User:Cukie Gherkin/Sirfetch'd

Sirfetch'd is a fictional species in the Pokémon series of video games first introduced in the games Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Concept and creation
Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Pokémon series began in Japan in 1996 with the release of the Pokémon Red and Blue video games for the Game Boy. In these games, the player assumes the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train creatures called Pokémon. Players use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon, and some can transform into stronger species, or evolve, once they gain enough experience. The ultimate goal of the games is to complete the entries in the Pokémon index (Pokédex), a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading to obtain creatures from all Pokémon species.

Sirfetch'd evolves from Farfetch'd, a duck that carries a leek. Farfetch'd was originally intended to receive an evolution in Pokémon Gold and Silver called Madame, which was not known until later when development information about these games leaked.

Appearances
Sirfetch'd first appeared in Pokémon Sword and Shield, though players of Pokémon Shield cannot catch it in the wild and must instead trade for it from Pokémon Sword or another game featuring Sirfetch'd that can trade with it.

Reception
Farfetch'd was generally viewed negatively due particularly to its poor capabilities in battle; however, Sirfetch'd was received better.

Paste staff expressed surprise that Farfetch'd became a "gallant, suave heroic type," regarding Sirfetch'd as one of the best Pokémon.