Who's That Pokémon? #019 Rattata

#019 Rattata (a.k.a. Koratta)

Bulbapedia Article

Originally dubbed "Rattatak" in English, Rattata is named after a combination of rat and attack.  The Japanese ko is added, meaning "child" or "small," signifying that this is a young Ratta (the Japanese name of the evolved form Raticate).  Despite being called a rat, Rattata is more of an average field mouse, and is one of the closest Pokémon to being a straight up actual animal.

From the Pokédex:  Its fangs are long and very sharp. They grow continuously, so it gnaws on hard things to whittle them down. Bites anything when it attacks. Small and very quick, it is a common sight in many places.  If you see one, it is certain that 40 more live in the area.  It appears to be jittery and unable to remain still.

Gnawing, speed, and an overwhelming population define Rattata, just like real mice.  These features are exaggerated in the games, via Rattata's Hyper Fang and Quick Attack moves.  And as you'll see below, you can not go two steps in a wild area without encountering at least one of these creatures.

Generation I Moveset and Strategy

Despite being based around it's sharp bite, Rattata can only learn Bite via GSC tradeback.  But it's Hyper Fang and Super Fang more than make up for it.  Like a lot of Normal Pokémon, Rattata can also learn some elemental attacks through TM, but not nearly as many as the more "supernatural" Pokémon like Clefairy or Jigglypuff.  It's best to stick with Normal attacks for this one.

Super Fang - Normal Focus Energy - Normal Body Slam - Normal Dig - Ground

This is a modified version of Raticate's best moveset.  Super Fang is a must as it automatically halves any Pokémon's HP (even Ghost types), redeeming Rattata in a big way.  Body Slam is the best Normal type move it is capable of learning, seeing as how Hyper Beam is reserved for evolved forms.  To take up that empty slot, Focus Energy can be used to increase the chances of Critical Hits (as long as you use it in Stadium where the effects work, because otherwise, you should just use Quick Attack).  To handle those Pokémon that can't be hit by Normal moves, I selected Dig, which is very strong in RGBY.  Rattata's low special prevents other attacks from packing enough punch to be useful (although Bubblebeam can take down the Rock/Ground types).

Generation I Sprites

  

All of these sprites are decent, but I'm going to give the crown to the Red/Green sprite.  Maybe I'm just so tired of seeing the Red/Blue one, but I like the less threatening pose of the first one.  But the Yellow one definitely doesn't work for me.  It's just standing there, with no emotion behind its eyes.  The other two are at least active.

Generation I Locations

Rattata are everywhere.  Specifically on the grassy plains of Routes 1, 2, 4, 9, 16, 21, and 22 in Red/Green/Blue.  The Rattata population increases by over 100% in Yellow as more Rattata can also be found in Routes 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 18, as well as the abandoned Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island (I guess they all hitched a ride on aboat).  They are the Zubats and Tentacools of the land.

Notable Generation I Rattata

1.  Team Rocket's Rattata (Red/Green/Blue/Yellow and TCG)

It seems that Rattatas are a staple of many Team Rocket members' teams, despite their flaws.  For an organization that is built on using the strongest, rarest Pokémon, one wonders why they use such an abundant species.  One theory is that low-level grunts must start with a Rattata and prove their worthiness to receive better team members.

2.  Youngster's Rattata (Red/Green/Blue/Yellow and anime)

The only trainer class that uses Rattata more than Team Rocket is the Youngster.  To signify weakness and immaturity, early trainers are shown with a Rattata on their team.  Even Blue had one before it was deemed too weak for his team.  But Youngsters embrace them, making them their most used species.  And yes, I'm aware of a certain infamous Youngster with a fondness for Rattata, but we'll discuss him in Generation II.

3.  Lt. Surge's Rattata (TCG)

For some reason, Lt. Surge is given a couple Rattatas to bulk up his selection in the TCG.  Perhaps it is their physical similarity to Pikachu that earned them high ranks in his army.  I personally like to think that he brought along his childhood Pokémon to remind him of the days before the war fried his brain.

4.  Bill as Rattata (Pokémon Adventures)

Depending on which canon you follow, Bill has transformed into a Nidoran, Kabuto, and Clefairy.  But it's his turn as a Rattata that is the most perilous, where his weak frame allows him to be susceptible to Fearow attacks.  I'm sensing a theme of weakness running through all of these Rattata.  Hopefully some strong ones turn up soon.

5.  The Racing Rattata (Pokémon Stadium)

In the Kids Club game "Run, Rattata, Run," four Rattata race on a treadmill that hides hurtles, somehow.  This always struck me as one of the more fun games.  It's just a lot of timed jumping, but it was adorable to watch those critters scamper!

6.  Ratty (Pokémon Adventures)

To aid a young Yellow in defending herself, Red helped her catch this Rattata, and it soon became her main partner (when Pika wasn't helping her search for Red later on).  Ratty was raised to be kind and gentle, and was able to hold its own against other trainers, even taking on members of the Elite Four!  It just goes to show that with a little love and persistence, any Pokémon can be a worthy battler.

Final Thoughts

In elementary school, for a brief period, Rattata was my favorite Pokémon.  I thought it looked simultaneously cool and cute.  I kept it as a team member for a long time, giving it a variety of elemental moves like Water Gun and Dig to keep it useful.  Then I wised up.  Sure, every Pokémon deserves fans.  But they can't all be above average.

Rattata's Verdict - Don't Gotta Catch 'Em!