Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced a total of 107 new monsters for players to capture and train. Of all these new creatures, one of the most popular - and most enigmatic - is the Fairy/Steel-type Tinkaton. This Pokemon's cute, pink design is contrasted by the giant steel hammer it wields, capturing the hearts of many. However, the existence and growth of its hammer throughout each stage of evolution has many players wondering how the weapon works in the world of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
The first stage of this evolutionary line, Tinkatink, has the appearance of an infant-like doll wielding a weapon that looks a lot like a rattle. When it evolves into Tinkatuff at level 24, it takes on an adolescent appearance and gains a much bigger, two-handed weapon. At level 38, it evolves into Tinkaton and wield a mallet that is now twice the size of its body. What makes this Pokemon stand out among others are the changes its weapon goes through with each evolution versus the creature itself, calling into question who is really the one evolving.
The Pokedex Holds Answers to Tinkaton's Evolutionary Mystery
As the ultimate authority on Pokemon lore, consulting the Pokedex reveals further details on Tinkaton's evolutionary process. It appears that Tinkatink are not actually born with their hammer as some suspected. Instead, they will collect scraps of metal to craft their hammer - sometimes more than once - until they are satisfied with the result. The Pokedex also notes that this hammer will often be stolen by other critters that eat metal.
Once it evolves into Tinkatuff, things get darker regarding the creation of its new weapon. It has been established that the hammer is not a part of Tinkatuff's body, but it is apparently made up of the bodies of other Pokemon. According to the Pokedex, Tinkatuff will attack groups of Pawniard and Bisharp to gather metal from their bodies that it uses to craft a new weapon. Picturing this small, innocent-looking creature stripping the metal - or flesh, as the case may be - from another creature can be a disturbing image.
It seems Tinkaton's malice grows along with its strength when it evolves. Now that it can wield a 220-pound hammer made from the bodies of other Pokemon, Tinkaton is confident enough to steal whatever it wants and often picks fights with wild Corviknight by knocking rocks into the air. Given that Corviknight is also a Steel-type, it's likely Tinkaton uses metal from Corviknight's body to enhance its hammer as well.
Past Generations Also Included Pokemon Wielding Tools or Weapons
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Tinkaton is not the first instance of a Pokemon using some sort of non-biological weapon or tool, going all the way back to Gen 1's Farfetch'd and Alakazam. Farfetch'd are said to be defenseless without the leak they carry, and will search for another should it lose the first one. In Galar, Farfetch'd are much stronger and will seek larger leaks, splitting that leak in two when it evolves into Sirfetch'd. While not as dark as the origin of Tinkaton's weapon, Farfetch'd's leak is just as crucial to its survival, so it may as well be a part of its body.
The origins of the iconic spoons that Alakazam wields are more of a mystery. According to some Pokedex entries, Kadabra needs a silver spoon or else its psychic powers are only half as strong. However, Alakazam's Pokedex entries mention that it creates its spoons using psychic abilities, implying that it no longer needs the spoon it had as a Kadabra.
With all the different ways Pokemon acquire weapons, it's no surprise that many were confused as to how or why Tinkaton uses a huge hammer. Luckily, Game Freak is thorough in its worldbuilding for the franchise and offers a great source of information on the biology of these creatures in the form of the Pokedex. As fans continue to dive into the mysteries of the Pokemon world, more evolutionary conundrums are sure to pop up.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
