Tandemaus

In Paldea, it is always seen alongside its partner, never separating even when looking for food. The incisors of both are used to cut pieces from any useful material and carry them off to build the nest. They also divide each piece of food exactly in half before eating it, a routine that fits their coordinated behaviour.

Its appearance is based on a pair of mice, although the silhouette also brings to mind toy figures or dolls from a miniature house. The species consists of two bodies that act as a single unit, something unusual even among animal-like Pokémon. The Japanese name ワッカネズミ Wakkanezumi combines wakka, “hoop” or “ring”, with nezumi, “mouse”. The English name Tandemaus combines tandem with Maus, the German word for “mouse”.

It belongs to the ninth generation and occupies the first place in its evolutionary line. When it evolves, it becomes Maushold, which keeps the idea of a small family gathered around the same unit.

In competitive battles, Tandemaus does not have the stats to hold a place of its own. Its HP is 50, Attack 50, Defense 45, Special Attack 40, Special Defense 45 and Speed 75, for a total of 305. Speed is its only notable contribution, but its defenses and both offensive stats are too low for it to trade hits reliably.

Its most useful ability outside trainer battles is Pickup, which allows it to find items. Run Away makes it easier to escape from all wild Pokémon, while Own Tempo prevents confusion. None of the three makes up for its lack of power on a serious team. The Normal type lets it attack many targets without a penalty and gives it immunity to the Ghost type, but it offers no resistances and leaves it with a clear weakness to Fighting.

In a normal playthrough, it does work as temporary support. Super Fang halves the target’s HP, which helps against bulky opponents even though it cannot finish them off on its own. Thunder Wave can slow down fast threats, and Helping Hand boosts an ally’s attack in double battles. Population Bomb provides repeated damage, but with a base Attack of 50 it is unreliable before evolving. Its role ultimately becomes that of a transitional piece: useful for catching Pokémon, providing support and training, but not for forming the core of a competitive team.

Tandemaus belongs to the Field and Fairy Egg Groups. It has no gender, so breeding is handled according to the rules for genderless species rather than being split between males and females. Its eggs take 10 cycles to hatch, equivalent to approximately 2805 steps using the usual conversion.

Its notable egg moves include Bite, which adds Dark-type coverage, and Baton Pass, which allows stat changes to be passed to another team member. After You fits a support role better by changing the order of action, while Fake Out helps get around Protect and similar moves. Tickle lowers the target’s Attack and Defense, and Switcheroo swaps held items.

Evolution leads to Maushold through a level-up during a battle. The form obtained depends on the internal result of the evolution, so not every evolution produces the same family. Its catch rate is 150: it is not difficult to catch, although it does not fall into the trivial-catch category of species with very high values.