Beyond the Ball

It's time to learn all about Lucario and the incredible power of Aura! Finally a Pokemon that DBZ fans can get behind! Buckle up because we've got a lot of entries and a lot of theories about the humanity of Pokemon to interrogate. Follow along with the entries below: Diamond: It has the ability to sense the auras of all things. It understands human speech. Pearl: By catching the aura emanating fr...

We're starting down the road to 200 with a fan-favorite this episode, Riolu! Lying just beyond that tought-but-cute exterior lies perhaps the mostly finely-tuned vibes radar in the Pokemon world. The Pokedex here also introduces us to an exciting new metric, Large Landmasses Crossed Per Night! Follow along with the entries below: Diamond: The aura that emanates from its body intensifies to alert o...

One hundred Meltan enter. One Melmetal leaves! It's time to get the facts on this burly, mythic tussle buddy. What sorts of godly acts is it capable of? What kind of damage can it do after Gigantamaxing? What constitutes a deity in the Pokemon world?? Come learn with us and cram your brain with Pokemon knowledge! Follow along with the entries below: Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee: Revered long ago for its...

Get ready for a mythical episode of Beyond the Ball as we discover the one and only Meltan! Cute scientific anomaly or cruel Darwinist? Learn the facts and decide for yourself! Follow along with the entries below: Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee: It melts particles of iron and other metals found in the subsoil, so it can absorb them into its body of molten steel. Sword: It dissolves and eats metal. Circula...

 Halloween is finally over as we uncover the perhaps justifiable malice of Phantump's evolved form, Trevenant this episode! If you ever needed more reasons to not harm forests then this big rotten tree Pokemon has you amply covered! Follow along with the entries below: X: It can control trees at will. It will trap people who harm the forest, so they can never leave. Y: Using its roots as a ne...

Listen. Who says Halloween ends on November 1st? Okay, most people probably. And they certainly would say it's over after one whole week. But Chaos has dictated that we talk about a Ghost type Pokemon so buckle up for two weeks of Beyond the Ball: Halloween Edition starting with Phantump! In this episode you'll learn all the telltale signs that you're being led to your untimely demise in a forest,...

Cottonee has evolved into Whimsicott and is ready to play some pranks wherever the wind may take it. Make sure you close your windows tight on windy nights and arm yourself with knowledge from Beyond the Ball to protect yourself from a cottony fate! Follow along with the entries below: Black: Like the wind, it can slip through any gap, no matter how small. It leaves balls of white fluff behind. Wh...

In this episode we're covering Sam Rami's hit 2002 film Spider-Man! I mean Cottonee! The Cotton Puff Pokemon! Don't worry we're totally not tired and distracted at all. Follow along with the entries below: Black: When attacked, it escapes by shooting cotton from its body. The cotton serves as a decoy to distract the attacker. White: They go wherever the wind takes them. On rainy days, their bodies...

Beyond the Ball is 4 years old and still going strong as we talk about Mienfoo's much more impressive evolved form, Mienshao! Follow along with the entries below: Black: It wields the fur on its arms like a whip. Its arm attacks come with such rapidity that they cannot even be seen. White: They use the long fur on their arms as a whip to strike their opponents. Black & White 2: Using the long...

In this episode, we talk about Pokemon's very own Kung Fu Weasel, Mienfoo! But first we cover some current events including the latest trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (just game mechanics, no new Pokemon spoilers). Black: In fights, they dominate with onslaughts of flowing, continuous attacks. With their sharp claws, they cut enemies. White: They have mastered elegant combos. As they concen...

After fixing our omission of Seel's scales last episode, we talk about its evolved form Dewgong! Join us as we learn just how fast it swims, how pumped it gets by cold temperatures, and where it stores its elusive thermal energy! Follow along with the entries below: Red & Blue: Stores thermal energy in its body. Swims at a steady 8 knots even in intensely cold waters. Yellow: Its entire body i...

Who's got two tusks, one tongue and an unquenchable desire for cold temperatures despite not being an ICE type Pokemon? That's right, it's Seel! Join us as we uncover just how cold Seel likes it and what that thing on its head is really made of! Follow along with the entries below: Red & Blue: The protruding horn on its head is very hard. It is used for bashing through thick ice. Yellow: Loves...

Stufful has grown exponentially not only in size but in danger as well this episode as we cover it's evolved form, Bewear! Buckle up because we were wholly unprepared for these Pokedex entries. Follow along below: Sun: This immensely dangerous Pokémon possesses overwhelming physical strength. Its habitat is generally off-limits. Moon: This Pokémon has the habit of hugging its companions. Many Trai...

We're covering Stufful this episode! It's very cute but what is it really made of and can you pet it? Answers to these questions and more along with us getting distracted by snack nostalgia (again) and Lord of the Rings await you. Plus we talk a little bit about the latest trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Follow along with the entries for Stufful below: Sun: Despite its adorable appearance,...

We're on to bigger and better vines this episode as we discuss Tangela's evolved form, Tangrowth! More vines, more growing and less mystery! We also reminisce about Tang and take a quick dip into the Anime Corner to be reminded that Team Rocket is indeed still the best part of that show. Follow along with the entries below: Diamond & Pearl: It ensnares prey by extending arms made of vines. Los...

We're back to talk about the one and only Vines With Shoes Pokemon, Tangela! Join us as we answer the big question on everyone's mind: Who is Tangela? Follow along with the entries below: Red & Blue: The whole body is swathed with wide vines that are similar to seaweed. Its vines shake as it walks. Yellow: Its identity is obscured by masses of thick, blue vines. The vines are said to never sto...

Sooooo, we're still struggling to record right now, but we'll be back as soon as we can! Also I guess they revealed a new Pokemon this week?

Will's move is taking a bit longer than expected and we're out of backup episodes so Braden's here for a quick check in and reaction to some of the recent Scarlet and Violet news. We should be back on schedule next week!

We're still wandering around in the AI Dungeon looking for wild, new Pokedex entries this week! Join us as we learn about the rejection of gender, Flock Intelligence, the combined power of various objects, and more! Follow along with the entries (courtesy of AI Dungeon ) below: Caterpie: It turns from a chrysalis to a beautiful butterfly. So far, none of these have been male or female. They develo...

Will's in the middle of moving this week so we're headed back into the AI Dungeon this week to see what absurd new Pokedex entries it comes up with. Follow along below: Pinsir: It constantly stalks its prey, looking for the perfect moment to strike. If it sees an opening, it capitalizes on it immediately, charging forward with incredible speed. Mega Pinsir: It can focus all of its energy in one po...

It's time to talk about a little mouse! A rascal AND a scamp! It's Beyond the Ball's second Pikachu-alike, Dedenne! Follow along with the entries below: X: Its whiskers serve as antennas. By sending and receiving electrical waves, it can communicate with others over vast distances. Y: It uses its tail to absorb electricity from power plants or from outlets in houses, and then it fires the electric...

We're light on entries this week so we're pulling double duty to cover Sneasel's Hisuian regional variant and its unique evolved form, Sneasler from Pokemon Legends: Arceus! They've been hitting the gym AND the poison with new types, new capabilities, and new attitudes. Follow along with the entries below: Hisuian Sneasel Legends: Arceus: Its sturdy, curved claws are ideal for traversing precipito...

Sneasel has evolved and grown in all sorts of ways as Weavile provides us with some delightfully detailed Pokedex entries! Beyond the Ball is eating well today! Follow along with entries below: Diamond: They live in cold regions, forming groups of four or five that hunt prey with impressive coordination. Pearl: It sends signals to others by carving odd patterns in frost-covered trees and ice. Plat...

It's time to talk about one of Braden's faves and a real cool customer, Sneasel! Join us as we discuss the Sharp Claw Pokemon, the problematic representation of Dark type Pokemon, Taggerung and more! Follow along with the entries below: Gold: Its paws conceal sharp claws. If attacked, it suddenly extends the claws and startles its enemy. Silver: Vicious in nature, it drives PIDGEY from their nests...

Emboar! The largest of the fire pigs with scant few Pokedex entries. Join us as we glean what valuable info we can about this blazing, bulky battler and its magnificent mane! Follow along with the entries below: Black: It can throw a fire punch by setting its fists on fire with its fiery chin. It cares deeply about its friends. White: It has mastered fast and powerful fighting moves. It grows a be...