Name: Mistltail

National Dex Number: #092

Flavour Text: Mistltail’s legs and rump are tangled with vines that form an impressive train behind this Pokémon that supports beautiful white flowers. At times this Pokémon struggles to fly due to the weight it has to drag behind it.

Species: VineTrain Pokémon

Type: Flying/Grass

Height: 76cm (2,5ft)

Weight: 19kg (41.89lb)

Evolution: One Stage Evolution Line (EXP Triggered)

Battle Mechanics

Ability: Stall (Due to some hindrance this Pokémon always moves last in its chosen moves priority slot)/Tangled Feet (The Evasion of this Pokémon raises when it is confused)

Hidden Ability: Symbiosis (This Pokémon selflessly passes its held item to its ally when theirs has been used up)

Egg Group: Flying/Grass

Signature Move(s): None

Base Stats

Characteristics

Appearance: Mistltail is an avian Pokémon with light brown plumage and a yellow breast decorated with black triangular spots. At the base of the neck this Pokémon has a small vine unconnected to the rest that grow on its rump that encircles its nape like a choker complete with a single pearl like white berry. The beak of this Pokémon is elongated and is used for catching prey and fighting off predators, as are the large claws on Mistltail’s legs.

At the rear end of this Pokémon, a mass of pale green vines sprout from where the tail should be, and wrap round Mistltail’s legs. It is speculated that these vines are some kind of parasite that evolved in concert with Mistltail since they seem to be growing out of this Pokémon’s body. The magnificent train that this Pokémon drags behind it is covered in small white flowers that bloom even during the coldest of winters.

Ecology: Mistltail prefers to make its home in open meadows and on the fells, although they will also happily inhabit gardens and parks in rural areas. An uncomfortable flier at back, this Pokémon generally walks around its territory, keeping a close eye on any rivals that may attempt to enter its domain. If two Mistltail cross path they fight viciously, pecking and kicking at each other until one combatant backs down or dies from their wounds. Should the defender of the territory lose this battle and survive it is effectively exiled, and is forced to wander undesirable habitats until it can establish a new kingdom, or is captured by a caring trainer.

Mistltail is an omnivore, and while insects and berries are its preferred prey, this Pokémon will happily eat small reptile and rodent Pokémon that it can catch and overpower. It’s favourite food are white berries of a parasitic plant that grows in the tallest of trees, and its speculated that it was through this kind of foraging that the vines that make up this Pokémon’s tail first came into contact with Mistltail. As this Pokémon grows, so does the train of vines that makes up most of its body length, something that slows Mistltail’s movements and makes it an easy target for predators.

That said any potential predator has to deal with Mistltail’s aggressive nature, since this Pokémon actively protects itself with vicious kicks and pecks directed towards its foe. On occasion this species is targeted by predators such as Ekans and Yungoos, although the most these Pokémon often get is a mouthful of vines and a cut across their cheek for their trouble. The only regular predator of Mistltail is Aceciptear, who stuns this Pokémon with a high speed dive, before dispatching its prey with a quick slash with its hooked talons.

Trivia

Origin: The animal part of Mistltail is largely based on the Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) with some elements of pheasants and peafowl, particularly the train like tail incorporated as well. The plant like part of this Pokémon is based loosely on the semi-parasitic sprigs of European Mistletoe (Viscum album) that are often found growing in the canopies of trees.

Name Origin: Mistltail’s name comes from a combination of Mistletoe and Tail