#49: Golduck

On number 49 in my list of favorite Pokémon you can find one of the first 151 Pokémon: Golduck. One of the most intriguing things about Golduck is that it evolves from the wimpy Psyduck, a yellow duck with a constant headache, which is the reason why it's immobile and holding its head most of the time. When this headache becomes too severe, Psyduck releases tension in the form of psychic powers. Apparently the headaches disappear when it evolves into Golduck, but its psychic powers (sort of) remain. In fact, Golduck learns Confusion and Zen Headbutt by leveling up and it can learn both TM03 Psyshock and TM29 Psychic, as well as some psychic-type status moves. Moreover, it can learn Future Sight, Psybeam and Synchronoise as egg moves when it's breeding with another Pokémon. It's a curious thing that neither Psyduck nor Golduck are part psychic-type aside from their primary water-type. Still, I love Golduck. It is based on the Japanese mythical monster Kappa, with its shape, blue skin and webbed hands and feet. Generally, I like Pokémon that are based on mythical monsters very much, and Golduck is no exception. In the video games it's quite strong, too. Golduck's defenses are not that impressive, but it is capable of taking a hit. What Golduck really exceeds in, though, are special attack and speed. It's not zippy, but it outspeeds a lot of Pokémon in-game, and when you're giving Golduck a movepool of Psychic, Surf, Focus Blast and Ice Beam it can easily pull one of these moves off once or twice and then knock out a Pokémon. Aside from that it's movepool is diverse, too. So why do I love Golduck again? Because it looks cool, it's a great Pokémon to use in-game, it's based on a mythical monster and it's a first generation Pokémon. Yup, aside from Ditto I don't dislike any of the first 151 Pokémon. But Golduck is definitely one of my favorites. Big time.