BOO! There’s a dragon behind you! 😯
A trend made popular with recent Gen releases in Pokémon GO, the first stage of a Pseudo Legendary line is up for grabs in the big wave of Galarian species in the GO All Out event – the Dragapult line!
This absolutely amazing Dragon/Ghost type is among the most popular Pokémon in general and Pseudo Legendary in particular. Boasting a quirky design and formidable presence in combat, Dragapult is highly sought-after by fans.
So, with the highly-anticipated debut of Dragapult in Pokémon GO, it’s worth diving in for a detailed look at its lore, design, and science; all of which are packed together beautifully to create a stunning pocket monster.
Without any ado, let’s investigate!
Let’s start with the obvious before we get cracking with the more hidden de-tails. Get it? Like, the tail is invisible at the end… so, umm, hidden de-tail? Yes? 😎
B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber
The Dragapult line had an oddly unique head:
This specifically matches a stealth bomber aircraft, specifically the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit.
Not only does the configuration of Dragapult’s head fit this bomber, the ‘spirit’ in the aircraft’s name is a direct influence on its Ghost typing.
These lethal aircraft are some of the deadliest and most feared aircraft in the US military, thanks to its non-observable tech. This makes it nearly invisible even to aircraft detection radars. Such a concept also leads to Dragapult’s Ghost typing.
Additionally, the Pokémon franchise has always equated airplanes to the Dragon type, featuring multiple species like Garchomp, Mega Salamence, Latios, and Latias. And this is due to Draken International, the biggest manufacturer of military fighter jets in the world (‘Drake’ refers to a type of dragon).
But hey… airplanes need to take off, right? Well, Dragapult has that sorted as well!
Runway with Chevrons | Aircraft Carriers
These yellow arrows on a runway are called chevrons and they indicate that an airplane shouldn’t land or take off from there. In fact, they are often placed at the end of a runway.
But, Dragapult has a runway? And chevrons? Oh yes!
Also, these runways in Dragapult’s application, are more conveniently likened to aircraft carriers, that also have runways on them to launch aircraft (like Dragapault launching Dreepy).
B-2 Spirit Aerodynamics – Dragapult’s Speed
Dragapult has a blitzkrieg speed of 142, one of the highest in the meta. This is no coincidence, as it’s attributed to good ol’ aerodynamics.
For starters, its head has a sleek design that literally cuts through air and gives it an exceptional pressure and velocity profile. In fact, it’s shaped like an airfoil, a streamlined configuration that gives great lift (airplane flying) and low drag (air resistance) values.
Look how closely a B-2 Spirit resembles a classic airfoil:
With such a sweet shape, it basically has low pressure at the front and higher pressure at the rear. Going with Bernoulli’s principle, this translates to higher velocity.
Moreover, all air particles enjoy a delightfully smooth ride over a B-2’s curve transition from head to tail. So, there is no drastic dip as one would see in regular planes having stronger curves.
In essence, when air particles suddenly come across a drastically changing surface of a curve, it is pressurized to leave the surface and other air particles follow suit. This is called a Boundary Layer, and the air particles moving away lead to a Boundary Layer Separation.
See those messed up/weird areas? Those are eddies and vortices, energy sinks that literally drain an airplane by creating drag. But, Dragapult’s shape lessens the area of Boundary Layer Separation due to how smooth its curve configuration is. So, fewer eddies and lesser drag, and ultimately unadulterated, high-octane speed!
While Dragapult’s head is undoubtedly akin to a B-2 Spirit, it also has a natural inspiration! So after all the juicy physics and aerodynamics, let’s check out the biology!
Diplocaulus
The Diplocaulus is an ancient amphibian whose shape and dimensions liken it to a primarily water-swelling species. Well, that’s what amphibians like salamanders and newts do, but this fine extinct star seemed to have loved water more.
The boomerang shape serves the same purpose as a B-2 Spirit… giving more lift, less drag, and excellent maneuverability, although in a hydrodynamic environment instead of aerodynamic. This helped it prey and also avoid becoming prey haha 😀
But wait… this reminds me of something! 💡
Dreepy’s Pokedex entry from Pokémon Sword states:
After being reborn as a ghost Pokémon, Dreepy wanders the areas it used to inhabit back when it was alive in prehistoric seas.
Whoa, you see the connection between Dreepy and the Diplocaulus?!
Because of its shape, the loss in lift when the Diplocaulus used to open its mouth was negligible. This suggests that this beast utilized a boom-and-zoom predator, meaning it would swim in super fast, grab its prey, and zoom through the depths or an insect outside the water. This is the same tactic that fighter jets use with their missiles.
But, before we get into those missiles, one more crazy interesting detail… its tail!
Dragapult’s spooky tail
In case you never realized this before… Dragapult’s tail slowly turns invisible towards the tail:
This cool detail also has lore behind it (pun intended). You see, a Diplocaulus fossil has never been retrieved with a complete tail!
PS: Personally, Dragapult’s tail is my favorite detail on the Pokémon! 😆
Anyway, now to its ‘missiles’
Yeet Dreepy
It’s no secret that Dragapult uses its babies as ammo by shooting them out at supersonic speeds and these violence-cravings kiddos freaking love it!
When it isn’t battling, it keeps Dreepy in the holes on its horns. Once a fight starts, it launches the Dreepy like supersonic missiles.
Apparently the Dreepy inside Dragapult’s horns eagerly look forward to being launched out at Mach speeds.
Dragapult uses this habit of shooting out a pair of Dreepy even in combat, notably its signature move Dragon Darts.
Dreepy even has the likeliness of a supersonic missile, with the appendages/stabilizers towards its tail:
Pressurized Pistons
It should be noted that this launching action is done via pressurized pistons based on catapult (Dragapult lol) dynamics.
So, we actually see Dragapult puffing up its cheeks to create more pressure before launching Dreepy to glory.
Alligators & Crocodiles
Have you ever seen how alligators and crocodiles stay afloat in water when they’re just chilling, peeking out, hunting, or basically whatever?
This:
Notice how similar this stance is to THIS:
That’s not all, as gators and crocs also carry their babies on their heads while they’re flexing this pose.
Also, also… when hunting, gators and crocs adopt this stance to achieve… stealth *mic drop*
And there you have it! Dragapult is an amalgamation of multiple inspirations and elements, all wound together to give you a fabulous Pseudo Legendary Pokémon!
Speaking of which, I’ve also worked on lore, design, and science articles for several other Pokémon, which you can find here:
Morpeko | Cresselia | Mega Salamence | Dialga & Palkia Origin | Garchomp | Baxcalibur | Hydreigon | Zygarde| Druddigon | Naganadel | Drampa | Enamorus
This Dragon/Ghost type is going to be super rare, ala Frigibax, so let’s manifest a Hundo Dreepy catch!
All the best and have fun, trainers!
Dracarys.