Greavard

Greavard's design is based on a long-haired dog, with features reminiscent of the Catalan Sheepdog and other shaggy dogs. Short legs, a thin tail and an unsettling-looking mouth peek out from beneath its white coat. The candle it carries on its head looks like a funeral flame and also brings a bone to mind.

It spends much of its time underground, leaving its candle exposed to surprise anyone who comes near. Its behaviour mixes affection and danger: it gets lonely easily, follows anyone who pays attention to it and wants to play, but the contact with its fur gradually absorbs the life force of those nearby. The Paldea Pokédex says that it originated from a dog that died in the wild without ever having interacted with humans.

It occupies the first position in a two-species evolutionary line. When it reaches level 30 at night, it evolves into Houndstone, which retains the Ghost type and develops an appearance closer to that of a buried dog.

Greavard does not stand out in competitive battle. Its base stats paint a picture of a slow physical attacker: 61 Attack, 60 Defense, 55 Special Defense, 50 HP, 34 Speed and just 30 Special Attack. The total of 290 leaves little room to withstand long exchanges or outspeed opponents before taking damage.

Its usual Ability, Pickup, allows it to find items after a battle. It has some use during a normal playthrough, but contributes nothing directly to the battle turn. Fluffy, its Hidden Ability, halves the damage from contact moves and doubles the damage received from Fire-type moves. That combination improves its matchups against physical attackers, although it leaves a very clear weakness to any Fire-type hit.

The Ghost type gives it immunity to Normal- and Fighting-type moves, as well as resistance to Poison and Bug. On the offensive side, Shadow Claw provides physical STAB and Crunch covers other Ghost-type Pokémon. Play Rough adds an answer to Dragon-, Dark- and Fighting-type opponents. It also has support moves such as Helping Hand, Confuse Ray and Pain Split.

In the story, it works best as a temporary physical attacker before evolving. Dig, Crunch and Shadow Claw form a straightforward progression, but its low Speed and modest HP make prolonged battles a poor fit.

Greavard belongs to the Field Egg Group and has an even gender ratio: 50% female and 50% male. Its eggs need 20 cycles to hatch, equivalent to approximately 5355 steps using the usual formula.

Breeding allows it to obtain moves that do not appear in its level-up moveset or among its TMs. Destiny Bond takes advantage of its frailty to leave a threat behind after it faints, Yawn forces switches or sets up a sleep turn, and Shadow Sneak gives it priority to finish off weakened foes. Disable and Ally Switch serve more specific plans, while Memento lowers the opponent's Attack and Special Attack before Greavard leaves the field.

The evolution requires reaching level 30 at night. Reaching that level during the day is not enough: the change occurs when it gains experience while the game recognises that it is night.

Its catch rate is 120. It is not especially difficult to catch, although it is not one of the species caught almost effortlessly either; weaken it carefully so you do not lose it to a critical hit.