In Galar, Linoone has a Dark/Normal-type regional form. It evolves from Galarian Zigzagoon starting at level 20 and evolves into Obstagoon when leveled up at night starting at level 35.
Linoone is a slender-bodied, quadrupedal Pokémon. Most of its fur is colored white, but it has several brown stripes. One long stripe stretches the length of its body before ending in an arrowhead shape on its forehead. There are additional stripes on each side of its bushy tail and on its cheeks. It has sharp, elongated claws and small pointed teeth. It has small, tuft-like ears, long cheek fur, and blue eyes.
Linoone can run up to 60 miles per hour but has to stop before it can make a turn. It often fails to catch prey due to only being able to run in a straight line. Linoone also struggles on roads that are curving or winding. When it sees prey underwater in ponds, it leaps in and uses its sharp claws to catch the prey. The brushes made from Linoone's strong and supple shed fur are highly prized. It uses a combination of explosive speed and razor-sharp claws to take down its prey. As shown in the anime, Linoone has an attraction to anything round and will grab any orb-shaped object it sees if given the chance. It often carries a snatched object in its expandable cheek pouches and deposits it in any of a number of secret stashes it keeps on its territory. Linoone tends to live in grasslands.
In Galar, Linoone has a black and white color scheme due to the harsh environment in the region along with competition. This allows its survival instinct to improve, leading to the ability to evolve into Obstagoon.[1] Its eyes are red while covered with a stripe shaped like a shooting star. It has longer claws with gray fur surrounding the front feet. It also has sharp teeth on the upper mouth with a long red tongue sticking out.
Galarian Linoone are known to be rash and fearless. It prefers recklessly challenging opponents that are stronger than itself. Linoone is known to use its long tongue to taunt opponents. Once the foe is fully enraged, Linoone will hurl itself at the opponent, tackling them by force. These traits make Galarian Linoone very popular among unhappy and angry youths in Galar, who have nowhere to take out their anger and frustrations. By charging at up to 60 miles per hour, it can deliver powerful Tackles and Headbutts with enough destructive force to even knock away a car. Linoone can be thrown off balance should it miss, however.[2]
In Zoroark: Master of Illusions, a Linoone was living in Crown City. It worked with several other Pokémon in surrounding Zorua in the park in order to attack him as retribution for what Zoroark did to the city. Before a fight broke out, the Zigzagoon, along with the other Pokémon, were calmed down by Celebi.
Linoone, the Rushing Pokémon. When it spots its prey, it runs after it in a straight line. Though able to run over 60 miles per hour, it is unable to turn.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: When Chikorita uses Razor Leaf on the Ruby Field, two Linoone will pop out. Hitting the left Linoone will make a Gulpin appear, activating Travel Mode when there are three Gulpin on the table. Hitting the right Linoone will change the stance of Makuhita allowing it to punch the ball towards the Upgrade.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Linoone always runs full speed and only in straight lines. If facing an obstacle, it makes a right-angle turn to evade it. This Pokémon is very challenged by gently curving roads.
When hunting, Linoone will make a beeline straight for the prey at a full run. While this Pokémon is capable of topping 60 mph, it has to come to a screeching halt before it can turn.
It is exceedingly fast if it only has to run in a straight line. When it spots pond-dwelling prey underwater, it quickly leaps in and catches it with its sharp claws.
Linoone always runs full speed and only in straight lines. If facing an obstacle, it makes a right-angle turn to evade it. This Pokémon is very challenged by gently curving roads.
When hunting, Linoone will make a beeline straight for the prey at a full run. While this Pokémon is capable of topping 60 mph, it has to come to a screeching halt before it can turn.
Linoone's appearance is possibly a cross between the European or Japanese badger and a member of the weasel and/or ferret family, or it may possibly be based on the ferret-badger or striped polecat. It also shares the same color scheme of tanukis and raccoons. Its stripes slightly resemble flames and lightning, which may be a reference to race cars, who typically use these patterns on their vehicles for show. Linoone may also be based on the legendary Kamaitachi, which is usually depicted as 3 lightning-fast weasels who wield razor-sharp claws which tear into their victims. It may also be based on the Ramidreju: a long, weasel-like creature, who has a desire for gold, which may have been the basis of Linoone's obsession for round objects.
Galarian Linoone appears to be based on European Badgers, with traits of Glam rock bands.
Name origin
Linoone may be a combination of line (referring to its fur pattern and unusual habits) and raccoon or raccoon dog.
Massuguma may be a combination of まっすぐ massugu (straight, as in a line) and アライグマ araiguma (raccoon) or 穴熊 anaguma (badger). Guma (熊 kuma) as a suffix is often used for mammals that resemble bears.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.