Introduced in generation six, with the Pokemon X and Y games, Pumpkaboo is a dual type ghost and grass Pokemon. It is the base evolution of Gourgeist and will evolve after it is traded. Pumpkaboo is classified as the “Pumpkin Pokemon” by the Pokedex, which is an apt name for this gourd-like Pokemon. This guide will showcase Pumpkaboo’s capability in battle, its appearances in the anime, as well as other general facts about Pumpkaboo.
About Pumpkaboo
Pumpkaboo is a two stage evolution introduced in the generation six games, that evolves into Gourgeist once it is traded with there no level threshold you need to satisfy. Pumpkaboo first appeared in the Pokemon anime in the X and Y season with the episode The Bamboozling Forest!, where Jessie found a super size Pumpkaboo. This Pokemon can come in four different variants, small, average, large, and super sized with there small differences between each form.
| First appearance in anime | Pokemon the Series: X and Y The Bamboozling Forest! |
| First appearance in game | Pokemon X and Y |
| Region | Kalos |
| Evolution | Evolves into Gourgeist, not known to evolve from any other Pokemon |
| 1st Evo level | Evolves into Gourgeist when traded |
| 2nd Evo level | N/A |
| Pokedex Entry | The pumpkin body is inhabited by a spirit trapped in this world. As the sun sets, it becomes restless and active. |
Pumpkaboo Base Stats
Pumpkaboo has four different variants that it can spawn as: small, average, large, and super sized Pumpkaboos. While each one has the same total base stats, the smaller it is the lower its HP stat is but the faster it is. The bigger the Pumpkaboo, the more health it will have but it becomes slower.
(Small Size)
| HP | 44 |
| ATTACK | 66 |
| DEFENCE | 70 |
| SP. ATTACK | 44 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 55 |
| SPEED | 56 |
| TOTAL | 335 |
(Average Size)
| HP | 49 |
| ATTACK | 66 |
| DEFENCE | 70 |
| SP. ATTACK | 44 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 55 |
| SPEED | 51 |
| TOTAL | 335 |
(Large Size)
| HP | 54 |
| ATTACK | 66 |
| DEFENCE | 70 |
| SP. ATTACK | 44 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 55 |
| SPEED | 46 |
| TOTAL | 335 |
(Super Size)
| HP | 59 |
| ATTACK | 66 |
| DEFENCE | 70 |
| SP. ATTACK | 44 |
| SP. DEFENCE | 55 |
| SPEED | 41 |
| TOTAL | 355 |
Appearance
Pumpkaboo appears to be a gourd-like Pokemon with a pumpkin bottom and darkened vines that appear to be hair. Its face is in the leafy structure of the pumpkin with a “^” faced mouth that has two fangs pointed downward. There is also a small curl at the top that resembles the stem in pumpkin plants and functions as Pumpkaboo’s hair. Its height varies depending on the size of the Pumpkaboo you encounter. At its smallest Pumpkaboo is 1 foot (or 0.3 meters) tall, its average at 1 foot and four inches (or 0.4 meters), its large size at 1 foot and 8 inches (or 0.5 meters), and it’s super size at 2 feet and 7 inches (or 0.8 meters).
Behavior
Much of what we understand about Pumpkaboo’s behavior comes from its interactions with Team Rocket member Jessie. Pumpkaboo became Jessie’s Pokemon of choice in battle and they form a strong bond between each other throughout the anime. It eventually evolves into a Gourgeist, which only increases its cheerful and energetic behavior and like most Pokemon, it reflects the behavior of its trainer.
Strengths and Weaknesses
As a base evolution Pokemon, there is not much strength to be found in Pumpkaboo. Its physical defense is respectable, but it does not become very powerful until it evolves into Gourgeist. As a grass and ghost type Pokemon, it is fairly weak to many different types in the game.mk Pumpkaboo will take 2x damage from flying, ghost, fire, ice, and dark type moves. However, it is completely immune to normal and fighting type moves while resistant to ground, water, grass, and electric type moves.
Shiny Pumpkaboo
While the top half of Shiny Pumpkaboo does not change from its regular variant, it still switches from a dark brown, almost black, to black. Shiny Pumpkaboo’s orange colored gourd changes to purple as well and its eyes have a brighter yellow glow to them. This makes it easy to distinguish between Shiny Pumpkaboo and regular Pumpkaboo. Like all shiny Pokemon, Shiny Pumpkaboo gains a starry animation upon entering battle.
Best Moveset
Of Pumpkaboo’s four variants in size, only its super size sees play in the LC (Little Cup) bracket of competitive play. In this bracket only base evolution Pokemon are legal, which makes the competition easier for these lower base stat Pokemon. As a bulkier base evolution, a super size Pumpkaboo will want a Eviolite, as a held item, to increase its general bulkiness. Run Giga Drain, Synthesis, Will-O-Wisp, and Fire Blast/Shadow Ball to see some success. Giga Drain will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) while keeping Pumpkaboo healthy, Synthesis can extend the longevity of Pumpkaboo, Will-O-Wisp is a powerful status inflicting move and Fire Blast/Shadow Ball are interchangeable as type coverage options that benefit from STAB.
| Giga Drain | Synthesis |
| Will-O-Wisp | Fire Blast/Shadow Ball |
How to Catch Pumpkaboo in Pokemon Go
While it appears that Pumpkaboo is scheduled for release, with the Pokemon of generation six released recently, Pumpkaboo has yet to make an appearance in Pokemon Go. The developers are likely struggling to include the unique factor of Pumpkaboo’s four different size variants that you can encounter. It is likely that Pumpkaboo will be added to Pokemon Go around Halloween for an event or something similar.
Trivia
- While the different sizes of Pumpkaboo all have differing stats, the super size Pumpkaboo also has a different cry upon entering battle. Its pitch is lower than the other sizes.
- The inspiration for Pumpkaboo’s design likely comes from pumpkins, specifically Jack-O-Lanterns from Halloween.
- The name Pumpkaboo is a portmanteau of the words pumpkin and boo.
Video
FAQ
How do you Evolve Pumpkaboo?
Pumpkaboo will evolve into Gourgeist once you trade your Pumpkaboo. There is no level threshold you will need to meet in order to qualify your Pumpkaboo for evolution and thus, as long as you trade it, it will evolve into Pumpkaboo. The stats are also different for each different size of Gourgeist, so make sure you trade the Pumpkaboo with the statline you want.
Does Pumpkaboo’s size matter?
The size of the Pumpkaboo does change its stats. While its total base stats will remain unchanged, the larger the Pumpkaboo, the slower it becomes but it will have more health. The smaller the Pumpkaboo, the faster it becomes but with lower health. As a bulky Pokemon, it is best to sacrifice speed for health.
Is a Super Size Pumpkaboo rare?
Yes the super size Pumpkaboo is the rarest variant of Pumpkaboo you can encounter. The most common Pumpkaboo is the average size with a 10% encounter rate, and the super size Pumpkaboo is the rarest at a 1% encounter rate. Both the small and large sized Pumpkaboo have a 5% chance of spawning.
Conclusion
Congratulations, you now know just about everything there is to know about this “Pumpkin Pokemon”. While Pumpkaboo’s evolution line has not made the biggest impact on competitive play, it is fairly unique as a Pokemon with four different variants. Typically the weight of a Pokemon only affects the power of moves like Heavy Slam, but Pumpkaboo’s statline can change depending on how small or large it is. Keep your eyes out for a super size Pumpkaboo for a bulky defensive Pokemon.
