Games - Arbok

	Games - Arbok

Arbok (アーボック Ābokku in Japanese, also called Arbok in German and French), is a fictional character from the Pokémon
franchise. It is a Poison-type snake Pokémon. The name Arbok comes from the word cobra spelled backwards, with the letter C replaced by a K.

Biology

While Arbok seems to resemble a large, purple Cobra, it's behavior is more like that of a Boa Constrictor. It will wrap around its foe, and squeeze with strength that can flatten steel oil drums. Once Arbok has targeted something as prey, it will chase it no matter what, and if it is constricted, there is no escape.

Similar to the cobra, it has big warning markings on its hood arranged in a face like pattern that varies from region to region, and this serves to frighten away timid foes at the mere sight of it. There are at least six distinctive variations of Arbok's hood pattern, each one apparently indigenous to a different region. If Arbok encounters an enemy, it will raise its head and make eerie sounds to frighten it. If the enemy is too afraid to run, Arbok then binds and poisons it.

In the video games

Arbok is found only in Pokémon Red, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, and Gale of Darkness, which can be snagged from Cipher Peon Smarton. In Gold, it is possible to buy an Ekans that can be evolved into Arbok. In other games, it must be traded from the versions home to Arbok & Ekans.

Arbok's attack and speed are good, but the rest of its stats are average. To make up for it, Arbok uses the ability Intimidate, which reduces the enemy's attack. Arbok often uses Glare, which paralyzes the opponent, always useful. Arbok is compared to Seviper for battle, particularly because both can use Glare, and statistically Arbok is more defensive while Seviper is more attack-oriented. In fact, Seviper is able to learn Poison Fang by level up, while Arbok must learn it from Seviper as an egg move.

In the anime

In the Pokémon Anime, Arbok has been an important character until recently. Team Rocket's Jessie received an Ekans for her birthday some years ago, and early in the series both she and James force their Pokémon to evolve, and when they failed, they evolved on their own after seeing how upset they were. Arbok made frequent appearances, especially early on, although in recent episodes Jessie and James left both Arbok and Weezing behind to defend an unevolved herd of Ekans and Koffing from poachers. Before its departure from the series, Arbok was frequently called upon to use its Poison Sting attack, which often backfired to puncture Team Rocket's signature Meowth hot air balloon and send the trio "blasting off again."

As Team Rocket are often called the most emotionally developed characters in the series, Arbok, as well as Weezing, served as perfect mirrors of their owner's characters early on. At first glance, just like the Pokémon she owns, Jessie appears to be nothing more than a snake. Equally, James resembles his own Pokémon as being nothing more but full of hot, useless air. The release of these Pokémon, while not only noble and showing the moral progress of both Jessie and James, is symbolic of their ultimate development as characters.

In the episode "A Fan With A Plan", the "Trainer's Choice" feature claimed that Arbok evolves into Seviper. However, this is incorrect. In fact, Seviper is at least two feet shorter than Arbok.

In other media

Arbok has appeared seven times in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, in Fossil, Team Rocket (as Dark Arbok), Gym Challenge (as Koga's Arbok), Pokémon *VS (as Janine's Arbok, a basic Pokémon), Expedition, Sandstorm and EX Team Rocket Returns (as a dual Dark/Grass-type named Dark Arbok).

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Arbok ]

Searches on eBay