Ash's Tauros: Difference between revisions

Ash spent some time in the {{safari|Kanto}} in the [[Banned episodes|banned episode]] [[EP035]]. He was attempting to {{pkmn2|caught|catch}} as many {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} as possible, though all he ended up with were thirty Tauros, since they always ran in front of his [[Safari Ball]]s whenever he tried to make a catch. At the end of Ash's adventures in the Safari Zone, all thirty Tauros were sent to {{an|Professor Oak}}'s [[Professor Oak's Laboratory|laboratory]]. This episode has not been aired outside of Japan, {{pmin|Greater China}}, and {{pmin|South Korea}} due to the [[Weaponry in the Pokémon world|firearms]] being a plot point. The [[dub]] merely mentions in ''[[EP065|Showdown at the Po-ké Corral]]'' that Ash caught the Tauros in the Safari Zone without the captures ever being depicted.

Ash began using Tauros when he needed a replacement for {{AP|Snorlax}} in his battle for the [[Winner's Cup]] of the [[Orange League]] in ''[[EP111|Hello, Pummelo!]]'' and ''[[EP112|Enter The Dragonite]]''. He sent the now-sleeping {{p|Snorlax}} to Oak's for one of his Tauros to see if the "beginner's luck" strategy he had used in the [[Indigo Plateau Conference]] with {{AP|Kingler}} and {{AP|Muk}} would work again. Tauros seemed shocked but very pleased when Ash chose him.

After an initial failure when hit with {{p|Gengar}}'s {{m|Confuse Ray}}, Tauros went up against {{OBP|Drake|Orange League}}'s {{p|Venusaur}}. His Fissure and Take Down attacks caused him to become lodged in the now sandy field, and he was helpless when Venusaur, who he had managed to hurl into the air, hit him with {{m|Solar Beam}}. However, this freed him from the sand, and he defeated Venusaur with a very powerful Take Down. He later fought [[Drake's Dragonite]], managing to stand firm and catch Dragonite's {{m|Body Slam}} on his horns; Ash remembered the sand's cushioning effect and used it to his advantage this time. Tauros then slammed Dragonite into the ground, but Dragonite recovered and took down Tauros with a {{m|Thunder}}. His efforts allowed Pikachu to land the final blow and win Ash the tournament.

Tauros was returned to his herd in ''[[EP115|A Tent Situation]]'' when Ash and {{ashfr}} returned to Pallet Town.

Tauros was used again in early [[Johto]] during the Pokémon Swap Meet, in ''[[EP146|Tricks of the Trade]]''. One of the events was a Tauros-battling competition, which Ash entered after exchanging {{AP|Heracross}} for Tauros. Ash then sprinted into the stadium to challenge [[Fernando]], the undefeated champion with ten straight wins. Ash's Tauros locks horns with Fernando's and manages to overpower his Tauros with a Take Down that threw Fernando's Tauros into the arena wall and knock him out, winning Ash the tournament. Ash then received multiple offers to trade Tauros for an {{p|Onix}}, {{p|Nidoqueen}}, and a {{p|Rhyhorn}}, as well as Benny's {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}}. However, he explained that he wasn't there to trade and sent Tauros back to Professor Oak in the next episode, ''[[EP147|The Fire-ing Squad!]]''.

Ash later used a Tauros in the [[Silver Conference]], in ''[[EP269|The Ties That Bind]]''. He fought {{Gary}}'s {{p|Nidoqueen}}, managing to push through the rocks thrown by {{m|Rock Smash}} and charge with a Horn Attack. Nidoqueen blocked Tauros by catching his horns and then launched a Hyper Beam, easily knocking Tauros out of the match.

In ''[[SS004|Showdown at the Oak Corral]]'', the Tauros made a cameo appearance, telling the other Pokémon about [[Cassidy]] and [[Butch]].

On Ash's return from [[Hoenn]] in ''[[AG133|The Right Place and the Right Mime]]'', the Tauros were seen running towards him with his other Pokémon. However, they were so pleased to see him that they got carried away and stampeded off with Ash on their backs, and Ash had to be retrieved by his {{AP|Bayleef}} before he could be reunited with the other Pokémon.  

He used Tauros again in the battle against [[Salon Maiden Anabel]] in ''[[AG169|Talking a Good Game!]]'', first against her {{p|Alakazam}}. He went on an offensive charge, but was easily defeated by a combination of {{m|Focus Punch}} and {{m|Psybeam}}.  

After training the next day (and being so spooked by a {{p|Beedrill}}'s {{m|Twineedle}} that he managed to hurl Ash, Anabel, Pikachu and {{AP|Corphish}} flying into a lake), he was used in the rematch in ''[[AG170|Second Time's the Charm]]''. This time, he was used against {{p|Metagross}}, using Horn Attack to throw Metagross into the air. Metagross's {{m|Hyper Beam}} was countered by Double Team, but the beam slashed through all of the duplicates and hit Tauros. He quickly recovered and struck the recharging Metagross hard. His final Take Down was countered by {{m|Meteor Mash}}, taking out both Pokémon.

The Tauros were reunited with Ash in ''[[BW142|The Dream Continues!]]'' when Ash returned to the lab. They greeted him by trampling him, much to the surprise of [[Alexa]]. Later on, they and the rest of Ash's Pokémon posed in a group photo with him.

The Tauros reappeared in ''[[SM042|Alola, Kanto!]]'' during Ash and {{ashcl}}' visit to the laboratory. Excited to see him again, they ran into Ash and knocked him into the sky.

The Tauros's main characteristic is stampeding. This means that the lab is a good place for them, as there is plenty of space to run around. They have proved useful at the laboratory, stampeding to wake up [[Ash's Snorlax]] in times of crisis. However, the stampeding has caused mishaps. The first time Ash returned to [[Pallet Town]] in ''[[EP065|Showdown at the Po-ké Corral]]'', they stampeded through a fence and sent Team Rocket blasting off. Later, they stampeded through the lab, leaving a mess and a large hole in the wall.

Due to the large number of Tauros, it is impossible to determine each and every one's personality. However, the Tauros seem to share a very enthusiastic personality, and a love of exercise. In terms of battling, despite the very small move set available during most of their screen time, they are all extremely strong, capable of throwing a {{p|Metagross}}, {{p|Dragonite}}, Tauros, and {{p|Venusaur}} into the air from a standing position, using only their neck muscles. It has been shown multiple times that they get very excited when they see Ash, as they often stampede him when he returns home.