Chapter Text
Misdreavus, Screech Pokémon
1st Stage, Evolves into Mismagius
Type: Ghost
Abilities: Levitate
Breeding Group: N/A
Height: 2’04
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Ranking: 3/5
Rarity: 3/5
Difficulty: 3.5/5
Requirements:
Class 3 License or Class 2 & Tier 1 Ghost Permit
OR
Special Permission
Overview
Misdreavus is a true Ghost-type Pokémon, mostly known for their mischief, tricks, and tendency to cause trouble. Their signature red necklace has become a common symbol of magic and witchery. It is said that the hallucinations and nightmares Misdreavus give others has inspired multiple fairy tales, poems, and folk tales of all genres. This Pokémon is highly recommended for those who enjoy scares and pranks, sometimes harmless, sometimes not, but most people encounter them upon unknowingly stumbling into their territory and getting the scare of their life. It evolves into the Pokémon Mismagius.
Biology
Misdreavus are small, incredibly light creatures who always appear to be levitating above the ground. Their gaseous body ranges from a dark blue-green to purple, with pink highlights on the ends of their ‘hair,’ and their half-oval eyes are red with black irises and yellow sclera. Their lower half seems to resemble that of a cloth dress.
Around a Misdreavus’ neck are a ‘necklace’ of red orbs. These orbs collect and store the fear and negativity from which a Misdreavus feeds, as well as other purposes to be discussed in the Evolution section. Do not touch these orbs with your bare hands, or you will experience the full force of the emotions collected within. Misdreavus are also incredibly protective of these orbs, and because of this, some might view it as a weak spot of sorts. This is not recommended as a tool to exploit in battle. Purposefully aiming for their necklace will lead you to being on a Misdreavus’ bad side. You do not want to be on any Ghost’s bad side, especially one who is handy at Fairy magic.
Shiny Misdreavus are typically found in forests, especially those favored by Fairies. Their coloring consists of a bright green, which slowly grows darker with time, and the tips of their ‘hair’ are a yellow-gold. They seem to have more of an affinity for Fairy type moves, with some knowing moves normal Misdreavus would not. They are also far more finicky than regular Misdreavus, and enjoy making deals with both humans and Pokémon. These tend to go very badly for the person unlucky and foolish enough to believe the Misdreavus means them no harm.
Generally intangible and even more difficult to hit than most Ghost types, it is near impossible to hit a Mismagius with a Normal, Fighting, or Psychic move, though their Ghost typing leaves them incredibly vulnerable to Ghost and Dark attacks. Misdreavus can also be temporarily stunned by bright moves such as Charge Beam, Discharge, Dazzling Gleam, and Flash Cannon, though their behavior afterwards suggests annoyance more than any genuine harm.
Misdreavus do not have very good eyesight during the day. Although they have excellent night vision, they tend to rely on emotions to locate their targets, not their sense of sight. They also appear to have no sense of smell, likely due to no need for one, and a muted sense of taste for foods that are not emotions or strong herbs such as lavender, rosemary, basil, theme, etc.
It is unknown how Misdreavus are born and die. Some of the more superstitious population believe it is a culmination of feelings of anguish, the desire for revenge, and the spirit of a dying woman, while most scientific groups say they come into existence from a mixture of high concentrations of negative emotions and lingering Ghost energy. Distortionists will tell you they come from the Alternate World. Asking a Misdreavus will result in no clear answer at all.
Similarly, a Misdreavus' lifespan is highly speculative. While long periods of no feeding will lead to a Misdreavus eventually fading from the world, and incredibly strong Ghost or Dark attacks caninjure them to the point of no return, some appear to simply give up the will to live and 'pass on.' It is unknown why they do this, though those who believe a Misdreavus is born of revenge say that they believe justice has been served to the one who has wronged them, or someone who reminds them of that person. Ghost whisperers have reported being unable to speak to a faded Misdreavus or Mismagius.
One Misdreavus, who eventually evolved into a Mismagius, is reported to have been over 450 years old before she faded from this world. Cases like hers have led to some believing that in the right conditions, Misdreavus, and Mismagius, are effectively immortal.
Behavior:
Misdreavus, by choice, are nocturnal creatures. Sleeping only about an hour a day and remaining energetically awake the rest, the need to sleep can be entirely removed if they instead remain in someone or something’s shadow for a long period of time in a state of half-awareness.
With intelligence comparable to that of a ten-year old, and some being as clever as a teenager (and perhaps that’s really not a good thing), they are capable of long-term planning, empathy, self-awareness, judgment, rationale, and comprehension. Attempts to have one young Misdreavus participate in the mirror test were met with disbelief, astonishment, and mockery that humans felt they were that stupid.
Lovers of tricks, pranks, and general mischief, a Misdreavus tends to wander through their chosen area in search of unknowing victims. After finding a suitable target, they will then stalk their prey for minutes, hours, or even days, with serious cases lasting months to even years. Upon reaching the perfect opportunity, they will pull a trick on their victim, generally malicious in nature, and feed off the emotions that follow. A Misdreavus' favorite trick is suddenly appearing in front of another’s face and loudly shrieking, relishing in their victim’s startled state. Their wide variety of ghost moves, glowing eyes, biting, hair-pulling, and tendency to use Confuse Ray, Mean Look, and Scary Face greatly help in this endeavor. Some Misdreavus fixate on certain types of pranks, and will continue to repeat them as long as their obsession lasts.
Misdreavus are unlikely to kill or permanently incapacitate. Most only want to cause temporary shock, and they will flee instead of fight in battles they know they cannot win. Causing extreme harm, humiliation, or annoyance to a Misdreavus will result in pranks of high magnitude or a near lifelong grudge.
Misdreavus’ cries range from soft giggles, high trills, murmuring, shrieking, screaming, wailing, and sobbing to sounds that appear near identical to a human’s. Many describe their 'lure' voice as that of a young girl. Though Misdreavus are unlikely to draw travelers in with their voices, preferring to ambush or jumpscare, it is not an impossibility.
Though they may appear incredibly carefree, Misdreavus are prideful creatures, and become incredibly upset at rejection. As such, being open to their nature as pranksters is a requirement to being a good caretaker. They constantly seek new sources of amusement and entertainment, and keeping one bored for long periods of time is a very bad idea.
Some Misdreavus, likely to practice their Ghost moves, will find strips of paper and practice their enchantments on it. If the paper does not disintegrate and the Misdreavus continues to let it absorb their energy, the paper may become a spell tag and greatly boost the power of their Ghost moves. Misdreavus tend to tuck their paper under their necklace. Picking up one of these spell tags with your bare hands tends to drain all positive emotions from a person, and if the holder does not have permission to do so, the Misdreavus will become incredibly upset at the transgression.
Social Dynamics:
Wild Misdreavus tend to be solitary creatures, but most are happy to temporarily team up with other Pokémon if they see a benefit to doing so. They get along especially well with the Murkrow line, with Misdreavus distracting unsuspecting passerbys for Murkrow to steal any treasures. This mutualistic behavior is said to be one of the reasons witches in culture are associated with Murkrow and Honchkrow.
On full moons, all Misdreavus in an area gather in a coven, performing strange ceremonial dances as they call out into the night. Few have researched this phenomenon, as most Misdreavus are incredibly hostile to intruders without a guide. Thosewho have been invited claim these gatherings are meant to share information and catch up with others of their species.
Outside of these gatherings, Misdreavus meeting other Misdreavus are on a case by case basis. Some get along, while others appear incredibly hostile. Misdreavus who appear hostile to other Misdreavus tend to dislike other Ghosts and Dark types, and vice versa, though many lesser Ghosts seem to hold a certain degree of respect for Misdreavus and their evolution.
Misdreavus are preyed on by some Ghosts, mainly the Duskull, Drifloon, and Litwick lines, as well as very few Dark types. Though those of the Honedge and Misdreavus line are unlikely to meet, the Honedge seems to become incredibly determined to absorb them.
Studies have shown Misdreavus are both uncomfortable and fascinated by Spiritomb, likely due to the sheer amount of tormented souls held by the latter.
The Ralts, Gothita, Espurr, and Hatenna lines in particular do not get along with Misdreavus. Misdreavus seem to be particularly frustrated by the reactions of some “slower” Pokémon, mainly Slowpoke, and only long-term exposure helps alleviate this frustration.
Diet:
Misdreavus subside off of the negative emotions of people, usually fear, panic, and unease. While this makes them nuisances for some trainers, those who enjoy being pranked and frightened should have no trouble with allowing their Misdreavus to freely scare them as long as they understand when it is appropriate to do so. One person may not be enough to subside their appetite, however, and so any traveling partners and Pokémon should be informed of their Misdreavus’ presence and diet beforehand.
Strangely, it is reported that the emotions that are devoured leave behind a sense of “empty calm” for a few moments before wearing off. The experience is also far less draining than, say, a feeding done by a Gastly, Duskull, or Yamask. Some compare it to the feeding of Shuppet, and may prefer the more methodical, quick, and clean-cut way a Misdreavus takes emotions compared to the gentle, but slow, siphoning of the former. Some people have suggested Misdreavus be used in more therapeutic settings because of their removal of negativity, but their need to cause trouble and be the source of these negative emotions in the first place has stalled these efforts in favor of more traditional calming Pokémon.
It is recommended that trainers allow their Misdreavus to feed in places of sorrow, such as graveyards, cemeteries, or funerals, and carefully watch them so that they do not attempt to frighten any other visitors. Places that are believed to be 'haunted' are also great sources of food, though it is incredibly likely that there are other Ghosts living in the area and will not take kindly to an intruder, who they believe seek to take over their home. Misdreavus are also far less pleased with being made to devour lingering emotions than be the cause of them, though will grudgingly eat if prompted or bribed with the opportunity to cause trouble.
During October, it is highly advised for trainers to lend or rent their Misdreavus to a haunted house, especially if they seek to evolve their Pokémon. One owner of several Ghost types decided to set up a yearlong haunted house to feed her emotion-consuming Pokémon, and her establishment continues to be incredibly popular to this day. She had admitted that while it was financially draining at first, the support of others allowed her to keep going. Other trainers should not expect money to flow in the moment they attempt to mimic her actions.
If none of these options are available, condensed emotions can be bought at specialized stores, and most Misdreavus seem to have no trouble consuming it, though again, grudgingly so. The natural method is still preferred. Do not feed a Misdreavus positive emotions, even for a prank. This will result in anger, misbehavior, and your food being contaminated in some way.
Misdreavus will not eat, per say, solid foods, but greatly enjoy taking in the scent of herbs, particularly rosemary and sage, certain fruits, and tea leaves.
Care:
Outside of their diet, it is, in theory, quite easy to care for a Misdreavus. Though temperamental and incredibly mischievous, as long as their trainer understands and accepts their need for scaring and treats them well, they are unlikely to become genuinely upset at you.
Of course, this is only in the case of a Misdreavus agreeing to be caught; those unwillingly taken will be quite angry at you and hold a grudge for a very, very long time. Only time, patience, and being very apologetic will change this. Remember to pay them extra attention when they seek it; Misdreavus will become jealous and unhappy if you do not praise their pranks, and always appreciate having someone’s attention on them.
A Misdreavus is not a pet. They are highly intelligent, and having one is more akin to raising a small child than an Eevee or Lillipup. No, as much as you treat them like a child, they are not your babies. Perhaps when they evolve their increased intelligence will allow them to comprehend this, but in their unevolved forms, these creatures are not classified as “sapient.” Misdreavus will be highly offended if you treat one like a common Pokémon and not an intelligent creature. Refer to them, at minimum, with the respect you would show a human child (which to some is not very much) and not as if they are a baby to be cooed over.
Misdreavus appreciate having their beads polished, though touching these with your bare skin will result in a state of gloom, fear, and/or despair. Misdreavus have an aversion to bright lights, and dislike appearing during the day. You should allow a Misdreavus who is disinclined to stay in their Poké Ball to instead reside in your, a sentimental object’s, or another Pokémon’s shadow. If you have the option, buy them a Dusk, Night, or Mystic Ball. Do not attempt to keep a Misdreavus in their Poké Ball for more than a day. They can, and will, escape on their own free will, and become incredibly upset at you for keeping them trapped inside.
Upon defeat, a Misdreavus will either faint, disappear into an object or trusted person’s shadow, or hide inside their orbs. Allow them to naturally recover with time, as potions, just like most other healing items, have a limited effect on Ghosts.
Misdreavus should be allowed a small, quiet, and dark space they can call their own, as most will be quite resistant to staying in their Poké Ball. Rocks are appreciated, as are other decor that mimic a cave. Place items of sentimental value to you or others around the shelter; if the Misdreavus likes them, they will take them. If not, expect to find them haphazardly tossed twenty feet away.
If you are likely to become angry or annoyed at a Misdreavus for attempting to scare you, you should not attempt to own one. Misdreavus scare both their enemies and friends, but will become upset when not allowed to do so towards you, especially when you are meant to be their partner.
Evolution:
While Misdreavus start as a dark blueish-green, their bodies will slowly transition into a shade of purple. While most of the fear, misery, anguish, and other negative emotions they absorb are stored as nourishment, emotions which are especially extreme are stored in the red orbs on their neck to be slowly condensed into pure darkness, and this appears to be the cause of their color change. Complete concentration within the orbs, usually signified by the Misdreavus’ blue shade completely changing to dark purple, will initiate their evolution.
This process can be sped up or even skipped entirely by the use of a dusk stone, though it tends to lead to an imperfect evolution, especially for a young, immature Misdreavus, leading to a weakened Mismagius. The new Mismagius may also be uncertain by this unnatural occurrence, as it is thought their evolution is meant to be a “coming of age” event where they grow and mature into an adult Mismagius. Carefully consider if you want a Ghost with human, or human exceeding intelligence, magical powers, and very loud shrieks to become angry at you once they realize just what you have done to make them achieve this form.
Location:
Although their usual habitat tends to be caves, they are also known to wander forests, mountains, and even fields. Human activity has led to them inhabiting cemeteries, abandoned buildings, tunnels, and even cities. This is likely due to the amount of fear and paranoia surrounding these places, as well as the sheer amount of negativity and the number of unknowing targets for its pranks. In the Maevia region, Misdreavus can be found, in order of highest to lowest probability, at Lunielle Grove, the Obsidian Mountains, Serulen Forest, the Aursten Mountains, Lamenter's Swamp, Everloom Forest, and Ashwin Forest.
Prowess:
Power: 2.5/5
Speed: 3/5
Defense: 2/5
Intelligence: 4/5
Potential: 3.5/5
Companion:
Those who enjoy the dark, spooky, and occult are fond of Misdreavus. People going through dark times may also appreciate their easygoing, playful nature, and some find a Misdreavus’ absorption of emotions incredibly helpful. Of course, this same trickery makes them less of a pet and more of an enthusiastic, but troublemaking, child or friend.
Public Outlook:
While nowhere near as popular as the Gastly line, those who enjoy Ghosts rank them highly in polls and surveys of unevolved Pokémon. The notably low number of deaths caused directly by a Misdreavus compared to other, more deadly Ghosts has helped their reputation as well.
In the media, Misdreavus, similar to Mismagius, are often the companions of or are witches themselves, always looking to stir up trouble and cause mischief. Others portray them as misunderstood, friendly, or less dangerous than their real counterparts, and some worries have spread over young adults and teens seeking Misdreavus for the ‘cool’ factor alone. Especially popular was the Misdreavus “Epona” from the hit TV Sinnoan show “Witches of Hearthome.”
Many religions either frown upon or actively speak against these Pokémon.
Combat:
Most Misdreavus enjoy battles, and grudgingly participate in practice matches, though they may be upset at being unable to inflict true fear on their opponent. They are best at quick, long-range, mental battles of trickery and irritation, their intangibility and well-trained shadow hiding allowing them to dodge multiple attacks, confusing and annoying their opponent. Ease of Confuse Ray and the ability to learn Will-O-Wisp can lead to incredible frustration for foes, though their intangibility does not translate to immunity. If cocky or inattentive, one good hit from a physical elemental move can knock a Misdreavus out, and while their speed is nothing to scoff at, a lack of stamina compared to other Pokémon means that it is best not to engage in battles of endurance.
Instead, most battlers prefer quickly knocking out their opponents with several good hits, often damaging their Misdreavus in the process, before hitting the next Pokémon with status moves and/org taking them down with Destiny Bond. If your Misdreavus either cannot or will not use Destiny Bond, then the combination of Mean Look and Perish Song is another way to go.
It is recommended that you either heavily invest in defense and stamina, occasionally healing with Pain Split and causing your opponent to act out with Taunt. The other option is to go full offense and utilize a mixture of Power Gem, Draining Kiss, Shadow Ball, and a few more of their attacking moves while simultaneously focusing on helping your Misdreavus evolve. Nasty Plot is a must if you intend to go down this route, as without it, Misdreavus are unable to do much damage in higher tiered matches; while their power might hold up in the lower ranks, they tend not to match up well against the stronger, faster, and bulkier opponents other trainers will began to have later on.
In double battles with items allowed, Misdreavus holding an Eviolite have, on very rare occasions, utilized their supportive abilities to great effect, mainly by summoning Trick Room and then spreading burns on opponents with Will-O-Wisp. Unfortunately, this is not a very popular role. Learn more in Mismagius' Combat section.
Misdreavus are, unfortunately, banned in Base Stage matches due to their age being incredibly difficult to pinpoint, and the fact that they may be deceased spirits.
Contests:
A well-trained and willing Misdreavus is excellent in contests. Their wide range of flashy moves and love of attention mean that in front of an audience, they will go to great lengths to show off and receive applause. Some even seem to prefer contests, where they can receive both fear and praise, over battling. Although they do best in Cool and Tough contests, Clever is also a category that finds Misdreavus as a welcome competitor, and both Beauty and Cute can be categories depending on the nature and moves of the Misdreavus’ in question. Participating in a more casual contest is perfect for any bored Misdreavus that are seeking new entertainment, and their ability to dodge an opponent's moves can help decrease their score.
Poké-Athlon:
Misdreavus are banned from Poké-Athlon due to being Ghost types and their tendency to cheat, take revenge, or not participate seriously as they find it meaningless for not causing enough fear. Considerations have been made for them to be re-allowed into certain Ghost-only leagues and matches.
Trainer's Guide:
Befriend a Misdreavus. Do not ambush, threaten, or bribe one with lofty promises and gifts, because they will hold a grudge, become spiteful, or hold you to that promise with all the expectations that comes with it. Instead, applaud and genuinely praise their tricks, allow them to slowly warm up to you, and show them you mean no harm. Allow them to refuse your offer of capture, and do not force them to stay inside their Poké Ball. Make sure they understand you mean to keep them for battling, contests, or other purposes before catching them. Consult the Care section for more details.
Misdreavus favor Ghost type attacks, and you should allow them to do so. Practice, exposure to other ghosts, and places that are supposedly haunted or are connected to spirituality are great places for training. Their nature as a Ghost gives them an advantage to learning Dark type moves. Learning to quickly move into and navigating shadows is highly recommended. Reward with specialty Ghost treats and strong smelling herbs, or items of sentimental value if you don’t mind carrying them for your Misdreavus.
Make sure your Misdreavus is alright with other Ghosts, Darks, or Psychics if you plan on or already have one on your team. Consult the Social Dynamics section for specifics. In a team, it is especially important not to let them feel left out or unappreciated, as they will retaliate.
If your Misdreavus disobeys your orders, attempt to consider why from their point of view. Misdreavus do not really care about being strong, and each may have a different reason for battling. Attention, glamor, fear, or entertainment are the main reasons, and you should fit their battle style to that need. If your Misdreavus simply dislikes battling or holds no interest, consider if you are really doing the right thing. Perhaps they simply don’t respect you.
Communicate with your Misdreavus. Do not hide things from them. They will tell, and become all the more erratic once they sense your emotions.
Market Values:
Due to their classification as a sapient species, legally, we are obligated to remind you that it is illegal to sell or purchase a Misdreavus. Of course, this does not mean that black markets do not exist, with some claiming Misdreavus go from 500 to 700 thousand in Pokédollars in the Kanto-Johto region. Prices, of course, vary.
Misdreavus’ Pearl Necklace:
Less outright illegal and more gray are the only remains of a Misdreavus when they fade: their necklace. Obtaining a necklace without permission from its past owner is asking for a curse, a haunting, and for you to become the number one enemy of Misdreavus and Mismagius in your area.
Unless it was a family heirloom passed down and freely given, or you are prepared to dedicate the last few years of your life to a Misdreavus in hopes your descendants will receive one, do not go searching for a Misdreavus’ necklace. If you really, really, have to, they can be found in jewelry, artifact, Pokémon materials, and collectibles’ stores ranging from 200 to 800 thousand Pokédollars, depending on the necklace’s brightness and quality.
Warnings:
- Less dangerous does not mean harmless. Too many people seem to forget this, and though they do not lose their lives, some are cursed with worse fates. DO NOT UPSET A MISDREAVUS.
- You should not make deals with a Misdreavus. You should not make a promise to a Misdreavus, unless you are fully capable of keeping it. Even the friendliest of Misdreavus seem to grow erratic and excited when one of the two has been made, usually leading to disastrous results for the dealmaker.
- As with many other Ghosts, a Misdreavus’ presence will typically disturb and weaken Psychics.
- For those who suspect they are being haunted by a Misdreavus, visit your local nurse, psychic, Ghost expert, or spirit whisperer.
- For those who suspect they have been cursed or on the receiving end of a Misdreavus’ grudge, talk to a ghost or expert whisperer as soon as possible. This includes:
- Hearing giggling and/or shrieking when you are alone.
- Seeing glowing red eyes.
- The constant feeling of your hair being pulled.
- Suddenly feeling cold and getting goosebumps before the temperature goes back to normal.
- Feeling empty and/or even more paranoid than usual due to fear.
Misdreavus are a Class II Emotion Pokémon. Remaining in close contact with one actively feeding will result in your negative emotions feeling unusually weak for a short while. If this feeling continues, consider seeing a Ghost expert for advice. Consider searching your shelter, if you have been spending plenty of time in one place, for other signs of a haunting.