Lycanroc is a popular Rock-type Pokémon introduced in the seventh generation of the Pokémon franchise, with its debut in the games Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. Known for its wolf-like appearance and multiple forms, Lycanroc has become a fan favorite due to its unique evolutionary options and its association with day and night cycles. This article delves into everything you need to know about Lycanroc, including its different forms, abilities, competitive uses, and its role in the Pokémon world.
What is Lycanroc?
Lycanroc is a Rock-type Pokémon that evolves from Rockruff, a small Rock-type puppy Pokémon, when exposed to specific conditions depending on the time of day. The key characteristic of Lycanroc is its ability to evolve into one of three distinct forms: Midday Form, Midnight Form, and Dusk Form. Each form has its own unique appearance, stats, and abilities, which are influenced by the time of day and in some cases, the version of the game being played.
In the Pokémon world, Lycanroc is considered to be a fierce and loyal Pokémon, often depicted as having a strong connection with its Trainer. The different forms of Lycanroc each embody different aspects of a wolf’s behavior and personality, from the calm and disciplined nature of the Midday Form to the wild and aggressive temperament of the Midnight Form.
The Three Forms of Lycanroc
Lycanroc’s three distinct forms are what set it apart from many other Pokémon. Here’s a closer look at each form:
- Midday Form Lycanroc
- Appearance: Midday Form Lycanroc resembles a sleek, agile wolf with a sandy brown body, white underbelly, and sharp blue eyes. It stands on all four legs and has a pointed, rocky mane that extends down its back.
- How to Evolve: Rockruff evolves into Midday Form Lycanroc when leveled up during the day, specifically from 8:00 AM to 5:59 PM in-game time.
- Abilities: Midday Form Lycanroc can have the ability “Keen Eye,” which prevents accuracy reduction, or “Sand Rush,” which doubles its speed in a sandstorm. Its Hidden Ability is “Steadfast,” which raises its speed when flinched.
- Battle Style: Known for its high Speed and Attack stats, Midday Form Lycanroc excels as a fast physical attacker. It is known for using moves like “Accelerock,” a priority Rock-type move that always strikes first, giving it an edge in battle.
- Midnight Form Lycanroc
- Appearance: Midnight Form Lycanroc stands on two legs, resembling a werewolf with a muscular build. It has a red and white fur pattern, with shaggy, spiky hair and glowing red eyes. Its demeanor is more intimidating compared to the other forms.
- How to Evolve: Rockruff evolves into Midnight Form Lycanroc when leveled up during the night, from 6:00 PM to 5:59 AM in-game time.
- Abilities: Midnight Form can have the ability “Keen Eye” or “Vital Spirit,” which prevents it from falling asleep. Its Hidden Ability is “No Guard,” which makes all of its and its opponent’s moves always hit.
- Battle Style: This form is slower than the Midday Form but compensates with higher Defense and Attack. It favors an aggressive fighting style, using moves like “Counter” to strike back after taking a hit and “Stone Edge” for its high critical-hit ratio.
- Dusk Form Lycanroc
- Appearance: Dusk Form Lycanroc is a blend of the Midday and Midnight Forms, featuring a more vibrant orange fur, a mix of the streamlined build of the Midday Form, and the wild mane of the Midnight Form. It also has bright green eyes.
- How to Evolve: To obtain Dusk Form Lycanroc, Rockruff must have the special ability “Own Tempo.” It can then evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM.
- Abilities: Dusk Form Lycanroc always has the ability “Tough Claws,” which boosts the power of contact moves.
- Battle Style: Dusk Form Lycanroc combines traits of the other two forms, boasting better overall stats with higher Attack and Speed. It excels in using contact moves like “Accelerock” and “Thrash,” benefiting from the Tough Claws ability.
Competitive Uses for Lycanroc
In competitive Pokémon battles, Lycanroc’s forms offer unique strategies, each suited to different roles. Here’s a breakdown of how each form can be used effectively:
- Midday Form in Competitive Battles
- Role: Fast Physical Attacker
- Strengths: Midday Form’s high Speed allows it to outspeed many opponents, making it an excellent choice for finishing off weakened foes or striking first with powerful Rock-type moves like “Accelerock.”
- Weaknesses: Its lower defensive stats make it vulnerable to powerful attacks, particularly Water, Grass, Steel, and Fighting-type moves, which are super effective against Rock-type Pokémon.
- Midnight Form in Competitive Battles
- Role: Bulky Physical Attacker
- Strengths: Midnight Form’s access to “No Guard” ensures its moves like “Stone Edge” always hit, and it can use “Counter” effectively to punish opponents who try to take advantage of its lower Speed.
- Weaknesses: Its Speed is relatively low, which can leave it vulnerable to faster opponents. Additionally, its reliance on “No Guard” can be a double-edged sword, as it also makes the opponent’s moves more likely to hit.
- Dusk Form in Competitive Battles
- Role: Versatile Physical Attacker
- Strengths: Dusk Form Lycanroc’s combination of Speed and Attack allows it to perform well in various roles, from priority user with “Accelerock” to a more aggressive attacker with moves like “Drill Run” for coverage. The Tough Claws ability gives a significant boost to its physical attacks.
- Weaknesses: Like its other forms, Dusk Form Lycanroc is still susceptible to common Rock-type weaknesses. It must be used strategically to avoid situations where it could be easily knocked out.
Lycanroc in the Pokémon Anime
Lycanroc has also made notable appearances in the Pokémon anime, particularly in the Pokémon Sun and Moon series. Ash Ketchum, the series’ main protagonist, has a Dusk Form Lycanroc as one of his key team members. This Lycanroc started as a Rockruff and evolved into its Dusk Form under Ash’s training, showcasing its power and unique abilities in various battles.
Ash’s Lycanroc has been involved in several memorable moments, including its battle against Gladion’s Midnight Form Lycanroc during the Alola Pokémon League. These anime appearances have further cemented Lycanroc’s popularity among fans and highlighted its fierce yet loyal nature.
Lore and Symbolism of Lycanroc
The concept of Lycanroc is heavily inspired by wolves and werewolves, drawing from folklore and mythology. The evolution from Rockruff into different forms based on time and environment reflects the duality often associated with wolves, as both calm creatures of the day and wild predators of the night. The Dusk Form adds another layer of symbolism, representing a balance between these two extremes.
In the Pokémon world, Lycanroc is often depicted as a loyal companion that is deeply connected to its Trainer. Its different forms symbolize the different paths a Rockruff can take depending on its upbringing and environment, much like how wolves in nature adapt to their surroundings.
Strategies for Catching and Training Lycanroc
Catching and training a Lycanroc requires understanding the specific conditions needed for its evolution:
- Catching Rockruff: Rockruff can be found in various locations across the Pokémon games, often in rocky or mountainous areas. Make sure to catch multiple Rockruff if you plan to obtain all three Lycanroc forms.
- Choosing the Right Evolution Conditions:
- For Midday Form, level up Rockruff during the day.
- For Midnight Form, level up Rockruff at night.
- For Dusk Form, ensure Rockruff has the “Own Tempo” ability and evolve it between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM.
- Maximizing Potential: Use items like “Protein” to boost Attack stats, and teach Lycanroc moves that complement its form’s abilities. For example, teach Midday Form “Accelerock” and Dusk Form “Drill Run” to take advantage of their Speed and Tough Claws.
Conclusion
Lycanroc is a versatile and fascinating Pokémon that stands out due to its unique evolutionary forms and the conditions required to obtain them. Whether used for competitive battling or as a loyal partner in the Pokémon games, Lycanroc offers a variety of strategies and playstyles to suit different preferences. Its appearances in the anime and lore rooted in wolf mythology only add to its appeal, making Lycanroc a beloved choice for Pokémon fans and Trainers alike.
