Kingambit is a humanoid Pokémon whose appearance resembles a samurai. Its body is mostly red and black, with gold accents on its torso and helmet-like head. The blade on its head has grown tremendously from its time as a Bisharp, extending upward into a large machete shape with a sword-shaped indentation on it. It also has a large mustache composed of two black, red-lined blades, and two bright red circles on either side of its front torso. From its waist protrude two pairs of curved blades, somewhat resembling the omega (Ω) symbol. These curved blades surround Kingambit's body and its golden, ridged forearms. Additionally, Kingambit has long, curved, black hair that completely shields its back, and is sturdy enough for it to sit on as well as ride upon. Kingambit can form its prehensile hair into spikes to strike its foes with.
Commanding many colonies of Pawniard and Bisharp as its personal army, Kingambit is a powerful force in battle. It has a battle-hungry disposition, and will not stop until it gets what it desires.[1] However, it is not strategically adept, so it typically seeks to win its battles through brute force with sheer numbers. It is said that only the strongest Bisharp can evolve into Kingambit.
Kingambit is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Kowtow Cleave. It is also the only known Pokémon that can have Supreme Overlord as an Ability.
Evolution
Kingambit evolves from Bisharp and is the final form of Pawniard.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
- No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Kingambit and its pre-evolved forms.
- The types they have are also the two types that were introduced in Generation II.
- They are the only dual-type Steel-type Pokémon without any double resistances.
- The official Trainer's Guide for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet on the Pokémon website mentions that in order for a player's Bisharp to evolve into Kingambit, the Bisharp "must hold a Leader's Crest and defeat three wild Bisharp that are also holding a Leader's Crest".[1] This is despite the fact that the Leader's Crest is not required to be held by the player's Bisharp at any point for it to evolve.
Origin
Kingambit may be based on a shogun or daimyo commanding an army of samurai-themed subordinates. To be more specific, its red coloring and moustache-like blades above its mouth are reminiscent of Takeda Shingen's armor. It gives an appearance as if it is seated on a stool on the battlefield.
Given the insect-like motifs in its pre-evolutions Pawniard and Bisharp, Kingambit also vaguely resembles a rhinoceros beetle: its hair, the blade on its head, and the curved blades on its waist resemble the beetle's carapace, horn, and legs, respectively; and its prostrating stance before attacking opponents with its blade is similar to how rhinoceros beetles fight each other. This inspiration might have come from the fact that Japanese rhinoceros beetles are called 甲虫 kabutomushi in Japanese, literally "Kabuto insect", where Kabuto is a type of samurai helmet.
Like the rest of its evolutionary line, Kingambit may draw inspiration from chess pieces (a king, in this case). Its Speed stat being lower than Bisharp may allude to the king's more limited range of movement. The large blade on its head and the curved shape of its hair make its body resemble a giant broadsword.
Name origin
Kingambit may be a combination of king and gambit; both words are applicable terms used in chess (including in the opening known as the King's Gambit, described by Spanish chess player Luis Ramírez de Lucena in Repetición de Amores y Arte de Ajedrez, one of the earliest chess books). It may also be derived from the word karambit.
Dodogezan may be a combination of ど do (very much), 土下座 dogeza (kneeling down on the ground), and 斬 zan (to cut or slay). ドゲザン Dogezan is also the Japanese name for its signature move, Kowtow Cleave.