Venipede Report

Venipede (the Centipede Pokémon) is a relatively uncommon Bug/Poison-type Pokémon found inside forests throughout the Unova, Kalos and Galar regions as well as the Alola region on rare occasions. Vicious and unrelenting, Venipede are dangerous creatures capable of taking down most enemies with their toxic bite, including those who would otherwise prey on them. Anyone used to dealing with Pokémon like Wurmple or Weedle will have to bring better offenses to bear if they want to beat these savage critters; they might be small, but don't think that you'll be able to squash them without getting poisoned in the process!

In terms of habitat and diet, Venipede share a great deal in common with their insectoid contemporaries overseas and even in some native areas, such as in the Galar region, where they often fight with Sizzlipede viciously. Venipede generally stick to feeding on leaves and berries on the ground and rarely ever travel up trees, mainly because their brightly-colored bodies stand out vibrantly against the dull color of wood. This isn't to say that they can't travel vertically, though; in fact, Venipede are excellent climbers (as are their evolutions) and share with their evolutions the distinction of being one of the few species of Pokémon able to learn the Rock Climb attack naturally. This is only possible, however, because Venipede and their evolutions can effectively curl their bodies up into a ball and utilize the traction gained in that form to ascend slopes with incredible speed. This further gives the members of the Venipede family, along with Golem, Alolan Golem and Guzzlord, the distinction of being the only Pokémon capable of learning the powerful Steamroller attack.

As with most small Bug-types, Venipede are a constant source of food for predatory birds like Tranquill and Unfezant and have been forced to develop countermeasures to protect themselves. Unfortunately, Venipede are at a disadvantage in that they must rely on the feelers located on their tails and head to sense vibrational movement in their surroundings (because they cannot easily move their heads to see objects out of their zone of perception), limiting their ability to detect predators attacking from above. To make up for their lack of vision mobility, Venipede are extremely aggressive and will viciously bite anything that grabs them or enters their zone of perception suddenly. This rarely goes well for the attacker, as Venipede inject a potent neurotoxin every time they successfully bite through an enemy's flesh. In stark comparison to the venomous stings of Pokémon like Wurmple and Weedle, the venom from a Venipede is strong enough to completely paralyze its target for at least a few days if medical treatment is not administered, and allows them to be bold enough to be willing to attack anything they think they could eat, regardless of how it might turn out for them. As such, trainers need to be especially careful about engaging these creatures in battle if they do not have a decent supply of Antidotes or curative berries on them.

Relatively powerful in comparison to other young Bug-types, Venipede are violent critters that won't think twice about biting anything, friend or foe, if it surprises them. With a powerful combination of both Bug and Poison-type moves at their disposal and a bite toxic enough to take out large birds, you can bet that these beasts will be a popular choice among any Bug Catchers that can get ahold of them. They might take a bit longer to evolve than similar bugs, but it's all worth the wait; besides, you'll never have to worry about slowing down your training schedule even after they make their cocoon!

Professor Wormwood