A few years ago I began work on a Pokémon fan project entitled Pokémon Rust. I opted for a word that deviated from Pokémon nomenclature if only slightly, alluding to a shade of orange while also calling back to the roots of the series. I began my venture down ol' Pocket Monster road with Blue back in '98. In recent years, Pokémon designs have evolved and devolved in varied regards. I wanted to recapture a certain feel from Generation I that hasn't shone so brightly as of late. Can't say what, but these designs are what my search has amounted to.
In terms of typing, I wanted each starter to have strengths and weaknesses in inverse triads. Fire beats Grass, which beats Water that beats Fire. Check. But now our Fire Pokémon is half Psychic, so it beats Water's Fighting, which beats Grass's Dark that beats Fire's Psychic. Inverse cycles. Balances and provides an interesting conceptual basis for which to design elemental creatures. Thus an ostrich witchdoctor, a jackalbat monk, and an octopus warrior.
After a week of plowing through failed designs, I ended up with these, and I'm very happy with the turnout. Maybe I'll design some more Pokémon. I never expect Pokémon Rust to be anything more than a nod to nostalgia, it's just been a constant avenue to explore Pokémon artistically. After all, it's the creature designs that reckon me back time and again to the series; I no longer play the games. Enjoy!
My blog:
[link]So I was just informed by someone that Warctopod highly resembles a Smogon fakemon called Arghonaut. Looked it up. DAMN. Total coincidence, but I'm disappointed in the sheer similarity. Even the typing is the same. Oh well, c'est la vie.
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Sta.sh
The shading is beautiful as well
I like these designs because they are, somehow, a gush of fresh air compared to what is usually around here. The Pokémon fandom has evolved together with the games and the Fakemon look progressively simpler and smoother. These three, however... they have that kind of "wild" appearance of the old sprites and the first generation illustrations for Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise. Apart from that, of course, the technique is very good.
Very nice designs. I just love them! I'll watch you just in case you decide to make more ^^
Good luck!
The only similar thing with the Smogon octopus is that it's a "pirate-like octopus", but both of them have their own designs ^^
Incidentally, it is also the creature designs that appeal to me most about the pokemon games (I played Pokemon Black/White, but not as much as the other games). At the moment I'd rather design something than play an official game.
I too would rather design the creatures than play the games. Drafting ideas is more enjoyable than playing a stagnating game. The imagination is boundless!
Also, I noticed that Jakylpyre and Skeltrich are totally Batman and The Joker, whereas Warctopod is a nod to The Legend of Zelda (Hylian Shield-shaped head, Majora/Sheikah eyes, Octorok..) Subconscious channeling at its best.