Trashy Triplets: Do you give a Wormadam?

 

 

 We already spoke briefly about Burmy's male evolution, Mothim, and its new sound-based shenanigans. But anyone who's looked at Burmy's family tree knows that the much more interesting path is on the female side. Having three forms that depend on where Burmy's most recent battle was when it evolved is such a cool concept. Unfortunately, Wormadam's stats have ensured it is practically un-useable in any of the games it's been featured in. It also fails spectacularly in the popularity department, as it hasn't been seen in any mainline game in 7 years after they gutted the National Dex (at least they popped up in Legends Arceus). No more! We're going to rework its terrible stats, abilities, and moves to make something as memorable as its design wants it to be.

1. Stats

Wormadam's three forms have always had a fun balance that is reminiscent of the first three Regis. Grass has a focus on the special side, Ground on the physical side, and Steel a balance of both. Too bad that its paltry 424 base stat total prevents it from doing much of anything across the board. We're starting this rework with a huge stat injection to bring all forms up to a 499 total to work with.

Grass form gets bumped up to 115 Sp. Def and 99 Sp. Att and 90 Defense. Ground form mirrors that on the physical side. Steel gets 100 in both defenses and 89 in both attacking stats, but with a hit to speed making it the slowest form. All forms get a meaty 100 HP to bolster their bulk. 

Now we're getting somewhere. Of course, stats are only half the battle. While Bug/Steel has always been a great typing, Bug/Ground is just ok and Bug/Grass is up among the worst typings imaginable. Let's see what mileage we can get out of the Abilities side of things to shore up the difference.

2. Abilities

I want the cloaks of Wormadam to play more of a role than just what type it ends up getting. Therefore, behold the cloak abilities!

• Grass Cloak: Grass moves used against Wormadam restore HP, Wormadam's Grass moves are 25% stronger, Super-effective damage against Wormadam is reduced by 25%
• Sandy Cloak: Ground moves used against Wormadam restore HP, Wormadam's Ground moves are 25% stronger, Super-effective damage against Wormadam is reduced by 25%
• Trash Cloak: Steel moves used against Wormadam restore HP, Wormadam's Steel moves are 25% stronger, Super-effective damage against Wormadam is reduced by 25%

  Now I feel like the cloaks are actually doing something besides making a fashion statement. These abilities grant an immunity, reduce super-effective damage, and strengthen some of Wormadam's offensive options in one fell swoop. This plays into everything Wormadam would want to do in a battle, except moving faster, I suppose. These abilities are so all-encompassing, that I'm not going to even bother letting them have other abilities. Wormadam has what it needs here.

3. Movepool

To form a nice defensive core of boosting moves, all three forms will get access to Quiver Dance, Stockpile, and Curse. Pick your poison and boost away! Likewise, they pick up Trick Room since they already are very psychically endowed, along with Shore Up to get some HP back. To round out with some status moves, they'll get access to Disable, Captivate, Camouflage, Recycle, and Rage Powder.

Grass Cloak will get access to Cotton Guard and Cotton Spore to boost itself or debuff foes. Aromatherapy for support,  Sleep Powder for status, and Chloroblast, Giga Drain, Leaf Tornado, and Grass Pledge, and Seed Bomb for attacking options.

Sandy Cloak gets Sand Tomb, Earth Power, Mud Shot, Stealth Rock, Smack Down, Tar Shot and Mud Sport.

Trash Cloak picks up Flash Cannon, Make it Rain, Steel Beam, and Mirror Shot for attacking moves along with Gyro Ball and Iron Head for the physical side. Spikes and Toxic Spikes I think fit thematically, since Wormadam is literally wearing trash.

Conclusion

Wow, these guys might have the most buffs of any Pokemon we've yet covered in these posts. By gosh, they sure did need them though. I grant that they're a bit strong for a Level 20 evolution, so we'll be popping up Burmy's requirements to at least 25 if not a little later. To compensate I'll absolutely be giving Burmy some buffs. It was a hellish experience raising it to level 20 already, so it needs to at least be useable if the player is expected to stick it out for a Wormadam. I'm pretty sure in the games Burmy is always encountered in its grass form, but in Bugmerald there will be locations where you can find Burmy already in its Sand and Trash forms as well, to make acquiring your preferred Wormadam a bit easier.

I always thought these gals were pretty cool, so I hope you give them a try in your next play-through!