The Bug Type: Is It Necessary? (A Guide To Understanding Types)

 Hello, good day, and welcome to my lab! I'm Professor Umbreon, the Dark Type Pokémon Professor. I'm here not to teach, but to discuss this fantastic world in which we live.

Today, we shall discuss the Bug Type, whether it's necessary, and what defines each Type in the first place. Let's start there, shall we?

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Defining Types

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Grass Type

    What defines the Grass Type? The most obvious answer is a connection to plants, of course. But there is more to it than that. Grass Types come in three main flavors:

1) Sentient Flora -- These are the ones like Oddish or Bellsprout. They themselves are quite literally plants. Why they are Grass Type is fairly obvious.

2) Symbiotic/Parasitic -- These are the creatures upon which a plant grows, like Bulbasaur or Parasect. They themselves are not plants, but they live in close harmony with plants. (Though, some are not so harmonious). of course, a plant just growing on a Pokémon does not a Grass Type make; there must be some exchange of resources, the plant must actually be growing from the Pokémon.

3) Forest Guardians -- They are neither plants nor have plants growing on them, like Grookey or Rotom Mow. They instead have a strong connection to plants, able to control them and help their growth.

In all of these cases, a strong connection to plants is evident. Grass Types tend to be healers, weather/terrain manipulators, poisoners, and powder experts. They fill a unique niche, their necessity is obvious.

Fire Type

    Ah, yes, the energetic Fire Type. Big appetites, passionate moods, and a strong thirst for battle -- it's easy to see what makes this Type what it is. But none of those things are unique to Fire Types, are they? What really defines them? Let's take a look at some of the different groups within this Typing:

1) Living Flame -- These are Pokémon who are, to some extent, literally made out of fire or magma. Rapidash and Macargo are excellent examples of such a phenomena. As they are living fire, they must be Fire Type. Anything else would be quite nonsensical.

2) Continuous Flame -- These are the ones who produce some sort of flame near-constantly, but aren't technically made up of living fire. There has been some debate whether they are truly a separate thing from the first group, but examples would be Charizard (ignoring G-Max's wings) and Alolan Marowak. Though, it could be argued that Marowak is simply using a flaming tool, rather than having a flame actually on its body. All in all, this is the most disputed group.

3) Inner Flame -- The vast majority of Fire Types belong in this grouping, such as Houndour or Talonflame. They have no fire on their bodies, nor any piece of them made of flame, but are still Fire Types. Some have fire continuously burning within them (which could arguably make them part of the first group), while others can simply produce flame at will. They tend to have the least resistance the least resistance to heat out of all the Fire Types, but can still withstand it better than most Types.

Resistance to heat, sometimes even being healed by it. A strong connection to fire, usually with some permanently within them. Powerful moves with a chance to cause burn. They are passionate, energetic fighters, defined by their connection to fire, magma, smoke, and heat.

Water Type

    The vast majority of aquatic Pokémon are Water Type, ruling the seas, the oceans, the lakes, and the rivers of our world. But not all Pokémon who live in the water are Water Type, while not all Water Types live in the water. So what really defines them? Let's take a look at how the different species that share this Typing truly work:

1) Made Of Water -- You had to have seen this one coming. Strangely, not many are actually made out of water. Vaporeon's ability to transform into water is the best example, but Tentacool is as well made up almost entirely out of water. Obviously, turning into or being made out of water is a surefire sign one is a Water Type, despite its rarity.

2) Functional Water -- Those that have some control of water and use it to help them on a regular basis. Araquanid's helmet and Rotom Wash's arms are excellent examples. The water does have to be constantly there, as is the case with Greninja's Shurikins, but some level of control and use of water on a regular basis must be present.

3) Aquatic -- They live in water, they can't really live on land. They can breathe on land, but they don't have the equipment to thrive out of water. Finneon and Mantyke are both good examples. Just living water isn't enough, these Pokémon as well manage to store and shoot out water, using it as a weapon and/or tool.

4) Semi-Aquatic -- The category most Water Types fall into, from Oshawott to Walking Wake. They spend a great deal of their time outside the water, maybe even the majority. They are not made of water, and cannot control it well enough to shape it. So, what makes them Water Types? Their need for moisture, which they share with most Grass Types? Their ability to summon rain, another thing shared with many other Types? The fact they live in the water, except they don't always? Maybe water hardens beneath their feet, letting them walk out on the waves. Maybe they store massive amounts of water inside themselves, ready to shoot it out. Maybe they make water materialize from thin air. Maybe no one can match their speed under the waves. Maybe it's simply the way they can sense the H2O around them.

All in all, Water Types are complex and diverse. They have moves designed to dazzle and heal, even as they attack. Some live in the water, some live outside of it. Some can control water, others can turn into it, and many more simply can't. Perhaps the only trait they truly share is how they all utilize it on a daily basis, more so than any other Type, using it in Battle like nothing else can.

Electric Type

    One of the most energetic Types, and one of the ones that work most closely to Humans. For years, we've utilized their incredible abilities to power our inventions, influencing the development of them and ourselves. There are many sorts of Electric Types, beginning with;

1) Mind Of Its Own -- The ones who are made of living electricity, lightning incarnate with its own thoughts and emotions. Rotom is the most famous example, but the Legendary Regieleki belongs in this category right alongside it. Some Pokémon have parts of their bodies made out of electricity, or are constantly giving off electric sparks, but whether they belong in this category or not is up for debate.

2) Generators -- These Pokémon create electricity within their own bodies. Some convert it from other energy sources, such as Helioptile with its solar-panel-like frill. Others, like Pikachu, simply create it as they move and go about their day. It can be argued that they're all just converting food, sunlight, or movement into electricity, thus making them more Converters than Generators.

3) Batteries -- Those that store, but cannot generate, electrical currents. Like the Ultra Beast Xurkitree or little Joltik. Some need electricity to survive, feeding off it for part -- or even all -- of their nutrients. Some can pull it out of the air or the static of other Pokémon. Some more directly feed off of wires or the shocks they get from other Electric Types. Some follow storms, hoping to get a power boost. In fact, a lot of Electric Types in general follow or cause lightning storms.

Fast, energetic, and difficult to train -- Electric Types are most defined by the way they are connected to their namesake, utilizing it in battle and everyday life.

Flying Type

What can be said about this Type? Not all Pokémon that can fly are Flying Type, and not all Flying Types can even fly! It honestly might seem arbitrary and random, unless one considers the possibility that the Type itself was simply misnamed. If we consider this to be a Type of air or wind, can we logically sort its members? Let's give it a try:

1) Wingless -- Some Pokémon can levitate, but not all that do so are Flying Type, why? Remembering the connection to air, the answer presents itself, as it all comes down to how they levitate. Flying Types do not use magnetics, psychic abilities, nor electricity to propel them upwards; they use air. Gyarados can float high above the waves thanks to how it bends the air around it. Jumpluff travels around the world thanks to the way it rides currents of air, steering itself even in the midst of a hurricane.

2) Flightless -- Admittedly, there are not many Flying Types that lack their namesake ability, with only Archen and Doduo coming immediately to mind. To understand why exactly they are Flying Types, let's take a closer look at Doduo, shall we? The Twin Bird Pokémon, a Normal/Flying Type, it can reach speeds of a 100 kilometers (60 miles) per hour! This is due to its powerful legs, but it is theorized that Doduo manipulates the air around it to give it a boost in speed, moving its feathers to direct air currents at will. Its evolution Dodrio is capable of regulating the air within its body to better oxygenate its blood and run longer, lending credence to this theory, but this control over air has yet to be proven. Perhaps they were simply mistyped, due to outward similarities to many Flying Types? It has been known to happen.

3) Flying -- What separates Flying Types that can fly from other Types that can fly? The answer is simple; control over air. Flying Types can bend the air around them to make them last longer, be faster, more agile in the air. They can harden air into weapons or call upon windstorms, blowing their enemies away in a tornado. A Pokémon of another Type might be able to fly, but it most likely isn't beating a Flying Type in a sky race.

Many Flying Types are known for beaks, talons, and feathers -- the sort of Pokémon typically called Bird Pokémon. But Empoleon is hardly a Flying Type, while Rotom Fan is most certainly not a Bird. This simple mystery is solved by the idea that Flying Type was misnamed -- this is a Type defined by a control over and connection to air, bending it and using it as they see fit, as opposed to by whether one can fly or not.

Dragon Type

We've covered the Starter Types, reviewed the Electric Type, and solved the mystery of Flying Type -- now on to something a tad more difficult. What trait do all Dragon Types share? Their size? What about Tatsugiri? Their scales? What about Goomy? Their roughness? What about Altaria?

What makes a Dragon Type a, well, Dragon Type?

1: They are powerful. Counting Evolution Lines rather than individuals, they are some of the most powerful Pokémon, tapping into abilities other Types almost never can. Many Legendaries have this Type, and for good reason. It is one of the most common Types for a Mega Pokémon to gain. But can power really define any Type?

2: They are rare, with very few moves. There just aren't very many of them, and they can be very difficult to find, even more difficult to train. There aren't a lot of Dragon Type moves, but they ones that are there tend to be powerful. But rarity can't define a Type, or pretty much all Mythicals would be Dragon Type. So what else is there?

3: They are ancient. They are one of the oldest Types, one of the longest living, with connections to the ancient world most have lost. Of course, they share this with Ghost Types. Age doesn't a Type make, so is Dragon Type really so arbitrary?

In the end, it isn't any one trait that defines a Dragon Type, but a collection of traits. They are powerful, aggressive, ancient, rare, and connected to a kind of power no other Type has. They all clearly fit together, even if we don't always know why. It's in their genes, they all hold the power of Dragon Types, so they're Dragon Types. Perhaps, someday, we'll find a better way to classify them.

Normal Type

Some of the most underrated Pokémon, know for being bland, boring, regular, common -- but is that all there is to them?

Many Normal Types are known for dull colors, being extremely common, and losing the Normal Type upon evolving. Let's explore why that last is so very interesting:

Eevee, Fletchling, Swablu -- These are all Pokémon that lose the Normal Typing as they evolve. No Pokémon gains the Normal Type upon evolving, so why do so many lose it? To understand that, we must look at Castform and Ditto. A Pokémon created by Human, Castform is Normal Type most of the time, switching out its Typing depending on the weather. Ditto is a Normal Type Pokémon famous for its abilities to shapeshift, though most have trouble with their eyes, as well as the fact they can mate with nearly any other Pokémon.

Can you see it yet? No? Well, then I'll tell you; Normal is the Type of adaptability. Normal Types might not be the most powerful, but they can adapt to a wide variety of situations. Eevee is Normal Type, a Type that can turn into any other. Shape changers, empaths, scrappy little rogues -- Normal is a Type meant for change and challenge.

Fighting Type

We've covered seven Types so far (nearly halfway done!), now let's handle our eighth; Fighting Type.

All Pokémon, with the exception of a few rare individuals, love Battle. They are made for it, mentally and physically, in a way we humans can only barely imitate. Some are incredibly powerful, some look quite a bit like us, some battle so much more than others -- so what makes Fighting Types unique?

They are the most self-disciplined Type. Battle isn't a hobby, a necessity, or a game to them -- it's a way of life. Constantly training, even in the most extreme conditions, these Pokémon build up their bodies and minds in a similar way to us humans (though a lot more extreme). They prefer physical attacks over special attacks, hitting their opponents over and over again. They have special styles of fighting, just like we do, perfecting their technique over the course of their lives. They train themselves and others, battling in sometimes ritual-esqe ways.

Fighting Types tend to have an innate sense of honor, of right and wrong, even if their priorities are sometimes rather skewed. Few Fighting Types approve of attacking weaker Pokémon, with some being known to go out of their way to protect and even train weaker creatures, even outside of their own species! Unevolved Fighting Types can almost be found following their Evolved form, for both knowledge and protection.

In essence, Fighting Types are defined by their way of life; constant training, self-discipline, teaching and protecting weaker beings, preference for the physical, thirst for battle, and unwavering determination. Many humans try to emulate this lifestyle, with some suggesting that Humans would be Fighting Types if we were Pokémon. Personally, I think we'd be Fighting/Normal.

Ghost Type

Be not frightened of this mysterious Type, young Trainer. They are just as likely to hurt or help you as any other Type, really. Are they really Ghosts, the souls of Humans and Pokémon that long departed from this world? Or are they something much more interesting? The answer in both cases is 'yes'. To understand, let's take a look at how Ghost Types differ from each other:

1) Dearly Departed -- Suffice it to say, some Ghost Types really are dead. Or, at least, they started out that way, before these new Ghosts bred and created offspring that were never alive to begin with! Dreepy is a good example of this, a Pokémon that went extinct long yet has gotten a second chance at life, just in a very different way than Fossil Pokémon. Greavard is an example of a Pokémon that continues to get members through death, despite many just being born from eggs. What separates them from regular ghosts? They can breed, use Moves, be caught, and are generally more alive than you'd expect. Basically, some people and Pokémon get another chance as Ghost Types when they die, being reborn rather than staying dead.

2) Brought To Life -- Emotions are powerful things, very powerful. Sometimes they are so powerful, they can create life. Most Shuppet are born from eggs, descendants of other Shuppet and Banette. Even in the modern age, many are born like the very first; a doll so well-loved, so filled with its owner's emotions, that some of those emotions transfer to it when owner and doll are separated. These particular Shuppet tend to refuse to be caught or trained, constantly searching for whoever owned them as a doll, even after evolving. Despite popular belief, they are not bitter, will not take revenge, and will not turn back into a doll upon finding their person; they will simply reunite and finally allow themselves to be caught. They are not the only example of an item brought through life from emotion, as the very first Poltchageist was born from regrets that seeped into a matcha tea set.

3) Possessed -- Beyond our world, our understanding, are beings of energy and thought, which we will call Spirits (not dead, as opposed to ghosts). They cannot be caught, cannot be seen, and have absolutely no physical form. Some of them, however, can gain physical forms. The very first Sinistea came into being when a group of Spirits took advantage of an abandoned teaset seeped in emotions (not quite enough to create its own life, but enough for them to use), a group which then bred with other Pokémon to create the Black Tea Pokémon we all know to this day. The first Honedge is thought to be a sword possessed by a Spirit that desired to influence the rule of a kingdom (its evolution is able to detect the qualities of a leader, and it is known for manipulating people, so it could very well be true), while others say it is a sword brought to life by the strong emotions of the warrior who wielded it, and some claim it is the reborn soul of someone who died by the blade of a sword -- so its standing in any of the groupings is questionable.

4) Spirits -- Yes, I know I stated that Spirits have no actual form, but they can gain one. These are the Spirits that went a different route than possession, or at least their descendants. Rotom, Gengar, Mimikyu; they are spectral beings beyond the physical world, closer to ghosts than living creatures, yet they are not dead nor the descendants of death (as far as we know). They are incorporeal, able to pass through and/or posses solid objects, can communicate with the dead, can often influence/control the living, and can travel beyond our realm.

Because that's really what all of them are -- whether born from emotions or reborn from ghosts, whether having a body of their own or possessing something else, all share a few key traits; they are incorporeal pranksters with a connection to the realms of souls and Spirits. Studying them can be difficult, as many myths claim they eat souls and drag people off to meet death, but the truth is so much more bizarre.

Dark Type

Now that we've passed the halfway point, let's look into one of my favorite Types: Dark Type! The Type of night, caves, and shadows. The Evil Type. A Type well-used by villains, they are known for aggression and violence. But, is that really true? Let's take a look at some of the more heroic Dark Types (I won't even pretend I'm not biased, so here's a few examples of evil Dark Types; Honchkrow, Krookodile, Grimmsnarl):

Absol, the Disaster Pokémon, a pure Dark Type. It is known for appearing right before major disasters, leading it to be feared and hated for centuries. In more modern times, it's been discovered that Absol is actually trying to warn others, to save them from the disasters it has the ability to sense -- and it continues to do so, despite the hatred it receives, because it is a good soul that will do its very best to protect others. The Bringer Of Doom, a Pokémon known for being antisocial, yet it dislikes truly fighting and wishes only to protect.

Zoroark, the Illusion Fox Pokémon, another pure Dark Type. This Pokémon is hyper protective over its young, hiding them in its mane, creating illusions to guard them, even risking its life to protect those it cares about. It is a Pokémon that values family, unity, and selflessness.

Greninja, the Ninja Pokémon, a Water/Dark Type. A Starter Pokémon, it is a noble ninja known for protecting others and guarding large areas. It has the honor and protectiveness of a Fighting Type, but the trickery and sneakiness its Type is known for.

If Dark Types aren't all evil, aren't all nocturnal, and don't all live in dark places like caves... what defines them? They are cheaters, tricksters, they fight dirty and won't apologize for it. They are masters of the shadows, getting more powerful in darkness, able to control it to various extents. They are cunning manipulators, always looking for an opportunity to catch their opponent unawares. But, in the end, it's their connection to literal darkness that makes them what they are, regardless of their actual personalities.

Poison Type

Time for Type number 11, everybody! We're almost to the end. Since the last one kinda dragged on, let's just jump right into the different kinds of Poison Types:

1) Literally Poison -- Muk and Gastly. Pokémon that are quite literally made out of poison, toxins, acids.

2) Polluting The Airspace -- These Pokémon are capable of producing some not-nice-to-breath-in things. Like Weezing or Skuntank. Being around them can be hazardous to your health.

3) Venomous -- This would be Toxicroak or Seviper. They've got the poison inside of them, and they can inject it into you. This includes most Poison Types

4) Poison Eaters -- Galarian Wheezing or Garbador. They make the world a cleaner place, eating up the stuff no one else can, sometimes even producing things that are much more desirable.

Being capable of poisoning others isn't what makes a Poison Type. Being highly poisonous, resistant to other Pokémon's poison, and feeding off of poison -- those are much better markers. Poison Type is kinda like Fighting; other Types might have some of the same qualities, but it's a lifestyle to these Pokémon.

Psychic Type

A Type some Humans can more-or-less gain. Prophecy, telekinesis, telepathy, teleportation, mind control -- what really defines a Psychic Type? What makes a Psychic Pokémon different than, well, a psychic Pokémon?

Some other Types might have a bit of psychic power, but Psychic Types have insane levels of psychic power, due to their control over their minds. They are intelligent, almost always, with strong levels of empathy. What separates them from other Pokémon is that understanding and control they have over their own minds.

A Pokémon with two heads might be able to communicate between those heads without words, but a Psychic Type can communicate without physical connection.

An Electric Type might be able to communicate or control with electrical signals, but a Psychic Type does it purely with brain waves.

Any human or Pokémon can learn to be Psychic under the right conditions, can learn to truly understand their mind, but a Psychic Type just does it naturally. Easily, even.

You can say what really makes a Psychic Pokémon is their control over their minds, their connection to the dreamscape, their astounding intelligence. But, honestly? It's the fact they can see the future and open up black holes. Seriously, they have freaky levels of power, intelligence, and the ability to mind control others -- they don't even need to be awake to mess you up! Why don't they own the world?!

Steel Type

Some part of their body is made out of some type of metal (even if it doesn't always look like it), plus they usually eat and/or control metal. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. Oh, and sometimes they're robots.

Rock/Ground Types

As these two Types have a lot of overlap (I have a lot to say about they should be resorted, but that's for a future article), I will be doing them together.

Like many other Types, they are either partly/completely made up of their element (in this case minerals), and/or have some sort of control over it. Rock Types tend to be the more solid things (like gemstones) while Ground covers less solid things (like mud).

I wish I had more to say about them, but they really are quite simple, the only confusion really ever happening over which is which. Basically, they're rocks, sand, mud, stone, crystals -- minerals in general. Everything just shy of metal.

Ice Type

Grass, Fire, Water, Electric, Flying, Dragon, Normal, Fighting, Ghost, Dark, Poison, Psychic, Steel, Rock, Ground -- just Ice and Fairy left, then we can finally tackle Bug Type.

Unfortunately, Ice Types are a lot like many other Types, so it kinda feels repetitive to make a whole list like I did at first. They are made out of ice/snow, they can control ice/snow, and/or they can drop the temperature around them really fast. They can survive colder temperatures than most Types, sometimes even needing cold temperatures to survive. Cold, ice, snow -- that's this Type in a nutshell.

Fairy Type

The very last before Bug, and one of the most difficult to really define. What traits are they known for, do they really apply, and what makes them unique? Let's review the things people most connect to this particular Type:

Size -- Fairy Types are known for being small and delicate, some of the smallest Pokémon are Fairy Types. But what about Xerneas? Or Zacian? Neither is small, and the Hero Of Many Battles is certainly not delicate. Let's move on...

Cuteness -- Fairy Types are known for being adorable, pink, and friendly. Again, I must bring attention to Grimmsnarl. Three out of four Tapus would argue against the pink thing. And waaaay too many Fairy Types are more interested in ruining your day for their own amusement than helping anybody.

So, what really defines them? What makes them special? After searching far and wide, studying many different specimens, diving into lore and myth, I have decided... It's magic. Fairy Types are known for doing stuff that technically should be impossible, with absolutely zero explanation, and huge grins on their faces as they break the rules right in front of you.

Fairy Types can mess with stats, summon things, make things grow or wither, do spells, even grant immortality -- they don't have Spirit nonsense, advanced mental powers, ripping through space/time, nor the shadow realm to help them out. They just can. There's even a Fairy Type Gym Leader known for having her Pokémon just change other Pokémon's stats without using any Moves. They are giggling, nonsensical monsters with weird healing capabilities and the ability to feed off emotions without the slightest hint of psychic ability -- they are magic, pure and simple, beyond our current understanding of reality.

And now, what you've all been waiting for...

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Bug Type

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What makes a Bug Type what it is? What really defines Bug Type, sets it apart, makes it a Type in the first place? What are Bug Types known for? I will now show how every trait associated with Bug Types is not inherent to all Bug Types and/or is applicable to other Types

Exoskeletons

Exoskeletons. Skeletons on the outside of one's body, hard and segmented. Many people connect them to the Bug Type, but I say nay! For Venonat has no exoskeleton, it is covered in fur. And many Steel Types, among others, have exoskeletons.

Six Or More Limbs

Six, eight, a hundred -- Bug Types are known for their creepy-crawly limbs. So I now point you to specimens like Rellor, who has but four limbs. And shall I introduce Machamp, who is known for its six powerful limbs?

Mandibles

After extensive research, I have not managed to find a single Pokémon who was not a Bug Type yet possessed mandibles. However, I did find many Bug Types that did not possess any themselves. Ledian and Pineco are good examples.

Venom/powders

Need I really say it? The Poison and Grass Types quite disprove the uniqueness of this trait, no matter how often Bug Types use one or both.

Cocoons

The majority of Bug Types do not have a cocoon/chrysalis stage. On the other side of things, Shellgon is a cocooned Dragon Type.

Size

Quite like Fairy Types, Bug Types are often considered small and weak. Scolipede and Buzzwole might want to have a word or two about that.

There is nothing that really defines Bug Type, beyond a general physical appearance. Like Cat Pokémon or Bird Pokémon, it is perfectly reasonable to group them -- but should they really have a Type of their own?

Consider Gliscor or Vibrava, Pokémon who undoubtedly have many 'bug' traits, yet are not Bug Types themselves. Consider Forretress, who bares almost no resemblance to other Bug Types. Consider that many Pokémon have been misclassified. Many Poison Types, Flying Types, Steel Types -- all classified as Bug.

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Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps there really is something that really ties all Bug Types together, something that makes them their own Type. Or, maybe, one of the Types I defined makes less sense than I think it does. Either way, I hope I've opened your minds and really got you thinking on what, exactly, makes each Type what they are.

Goodnight, everymon!