Mantyke

It swims alongside schools of Remoraid and faces them when an enemy appears. It also approaches boats without fear and swims so close to the surface that people aboard can make out the patterns on its back. This behaviour explains its image as a sociable animal: Pokédex entries describe it as friendly, affectionate towards humans and used to living alongside other marine species.

Its design is based on a young manta ray. The fins form a broad silhouette and the pattern on its back resembles a smiling face, while the antennae reinforce its connection to water and ocean currents. The symbols on its back change depending on the region in its description, although the pattern shown in the games has not changed.

It is a baby Pokémon of the Water and Flying types. It occupies the first place in its evolutionary line and reaches its adult stage by levelling up with a Remoraid in the party. It then evolves into Mantine, which keeps both types and its connection with schools of Remoraid.

Mantyke has no relevant general competitive use, but it has had a clear niche in Little Cup, where baby Pokémon battle without evolving. Its stats give it a very specific profile: 45 HP, 20 Attack, 50 Defense, 60 Special Attack, 120 Special Defense and 50 Speed. It takes special attacks very well, but its HP and physical Defense are modest, while its Attack is barely useful for taking advantage of physical moves.

Swift Swim is the ability that defines its offensive role: it raises its Speed in rain. With that support, Hydro Pump makes use of its 60 Special Attack and threatens with a power of 110, while Air Slash provides a second STAB attack with 75 power. Water Pulse is a safer alternative, although it drops to 60 power.

Water and Flying let it attack with STAB from two angles and switch into Water-type attacks thanks to its resistance. It also offers an immunity to Ground and good answers to Fire, Fighting, Bug and Steel. The drawback is serious: Electric-type attacks deal huge damage to it, and Stealth Rock punishes every switch-in. In Little Cup, opponents that resist Water, especially Chinchou, stop its progress. Outside that environment, its poor physical capabilities and reliance on rain leave little room to use it consistently.

Mantyke belongs to the Undiscovered Egg Group, so it cannot be obtained through breeding. The practical route is to catch it and prepare it for evolution. Its catch rate is 25, a low figure that makes it difficult to catch compared with common species.

The exact condition for evolving it is to level up with Remoraid in the party. It is not enough to have it in the party during a particular battle, nor for Remoraid to take part: it must be present when Mantyke levels up. Once the condition is met, it evolves into Mantine.

This relationship also appears in its behaviour: it swims alongside schools of Remoraid and fights at their side when an enemy attacks them. In earlier generations, Mantyke’s evolution was tied to breeding with a specific item; in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the condition is to level up with Remoraid in the party.