Grookey

Introduced in Generation VIII with Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Grookey is a small green-furred primate that carries a branch on its head and uses it as a drumstick. Its design is based on a monkey, with traits reminiscent of several arboreal primates, and puts music at the centre of its behaviour. When it strikes with its drumstick, it produces sound waves capable of restoring vitality to plant life. Wilted flowers and leaves regain their colour when it plays near them.

It also uses rhythm to battle. Pokédex entries describe how its enthusiasm increases as it speeds up the cadence of its strikes, so the branch is not just decoration: it serves as a tool, instrument and weapon. Its English name combines the idea of rhythm in “groove” with “monkey”, while the Japanese サルノリ links “saru”, monkey, with “nori”, rhythm or enthusiasm.

It is the first stage of its evolutionary line. At level 16 it evolves into Thwackey, which then reaches its final stage at level 35.

Grookey has no meaningful competitive niche outside battles involving unevolved species. Its base stats are heavily focused on Attack and Speed, with 65 in each; it has 50 HP and Defense, and 40 in both Special Attack and Special Defense. The total is 310. This lets it outspeed many opponents in a normal playthrough, but it does not take hits well and lacks the power or defensive tools of its evolutions.

Its Grass typing gives it access to physical STAB and lets it apply pressure with moves such as Razor Leaf, Knock Off and Wood Hammer. It also has Bullet Seed, Seed Bomb and Solar Blade, although the last one requires setting up sun or accepting an awkward turn. Knock Off adds utility by removing the opponent’s item, while U-turn lets it leave battle after dealing damage.

Overgrow boosts Grass-type attacks when its HP is low. It is the practical ability during the adventure, as it improves Wood Hammer or Razor Leaf in a tight spot. Grassy Surge, its Hidden Ability, creates Grassy Terrain when it enters battle and gives it a more defined support function, but it does not make up for its modest stats on its own. Grass typing gives it advantages against Water, Ground and Rock, although it also leaves it exposed to several common types, including Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying and Bug.

Grookey’s Egg Groups are Field and Grass. The gender ratio gives it 12,5 % females, so getting a specific female requires more attempts than with a species that has an even split. Its 20 Egg Cycles are equivalent to approximately 5355 steps using the usual hatching formula.

Its notable Egg Moves include Leech Seed, which lets it recover HP while wearing down the opponent, and Fake Out, useful for disrupting the first turn of a battle. Strength provides a physical Normal-type option, Hammer Arm covers the Fighting type and Worry Seed offers a way to reduce the opponent’s offensive capabilities. Growth also fits a boosting strategy, although Grookey does not have the bulk needed to drag battles out for too long.

The evolution is straightforward: Grookey evolves into Thwackey at level 16. Thwackey evolves into Rillaboom at level 35. Its catch rate is 45, which places it in the difficult range: it is not an effortless catch, so it is worth bringing enough Poké Balls, especially if you want to catch it without weakening it too much. The Field and Grass Egg Groups also make breeding with several compatible species easier.