Physiology
Castform is an artificial Pokémon created by the Weather Institute in Hoenn. It was designed to help scientists predict the weather, and consequently changes its appearance (and type) when the weather changes.
In its natural state, Castform is small, gray and resembles a cloud. When it is extremely sunny, Castform's lower half becomes pure white while the head turns orange with smaller orange balls surrounding it. This gives Castform's head a shape that is similar to the sun. During rain, Castform's lower half becomes a darker shade of gray. The head is blue, resembling a drop of rain. In hail or snowy weather, Castform's head turns purplish-blue. The rest of the body changes into a mint green cumulonimbus cloud that also appears to resemble a decorative ice sculpture. Castform does not have a form for sandstorms or fog.
In all forms, Castform has markings around its eyes similar to a pair of sunglasses.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Castform has the aforementioned ability to change its form with the weather (although it lacks forms for sandstorms, fog, and Shadow Sky). In normal weather, sandstorms, fog, and Shadow Sky, Castform is in its Normal-type Normal form; in sunny weather, it is in its Fire-type Sunny Form; in rain, it is in its Water-type Rainy Form; in hail, it is in its Ice-type Snowy Form.
Castform is capable of learning many Fire-, Water-, Ice- and Normal-type moves. Castform is one of the few Pokémon that can learn Weather Ball.
Behavior
This Pokémon's feelings change with the weather.
Habitat
They usually live in grassland areas. Their Ability allows them to adapt to any habitat.
Diet
- Main article: Pokémon food
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
A Castform, nicknamed Popo, belongs to Ruby in Pokémon Adventures. Previously, she belonged to Mr. Stone, who was injured in an attack by Team Aqua. Popo was then given to Gabby and Ty to be cared for while he was being healed. She later decided to travel with Ruby when he began traveling with the reporters because she was lonely. Until he was reunited with Rara, Popo was Ruby's Smart Contest Pokémon.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
A Castform makes an appearance in Descent Of The Weather God!! of Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire. In that chapter, it showed the ability of transforming into many forms depending on the current weather.
Pokédex entries
Manga
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Chapter
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Entry
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Pokémon Adventures
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PS189
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This Pokémon changes its form according to the weather. It has learned to protect its small body using the powers of the nature.*
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- When Castform undergoes a weather-based transformation, the graphical interlude is the same as that of a Pokémon using the move Transform.
- No other Pokémon have same dual Egg Group as Castform. In this case, both in Fairy and Amorphous are unique.
- Castform's Weather Ball will always receive STAB, even when its form is changed, except in a sandstorm or Shadow Sky, or if it loses Forecast.
- Castform is the only Pokémon to receive this benefit from Weather Ball.
- In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Castform is a body size 4 Pokémon, despite it being a body size 1 in the first Mystery Dungeon games, and its in-game sprite still being the same size in the second Mystery Dungeon games. This change might be for reasons related to game balance.
- Castform's weather-based transformations cannot be viewed in the forms section of the Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Pokédex, nor do they appear on the field in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. They do, however, appear in the forms section of the HeartGold and SoulSilver Pokédex.
- Castform is the lightest Normal-type Pokémon.
- Castform's forms will appear in the forms section of the HeartGold and SoulSilver Pokédex upon obtaining one, even if never transformed.
Origin
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:
It appears to be intended to resemble and act like a living cloud. Its ability to change shape and type depending on the weather condition makes similar to a weather balloon. It's also similar both in concept and design to a teru teru bozu, a Japanese charm doll used to wish for good weather. Its forms, especially their typing, may have originated from the English saying "Rain, Hail or Shine".
Name origin
Castform may be a combination of forecast (the prediction of weather) and transform or form (referring to its ability to change form depending on the weather). The German and French names reflect this.
Powalen may be a combination of ポワン powan (onomatopoeia of a sudden transformation, similar to "poof" in English) and 変わる kawaru (to change or transform).