Yamask

Like Duskull, Yamask is born from a soul tied to death, but it retains a physical reminder of the person it once was. Its mask represents the human face it had before dying and, according to Pokédex entries, it sometimes gazes at it through tears. It arose from spirits buried in tombs from ancient times and retains memories of its former life.

It spends its nights among ruins. It does not seek treasure or battle on instinct: it wanders with the mask in tow, as if trying to find someone capable of recognising its former face. This link to a human identity sets Yamask apart from other Ghost-type Pokémon with more monstrous appearances.

In its normal form, it is the first stage of its evolutionary line and evolves into Cofagrigus upon reaching level 34. In Galar, it has another form linked to a cursed clay tablet, which evolves into Runerigus through a condition based on taking damage. The mask remains central to the design, but it no longer represents only the memory of a human life.

Yamask is not competitive in general battles. Its HP is 38, its Attack 30 and its Speed 30, figures that limit both its actual durability and its ability to act before the opponent. Its Defence reaches 85 and its Special Defence 65, so it performs better against physical attackers than special hits. It has only 303 base stat points.

Mummy defines its utility: an opponent that touches it is infected with Mummy and loses its previous Ability. This punishes physical attackers that rely on their Ability, although it does not prevent contact damage and does not work against moves that do not make contact. Its Ghost typing gives it an immunity to Normal and Fighting, resistances to Bug and Poison, and weaknesses to Dark and Ghost. When attacking, its Ghost-type moves pressure other Ghost-type Pokémon and Psychic types, but Dark-type Pokémon shut down this approach.

Will-O-Wisp reduces the threat posed by physical attackers; Hex gains value if the opponent is already suffering from a status condition, and Trick Room makes use of its Speed 30. It also has Shadow Ball, Toxic Spikes and Destiny Bond. Its place is in low-tier formats, where it can switch into Normal- or Fighting-type attacks and provide support. Its low HP, lack of reliable recovery and Dark-type attacks hold it back, especially if they remove its items or reach it before it can act.

Yamask belongs to the Mineral and Amorphous Egg Groups, so it can breed with compatible species from either group. Its gender ratio is 50% female. Its eggs require 25 cycles, equivalent to approximately 6630 steps using the usual formula.

Its Egg Move is Memento. It is not part of a broad offensive movepool, but it fits a stalling and support role based on leaving the opponent in an awkward position before it goes down. Its other notable learned moves include Will-O-Wisp, Curse, Shadow Ball and Destiny Bond.

The normal form evolves into Cofagrigus upon reaching level 34. The Galarian form follows a different route and evolves into Runerigus after taking damage without being knocked out, under a specific in-game condition. Its catch rate is 190, so finding it in a normal capture situation is not particularly difficult. When it appears as a wild encounter, it holds a Spell Tag.