Koffing is a spherical Pokémon filled with toxic gases. It has vacant eyes and a wide mouth that usually has two pointed teeth in the upper jaw. However, a full set of teeth has been seen in the anime. Below its face is a cream-colored skull-and-crossbones marking. Several geyser-like protrusions, which usually release a mustard-colored gas, cover this Pokémon's body. Its purple skin is very thin, and over inflation can cause it to explode.
Koffing creates gases within its body by mixing toxins with garbage, and produces more gas in higher temperatures. These gases are malodorous and cause sniffles, coughs, and teary eyes to those around it. The gases are also lighter than air, allowing Koffing to hover. When agitated, it creates a more toxic gas and expels it through the holes in its body. As shown in the anime, Koffing's gas can be ignited by fire or electricity. Koffing is most often found in urban areas.
Multiple wild Koffing in A Poached Ego!, where they were captured by Rico. James released his Weezing along with Jessie's Arbok so they could protect these Koffing and a group of captured Ekans.
A Koffing appeared in PK15. It was one of the residents of a spooky house.
Koffing is seen as one of Koga's Pokémon alongside his evolution, which first appeared in Striking Golduck. When Koga and Blue are ambushed by Agatha's Gengar in Gimme Shellder, Koga uses Koffing's smoke to relay his tactical plan to Blue without Gengar noticing.
Koffing appears in the 3DS version as an enemy in Smash Run. Its Poison Gas will reduce player's stats.
It later reappears in Smash Tour, an exclusive mode for Wii U version. In this mode, Koffing will release Smokescreen, which will obscure player's view as well as a board for one turn.
Trophy information
3DS:This Poison-type Pokémon's balloon-like body is filled with toxic gases. In Smash Run, it floats over to fighters and expels gas at regular intervals. If the gas touches you, the stats you've worked so hard to build up will drop! Attack while it's deflated to take it down safely, and then help yourself to the many, many items it leaves behind.
Wii U:A Poison-type Pokémon that looks somewhat like a blown-up balloon. As you might be able to guess, though, it's not filled with fresh air - that's poison gas, and this Pokémon isn't shy about sharing. In Smash Tour, the gas it spews will hide spaces and any items that may be on them. The smoke should disappear by the end of the turn.
If Koffing becomes agitated, it raises the toxicity of its internal gases and then jets them out from all over its body. This Pokémon may overinflate its round body, then explode.
Koffing embodies toxic substances. It mixes the toxins with raw garbage to set off a chemical reaction that results in a terribly powerful Poison Gas. The higher the temperature, the more gas is concocted by this Pokémon.
Getting up close to a Koffing will give you a chance to observe, through its thin skin, the toxic gases swirling inside. It blows up at the slightest stimulation.
If Koffing becomes agitated, it raises the toxicity of its internal gases and then jets them out from all over its body. This Pokémon may also overinflate its round body, then explode.
Koffing embodies toxic substances. It mixes the toxins with raw garbage to set off a chemical reaction that results in a terribly powerful Poison Gas. The higher the temperature, the more gas is concocted by this Pokémon.
According to a question of a Pokémon Exam the characters of the anime participated 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 due to an inconsistency between the TCG and anime.
Koffing and Munna are the only Pokémon whose names are mentioned in music found in the games. Munna's name is heard in ミュージカル「メロメロ★ムンナ」 Musical "Charming Munna", while Koffing's Japanese name is heard in タチワキジム(演奏・DOGARS) Virbank Gym (Performance - KOFFING), although it is replaced with the word "Pokémon" in international releases.
This distinction is possibly shared with Wingull, as its Japanese name, キャモメ Camome, is arguably heard in the obscure vocals of ビレッジブリッジ Village Bridge.
Koffing shares similar traits to Grimer and Trubbish. All three Pokémon are pure Poison-types with a single evolution and roughly the same base stat totals, and are representations of pollution focusing on a state of matter - Koffing being gas, Grimer as liquid, and Trubbish made of solids.
Origin
Considering its looks, its ability to float, and its tendency to explode, Koffing may have been based upon a floating naval mine or living meteorite. It is also based on smog and other forms of air pollution. Koffing may also be based on the imagined fear that heavy pollution, caused by the leakage and/or improper disposal of toxic and/or radioactive waste, may result in the creation of new and undesirable lifeforms. The crossbone skull under its face is a reference to the toxic hazard symbol.
Name origin
Koffing is a corruption of coughing.
Dogars is a combination of 獰 dō (bad) or 毒 doku (poison) and gas.