Kricketot

Like Caterpie, Kricketot calls to mind a small insect from the early routes, but its design brings it closer to a cricket than a caterpillar. It has a rounded body, short legs and rigid antennae that knock against each other. That impact produces xylophone-like sounds, the way it communicates with other members of its species. Pokédex entries also link its appearances to autumn weather and describe how its stumbles make its antennae rattle.

The visual concept combines a cricket with a musician. Its abdomen resembles the body of a string instrument, while its antennae work as drumsticks. Its Japanese name, Korobohshi (コロボーシ), combines the Japanese word for “cricket” with okiagari-kobōshi, a traditional doll that rights itself when it wobbles. The English name blends “cricket” with “tot” or “totter”, alluding to its childlike appearance and unsteady way of walking.

It occupies the first place in a two-species evolutionary line. When it reaches level 10, it evolves into Kricketune, which keeps the musical theme and develops it with a larger body and a presence closer to that of a performer.

Kricketot has no meaningful competitive use outside highly restrictive formats. Its base stats add up to 194: 37 HP, 25 Attack, 41 Defense, 25 Special Attack, 41 Special Defense and 25 Speed. Defense and Special Defense are its best values, but Attack, Special Attack and Speed all sit at 25. It takes weak hits a little better than other unevolved Pokémon, although it lacks the power and pace needed to apply pressure.

Shed Skin is its main ability and cures status conditions when it sheds its skin. That effect offers some protection against burn, paralysis, sleep, freeze or poison, but it depends on activating in time. Run Away, its Hidden Ability, allows it to escape from all wild Pokémon and is practically useful during the adventure, not in a battle between Trainers.

The Bug type hits Grass, Psychic and Dark for super effective damage, and resists Grass, Fighting and Ground. In return, it takes increased damage from Fire, Flying and Rock. Its offensive movepool is short: it learns Struggle Bug at level 6, Bug Bite at level 16 and can use Body Slam, although its offensive stats limit the damage. Growl helps lower the opponent’s Attack, while Endeavor can take advantage of a low HP reserve.

In a normal playthrough, it works during the early stretch, especially against Grass- or Psychic-type opponents and while it is waiting to evolve. It can take part in Little Cup because it is a species capable of evolving, but its 25 Speed and lack of damage leave it behind options with a more defined role.

Kricketot belongs to the Bug Egg Group and has an even gender ratio: 50% female. Its Eggs take 15 cycles to hatch, equivalent to approximately 4080 steps using the usual cycle-to-step conversion. It is an easy Pokémon to obtain for anyone looking to breed one with a specific Nature, Ability or set of values.

Its catch rate is 255, so catching it is trivial with any normal method and does not require much preparation before the encounter. During the adventure, it can also appear holding Metronome. Its growth rate is Medium Slow, which makes gaining experience take a little longer before it reaches its evolution.

The evolutionary condition is exact: it evolves into Kricketune upon reaching level 10. It does not need friendship, an item, a particular time of day or a learned move. The unevolved Pokémon begins and ends in the same Bug Egg Group family, so it can breed with compatible species from that group.