Skwovet in depth
A Squirrel Made of Appetite
The design is based on a grey squirrel, an animal widespread across Great Britain, and exaggerates its habit of storing food. The puffed-up cheeks, the tail used as a reserve and the orange nose get the idea across without giving it a complicated anatomy. It also includes a detail associated with chipmunks: the connection between their cheeks and the transport of food. When it cannot find berries, it even stores stones to calm its craving, a quirk that explains its behaviour better than any description of its size.
The English name, Skwovet, blends squirrel and covet. The Japanese Hoshigarisu uses hoshigaru, “to desire”, together with risu, “squirrel”. In both cases, the central idea is not just the animal, but its constant desire to find something to eat.
From Galar to Paldea
Skwovet debuted in Generation VIII alongside the Galar region. Its Pokédex entries present it as a common species on roads, farms and in orchards, always looking for berries. It later became available in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet as well, where its entries once again emphasise its food reserves and the anxiety it feels when they run out.
The species was not available before Generation VIII, and its line remains short: Skwovet evolves into Greedent upon reaching level 24. This progression preserves the initial idea and develops it into a bulkier body without changing its Normal typing.
How to Use It Without Asking for Miracles
In an adventure, Cheek Pouch justifies giving it a held berry and taking advantage of battles where the opponent cannot knock it out immediately. Body Slam provides a reliable attack, and Super Fang is useful against opponents with high HP. Rest allows it to recover, although it leaves a clear opening for the enemy to respond. Stuff Cheeks makes sense when the strategy revolves around consuming berries, but it does not fix its 25 Speed or 35 Special Defense.
Its Ghost immunity lets it switch in freely against an attack of that type, but it then needs Bite or Crunch to hit those opponents. Against Fighting-type Pokémon, switching out is advisable, since that is its only weakness and its low Speed makes it difficult to react afterwards. The natural next step is to evolve it early if you want to keep it on the team.
The Storehouse Behind the Tail
The two Pokédex entries agree that eating is not an occasional activity, but the centre of its routine. It stores berries in its cheeks, accumulates them under its tail and keeps looking for more even when it is already full. That behaviour also connects with Cheek Pouch and Gluttony, abilities that turn its stored food into a functional part of battle.
The contrast between its compact appearance and its weight of 2.5 kg reinforces the idea that it is carrying more food than it seems. Its effort yield is 1 HP, a modest contribution but one that fits a species focused on enduring. It also shares a narrative habitat with species that roam around orchards, although Gumshoos is identified as one of its natural predators.