Pokemon Sun And Moon Pokemon, Ranked

23 – Turtonator

Type: Fire/Dragon

Classification: Blast Turtle Pokemon

Pokedex: The shell on its back is chemically unstable and explodes violently if struck. The hole in its stomach is its weak point. It gushes fire and poisonous gases from its nostrils. Its dung is an explosive substance and can be put to various uses.

Explanation: Turtonator is based on a real life turtle called the Mata mata turtle, native to South America. Like Turtonator, the Mata mata has a distinct, spiky shell and a big horn on its head. Unlike Turtonator, the Mata mata is down with watery environments–preferably ones with a high acidity, which I suppose speaks somewhat to Turtonator’s affinity for poison gas.

As a fire/dragon type, Turtonator is surely the envy of everyone who thought that Charizard deserved better as an actual dragon, unlike this overblown Bowser wannabe. Don’t get me wrong–Turtonator’s design is really cool and very Alolan, but I just can’t get on board with a dung-flinging poison turtle being dubbed a dragon.