No. 862: Obstagoon

Back into the regular numbers

I want to like Obstagoon. I really do. I thought this was a much-needed spice for the Zigzagoon line, and giving a boring generic 2-stage regional rodent a boss 3rd form is a good idea!

Sadly, Obstagoon looks like a dude in a fursuit. The fur on his limbs is SO differentiated from his black body fur, it looks artificial. And something about the proportions is off, at least the legs. This mockup I saw fixes a lot of my issues:

But even that aside, there's something weird about Obstagoon doing his best Gene Simmons impression, while simultaneously trying to convey that he doesn't feel disposed to receive Communion so he'd just like a blessing instead. The mixed signals aren't working for me. I know he was created entirely to give Piers a signature Pokemon, but it could've gone a lot better.

Overall: 4/10

Galarian Linoone

badger badger badger badger mushroom mushroom

I was harsh on regular Hoenn-brand Linoone, but I stand by that. Furret already exists, Linoone is redundant. But now that he's in this new style, he's a lot better! It's cool how the fur pattern makes a shooting star trailing from his eye, and the sharp teeth are a nice touch.

He's less subtle about being a badger, but I'll take that over being a subtle piece of shit. Still, something about his proportions bother me. I don't have a good reason for it, maybe I'm subconsciously terrified of his aerodynamic shape.

Overall: 7/10

Galarian Zigzagoon

Ziggy Stardust

Throwing this in the middle of things because we have Obstagoon coming up next, which is a Galar-exclusive evolution for the Zigzagoon line. I'll do so for the others with  regional variants of their early forms, but stuff like Galarian Weezing will be saved for the end.

Anyway, I freaking LOVE Galarian Zigzagoon. I didn't see much purpose in the vanilla version, but this monochromatic little psycho is wonderful. The pink accent colors of his mouth and eyes help him fit in with the Spikemuth aesthetic, and stand out in general from every other Pokemon.

Honestly I think he's a fantastic bundle of energy, and the sharp contrast makes his zig-zag pattern work even better than just shades of brown.

Overall: 10/10