Varoom

A metal shell shaped like a single-cylinder engine, with two lower protrusions that resemble wheels and a front opening: that is how Varoom presents itself. Its body is not an empty machine. According to what is known about the species, a Poison-type Pokémon took possession of an abandoned engine in a scrapyard, and has clung to rocks ever since to process their minerals and obtain energy. The idea combines a small internal-combustion engine with the image of a possessed object, reminiscent of the tsukumogami of Japanese folklore.

Its English and Spanish name comes from “vroom”, the onomatopoeia for the sound of an engine revving up. Its Japanese name, Buroron, combines sounds that imitate the rattling and starting of an engine. The design was created by Yusuke Kozaki, who was also responsible for Revavroom. Varoom belongs to Generation IX and occupies the first place in its evolutionary line: when it reaches level 40, it evolves into Revavroom. It measures 1 m, weighs 35 kg, and its gray appearance makes it clear that the metal part is its actual body.

Varoom is not viable competitively outside Little Cup. Its 45 HP, 70 Attack, 63 Defense, 30 Special Attack, 45 Special Defense, and 47 Speed give it a modest, slow physical profile that is not very durable on the special side. Attack is the stat it can make use of, so physical moves such as Poison Jab, Gyro Ball, and Gunk Shot suit it better than Flash Cannon or Sludge Wave.

The Steel and Poison combination does give it useful tools. It is immune to Poison, solidly resists Bug, Fairy, and Grass, and also withstands Dragon, Flying, Ice, Normal, Rock, and Steel. In return, Fire hits it super effectively, while Ground is an especially severe weakness. Access to Toxic Spikes, Taunt, Protect, and Gyro Ball lets it bother passive opponents, stop certain setup attempts, and punish fast enemies with a move whose power increases the slower the user is.

Overcoat is the ability that defines its matchups: it protects it from powder, sand, and hail. Its hidden ability, Slow Start, halves its Attack and Speed for a while, worsening precisely the two stats it needs to attack. In a normal playthrough, it works as a temporary team member, especially when you want to set Toxic Spikes or take advantage of its resistances to Fairy and Grass, but its low HP and weakness to Ground greatly limit that role.

Varoom belongs to the Mineral Egg Group and has a gender ratio of 50% male and 50% female. Its 20 egg cycles are roughly equivalent to 5355 steps, applying the usual conversion of (cycles + 1) × 255.

Its notable egg moves include Self-Destruct, Torment, and Parting Shot. The first offers an emergency option based on raw damage; the other two are useful for disrupting the opponent and reducing the value of their moves or Pokémon switches. Toxic and Haze are also part of this group of inheritable moves.

It evolves into Revavroom when it reaches level 40. It does not need a stone, a held item, or a condition tied to friendship. Its catch rate is 190, a fairly favorable figure: finding one during the adventure rarely turns into a long capture attempt, although basic Poké Balls still have worse odds than specialized options.