Lagging Tail
Lickilicky in depth
A tongue taken to the extreme
Lickilicky turns a simple idea, Lickitung’s long tongue, into its entire visual concept. Its bulky body, chest bib and relaxed expression bring it closer to a caricature of a satisfied glutton. The tongue works as an arm, a tool and a weapon. Pokédex entries insist on that precision: it can pick up a tiny bean and extend its tongue to lengths several times greater than its own body.
The English name repeats “lick”, referring to licking. The Japanese ベロベルト, Berobelt, contains bero, a colloquial way of saying “tongue”, along with sounds associated with licking or sticking out one’s tongue. The name keeps the focus on that part of the body, rather than on its size or its gourmand appearance.
An evolution that arrived late
Lickitung appeared first, but its evolution did not arrive until Generation IV. The condition of knowing Rollout links the two species through a specific move and reinforces the idea that Lickilicky learns to use its tongue and body in a more forceful way. An early Pokémon Gold and Silver demo had already shown a concept for a Lickitung evolution, although the design shown at the time was not yet Lickilicky.
As the generations went by, Oblivious became more useful. In the early games it protected against infatuation; later, it also began preventing Taunt. That change fits the defensive use it has had in battles in later generations. Cloud Nine retains situational value by removing the effect of weather while it is on the field.
Plenty of staying power, little initiative
Its 110 HP and 95 defenses let it take hits, but its 50 Speed means it almost always has to accept the first attack. Against Snorlax, it shares the profile of a bulky creature that can take hits and attack with the Normal type, although it lacks the same sustained offensive power. Against Miltank, it offers a greater physical presence through its size and HP, but cannot easily make up for its slowness.
In a playthrough of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it is best used against opponents that cannot knock it out in one hit. Rest keeps it healthy, Bulldoze covers targets vulnerable to the Ground type, and Double-Edge or Hyper Beam can close out battles once wearing the opponent down has done its work. Using Hyper Beam too early leaves it exposed on the following turn, so it fits better as a finisher than as an opening move.
The cost of being so large
The problem is not that Lickilicky is frail. It is that it needs time. Fighting-type opponents exploit its only weakness, physical attackers take advantage of the fact that it cannot outspeed them, and Pokémon with setup moves can turn its passive turns into an opportunity to prepare. Cloud Nine is only worthwhile when weather has a real impact on the battle; otherwise, Own Tempo or Oblivious provide more direct protection.
Its role is therefore fairly well defined: take hits, make use of a safe opening and attack with powerful moves. Its tongue remains the strangest part of its design, but in battle the trait that affects every turn the most is its 50 Speed.