Arbok is a serpentine Pokémon that resembles a cobra. It has narrow eyes and several sharp teeth. Just below its head is a large hood with a face-like pattern. This pattern has over 20 possible variations. The pattern typically has two red and yellow eyespots outlined in black, a wide black streak resembling an upturned mouth, and a black V-shaped stripe above the eyespots.
Arbok is capable of crushing opponents by coiling its body around them and squeezing them tightly. It can even flatten steel oil drums. If it encounters an enemy, it raises its head, mimics, and stuns the opponent using the frightening pattern on its body. It can also make eerie sounds by expelling air from its mouth. It has been stated that if any part of Arbok's body except for the head is cut off, it can regrow the rest of its body again in a matter of a few weeks. It also has the ability to detect vibrations as shown in the anime. Arbok has been known to be capable of spending long periods underwater and surviving in aquatic environments. One particular Arbok could change its pattern at any time to increase power to different stats and get invulnerability to status conditions, if the pattern is uncovered.
Arbok is territorial. It lashes out at intruders with long fangs tipped with deadly venom. Vengeful in nature, it will not give up a chase once it targets its prey or an opponent, no matter how far. It makes its home in grassy savannas and plains, but it can also be found in forests and desolate wastelands alongside its pre-evolved form Ekans. In the wild, it hunts smaller Pokémon such as Wooper, and also preys on Pidgey and Spearow Eggs. When hunting, it uses the pattern on its hood to immobilize prey, then it begins constricting them, and it finally poisons the target to finish them off and eat them. In Generation I, Glare was its signature move.
Jessie had an Arbok that she obtained as an Ekans. It evolved from Ekans in Dig Those Diglett!, thus marking the species' debut. It was extremely loyal to her and was her primary battling Pokémon until A Poached Ego!, when she set it free along with James's Weezing so it could protect a wild group of Ekans and Koffing.
Arbok is one of the supporting characters in Magical Pokémon Journey. Originally an enemy of the main cast, he along with the Ekans Brothers befriend Hazel and her Pokémon.
In Even an Arbok Falls in Love!, he gets a crush on Wigglytuff and goes to Jynx as well as Hazel and friends for advice. At the end of the chapter, he confesses his love to Wigglytuff and gives her one of his molted skins.
Koga and Agatha both have Arbok as important parts of their teams in Pokémon Adventures. Agatha's first appeared in Muk Raking. In Pokémon Adventures, the pattern on an Arbok's belly may give an Arbok special abilities. With the help of Agatha's smoke, Agatha's Arbok had the ability to switch between several different patterns: a standard pattern, a speed-boosting pattern, an attack-boosting pattern, and an invulnerability pattern that repels poisons. Koga's Arbok instead has only one pattern, which is a regenerative pattern that allows it to regenerate any part of its body as long as the head remains intact.
This Pokémon is terrifically strong in order to constrict things with its body. It can even flatten steel oil drums. Once Arbok wraps its body around its foe, escaping its crunching embrace is impossible.
This Pokémon has a terrifically strong constricting power. It can even flatten steel oil drums. Once it wraps its body around its foe, escaping is impossible.
This Pokémon is terrifically strong in order to constrict things with its body. It can even flatten steel oil drums. Once Arbok wraps its body around its foe, escaping its crunching embrace is impossible.
It must take some serious skill to sleep so securely on tree branches in the jungle! Arbok also displays the face-like pattern on its hood when it wants to intimidate foes.
Other media have featured additional variations. In Pokémon Adventures, Arbok can change their own patterns, as done by Agatha's Arbok. The Dark Arbok card from the TCG depicts another pattern.
Origin
Arbok seems to be based on the Indian cobra due to its venomous bite and hood markings. It may also be based on the king cobra, which is the world's largest venomous snake. Its powerful constriction is reminiscent of boas, anacondas, and pythons. Its frightening face-like belly patterns may be inspired by masks or face paint. The fact that it is in the Dragon Egg Group and its ability to learn Glare may be a reference to the legendary basilisk, a venomous, serpentine dragon said to be able to kill people with its stare.
Name origin
Arbok is cobra spelled backwards, but with the c replaced with a k.[1]
Poison Barb (5%)
For other sprites and images, please see Arbok images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
