Beyond the Ball

Avast! Get ready for an exceptionally swashbuckling episode of Beyond the Ball as we welcome our first Sword of Justice to the show, Virizion! The Three Musketeers were swashbuckling, right? Is that what they did? Swashbuckle? Follow along with the entries below: Black : This Pokémon fought humans in order to protect its friends. Legends about it continue to be passed down. White : Its head sprout...

From Pineco to giant, metal mystery egg, it's Forretress! It shoots, it spins, and holds secrets within! Follow along with the entries below: Gold : Its entire body is shielded by a steel-hard shell. What lurks inside the armor is a total mystery. Silver : It remains immovably rooted to its tree. It scatters pieces of its hard shell to drive its enemies away. Crystal : Usually found hanging on...

In this episode Braden discusses their recent trip to Burger King and Will reminisces about his bygone hobbit feet days. That's right we're talking about Pineco! Follow along with the entries below: Gold : It likes to make its shell thicker by adding layers of tree bark. The additional weight doesn’t bother it. Silver : It hangs and waits for flying insect prey to come near. It does not move about...

Vivillon has emerged and it has so many Pokedex entries! But also not really. Join us as we spot patterns and learn about Vivillon's surprisingly explosive signature move! Follow along with the entries below: X : Vivillon with many different patterns are found all over the world. These patterns are affected by the climate of their habitat. Y : The patterns on this Pokémon’s wings depend on the...

It's Spewpin' time! Scatterbug has evolved into perhaps the best cocoon-style Pokemon, Spewpa! Follow along with the entries below: X : It lives hidden within thicket shadows. When predators attack, it quickly bristles the fur covering its body in an effort to threaten them. Y : The beaks of bird Pokémon can’t begin to scratch its stalwart body. To defend itself, it spews powder. Scarlet :...

We took a much-needed break after the revelations we had with Magnezone and we're back to basics this week with the Bug type Pokemon Scatterbug! What secrets do those funky, little rectangle eyes hold? Follow along with the entries below: X : When under attack from bird Pokémon, it spews a poisonous black powder that causes paralysis on contact. Y : The powder that covers its body regulates it...

It's time to get in the zone Magnezone! What if three Magnemite actually combined into a more cohesive evolution design? What grave consequences does this new form portend? Follow along with the entries below: Diamond & Pearl : It evolved from exposure to a special magnetic field. Three units generate magnetism. Platinum : A group tried to use scientific means to make MAGNEZONE evolve, but...

Magneton is here and somehow far more terrible than we could have imagined! Follow along with the entries below: Red & Blue : Formed by several MAGNEMITEs linked together. They frequently appear when sunspots flare up. Yellow : Generates strange radio signals. It raises the temperature by 3.6F degrees within 3,300 feet. Gold : Three MAGNEMITE are linked by a strong magnetic force. Earaches wil...

Magnemite, the littlest orb is here! I hope you're ready for some extremely confident explanations of electromagnetism! Follow along with the entries below: Red & Blue : Uses anti-gravity to stay suspended. Appears without warning and uses THUNDER WAVE and similar moves. Yellow : It is born with the ability to defy gravity. It floats in air on powerful electromagnetic waves. Gold : It is a...

Secret agent lizard man! Inteleon is here and ready to overthrow governments! Join us as we can't stop thinking about Andor and learn about all of Inteleon's cool, hidden tricks like knife! Follow along with the entries below: Sword : It has many hidden capabilities, such as fingertips that can shoot water and a membrane on its back that it can use to glide through the air. Shield : Its ni...

You know we love an angsty, middle-stage evolution! That's right, it's Drizzile! Peak Pokemon design goes hand-in-hand with our peak podcast vibes this week as everything continues to be perfectly normal. Follow along with the entries below: Sword : A clever combatant, this Pokémon battles using water balloons created with moisture secreted from its palms. Shield : Highly intelligent but a...

Get your tissues ready, this one's a literal tearjerker! That's right, Sobble is here and actually has enough entries for a full length episode! Follow along with the entries below: Sword : When scared, this Pokémon cries. Its tears pack the chemical punch of 100 onions, and attackers won’t be able to resist weeping. Shield : When it gets wet, its skin changes color, and this Pokémon becom...

Elgyem has evolved into Beheeyem, and wow! Can we go back to brain squeezing actually? Follow along with the entries below: Black : It can manipulate an opponent’s memory. Apparently, it communicates by flashing its three different-colored fingers. White : It uses psychic power to control an opponent’s brain and tamper with its memories. Black & White 2 : Apparently, it communicates by flashin...

Get ready to unravel the mysteries of a strange Pokemon from outer space this episode as we talk about the Cerebral Pokemon, Elgyem! Listen as Will learns about bogos binted and Braden effortlessly recalls the names of characters from popular TV shows! Follow along with the entries below: Black : It uses its strong psychic power to squeeze its opponent’s brain, causing unendurable headaches. White...

Pidgeot is here and we finally got some real entries to chew on, with metrics and everything! Magikarp beware! Follow along with the entries below: Red & Blue : When hunting, it skims the surface of water at high speed to pick off unwary prey such as MAGIKARP. Yellow : This POKéMON flies at Mach 2 speed, seeking prey. Its large talons are feared as wicked weapons. Gold : Its well-developed che...

Pidgey has evolved into the much heftier Pidgeotto and we've just got to find out if it can do any cool tricks now. Also, find out why Will HATES birds! Follow along with the entries below: Red & Blue : Very protective of its sprawling territorial area, this POKéMON will fiercely peck at any intruder. Yellow : This POKéMON is full of vitality. It constantly flies around its large territory...

We're going back to an original this episode! Pidgey! The Dragon Quest Slime of Pokemon. Join us as we attempt to make bird noises and find out exactly how much Pidgey is just a bird. Follow along with the entries below: Red & Blue : A common sight in forests and woods. It flaps its wings at ground level to kick up blinding sand. Yellow : Very docile. If attacked, it will often kick up san...

We're finally here at the end Swinub's journey with it's final evolution, Mamoswine! Some might argue that it's an unnecessary addition while others counter that it's so big and strong! Follow along with the entries below: Diamond & Pearl : Its impressive tusks are made of ice. The population thinned when it turned warm after the ice age. Platinum : A frozen one was dug up...

Beyond the Ball is back and wow I guess it's a new year now so get ready to learn about Piloswine AND our Pokemon of the Year 2024. Can you tell we haven't really talked in a month? Follow along with the entries below: Gold : Because the long hair all over its body obscures its sight, it just keeps charging repeatedly. Silver : If it charges at an enemy, the hairs on its back stand up straight. It...

Hey at least we made it to 250! No episode this week. We'll try again next week, but no guarantees throughout December which will be tricky for us. Follow us on Bluesky for updates! Thank you for listening and hope to see you again soon!

It's your finally here! Episode 250 of Beyond the Ball featuring our favorite AND yours, Swinub! The little ice pig that could. This one's got it all! Anime Corner? You know Team Rocket's gonna be up to some real shenanigans this time. Esoteric references? Of course! Complaining about capitalism? Wouldn't be BTB without it! And, of course, Pokedex entries! All of which you can read below: Gold : I...

Ding ding ding ding, it's bonus time! To celebrate 250 episodes of Beyond the Ball we decided to undertake the perhaps-too-large task of collaboratively ranking every Pokemon that was newly introduced in Pokemon Gold and Silver. Our favorite generation of Pokemon! Join us as we learn more about where we align and differ in our unquestionable Pokemon opinions and play along at home using this great...

As we prepare for episode 250 (vote here! ) we first must ponder the Weather Pokemon, Castform! It's like four Pokemon in one! Wow! Follow along with the entries below: Ruby : CASTFORM’s appearance changes with the weather. This POKéMON gained the ability to use the vast power of nature to protect its tiny body. Sapphire : CASTFORM borrows the power of nature to transform itself into the guises of...

We're finally done with the Pikachu family as we cover Alolan Raichu and wow does anyone else suddenly crave pancakes? Vote for who we should cover for episode 250 here ! Follow along with the entries below: Sun : It only evolves to this form in the Alola region. According to researchers, its diet is one of the causes of this change. Moon : It uses psychokinesis to control electricity. It hops abo...

Foul affliction has fallen upon Beyond the Ball and we were unfortunately unable to record this week! We should hopefully be back by next Monday the 21st. Stay tuned and remember to denounce colonialism today!