the opposing Pokémon from using Berries and remains an option as its Hidden Ability. Its lack of bulk and the pressure from priority moves limit its attempts to sweep.

It belongs to the Monster and Dragon Egg Groups, with a 50% female gender ratio. Its Eggs take 40 cycles to hatch, equivalent to approximately 10 455 steps using the usual formula. Notable Egg Moves include Counter, Iron Tail, Aqua Tail, Night Slash and First Impression; Endeavor also lets it take advantage of a situation where it has been left with little HP.

To complete the evolutionary line, it must reach level 38 to evolve into Fraxure, and Fraxure must reach level 48 to become Haxorus. No stone or friendship condition changes this process.

Its catch rate is 75, a rather low figure: finding and catching it takes more work than with easy-to-catch species. In a normal playthrough, False Swipe is useful for leaving it at 1 HP before throwing Poké Balls. The species has a Slow growth rate.