Slakoth, the Slacker Pokemon, is based on sloths. Its pink nose and two-clawed paws suggest the two-toed sloth, while the brown patches on its fur are more like those of the three-toed sloth. It also has some similarities to human infants, such as spending more time asleep than awake and lying mostly on its stomach, since babies do not have the muscle to hold themselves upright.
Its heart beats once a minute, it is content to loaf around motionless whatever happens, and it is rare to see it in motion. One heartbeat a minute and no plans is our ideal weekend.
Its Truant ability (an ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle) skips every second turn, so it can only act every other turn. It stands 0.8 m tall and weighs 24 kg.
#288
Vigoroth
#288
Type
Normal
Category
Wild Monkey Pokémon
National Dex
#0288
Debut
Gen III
Base stat total
440
Vigoroth, the Wild Monkey Pokemon, seems to be based on sloths, with traits closest to two-toed sloths and ground sloths. It also has some similarities to Old World monkeys, baboons in particular, which have bright red rumps and short tails and are known for violent outbursts like Vigoroth's. Its hyperactivity and its tendency to cause destruction also mirror human youths, who are full of energy and can be reckless.
It is incapable of remaining still, and even when it tries to sleep, the blood in its veins grows agitated and it has to run wild through the jungle before it can settle down. (We know the feeling after one coffee too many.)
Its Vital Spirit ability means it cannot be put to sleep, which suits it.
#289
Slaking
#289
Type
Normal
Category
Lazy Pokémon
National Dex
#0289
Debut
Gen III
Base stat total
670
Slaking, the Lazy Pokemon, draws on the prehistoric giant ground sloths Megatherium or Eremotherium because of its large size. It also closely resembles a gorilla, and the "-king" in its Japanese and English names may allude to King Kong. Its lazy behavior comes from the idea of Slakoth turning into a motivated Vigoroth, then deciding it was not worth it.
Rings of over a yard in diameter appear in grassy fields wherever Slaking live, made as it eats all the grass within reach while lying flat on the ground. We would hire a lawn mower that never stands up.
It gets Truant back, though, so it rests on alternate turns.
The Sloth Line Is One Human Life in Three Stages
The design notes give each stage an age. Slakoth has the habits of a human infant, sleeping more than it is awake and lying on its stomach. Vigoroth is a human youth, hyperactive and destructive. Slaking is an elder, with its baldness, the white fur around its head and neck, and far less activity than Vigoroth.
The battle side follows the same arc. Slakoth and Slaking both have Truant and spend half their turns resting, while Vigoroth, the restless teenager, cannot even be put to sleep.
Sloth Pokemon FAQ
How many sloth Pokemon are there?
There are 3 sloth Pokemon: Slakoth, Vigoroth and Slaking, all one evolution family.
What is the strongest sloth Pokemon?
Slaking, with a base stat total of 670. Vigoroth is next at 440.
Is Vigoroth a monkey?
No. Vigoroth seems to be based on sloths, though its category is the Wild Monkey Pokemon and it shares traits with baboons.
Is Slaking a gorilla?
Yes, in part. Slaking draws on giant ground sloths and also closely resembles a gorilla.
Why is Slaking so lazy?
Its Truant ability makes it skip every second turn, and its design comes from a Slakoth that got motivated as Vigoroth, then decided it was not worth it.
