Articuno

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Articuno, (フリーザー Freezer in Japanese, Artikodin in French and Arktos in German) is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise. Articuno is one of the three Legendary Birds, which also include Zapdos and Moltres.

The name "Articuno" originates from the word "arctic", because it is an ice-type, and from the Spanish word "uno", meaning "one", because it is numerically the first of the three Legendary Birds and there is only one of it. Its Japanese name is 'Freezer' spelt phonetically.

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Characteristics

Articuno, quite literally and figuratively, is the avian embodiment of freezing cold. It appears to be a large, crested bird with blue plumage all around, including the talons, a white-haired chest, a feathery structure adorning its head, and a long, elegant tail. Its appearance, especially when flying, has been labeled magnificent by all who have seen this rare Pokémon.

Articuno is a powerful, magical creature that can create and manipulate ice freely. Its wings are imbued with the essence of frigidity, and the flapping of its wings chills the air, causing the conversion of water particles in the air into snow or ice. Therefore, it is believed that when this Pokémon flies overhead, snow will fall. It is also believed that Articuno resides within the confines of icy mountains, because those who have seen it were often doomed explorers scaling such mountains, and therefore it is believed Articuno makes it a point to appear before them and save them, since it is not a malevolent creature.

Articuno is somewhat based on the real-life Resplendent Quetzal, and also the Anka, a mythical bird similar to the Phoenix but with powers associated with ice. It is also one of a triad of similar elemental birds, of which the other two are Moltres and Zapdos.

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In the video games

Articuno is only available in the following Pokémon RPGs: Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. It is located in Seafoam Islands. Articuno is unique, and the player has only one chance to capture it. It is also a Shadow Pokémon owned by Grand Master Greevil in Pokémon XD. But because it is 1 of 6 Shadow Pokémon owned by Greevil, it is hard to catch.

As a legendary Pokemon, Articuno's stats are very high, and therefore it is banned from competitive play.

Articuno makes a cameo in Super Smash Bros. Melee as one of the Pokémon in the Pokéball item. When it comes out, it will freeze anyone close to it and fly away. It is also available as a Super Smash Bros. Melee trophy.

One thing to note is that Articuno naturally learns both Mind Reader, a move that guarantees a hit, and Sheer Cold, an inaccurate move that guarantees a 1 hit KO to any pokemon that does not have the sturdy ability. These two moves allow Articuno to take down nearly any Pokemon in two rounds.

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In the anime

Articuno first appeared in Pokémon The Movie 2000 - The Power of One together with the other two legendary birds. Lawrence III created a battle between them, and Ash Ketchum had to team up with Lugia to stop it.

Articuno also appeared in a 3 part saga of episodes, "Moving Pictures", "Spring Fever" and "Freeze Frame", where Todd (Snap) joined up with Ash and friends to try to get a picture of the legendary bird Pokémon.

Articuno also is a wild befriended Pokémon used by the Battle Frontier Brain at the Battle Factory named Noland. This Articuno was befriended and sometimes is used in battles, such as his battle against Ash and his Charizard.

It is unclear whether all of these appearances are by a single, unique Articuno (as in the games, where each Legendary Pokémon is unique), or if those in the TV series are offspring or descendants of "the" Articuno of legend, depicted in the second movie. Articuno does appear significantly larger in the movie, but depictions of Pokémon size are sometimes inconsistent.

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In the card game

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, there are four mainstream versions of Articuno:

  • Fossil
  • Skyridge
  • EX Firered & Leafgreen (as Articuno EX)
  • EX Team Rocket Returns (as Rocket's Articuno EX, as a dark-type)

In addition, there were two promotional Articuno cards in the game's history. One was handed out alongside Zapdos and Moltres promo cards at showings of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.

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References

Books
  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0439154049.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 130206151.
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 193020650X
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1930206585
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External links

pl:Articuno pt:Articuno zh:急冻鸟

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