Castform is an artificialPokémon that changes appearance and attitude based on the weather. Its body is made of cells exactly like those of water molecules, causing its cellular structure to be chemically altered by temperature and humidity. Though not of its free will, Castform uses this ability to protect its tiny body. In its Normal form, it resembles a plain, gray cloud with a single wisp extending from the top of its head.
Under bright sunlight, it takes on its Sunny Form. Its lower half becomes pure white, while the head turns orange has develops small orange spheres around it. This gives it the overall appearance of the sun above a small cloud. Its skin glows and dries, and becomes hot to the touch.
When it is soaked in rain, it takes on its Rainy Form. It has a dark gray lower half resembling a storm cloud. The head turns blue and resembles a raindrop. Its body is soft and slippery and seeps with water when compressed.
When it is hit by hail, it takes on its Snowy Form. Its head turns purplish-blue. The rest of the body changes into the shape of a mint green, cumulonimbus cloud. Its body becomes a smooth ice-like material, partially frozen measuring temperatures near 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
Regardless of the form it takes, it will always have a large, spherical head and a lighter colored mask-like marking over its eyes. Various experiments were conducted to change its form in artificial conditions, but all have failed. In Generation III, Weather Ball was its signature move. Despite its man-made origins, it can be found in grassland areas.
Ruby's Castform, nicknamed Fofo, debuted in Lombre Larceny. Previously, she belonged to Mr. Stone, who was injured in an attack by Team Aqua. Fofo was then given to Gabby and Ty to be cared for while he was being healed. She later decided to travel with Ruby when he began traveling with the reporters because she was lonely. Until he was reunited with Rara, Fofo was Ruby's go to Smart Contest Pokémon.
Castform borrows the power of nature to transform itself into guises of the sun, rain clouds, and snow clouds. This Pokémon's feelings change with the weather.
Castform borrows the power of nature to transform itself into the guises of the sun, rain, and snow-clouds. This Pokémon's feelings change with the weather.
All of Castform's forms will appear in the forms section of the HeartGold and SoulSilver Pokédex upon obtaining one, even if it never transformed.
Prior to Generation VIII, unlike most Pokémon with form differences, Castform's alternate forms had no Shiny variations of their own, so only the Normal form of a Shiny Castform would look different.
Because Castform is not present in Pokémon Sword and Shield, these new Shiny forms were first shown in Pokémon HOME. They were later included in the files of Pokémon GO, and Shiny Rainy Castform became available in-game on March 24, 2021.[1]
Before Generation VII, Castform's Normal form was classified by Pokédex color sorting as white.
Castform resembles a living cloud and acts like weather in general, but it may also be based on a weather balloon. It is similar in both concept and design to a teru teru bōzu, a Japanese charm doll used to wish for good weather. Its forms and their types may have originated from the English saying "rain, hail, or shine". As Castform is said to be composed of molecules similar to water, its shape of a large sphere with two smaller orbs resembles an H2O molecule.
Conceptually, Castform may also draw inspiration from or be intended to contrast with the weather rock concept. These are stones jokingly hung up as a low tech way to tell the weather. They are intended to parody the less than perfect forecasting of more complicated modern instruments. Given Castform’s artificial origins and design to predict weather, but does not transform until after the weather is already present, it would certainly fit as the opposite extreme of a weather rock.
Name origin
Castform may be a combination of forecast (the prediction of weather) and transform or form (referring to its ability to change form depending on the weather). The German and French names reflect this.
Powalen may be a combination of ポワン powan (onomatopoeia of a sudden transformation, similar to "poof" in English) and 変わる kawaru (to change or transform).
Mystic Water (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Castform images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
