With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, there are several new critters for players to collect. Some of them come with interesting new abilities, such as Palafin which has a Hero Form when it exits and re-enters the field. Players who are interested in Double Battles should keep an eye on Tatsugiri, because its Commander ability makes it a powerful ally when it is paired up with Dondozo.
In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, players can find Tatsugiri at Casseroya Lake. Though the Pokemon is fine on its own, it is clearly a critter meant for Double Battles alongside Dondozo. Together, the two are a dream team that will have any competitor sweating.
Tatsugiri and Dondozo Make a Perfect Pair
Tatsugiri is a cute fish-like Pokemon that is a Water/Dragon type introduced to the series in Scarlet and Violet. Tatsugiri appear in three forms that each come in a different color, namely the Curly Form, the Stretchy Form, and the Droopy Form. The adorable critter gets the spotlight during the Path of Legends storyline of Scarlet and Violet where players are tasked with defeating the Titan Pokemon and collecting Herba Mystica. Upon arriving at a small island in the middle of Casseroya Lake, players find an island full of Tatsugiri. Battling the correct one triggers a showdown between players and Dondozo.
The relationship between Dondozo and Tatsugiri is no mistake. Dondozo is a Water-Type Pokemon that resembles a catfish; Dondozo's real-life counterpart keeps its young safe in its mouth. Similarly, when Dondozo and Tatsugiri are on the field together, Tatsugiri jumps inside Dondozo's mouth, and they form a powerful duo. Their stats complement each other. With a base attack stat of 50, Tatsugiri is a pretty weak attacker, although it has a great pool of moves. In contrast, Dondozo is a powerhouse, which makes up for Tatsugiri's weaknesses. The Pokedex suggests that the relationship between the two is a "brains and brawns" one, with Dondozo's entry revealing that the Pokemon is not very smart, while Tatsugiri uses its wits to survive.
Tatsugiri and Dondozo in Double Battles
Tatsugiri and Dondozo are great Pokemon on their own, but they truly shine when used together in Double Battles. Once Tatsugiri enters the Dondozo's mouth with Commander, the Dondozo will have all of its base stats raised by two stages. This turns Dondozo into a dangerous, tanky Pokemon that is difficult to get off the field and packs a mighty punch. Tatsugiri also benefits from the relationship, as it cannot be attacked while it is in Dondozo's mouth. The only downside is that players will not be able to select moves for Tatsugiri while the Commander ability is activated, which technically makes it a 2v1 matchup.
Dondozo also has the move Order Up, which builds even more synergy. If Dondozo has Tatsugiri in its mouth, it strikes with this 80-power attack and gains a single-stage stat boost in the same turn. The stat that gets the boost depends on which Tatsugiri is in its mouth, with the Curly Form granting an Attack boost, the Droopy Form delivering a Defense boost, and the Stretchy Form providing a Speed boost. The ability to deal damage and boost stats in the same turn is significant, as this is a process that typically takes multiple turns and requires non-damaging Pokemon status moves like Swords Dance.
Gamers who are interested in having Double Battles in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet should visit Ryme the Montenevera Gym Leader. Alternatively, players can also access the Poke Portal and battle online. Although Single Battles can be fun, Double Battles encourage players to think of new strategies and consider how Pokemon complement each other.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on Nintendo Switch.
