Dark Alakazam · Team Rocket (RO) #18

4 comments

1. 

   Nos

   (1 year ago)

   “Almost as if it were being controlled by something else, it never changes expressions, even in the middle of battle.” I love the custom flavor text for the Dark Pokémon in this set. I wish we got more interesting entries that strayed away from just copying the current Pokédex entry for that Pokémon.

   Reply
   • 

     Strč prst skrz krkNos

     (9 months ago)

     Did WOTC come up with the unique flavor texts for the TR set? Or are these all from the original Japanese?

     Reply
     • 

       AmbassadorStrč prst skrz krk

       (9 months ago)

       This one looks like a translation and I assume most of the TR translations are.

       Post-WOTC, I never cared about it enough to catalog it so I can’t give examples, but I think there are times the original JP card will grab the Pokédex entry for a Pokémon from a given game, but the English card grabs the Pokédex entry from a different game. But I don’t think there’s ever been a case where the EN card came up with wholly original flavor text independent from the original Japanese or a source game (loose paraphrasing at the worst).

       Reply
     • 

       TwylisStrč prst skrz krk

       (9 months ago)

       These absolutely aren’t the work of WotC, though I don’t know what their origin is. The notion of Alakazam being expressionless in battle can be traced back to the original Japanese Pokedex book, from which the original games’ dex entries were often sourced from (but changed due to character limits).
       Alakazam’s entry is as follows:
       “Disdainful of physical attacks, they adeptly wield extrasensory powers to defeat their foes. While they are believed to be Kadabra’s evolution, no one has proven it conclusively. In battle, Alakazam remain expressionless throughout.”
       https://lavacutcontent.com/1996-creatures-pokedex-translation-7/

       Reply