The Origins of 5 Sheep Pokemon & the Myths and Breeds Behind Them

Sheep are soft, fluffy and calm. Pokemon gave them a static shock and a fleece that never stops growing.

Here's every sheep Pokemon:

All 5 Sheep Pokemon

#179

Mareep

Mareep, the Wool Pokemon, is based on a sheep. Its yellowish wool might be inspired by the Golden Fleece in Greek and Roman mythology, and its Electric type is likely a nod to how wool builds up static charges. Being an electric sheep may also be a pun on the words lamb and lamp, which pays off when its line ends in Ampharos, a lighthouse.

Rubbing its fleece generates electricity, and you'll want to pet it because it's cute, but if you use your bare hand, you'll get a painful shock. (We will be wearing oven gloves, and we will still pet it.) Its Static ability has a 30% chance of paralyzing a Pokemon that touches it with an attack, and paralysis can stop the target from moving on its turn. It stands 0.6 m tall and weighs 7.8 kg.

#180

Flaaffy

Flaaffy is based on a sheep with patchy wool, and its type and ability may refer to how wool builds up static charges. It also shares traits with a kangaroo: it walks on two legs and has a kangaroo's head shape, long tail, small arms and long feet with a large claw in the center.

It stores electricity in its fluffy fleece, and if it stores up too much, it will start to go bald in those patches, which we have no further questions about. The line keeps shedding from here, all the way to Ampharos.

Like Mareep, it can have the Plus ability, which raises its Special Attack to 1.5× when a friendly Pokemon has Plus or Minus.

#181

Ampharos

Ampharos, the Light Pokemon, resembles a sheared sheep, the end point of a line that loses wool with each evolution. It also shares traits with a lighthouse, such as its height, stripes and the beacon on the top, and the two share a name. Like Flaaffy, it has a kangaroo's build, walking on two legs on long feet. Its Mega Evolution (a stronger temporary form some Pokemon take in battle) adds a Dragon type, a woolly mane and a woolly tail, which suggest it may be based on a Chinese dragon.

Its tail shines bright and strong, and it has been prized since long ago as a beacon for sailors, a job we could not do because we cannot hold a torch steady. It stands 1.4 m tall and weighs 61.5 kg.

#831

Wooloo

Wooloo, the Sheep Pokemon, is perhaps based on black-faced breeds of domestic sheep. The shape of its wool resembles a cotton ball, and the grey hair on the sides of its head appears to be styled as braids.

If its fleece grows too long, Wooloo won't be able to move, and cloth made with its wool is surprisingly strong. We reach the same state every winter in a thick coat. Its Fluffy ability halves the damage it takes from contact moves, the attacks that touch the target, but doubles the damage it takes from Fire moves. It stands 0.6 m tall and weighs 6 kg.

#832

Dubwool

Dubwool, the Sheep Pokemon, may be based on the Jacob sheep, a British breed of domestic sheep notable for its four horns and black-and-white color scheme. It also resembles the once gone Viking sheep, which has two large horns pointing outward and two curling inward, along with white wool with black patches. The shape and pattern of its wool resemble a soccer ball.

Its majestic horns are meant only to impress the opposite gender, and they never see use in battle, much like the shoes we own. Instead it fights with its wool, since it keeps Wooloo's Fluffy ability. It stands 1.3 m tall and weighs 43 kg.

Both Sheep Lines End More Than Seven Times Heavier Than They Start

Mareep weighs 7.8 kg and Ampharos 61.5 kg. Wooloo weighs 6 kg and Dubwool 43 kg. Both lines gain more than seven times their starting weight, even though Ampharos resembles a sheared sheep and Wooloo has so much fleece that it can stop moving.

Sheep Pokemon FAQ

How many sheep Pokemon are there?

There are 5 sheep Pokemon: Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos, Wooloo and Dubwool. Wooloo and Dubwool are called the Sheep Pokemon, and Mareep and Flaaffy are the Wool Pokemon.

What is the strongest sheep Pokemon?

Ampharos, with a base stat total of 510. Dubwool comes next at 490.

Is Ampharos a sheep?

Yes. Ampharos is the last stage of Mareep's line and resembles a sheared sheep, though its category is the Light Pokemon.

What is Wooloo based on?

Wooloo is perhaps based on black-faced breeds of domestic sheep, with wool shaped like a cotton ball.