Another year, another spooky season has come and gone. Done are the times of screams and frights, because now we transition into the cozier and more soothing parts of the Fall season. Some might even try to snuggle with their pets, and since Pokémon are similar in that respect, what better way to kick things off than by shining the spotlight on some of them? And as the title states, we won’t be looking at just any Pokémon, but ones that are close enough (if not exactly) to the Fall aesthetic as possible.
So grab a blanket, warm up the fireplace, grab your favorite fall drink, and your beloved pet if you have one, and let’s dive right into it.
Honorable Mentions: Sprigatito, Skwovet/Greedent, and Pumpkaboo/Gourgeist
Sprigatito instantly became a fan favorite amongst the Scarlet/Violet starters, next to Fuecoco, of course. But popularity aside, this grass kitty fits the criteria of a Fall Pokémon in a few key respects. For starters, while its Grass-type is already enough of a qualifier, it wouldn’t be enough without the sweet scent it emits. This is crucial because the Fall season is known for its crisp, cool air that makes you feel at ease. Similarly, according to the Pokédex, Sprigatito gives off a scent that can mesmerize people, which gets stronger when Sprigatito is in sunlight (pokemon.com). As if it weren’t enough, it’s a cute little kitty. And as previously mentioned, people will want to snuggle with their furry companions during this cool, soothing time of the year. Thus, Sprigatito would make for the ideal cuddle buddy.
Despite this, the Skwovet line fits the Fall season a little better than Sprigatito. To understand why, it’s important to first understand the animals they’re based on: squirrels. During this time, squirrels are known to gather nuts and other food, storing them for the winter while they weather through it. Similarly, Skwovet and Greedent have an insatiable urge to gather as much food as they possibly can. While it may not be for winter storage, Skwovet’s cravings are so bad that it can’t live without stuffing something in its cheeks, even if it’s rocks. Greedent, on the other hand, will gather berries by the bucketloads and stuff them in its tail. Will they fall out? Absolutely. Does Greedent care? Nope. All that matters to these squirrel Pokémon is how much food they can find and how much they can stuff in their faces.
Finally, although these Pokémon fit more with the Halloween theme, the Pumpkaboo line is still perfect for this season. After all, Jack-o-Lanterns aren’t the only Fall activity you can use pumpkins for. Pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving dinner, pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, pumpkin-scented candles, the list goes on and on. With such an ideal time for harvesting pumpkins, why shouldn’t Pumpkaboo and Gourgeist get a chance to shine outside of Spooky Season? But if that isn’t enough, their very appearances can evoke a sense of Autumn: with Pumpkaboo’s dark brown head and its orange pumpkin, mixed with Gourgeist’s pale skin and dark brown pumpkin, they can match the ripe harvest for pumpkins and also the decay of plant life around this time (and it helps that their Ghost typing complements this aspect).
5. Cacturne
Given its appearance, Cacturne may look more like a Halloween Pokémon than a cozy Fall Pokémon. However, its scarecrow inspiration is more than just a Halloween decoration. Around this time of year, farmers are harvesting and storing their crops, meaning that pests (such as crows) would definitely have to be kept at bay. That’s where the scarecrows come in, as they hang on their posts and sway gently in the breeze. With their straw bodies, stick appendages, and simple faces, they simply match the vibes of the season. While Cacturne has none of these properties, it’s still similar enough to a scarecrow to qualify as a Fall Pokémon. Sure, it may hunt prey for its moisture during the night, but it’s pretty amazing how it can just stand as still as a statue all day long. In addition, living in such arid conditions as a desert can mirror the browning farm fields in the real world, both with silent guardians (or hunters in this case) watching over them. Plus, its shiny gives it a soothing, orange/brown coloration that honestly makes it look more like a Fall Pokémon than its normal form does. Either way, this Grass-type scarecrow can evoke the Fall spirit within us, for better or worse.
4. Fennekin
At first glance, it can be difficult to see how Fennekin is a Fall Pokémon. However, upon closer examination, the answer becomes clearer. For instance, there’s its obvious fox inspiration. This is important because foxes are generally more active around the fall season. Much like squirrels, they also spend a lot of time foraging to prepare for winter. Aside from that, their coats not only blend into the environment but also have the typical autumn colors of orange and brown. While Fennekin isn’t explicitly known to forage like its real-world counterparts, it still matches the Fall season in other ways. For starters, its fur coat complements the season with its bright red and yellow colors, matching the decaying yet beautiful leaves in the trees. Plus, with plant life starting to decay and wither, there’s going to be countless twigs and sticks littering the ground. Since Fennekin is known to eat twigs, this would be a prime time for gathering food (and would also double as a way to clean up the environment from too much debris). Finally, with the temperature dropping around this time, you’re obviously gonna need to warm up. And having a cuddly Fire-type fox on hand will be a major help with that! It doesn’t get much cozier than that for Autumn, that’s for sure.
3. Dipplin
Unlike the previous two Pokémon, it’s easier to see why this recent addition to the Applin evolution line qualifies as a Fall Pokémon. After all, what’s one treat everyone loves around this time of year? Candy apples! And what is Dipplin based on? A candy apple! It doesn’t get much simpler, nor does it need much explanation. However, upon further research, there’s actually more to Dipplin and its inspiration than I thought. For instance, candy apples in the real world are meant to represent the harvest, and they’re also so sweet that they’re enjoyed around Halloween as well. Aside from that, I don’t know if I can even explain it, but their overall appearance and taste scream “Autumn.” This brief background is significant because it has close ties to Dipplin’s introduction, which was roughly a year ago in the DLC for “Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.” Basically, players go to the Land of Kitakami, where they attend a festival and eventually meet the Legendary Pokémon, Ogerpon. The setting itself is already perfect for a candy apple Pokémon, but it gets better when you take a closer look at Dipplin. For instance, to even get a Dipplin, you have to evolve Applin with a Syrupy Apple. Upon evolving, it actually learns a move called Syrup Bomb, which deals damage while also lowering your opponent’s Speed stats. If that wasn’t enough, the long fin on its head can also be seen as the stick used to prop candy apples onto. It’s honestly pretty incredible how much it resembles a beloved Fall treat, and also hilarious because of how it attacks with sticky syrup. (Although on a personal note, how it evolves into a literal hydra is way beyond me and doesn’t make sense, but that’s a topic for another time)
2. Kricketune
I know that Kricketune isn’t everyone’s favorite Pokémon (although it’s one of mine), but it shouldn’t be overlooked in this case. This is because crickets—the obvious inspiration for Kricketune—are very active around this time of year. This is mainly due to the temperatures being just right for the bugs: not too hot and not too cold. Aside from the usual foraging and sheltering, they chirp to attract mates all season long, which can sound beautiful to some and very annoying to others. While it isn’t confirmed that Kricketune does the same thing, it is confirmed to possess extraordinary musical talents. In the Pokédex, Kricketune’s cries are described as “captivating” and “amazingly variable,” and also as a way to communicate their emotions. To complement these adjectives, Kricketune’s appearance resembles that of a music composer with its “mustache” and posture, but it also looks like a violin with its needle-like arms and the pattern on its stomach. Either way, a cricket creature that can make sounds that are more pleasing to the ears than real-world crickets sounds like an ideal Fall companion. I mean, just imagine relaxing by the fireplace on a cold Autumn night, while listening to the beautiful melodies Kricketune plays for you. I’m not even sure “soothing” or even “peaceful” are enough to describe such a cozy time.
1. Deerling/Sawsbuck (Autumn Form)
The Deerling line is the true embodiment of every season, and Autumn is absolutely no exception! For example, Deerling sports a vibrant and bright orange coat, which matches the bright colors of the Autumn leaves in trees. On the other hand, Sawsbuck’s antlers are decorated with draping red leaves, which is a significant change from its Summer form’s upright, green leaves; but the change also mirrors the process that trees go through in each season. However, the Deerling line also matches Fall in more than just appearances alone. For instance, consider the animals they’re obviously based on: deer. Around this time of year, male deer are a lot more active: showing dominance, marking territory, and fighting for mates. According to the Pokédex, Autumn Form Deerling and Sawsbuck behave very similarly! While these particular Deerling are pretty stuck up, Sawsbuck are easily angered and will often fight. These surprising behaviors may sharply contrast with the typical Fall vibes, but they still match with the more natural side of the season. The creatures of the outside world unfortunately don’t get the luxury of getting cozy with blankets and fireplaces; most of them have to fight or scavenge to survive. So, whether it’s the Pokémon world or the real world, Fall is just as much a time of struggle as it is a time of relaxation.
