Smoochum

Author: Bryan Lance

As clumsy as it is cute, Smoochum is an ice/psychic Pokemon that at first glance doesn't seem all that tough, but looks can be deceiving. Smoochum can later evolve into the Pokemon named Jynx. Smoochums are a pretty hyper type of Pokemon. They run around a lot and trip and fall down even more. While running around, Smoochums tend to rock their heads back and forth. They will spend a lot of time checking their reflection in mirrors if the opportunity arises. They are always worried that their face might be dirty. This Pokemon has very sensitive lips that it uses to examine objects. Smoochums have a light purple skin tone and blonde shoulder-length hair. Smoochums are a female-only Pokemon. There are no male counterparts for this species of Pokemon. With its attack only dealing around 30 points of damage, Smoochums are not the strongest of Pokemon, but they rely on their other abilities during battle.

Abilities

Smoochum is often referred to as a kiss type of Pokemon because of its lips that it uses to examine people and objects. But they are better known for their psychic abilities. One of Smoochum's moves is called Oblivious. Using Oblivious causes Smoochum to be immune against gender-based moves as well as abilities. Oblivious is a defense type of move that when used helps Smoochum defend against moves such as Attract, Cute Charm, and Captivate. Another ability that Smoochums use in battle is an ability called Forewarn. Using Forewarn will let you know your opponents' move set. This ability is very helpful when you are fighting against a Pokemon for the very first time and its abilities are unknown to you. Smoochum also has an ability called Hydration. Having Hydration can be pretty helpful because when it rains Smoochum will cure itself of any status conditions.

Major Appearances

Smoochum made its first appearance in the episode Pikachu & Pichu. The episode was released in Japan on July 8, 2000, and then in North America on April 6, 2001. Smoochum appeared in the episode as one of the best friends of the Pichu Brothers. It was a very minor appearance.

Smoochum made her main appearance in The Screen Actor's Guilt. The Screen Actor's Guilt was the 203rd episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first released in Japan on June 21, 2001, and then the United States on June 1, 2002. In the episode, Smoochum belonged to a Pokemon trainer named Brad Van Darn. Who nicknamed the Pokemon Smoochy. During the episode, Vitzo, Brad's agent was worried that Brad would ruin his image as a top action star if people found out that he owned a Smoochum Pokemon. And that he should own a tougher Pokemon that fits his image better. In the episode, Brad confesses to his agent that he cannot go on with the show until he gets his Smoochum back. And reveals that he was only a star because his Smoochum believed he could become one and helped him believe he could do it as well.

During the episode One Trick Phony, which was the 248th episode in the Pokémon anime. The episode first aired in Japan on May 16, 2002, and in the United States on May 17, 2003. In the episode, a Smoochum who was nicknamed Josephine belonged to a female trainer who wanted to battle Ash. The battle was quickly over when Ash had Pikachu use Quick Attack against the Smoochum named Josephine.

Pokemon Playing Cards

Over the years, Smoochum has been featured on 7 different cards for the Pokemon Trading Card game. The Smoochum cards are normally Psychic-type or Water-type Pokemon cards. In the Neo Revelation expansion, Smoochum's HP is 30 and her ability is Psykiss. Psykiss is a move where you have to flip a coin. If the coin lands on heads, you choose a special energy card attached to one of your opponent's Pokemon. Your opponent then shuffles that card back into the deck.

In the Aquapolis expansion. Smoochum's HP again is 30. Her ability is a move called Energy Kiss. When using Energy Kiss you flip a coin equal to the number of energy cards that are attached to your opponent's Pokemon. The attack does 10 damage times the number of how many times the coin lands on heads.

In the Ex Unseen Forces expansion, Smoochum has 50 HP. On this card, before your attack, if you have the Pokemon Jynx, you can place Jynx from your hand onto your Smoochum card and remove all the damage counters from your Smoochum. The ability on this card is a move called Blown Kiss, which has you place one damage counter on your opponents Pokemon.

In the Ex Dragon Frontiers expansion, Smoochum is considered a Fire-type Pokemon. Her HP is 40 and once again you are able to evolve your Smoochum into Jynx during your first turn. And the ability is a move called Alluring Kiss. Using this move causes you to search your deck for a Basic Pokemon and a basic energy card, you show them to your opponent, and put them back in your hand and shuffle your deck.

In the Secret Wonders expansion, the Smoochum card has an HP of 50 and the ability on the card is the move Psykiss.

In the HeartGold & SoulSilver expansion, Smoochum has an HP of 30 and the ability on the card is called Energy Antics. Using this move has you move an energy card attached to one of your opponent's Pokemon to another one of your opponent's Pokemon. Your Smoochum is now asleep. When your Smoochum is asleep, this ability is called Sweet Sleeping Face. During this time no attacks from your opponent can hurt your Smoochum.

Smoochum may seem like just a clumsy, loveable Pokemon that isn't very tough but she has some abilities that can be very beneficial in battle and even more so if you take the time to level her up. Plus she is the first stage to later evolving into Jynx. So don't pass on this cute Pokemon if you ever run across one, or you can kiss her awesome abilities goodbye.