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 eighteenth overall. Noctowl is a [[Shiny Pokémon]] and it is also unusually small in size and quite intelligent.

[[File:Ash Noctowl debut.png|200px|thumb|left|Noctowl in its debut]]

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 own 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 that 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. When he shocks himself, he returns to normal. 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.

Ash left Noctowl along with his other Johto Pokémon at [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]] when he set off for the [[Hoenn]] region.

In ''[[SS004|Showdown at the Oak Corral]]'', Noctowl was seen on a branch and spotted [[Cassidy]] and [[Butch]] when they were breaking into Oak's Lab. It appeared later when it was showing {{Tracey}} and {{AP|Bayleef}} the way to Cassidy and Butch's helicopter.

It appeared in ''[[AG133|The Right Place and the Right Mime]]'', reuniting with Ash and meeting his {{AP|Swellow}}.

[[File:Ash Noctowl Conway Lickilicky.png|thumb|200px|right|Noctowl defeating Lickilicky with Extrasensory]]

Noctowl reappeared in ''[[DP182|An Old Family Blend!]]'', alongside Ash's other Pokémon where it was reunited with its Trainer.

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}}. Shuckle started off with {{m|Withdraw}}, raising its defense. Noctowl used Sky Attack, and while it was charging, Shuckle used a second Withdraw. Using its Sky Attack, Noctowl then charged against Shuckle who used withdraw a third time, deflecting Noctowl's attack and damaging it. Shuckle then used {{m|Power Trick}} to swap its {{stat|Attack}} and {{stat|Defense}}, making its attack high but its defense low. Noctowl then used Air Slash, but Shuckle used a powerful {{m|Gyro Ball}} cutting off Sky Attack and dealing major damage to Noctowl. Ash then returned Noctowl. Noctowl was later sent out against {{p|Lickilicky}}, which used {{m|Power Whip}}, but its long tongue was unable to reach Noctowl, who was airborne. Noctowl then dealt damage with Air Slash. After dodging {{m|Thunderbolt}}, Noctowl used Extrasensory, lifting Lickilicky into the air and then dropping it, defeating it. Conway then used his last Pokémon, {{p|Dusknoir}}, Dusknoir immediately used {{m|Trick Room}}, with Noctowl attempted to use Extrasensory. Dusknoir quickly came from behind and used {{m|Thunder Punch}}, knocking Noctowl out before it could use the attack. Conway then explained it was because of Trick Room, as it makes the slowest Pokémon attack first, thus the slow Dusknoir attacking before the normally faster Noctowl.

Noctowl was reunited with Ash in ''[[BW142|The Dream Continues!]]'', where it and the rest of Ash's Pokémon posed in a group photo with him.

[[File:Ash and Noctowl.png|thumb|200px|Noctowl and Ash]]

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 Team Rocket, and similar to {{AP|Bulbasaur}}, was captured in a fair contest with Pikachu. Noctowl also proved to be a very powerful Pokémon, being used as Ash's secret weapon in his battle with [[Morty]] and also performing well in the battle against [[Conway]].

{{anmov/h|normal|flying|Ash Noctowl {{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: U}} mod 4}}|0=Sky Attack|1=Air Slash|2=Extrasensory|3=Peck}}.png|Using {{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: U}} mod 4}}|0=Sky Attack|1=Air Slash|2=Extrasensory|3=Peck}}|image2=Ash Noctowl {{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: U}} mod 5}}|0=Hypnosis|1=Confusion|2=Foresight|3=Tackle|4=Whirlwind}}.png|caption2=Using {{#switch: {{#expr: {{#time: U}} mod 5}}|0=Hypnosis|1=Confusion|2=Foresight|3=Tackle|4=Whirlwind}}}}

{{anmov|flying|Peck|EP154|Fowl Play!}}