Name: Ghillipilla

National Dex Number: #121

Flavour Text: Ghillipilla lives in ice caves feeding off the scraps left behind by Mightyena. This Pokémon keeps warm even in the coldest of blizzards by crafting a bag out of discarded fur and feathers.

Species: Bagworm Pokémon

Type: Bug/Ice

Height: 20cm (0.6ft)

Weight: 28kg (61.73lb)

Evolution: Two Stages (Ice Stone/EXP Triggered)

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Snow Cloak (When shrouded in falling snow and hail the Evasiveness of this Pokémon rises)

Hidden Ability: Fur Coat (The fur coat of this Pokémon halves the damage it takes from Physical Attacks)

Egg Group: Bug

Signature Move(s): None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Ghillipilla is a small bug like Pokémon with a dark black body and big yellow bulging compound eyes with a black snowflake marking that acts as the pupil for the eye. That said Ghillipilla’s body is not often seen, instead only the eyes are visible as it covers itself in a thick fur coat made from scraps of fur and feathers that it finds while moving alongside the crags and ledges of its mountain-top home.

The majority of the fur is from both Poocheyna and Mightyena’s shed hair and fur. In addition Ghillipilla also includes fur from Darumaka, especially around the neck area to protect its face from the biting wind and hailstones, as well as hairs from Kiddash and Blazebok, with the fur from those Pokémon being much warmer due to their fire typing. Ghillipilla keeps the entire ensemble in place with a discarded feather from Dagteryx, that slots in the top and looks like a barbed spike sticking out of the Pokémon’s back.

Ecology: Ghillipilla lives on the highest iciest mountains in the alpine meadows that grow up there, feeding on flowers and leaves. During summer Ghillipilla lives outside eating and scavenging for scraps of fur and feather to create and then maintain the ‘bag’ that protects it from the cold winds and morning frosts. This ‘bag’ is essential for this Pokémon’s survival, since it doesn’t just protect it from the elements, but from marauding bird Pokémon such as Rhapsapen and Dagteryx, both of whom would love nothing more to rip Ghillipilla apart before swallowing it in one gulp. Fortunately the hairs that make up Ghillipilla’s bag taste foul and are usually enough to deter predation after a few explorative pecks.

As winter comes Ghillipilla knows that, as thick as its ‘bag’ is, that it has to get inside away from the cold and retreats into the dens of Mightyena. These dens are ideal since Mightyena packs shed their summer coat late in the season, and often bring kills back meaning that there is a constant supply of fur for Ghillipilla to repair its ‘bag’ should it get damaged. By taking scraps of fur, Ghillipilla cleans up its hosts den, something Mightyena appreciates, and repays by digging up seeds for its guest to feed on, should it get hungry. Upon the return of spring, Mightyena will carefully put Ghillipilla outside and make sure it finds an area of vegetation for it to make its summer home in.

Every winter it endures brings Ghillipilla closer and closer to evolution, until one day it comes across a winter wind so cold that it flash freezes in place. While Ghillipilla can survive being frozen for a few weeks, this state will last far longer and even after the ice thaws in spring, the jagged frozen spires of the evolving Pokémon trapped inside remain, never moving and never thawing until the creature inside is ready to emerge once again.

Trivia

Origin: Ghillipilla is based on multiple species of caterpillar with long venomous hairs coating their body. It is also partially based on the larvae of the bagworm Perisceptis carnivora which uses parts of the insects it kills to create a ‘bag’ to keep its body safe from predation.

Name Origin: Ghillipilla’s name comes from a combination of ghillie (a type of coat with strands of camouflage tapped to it used by gamekeepers) and a corrupted form of the word caterpillar.