Name: Magrot

National Dex Number: #014

Flavour Text: Magrot digs through the leaf litter looking for a place to hide from its predator Taillow. When it is attacked, it curls its soft body under the shield on its head to avoid being ripped apart.

Species: Worm

Type: Bug

Height: 27cm (0,8ft)

Weight: 5kg (11.02lb)

Evolution: Two Stages (EXP triggered)

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Shield Dust (Prevents additional effects of the Attacks Taken)

Hidden Ability: Run Away (Enables a sure getaway from wild Pokémon.)

Egg Group: Bug

Characteristics

Appearance: Magrot is a large grey worm like Pokemon with a row of brown pores running along the flanks. In addition this Pokemon also has armour on its head segment that runs along a short oval shield. This shield only covers the head and neck, and instead has five recurved spines running along its back, although these are fairly soft and prove little defence when attacked by its predators. The main defensive structure of Magrot, besides the neck shield, is a horn on its nose, which while adapted to dig through leaf litter for roots and fungi, can also cause damage to its enemies.

While it appears not to have feet, Magrot does indeed have three pairs of prolegs under its body, although they can only be seen when this Pokemon turns to curl its body under its head shield. Older Magrot are often plumper looking and more visibly moist then those that have just hatched and have yet to shed their skin.

Ecology: Magrot is usually found in thick leaf litter on the forest floor, although its adaptability means it can also survive in parks and even large urban back gardens. That said this Pokemon is often quite shy, mostly because it fears being attacked by a whole plethora of bird Pokemon ranging from dedicated insectivores such as Taillow, to opportunists omnivores like Farfetch’d, and even hyper carnivores such as Aceciptear. It should also be noted that Magrot is one of the favourite prey Pokemon of Skinspore, with a large population of the former required to support a healthy population of the ‘Frond’ Pokemon.

Magrot does have to be careful when digging up its preferred food, plant roots, since dirt can clog the pores running down the flanks of its body that it breathes through. Lack of oxygen sends this Pokemon into a coma, and should you find Magrot curled up and unmoving, you should gently dab the pores alongside its body with a wet piece of tissue to remove any blockages. If Magrot is moving, even slightly, then it is best to leave it be, since it has likely just been scared by another Pokemon, and is ready to defend itself with a swift headbutt or horn attack.

As Magrot sheds its skin and grows, its body grows juicier and succulent and as such this Pokemon is more likely to be attacked by its predators. Eventually it sheds its skin entirely on evolution, and this moisture becomes a shield to protect the Pokemon as it develops towards its Imago or Adult form. Because of this, when the weather has been dry, Magrot will gather in large swarms in the dampest place possible, although this behaviour can lead to mass drownings in fountains and swimming pools in more urban habitats.

Trivia

Origin: Magrot shares numerous characteristics with various species of real life beetle and fly larvae. The head shield of this Pokemon is partially inspired by Saxon and Norman shields as shown on the Bayeux Tapestry

Name Origin: Magrot is a combination of the words Maggot and Rotten or Rotting.