Blaziken

Blaziken
File:Small Blaziken.png National Pokédex Combusken - Blaziken (#257) - Mudkip Hoenn Pokédex Combusken - Blaziken (#6) - Mudkip
Japanese name	バシャーモ (Bashāmo)
Evolves from	Combusken
Evolves into	None
Generation	Third
Species	Blaze
Type	Fire / Fighting
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	115.0 pounds (52.2 kg)
Ability	Blaze

Blaziken (known as バシャーモ Bashāmo in Japan, Lohgock in Germany and Brasegali in France) is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise. It is a stage 2 evolution of one of the three Hoenn starter Pokémon (the other two are Sceptile and Swampert).

The name Blaziken is a portmanteau, using the words blaze, in reference to its type and the blazes on its wrists, and chicken, in relation to its first form, Torchic. However, due to its colouring of Red and Blonde, the -ken part may also be assumed from the Street Fighter character Ken Masters, as Blaziken doubles as a Fighting type.

Characteristics

Blaziken is a tall, very humanoid being with distinctive avian qualities, large intent eyes, and a body imbued with potent fire abilities. It is avian in the sense that it has claws and talons as its hands and feet, and its face resembles a red bird-like mask. Red and beige feathers adorn all of its body. Every several years, these feathers become old and fatigued enough to burn off as a result of Blaziken’s inner fire, and new, supple feathers grow back in their place.

Blaziken is built for battle, opposing Pokémon in an almost competitive manner. It trains in martial arts that effectively use punches and kicks like a skilled human. It is helped by its amazingly strong, developed legs; Blaziken has the capacity to fully leap over a 30-story building in one boundless leap. Most importantly, Blaziken’s wrists contain special units that channel the fire contained within the Pokémon, allowing it to loose and blow out intense flames from its wrists (compare with Cyndaquil). It uses this to psych itself up when it is to battle a particularly fearsome foe; The stronger Blaziken gauges the opponent, the more intensely its wrists burn. It is then empowered to attack the enemy courageously, leaving the foe scorched and blackened with its blazing punches.

In the video games

Blaziken is a final-evolution. Blaziken Evolves from Combusken at Level 36. Its Ability is Blaze, meaning when this Pokémon's HP gets low, its Fire type attacks multiply in power by 1.5 (the same amount that STAB gives).

Competetively, Blaziken is usable in what is known as an OU environment, which stands for Overused and generally means the Pokémon is powerful. Though this fighting chicken is not recommended due to its only average speed and low defenses, with the right support it may cripple or destroy an opponent.

Commonly used movesets are...

Blaziken@Leftovers/Lonely or Hasty Nature/EVs: 252 Atk + Spd, 6 HP--Sky Uppercut, Rock Slide, Flamethrower/Fire Blast, Swords Dance

^Standard Blaziken; you must have taken care of Salamence and Suicune for this to work successfully. Swords Dance when you predict a switch or non-harmful move, and then proceed to sweep with its physical moves. Flamethrower or Fire Blast 2HKOs Skarmory; Flamethrower is used over its stronger counterpart due to accuracy and PP.

Blaziken@Leftovers/Adamant or Jolly Nature/EVs: 252 Atk + Spd, 6 HP--Endure/Substitute, Reversal, Focus Punch/Swords Dance, Overheat/Fire Blast

^The Reversalken set. Beware of Tyranitar's Sandstream when using this particular moveset. Either Endure when you predict a strong hit or use Substitute, then when your HP is low you use Reversal. Focus Punch when you predict switches, or you can use Swords Dance to boost the power of your Reversal. Overheat takes care of the likes of Skarmory; Fire Blast is an option if you want to keep your power just in case.

Other options include Earthquake, and there is a Special Sweeping Blaziken set for those that can predict well.

In the anime

Blaziken has made several appearances in the anime, but mostly as a Pokémon trained by Harrison in the four episodes listed below. In the Pokémon anime, Blaziken was Harrison's best Pokémon in the Johto League, and he used it in the Silver Conference against Ash's Charizard & Bayleef.

Later on in Destiny Deoxys, a trainer in LaRousse City had one and used it along with another trainer's Blastoise to take out Ash's Pikachu and Torkoal (But he loaned it to Tori so he could fight in the battle tower). Then after Deoxys invaded the city and shut down its power, Blaziken helped restore power by jumping on hydroelectric fan blades.

• Episode 267: Pop Goes The Sneasel!
• Episode 271: The Ties That Bind!
• Episode 273: Playing With Fire!
• Episode 274: Johto Photo Finish!
• Movie 7: Destiny Deoxys!

In other media

Manga Appearances

In Pokemon Special, Sapphire has a Blaziken. It's nicknamed Chaka; it's female and has a Quiet Nature.

Trading Card

Blaziken's appears as a rare stage-2 Fire-type card in the following sets: EX: Ruby and Sapphire (appears twice), EX: Team Aqua vs. Team Magma (as Blaziken EX) and in EX: Emerald.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Blaziken has been a confirmed character in the new Nintendo Wii game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl.