Physiology
Koffing is a round, purple Pokémon filled to the brim with toxic gases. Several crater-like protrusions on this Pokémon's body give it the resemblance of a naval mine. Koffing has a skull and cross-bones below its blissful face. Koffing has been considered to be related to Grimer, who is also a purple Poison-type Pokémon that associates with pollutants. Koffing may also be related to Drifloon, who is also a floating, round, purple, "X"-bearing Pokémon with a tendency to explode.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Koffing spews out poisonous gases whenever it gets agitated. Koffing has also been known to explode from over inflating its body. Koffing is also capable of launching Fire and Electrical attacks.
Behavior
Habitat
Koffing are a very common sight around burned down buildings, abandoned buildings and power plants.
Diet
Main article: Pokémon food
Koffing mainly eat rotten kitchen garbage.
Special Facts
In an exam, it's mentioned in The Ultimate Test that Koffing was first discovered in a public bathouse, however it's unsure exactly when it was discovered. Judging that public bathouses were used in tudor times, we can infer that it was probably discovered in the late 1700's or early 1800's.
- Koffing's original English name was going to be "Ny", the initials of New York.
- Koffing was depicted as having its skull-and-crossbones pattern being above its face in Pokémon Red and Blue and the Japanese Pokémon Blue, rather than the pattern being under its face as portrayed in the original versions of Pokémon Red and Green and later games. It is unknown if this was purposely done or if it was a sprite error (similar to the error of Raikou's sprite in Pokémon Gold and Silver).
- Koffing is the favorite Pokémon of Pokemopolis.
- According to a question of a Pokémon Exam the characters of the anime participate in, Koffing was supposedly first discovered in a public bathhouse. However, the Team Rocket expansion's Koffing card states that Koffing was first discovered in a weapons factory. This may be either because Jessie answered the question incorrectly or just a general inconsistency between the TCG and anime.
- In Pokémon Snap, the Koffings seen in the game deflate into nothingness if they are hit by a Pester Ball. However, this ability of Koffing only seems to be exclusive to the game.
Origin
Considering its looks, its ability to float, and its tendency to explode, it may have been based upon a floating naval mine.
Name origin
Koffing's name is a corruption of the word coughing. Its Japanese name is a combination of 獰 dō, meaning bad, or 毒 doku, meaning poisonous, and gas.
For other sprites and images, please see Koffing images on Bulbagarden Archives.