Ash's Noctowl: Difference between revisions

'''Ash's Noctowl''' (Japanese: '''サトシのヨルノズク''' ''Satoshi's Yorunozuku'') was the fifth {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} that {{Ash}} {{pkmn2|caught}} in the [[Johto]] [[region]], and his nineteenth overall. Noctowl is a [[Shiny Pokémon]].

[[File:Ash Noctowl head.png|thumb|left|220px|Noctowl rotating its head]]

Noctowl debuted in ''[[EP154|Fowl Play!]]'', where it flew to a birdhouse. [[Dr. Wiseman]] was trying to capture the Noctowl using traps rather than [[Poké Ball]]s, but each time Noctowl outwitted him and escaped the traps — usually leaving him hypnotized in the process. Ash was offended by Wiseman's tactics and plotted to capture Noctowl traditionally. Wiseman hypnotized Noctowl using its own Hypnosis and a mirror, but Noctowl managed to escape — just in time for {{TRT}} to attack and attempt to capture it. Ash risked his safety to pry Team Rocket's mecha claw open and allow Noctowl to fly free before Noctowl marshaled the power of {{AP|Totodile}}, {{AP|Cyndaquil}}, and {{AP|Pikachu}} to destroy the mecha and send Team Rocket blasting off. Following the rescue, Noctowl challenged Ash to a battle. Dr. Wiseman decided it was too smart for him to catch, so Ash should have a go. Pikachu was hypnotized and began to use {{m|Thunderbolt}} on everything except Noctowl until he shocked himself to snap out of it. Cunningly, to avoid further hypnosis, Pikachu closed his eyes and listened for Noctowl's wings, then used Thunderbolt, knocking Noctowl out and allowing Ash to capture it.

[[File:Ash Noctowl rescuing Ken.png|thumb|220px|Noctowl carrying an injured Ken to safety]]

In ''[[EP164|Carrying On!]]'', Noctowl used its Hypnosis on a {{p|Fearow}} to make it believe Noctowl was a {{p|Charizard}}, causing it to flee in fear. It then used Hypnosis on the traumatized {{p|Pidgey}} victim, making it appear as a fellow Pidgey and allowing it to approach. Noctowl later led the gang to the lost carrier Pidgey that had been captured by Team Rocket and, alongside Ken, the Pidgey it rescued before, freed them and led the Pidgey into an attack on Team Rocket's balloon.

Noctowl was the Pokémon Ash based his [[Ecruteak Gym]] campaign around in ''[[EP182|From Ghost to Ghost]]''. It successfully used Foresight on {{p|Gastly}} but had to be recalled because it couldn't land any other attacks. It was then sent out against {{p|Haunter}}, struggling to overcome the Ghost type but managed to win through learning Confusion. It was then left to battle [[Morty's Gengar]], which was still fresh and looked vulnerable as Gengar could attack while invisible. However, Noctowl revealed Gengar's location by using Confusion throughout the building and then using Foresight to keep Gengar visible. It then finished Gengar off with a Tackle attack and Ash got the {{badge|Fog}}.

[[File:Ash Noctowl Morty Haunter Tackle Night Shade.png|thumb|left|220px|Noctowl battling Morty's Haunter]]

In ''[[EP184|All That Glitters!]]'', Ash's [[Gym badge]]s were stolen by a trio of {{p|Murkrow}}, with Noctowl being sent out to retrieve them. However, it got knocked out due to the battle being three-against-one. It later got a chance at redemption by flying down next to the Darkness Pokémon and remaining completely still. This tricked the Murkrow into a false sense of security, during which Noctowl snatched Ash's last badge. The Murkrow gave chase, but the pursuit was interrupted by Team Rocket. Noctowl protected the Murkrow trio, and with a newfound respect for each other, the four Flying-types worked together to send Team Rocket blasting off.

In ''[[EP202|The Big Balloon Blow-Up]]'', Ash used Noctowl during the [[Pokémon Balloon Race]] to tow their balloon. During the race, it teamed up with Pikachu and {{jo|Skyler}}'s {{p|Fearow}} to defeat Team Rocket. In the end, Ash and Skyler reached the goal at the same time, making the race a tie. In ''[[EP223|Throwing in the Noctowl]]'', Ash sent out Noctowl and used its ability to fly in order to carry a plane headed for [[Olivine City]].

Noctowl was used in the battle against {{jo|Harrison}} in the quarterfinals of the [[Silver Conference]] in ''[[EP271|Playing with Fire!]]''. It was put at a huge disadvantage by fighting Harrison's {{p|Steelix}}, who blinded Noctowl with {{m|Sandstorm}} and then used {{m|Dig}} to avoid Noctowl's Psychic attacks. A single {{m|Iron Tail}} took Noctowl out of the match.

In ''[[DP185|Working on a Right Move!]]'', Ash used Noctowl as his first Pokémon in his battle against [[Conway]] in the third round of the [[Lily of the Valley Conference]], where it went up against his {{p|Shuckle}}. With Shuckle first using {{m|Withdraw}} to {{stat|Defense|better withstand}} Noctowl's {{m|Sky Attack}} and then using {{m|Power Trick}} to switch its {{stat|Attack|offensive}} and defensive powers with each other, the {{pkmn|category|Mold Pokémon}} was able to overwhelm Noctowl, forcing Ash to recall it. After Shuckle had been defeated by {{AP|Gible}}, Ash sent Noctowl back out to face {{p|Lickilicky}}. Using its ability to fly to its advantage, Noctowl was able to stay out of the reach of Lickilicky's tongue and dodge its long-range Thunderbolt before defeating it with {{m|Extrasensory}}. Next, Conway sent out {{p|Dusknoir}}, which immediately used {{m|Trick Room}}, allowing its subsequent {{m|Thunder Punch}} to outspeed Noctowl and take it out of the fight.

Noctowl, along with the rest of Ash's Pokémon at the lab, reunited with Ash in ''[[JN114|Friends, Rivals, Lend Me Your Spirit!]]''. During the visit, it was seen relaxing with {{AP|Gliscor}} and {{AP|Leavanny}} and later watched the battle between Ash and [[Paul]]. Before Ash left, it posed with the rest of Ash's Pokémon in a group photo with him.

From ''[[JN118|Battling as Hard as Stone!]]'' onwards, Noctowl watched Ash's [[Masters Eight Tournament]] matches against {{an|Steven Stone|Steven}}, {{an|Cynthia}}, and {{an|Leon}}. In ''[[JN132|Partners in Time!]]'', Noctowl appeared as a vision to Pikachu during his battle against [[Leon's Charizard]]. After Ash won the battle, Noctowl joined the rest of Ash's Pokémon at the lab in celebrating their Trainer's victory.

In ''[[JN135|Heroes Unite!]]'', Noctowl, along with the rest of the Pokémon at the lab, welcomed Ash back to Pallet Town after his victory over Leon.

Personality-wise, Noctowl was presented as intelligent, mischievous, and cunning — although these traits weren't usually emphasized or touched upon after its debut episode. It also presents a serious side to its personality, often going to sleep with dignity, or using its hypnosis on others in order to save them, instead of for prank purposes, as was the case in ''[[EP164|Carrying On!]]'', where it was also shown to develop a soft spot for a small {{p|Pidgey}}.

 

Noctowl is very loyal to Ash because he saved it from {{TRT}}, and similar to {{AP|Bulbasaur}}, was captured in a fair contest with Pikachu. Despite being unusually small for a Noctowl during its time on Ash's team, it proved to be a very powerful Pokémon, being Ash's secret weapon in his battle with [[Morty]] and also performing well in the battle against [[Conway]]. In addition, Noctowl served as a scout to look for Team Rocket whenever they would get away with something.

 

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