Pikipek

A woodpecker with a toucan's beak

The design is based on a woodpecker, specifically a crested woodpecker. The crest, elongated beak and habit of drilling into trees support that idea, while its final evolution into Toucannon introduces a clear reference to the toco toucan. Pikipek works as the small stage of a family that gradually shifts the focus from the work of the beak towards the bird's size and power.

The Japanese name, ツツケラ Tsutsukera, combines the Japanese term related to pecking, tsutsuki, with keratsutsuki, a word for «woodpecker». The English name revolves around pick and peck, two verbs associated with picking or striking with the beak, with a possible additional reference to picus, the Latin name of the woodpecker genus.

A short evolutionary line

Pikipek appeared in Generation VII as one of the first new species shown from that generation. Its evolutionary path is simple and fast: it reaches Trumbeak at level 14 and Toucannon at level 28. All three retain the Normal and Flying types, so the family keeps its immunity to Ghost and Ground, its resistances to Bug and Grass, and its weaknesses to Electric, Ice and Rock from the start.

It was not available in Generation VIII. It returned in Generation IX as part of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, where it regained its move pool from the Alola era and gained access to new-generation options such as Knock Off, Tailwind, Brave Bird and Tera Blast.

What Skill Link brings

The most recognisable combination is Skill Link with Bullet Seed. The Ability increases the number of times multi-hit moves strike and turns an attack with an individual power of 25 into a tool capable of punishing switches into Rock types. It does not replace a specialised attacker, but it does give Pikipek a specific role in Little Cup battles.

For a normal playthrough, Peck from level 1 and Fury Attack from level 15 cover the early game well. Drill Peck arrives at level 27 and becomes its best Flying-type attack learned by level; Roost, available from level 19, helps offset its very poor durability. Against Steel-type opponents, Flame Charge or Heat Wave broaden its coverage, although its Special Attack of 30 limits the second option.

A bird that cannot withstand repeated switching

Its 75 Attack and 65 Speed are its useful figures. Its 35 HP and three defenses of 30 mean that it cannot switch repeatedly into neutral attacks. It is best brought in after a teammate forces a switch, using U-turn to keep momentum or setting Tailwind before its defenses are exposed.

Keen Eye prevents its Accuracy from being lowered, but it does not solve its problems with power or durability. Pickup is useful for finding items, although Skill Link is the choice that gives its offensive turns an identity. The difference between letting it evolve and keeping it in Little Cup comes down to those two points: its early access to useful attacks and the possibility of combining Bullet Seed with its signature Ability.