Castform

0,8 kg are enough to make Castform look more like a pocket-sized cloud than a creature capable of changing the weather. Its rounded grey body resembles a compact cloud, with two small spheres on its sides and a light mark above its eyes. It also brings to mind a weather balloon and the teru teru bōzu, the Japanese doll-shaped charm hung up to pray for good weather.

Its cells react to changes in temperature and humidity. When the weather changes, it takes on a form associated with the sun, rain, or snow, and its mood shifts with those conditions. The ability Forecast allows that change to happen in battle, while outside battle it keeps its Normal Form.

The English name combines forecast and form. The Japanese ポワルン incorporates the sound of a sudden transformation and the idea of changing. It occupies an isolated position in its evolutionary line: it does not evolve and does not come from another species. All six of its base stats are 70, a completely even spread that gives it no dominant attribute.

Castform has 70 HP, 70 Attack, 70 Defense, 70 Special Attack, 70 Special Defense, and 70 Speed, for a total of 420. That spread is not bad in a normal playthrough, but in competitive play it creates a clear problem: it does not hit hard enough or outspeed enough opponents. It does not stand out for its bulk or Speed either.

Forecast defines its role. In sun it changes to Fire type; in rain, to Water type; in snow, to Ice type. Without those conditions, it remains Normal type. This gives it weather-adapted STAB and different resistances, but it needs the weather to be active to make the most of them. In its basic form it is immune to Ghost-type attacks and weak to Fighting; the weather forms also change its weaknesses and resistances.

Rain Dance, Sunny Day, and Hail let it create the conditions it needs. Weather Ball makes good use of the type change, while Ice Beam, Flamethrower, Water Pulse, Solar Beam, and Shadow Ball cover specific targets. Hydro Pump, Blizzard, and Fire Blast provide power, although their accuracy and its 70 Special Attack do not solve the main problem.

In competitive play, it is not a serious choice compared with specialised attackers. In a normal playthrough, it does have a practical use: bring it in after setting the weather and use the appropriate type to punish Water-, Fire-, Grass-, or Ground-types with coverage moves. The opponent can disrupt its momentum by changing the weather, suppressing Forecast, or attacking it before it can move.

Castform belongs to the Fairy and Amorphous Egg Groups, so it can breed with compatible species from those groups. Its gender split is even: 50 % female. Its eggs take 25 cycles to hatch, around 6630 steps using the usual ((25+1)×255) conversion.

Its notable egg moves include Amnesia, which improves its special bulk; Future Sight, a powerful Psychic-type attack; Cosmic Power, Guard Swap, Clear Smog, Hex, and Reflect Type. Disable also fits strategies focused on limiting the opponent, although it requires careful timing when bringing Castform in.

It does not evolve and has no evolution condition: Castform remains an independent species. It is associated with grasslands, and its catch rate is 45, putting it on the difficult side; bring enough Poké Balls and do not count on a quick capture. Forecast and its weather forms do not depend on breeding, but on the weather conditions during battle.