The Creature Quorum

As the Paldean Pokédex settles into its groove, we get, honestly? A bunch of freakin' winners. I mean sure, Wiglett and Wugtrio are here. They are stupid, and disappointing. But like. Espathra? Palafin??? Tinkaton????? The Pokémon Company has still got it, y'all. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We have National Pokedex numbers again! Thank god. Back on track. Lightbulb tadpoles, Megaman.EXE, Just Taillow Again, and more- this is the doldrums of the Paldea region, and it's not over yet. Doesn't that sound appealing? Doesn't that make you want to listen? Well how about this- Allen makes maybe the funniest joke I've ever heard them make this ep. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Iceborne only added six monsters. Which incidentally is my name. Just... Six, not Six Monsters. Though can you IMAGINE?! Sorry, getting sidetracked. Six new monsters- plenty more returning friends. Six is a very manageable number, so let's just knock this expansion out in one episode. I'm sure there won't be anything cool, and we can just cut them all and move on to Rise without any surprises. A big thank you to Minovsky, who you can find on Twitter at @MinovskyArticle! Our Pokemon podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), our MonHun podcast art is done by RitSkyZ (@RitSkyZ on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. If you want to see the list of what creatures we've discussed, including direct links to Monster Hunter wiki pages for each monster, it's right here! Don't forget to switch to the MonHun tab!

To all of you out there who can't find it in yourself to love an olive: I'm sorry, friends. That must be a hard place to live. For me, it's mushrooms. Can't do it! Hate the flavor, hate the texture, and they wreak havoc on my digestive system. But both of us are missing out. Minecraft golems, pawpad pikalikes, dough dogs and more are on the menu as we head deeper into the Paldean Pokedex! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

With Scarlet and Violet now out long enough to settle in our minds, The Johto Quroum returns to start ratin' those monsters! Naturally, we open with a half hour discussion of the new games, and our time with them, but then it's on to what we do best: creature design crit. Should we have done Dudunsparce this early? Probably not. But these critters don't have National Pokedex numbers yet so all rules are off! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We're back, and ready to close out Monster Hunter World! We get a handful of friends humble and proud before we head into Elder Dragon Time. There's a Witcher crossover with Monster Hunter?! Who knew. Probably some of you, I suppose. A big thank you to Minovsky, who you can find on Twitter at @MinovskyArticle! Our Pokemon podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), our MonHun podcast art is done by RitSkyZ (@RitSkyZ on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. If you want to see the list of what creatures we've discussed, including direct links to Monster Hunter wiki pages for each monster, it's right here! Don't forget to switch to the MonHun tab!

So, it's come to this. Pokemon. Monster Hunter. And now, Temtem. Wherever creature design exists in bulk, you can expect Allen and Six to come knocking, clipboard in hand. But for this one, we needed a Temtem expert. We couldn't find one. So we invited Jackson! Thank you so much to Jackson for joining us on this episode! You can find them on Twitter at @headfallsoff. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Be vewy vewy quiet, we're hunting OH GOD IT FOUND US FIRST. Thank you everyone, this was my one-line skit about Elmer Fudd hunting an Odogaron. There are a few beasts we missed in the past, so we take care of those, and then it's on to more World friends! A big thank you to Minovsky, who you can find on Twitter at @MinovskyArticle! Our Pokemon podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), our MonHun podcast art is done by RitSkyZ (@RitSkyZ on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. If you want to see the list of what creatures we've discussed, including direct links to Monster Hunter wiki pages for each monster, it's right here! Don't forget to switch to the MonHun tab!

We're outnumbered! Minovsky is a great pal and wonderful Monster Hunter resource but lacks the killer instinct that makes a TRUE Quorumer. Now we've invited Dylan to guest and they TOO lack the bloodlust required to get work done! Well I guess that's not outnumbered. That's 2v2. Still! The hardest it's ever been to do the necessary work of the Quorum. Plus we're getting sick boss monsters and then starting World, a game all of us have played! It's ok. I believe in us. I believe in our ability to nitpick minor infractions. A big thank you to Minovsky, who you can find on Twitter at @MinovskyArticle! Thank you as well to Dylan for guesting, whom is at @LowPolyRobot. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. If you want to see the list of what creatures we've discussed, including direct links to Monster Hunter wiki pages for each monster, it's right here! Don't forget to switch to the MonHun tab!

You DO in fact have to take a shot every time Minovsky says a monster is one of their favorites. But it's ok, you also have to drink a whole glass of water every time Allen and I admit that for all the shit we give Minovsky for their enthusiasm, Monster Hunter designs just kinda don't miss, so at least you won't get hung over. We even kept a Great monster this time! As in one of the ones with the prefix "Great." Listen if you play MonHun you get it. A big thank you to our guest Minovsky, who you can find on Twitter at @MinovskyArticle! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. If you want to see the list of what creatures we've discussed, including direct links to Monster Hunter wiki pages for each monster, it's right here! Don't forget to switch to the MonHun tab!

Legends: Arceus added some 'mons, and it is our duty to cover them. Monster Hunter is still our current mission, but we're not gonna neglect upkeep to the Johto mission! We're joined by Abnormal Mapping's Em Marko to handle the beasts of Hisui. Thank you so much to Em for joining us on this episode! You can find them on Twitter at @em_being. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Our cuts were so much more efficient when we had no attachments! But we're incredibly grateful for the context Minovsky gives, and while I hate to say it? I think the design process for Monster Hunter might be more involved and considered than the one for Pokemon. They'd never allow something like Magneton through. Probably. A big thank you to our guest Minovsky, who you can find on Twitter at @MinovskyArticle! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. If you want to see the list of what creatures we've discussed, including direct links to Monster Hunter wiki pages for each monster, it's right here! Don't forget to switch to the MonHun tab!

I think when we signed up to quorum all the beasts of Monster Hunter (or all the boss ones anyway), we might have underestimated the size of the task. We figured we'd be done in a handful of episodes. But what do you do when you realize a task is much more daunting than you thought? Back down? Ha. Of course not. You get help. And that's why we've called for an expert. A big thank you to our (likely to be returning) guest Minovsky, who you can find on Twitter at @MinovskyArticle! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. If you want to see the list of what creatures we've discussed, including direct links to Monster Hunter wiki pages for each monster, it's right here! Don't forget to switch to the MonHun tab!

Six and Allen are joined by the first guest in a while, Kyrie (@KyrieAPage) to talk about the release of the most ambitious Pokemon game in decades, Pokemon Legends: Arceus. I won't be coy, we're all having a great time with the game, and really loving a lot of the changes it's made. But where does it fall short, and what do its changes mean for the future of the Pokemon franchise? Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

The thing I appreciate most about these episodes is being able to record with Allen. But the thing I appreciate second-most is that MonHun critters are so cool in such a different way than pokemon! The vibes couldn't be more different, and I'm luxuriating in this cruise through a world of mean but lovable beasties. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. If you want to see the list of what creatures we've discussed, including direct links to Monster Hunter wiki pages for each monster, it's right here! Don't forget to switch to the MonHun tab!

They made a monster out of a mecha! Usually it goes the other way, like with Mechagodzilla. We also get a big bear friend, a gross worm-mouth enemy, and a whole lot of other pals as we carve our way through the third generation of Monster Hunter monsters. Please do not call them Monsties. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We've sharpened our weapons and consumed our nutrients: let's talk about Monster Hunter's monsters! On this episode, the friends abound as we reach our first Brute Wyverns like the Barroth and world-famous fan-favorite Deviljho. We head under the sea with the Ceadeus, and we tenuously grasp at mastery of the elements with the Alatreon. These beasties and many more as we start the third generation of Monster Hunter! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Charizard's great and all, but can you turn him into a sick-ass princess dress? Actually, please don't answer that, be nice to Charizard. We finish up one beastie from Monster Hunter Gen 1, then it's on to Gen 2! Elder Dragons and Wyverns, sure. Fanged Beasts? Carapaceons? Oh hell yeah, NOW it's getting fun. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Let a new journey begin. There are no more pokemon to rank, for now. Doubtless they will return in time. But what about monsters you CAN'T fit in your pocket? Monsters that destroy, that prey upon men, that rule the land. Some would say, hunt them. We say... rate them. Henceforth begins the Hunter's Quorum, as we put the creatures of Monster Hunter to the test! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We're out of Pokemon to rank, for now... but the pocket monsters are back regardless! This time, Six and Allen play host on a Guess the Pokemon's Type game show with contestants Jen, Kyrie, and Nick, AND a magnificent prize to boot! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Is this the last Quorum for Gen 8? Maybe so, but if it is, we're ending on a very high note. The Isle of Armor wasn't what we were hoping for, but Allen and Six are very happy with the Crown Tundra. Not only that, but we get some great Pokemon to rate, too! Good times had by all. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We will be back, friends, of that you can be certain, but for now... this is goodbye. Sword dogs and punching bears salute our farewell episode, with ghost dragons trailing behind. Pokemon will ever remain a love of our lives, but it's time to head to other shores. We'll see you in The Genius. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Our journey, which many claimed was impossible, seems to be approaching its end. Misassembled fossils, metal elephants, evil guinea pigs, and more. There isn't much left to say... let's see how this Quorum concludes. This isn't the last episode, but we can see the end from here. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Six and Allen return, pushing through more of the Galar dex. Galar forms, a disappointingly whipped form of cream, tap dancing, and so much more. Plus Falinks, who RULES. It's a good week. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We're gonna put our judgment of betamon on hold for a bit, as Six and Allen are joined once again by Magellan! And Magellan's played Sword and Shield, so we should PROBABLY talk about the Galar Dex. We got imps and hatgirls, fighting octopuses and tea ghosts, and much more. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

This week, Six and Allen are joined by Scanline staffers Jen and Kyrie to discuss a very special set of pokemon. Using this link (https://tcrf.net/Proto:Pok%C3%A9mon_Gold_and_Silver/Spaceworld_1997_Demo/Pok%C3%A9mon), we're going through all the pokemon from the 1997 Pokemon Gold and Silver SpaceWorld demo that didn't make it into the final games. They cut a lot of pokemon out of the 'dex for space reasons, and a lot of fascinating designs were left behind. Let's look at them! Open the link, look along with us as we judge! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Oh, dear lord. We let Nick on the show again. Well, there's plenty of time to regret that decision. In the meantime, let's appreciate some pokemon. We're here for Toxtricity! Silicobra is a-okay! And Cramorant? Man, that guy's an ALL-TIMER. What a fantastic 'mon. Plus, the first ever actual Digimon corner. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

There's new Pokemon to talk about! Game stuff, I mean: there are ALWAYS new creatures for the Quorum to discuss. But with the release of SwSh's first expansion, the Isle of Armor, we get to not only rate monsters, but a new chunk of game content. Unfortunately it isn't the GREATEST piece of content they've ever made, but what can ya do. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Departing gyaru, entering Galar! At last, the Quorum is starting the current pokedex! Is the Pokemon Company out of ideas? Not if the Scorbunny line is any indication. Squirrels and birds, drums and soccer! A kingdom divided must unite. See, that's like a Three Kingdoms thing but also a play on United Kingdoms, which- hey where are you going Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Movie time! We decided to bust out the popcorn before moving into the Galar Dex, checking out a short and a movie: Pikachu & Pichu, and Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us. The short is no Pikachu's Vacation, but it's a decent enough little Pikachu side adventure. The movie, though? It's ambitious, for better and for worse. I bet it's the only Pokemon movie to star a gyaru. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

It's time to say "alola" to Alola. Wait. So in Hawaiian "aloha" means hello AND goodbye. And Alola is obviously just Hawaii. Does that mean it's fair to assume "alola" also means hello and goodbye? It definitely means hello. And I still think it's incredibly stupid that they just NAMED THEIR HOME "hello." It's the stupidest thing. But. Anyway. We also talk about the possibility of doing different starters, based on a different trifecta: fighting, fairy, steel. It's Clefairy's time to shine, baby! ...terrace house: alola state. i'm sorry i'll stop. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Awlright gang, it's time to go BEAST MODE. Everyone's talking about the extradimensional threat of Ultra Beasts. They're dangerous. They don't follow the rules of our dimension! And dang isn't their design quirky?! Well don't worry friends and folks, Six and Allen are here to put these critters to the ultimate test: the Quorum. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Rails are for other people. With Bottle Crow Reborn's Nick on the show, we're going OFF the rails. We're not just talking pokemon, we're talking Taco Bell and Emily Dickinson. Err, excuse me... Diglettson. Join us! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Cute... isn't enough?! A stunning revelation as Kat joins Six and Allen to be the unexpected harsh critic of pocket monsters. Ghosts continue to reign supreme over the Quorum like sour cream, we're not entirely comfy with Comfey, and OH MY GOD IT'S MIMIKYU. I LOVE IT SO MUCH. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Oh dear, oh dear. The (surface) tension is palpable this episode, as the Pokedex brings us some real... interesting customers. Reverse harems, Digimon, arrested for horny crimes... big yikes, gang. Buckle up. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

The Gyms and Champions are not sufficient to honor the efforts of trainers around the Pokemon world. Who will speak for the Cooltrainers, the Supernerds, the Dragon Tamers? The Johto Quorum must step up. This is our first class of our Hall of Fame, for the trainer classes that have made our world what it is. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

How are we going to deal with Alola? It's hard to talk about an island paradise given the miserable state of our modern world. We need help. We need MAGELLAN, defender of the unloved. With Six, Allen, and Magellan in the Quorum, we have the energy to tackle this Pokedex. Toxapex! Mudsdale! Charjabug! Pay for the whole seat, even though you'll only need... wait this is a free podcast, don't pay for the seat at all! Whew, almost got carried away. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We get by with a little help from our friends. Another meeting of the Popplio Pals commences as Six and Allen dive into the Gen 7 pokedex, with guest judgment from Ryan! The best starters ever? They're in the conversation. Does it go downhill from there? My goodness, does it ever. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

And so we bring Gen 6 to a close. A few regular pokemon, and then it's a slew of legendaries. Who could have foreseen the plot twist with Carbink? Why didn't they write anything for Zygarde to do? Why is Volcanion? So many questions. We don't have answers to those. All we can tell you is, will these pokemon stay, or will they go. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

The rhythm is gonna get you. Six and Allen are on a weekend fishing trip, so no official Quorum business is gonna go down! But... they could spare time to listen to some music, surely. The songs of Gen 6 are on display, from Kalos to the Hoenn remakes! Enjoy! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Even the best pokedexes have their dregs. I still hold that the Kalos region has some great pokemon, and is one of the better pokedexes... but we certainly aren't going to prove it today. Well, Goodra's pretty great. And Sylveon. There's always a Sylver lining. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

This week, the Quorum's taking a little break for a movie and a game. From the world of Pokemon, Allen and Six check out the CG remake of the first Pokemon movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution. Outside of Pokemon, the two check out the Pokemon-inspired indie MMO that's been getting everyone's attention, Temtem! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

As the Quorum sinks deeper into the Kalos dex, I am starting to see the pattern. When a pokemon exists because there was a type they felt they "needed," and when someone had a genuinely inspired idea. And it's strange to see that the ratio hasn't really changed, even over all this time. There aren't more or fewer "junk" pokemon in the newer generations. It varies a bit of course, but it's all within standard deviation. The passion for monster creation continues unimpeded, and hopefully will into the future. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

As the Quorum continues its Kalos crusade, Six and Allen are joined by Kyrie for the first time! Let's debate a doggo, ponder some psychics, consider a cub, and much more on this week's Johto Quorum! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Kalos! Land of kings and fashion, of heelies and and sunglasses. It is to this region that the Quorum now turns its steely gaze, ready to pass judgment upon its pokedex. But... so far it's pretty good? Hey maybe Gen VI was alright. Diggersby can get lost, though. What a loser. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

I thought about releasing two versions of this podcast, one Zekrom and one Reshiram, with a few little tweaks. You know, as a fun goof. It turns out I already saddled myself with enough of a "fun goof" in editing, as you'll soon hear. it was a huge pain in the (rear). Anyway, Six and Allen watched the 14th Pokemon movie, and hey it was pretty good! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

At last, our terrible task is complete. The Unova Dex is behind us, and ahead, shining daylight. A few clingers-on, a long line of legendaries, and it's all done. We're not gonna head into Kalos just yet though: oh, goodness no. We're ready for a break. And after this marathon ep, you will be too. In retrospect I am starting to doubt this Kabutops-Genesect theory. Kabutops isn't even bug type! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

The end is in sight. We're ALMOST THERE. The long, long Unova Dex is finally winding down. We got Great Ghosts and Brave Birds, we got vultures and anteaters. Let's just power through, gang. We can do this. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

What begins in Chargestone ends in a tale of revenge. Ghosts continue to kick ass, we found the Andross of Pokemon, and also Klinklang! I... don't have anything to say about Klinklang! To be honest, if you have a lot to say about Klinklang I don't trust you. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Well, the Galar Dex left us with a fine mess to clean up, didn't it? Galar Forms, Gigantamax, now our Quorum list is full of holes! Let's go back and plug those up, and then hit a few Unova pokemon at the end. We WILL finish this gen. Someday. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].