Ludicolo

Ludicolo's trivia and origin

Ludicolo's evolutionary line is the only one with a dual Water 1 and Grass Egg Group, and the only Water-type line in the Grass Egg Group; it is also the only line that can have the Ability Rain Dish without it being a Hidden Ability. Ludicolo's family parallels Shiftry's: both are part Grass type, first evolve at level 14, use an evolutionary stone for their final stage, and are version-exclusive Pokémon based on Japanese yokai, with Ludicolo based on the kappa and Shiftry on the tengu. Ludicolo is also one of the few Pokémon with a gender difference whose official artwork shows the female, whose stripes are thinner than the male's. Its design draws on a lily pad and the kappa, with a body shaped like a gourd or pineapple and the sombrero, poncho-like hair and dance moves of a Mexican folk dancer. Its name plays on ludicrous, ludic and loco.

Ludicolo's cards across eras

Ludicolo's first card was a Sandstorm Holo Rare in 2003 illustrated by Tomokazu Komiya. Deoxys added two Rares, and Crystal Guardians gave it a delta species Rare illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda. The line continued through Secret Wonders, Platinum, Plasma Storm, and two Primal Clash Rares, plus a Detective Pikachu tie-in Rare illustrated by Framestore. Rebel Clash and Evolving Skies added further Rare and Holo Rare printings, Journey Together contributed a Rare by Jerky, and the line reached the Mega Evolution era with an Uncommon and an Illustration rare in Phantasmal Flames.

Cards to know

• Ludicolo (Sandstorm #7)

  Ludicolo's first card, a 2003 Sandstorm Holo Rare illustrated by Tomokazu Komiya.

• Ludicolo δ (Crystal Guardians #6)

  Crystal Guardians' delta species Ludicolo, illustrated by Masakazu Fukuda.

• Ludicolo (Detective Pikachu #2)

  A Detective Pikachu Rare Ludicolo, illustrated by Framestore.

• Ludicolo (Phantasmal Flames #095)

  Phantasmal Flames' Illustration rare Ludicolo, illustrated by Jerky.