#401 - #402: Kricketot & Kricketune

Kricketot soaking up some sun.

This little critter is curious in the fact that it's not your average early-game bug Pokémon; it's neither a larva nor a catterpillar, and it's definitely not a generic-looking spider or ladybug. Instead, we get a cricket or beetle with a conductor motif, complete with collar, tuxedo shirt and shiny shoes. The only thing that's missing is a bowtie, although not every music conductor wears one, admittedly. It's a bit of an unconventional design for a Pokémon, to say the least, but it makes for an interesting one, combining a human aspect with something many people have an aversion to: insects. That gets worse when Kricketot evolves into Kricketune, who is more distinctively an insect than its pre-evolution. The conductor motif is still visible in its design because of its mustache and cape-like wings, but its body now has the shape and aesthetics of a string instrument, most notably a violin. Kricketune's round shape and weird antennae makes it look a bit like a violin beetle, although the general inspiration for its name and design is still the cricket due to its habit to make chirping noises by rubbing their legs on their abdomen. Making sounds is generally all that this evolutionary line is about, anyway. In order to communicate with others, Kricketot shakes its head back to front, causing its antennae to hit each other and make xylophonic sounds that are considered hallmarks of the fall. Kricketune, however, is able to compose more refined melodies ad-lib. The improvised tunes it creates are used to convey its many emotions and sound so captivating because it resonates its cry in the hollow of its belly. Apparently, Kricketune's captivating melodies have inspired lots of people in the Pokémon world, as scientists are studying its melodic patterns and a village somewhere in what I assume is the Sinnoh region hosts an annual contest based on its amazingly variable cries.

I imagine Kricketune composing some its finest tunes here. 

I wish that Kricketune was as interesting competitively as it is flavor-wise, because its best stat is literally its base 85 attack stat. It's not fast, however, nor is it defensive in any way, so you'd probably wonder what it should be used for. Well, it learns Sticky Web by level-up, and if you give it a Focus Sash as a held item as well as a Jolly nature, it might either outspeed the foe and set up its web or live a hit due to its Focus Sash only to set up its web afterwards, provided it's at full HP. Once set up, Sticky Web lowers the speed of every incoming Pokémon - barring any flying types or Pokémon with the Levitate ability - on the opposite side of the battlefield, but it's generally better just to use Galvantula for that. A base stat total of 384 is pretty bad and will leave you dissatisfied for sure. Kricketune might be a decent addition to an in-game team, as it learns quite a few physical moves that may make it somewhat usuable, among which X-Scissor, Leech Life, Brick Break, Knock Off and Night Slash. You might be able to do something with Bug Bite, Fell Stinger and Aerial Ace if you have the Technician ability on it, which raises the power of moves with a power of 60 or less by 50%, but this is its hidden ability and I believe it isn't available regularly. It's also useless on a competitive Kricketune, as it is used for utility rather than dishing out damage, sporting a moveset consisting of Sticky Web, Taunt (prevents opponents from trying to set up themselves), Knock Off (does damage and gets rid of the foe's held item) and Endeavor (causes the target's HP to equal Kricketune's current HP).

Kricketune playing its one arm with its other arm like a violin, creating some
captivating melodies as a result.

I honestly think Kricketune has an original design and flavor to it, but it is very limited by its competitive capabilities - or rather, its lack thereof. I've never used it and I probably never will, but its design is original and creative and I have to give Game Freak some credit for it. If only they had given this Pokémon some better stats, it would have gotten at least half a star more, if not one whole star. For now, though, Kricketune will have to do with a rrating of four stars, which isn't bad by any means.

Rating: 4/5