Decoding Duraludon: Is This Pokémon Really Based on The Shard?
The short answer is yes, Duraludon and its Gigantamax form are heavily inspired by The Shard, a towering skyscraper located in London, UK. The resemblance is undeniable, with Duraludon’s angular, metallic design mirroring the sharp, geometric structure of the iconic building. Furthermore, its Gigantamax form transforms it into an even more blatant skyscraper analogue, solidifying the connection. Its appearance within the London Loop in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Mario Kart Tour further reinforces this association.
The Shard’s Influence on Duraludon’s Design
The Shard, officially named The Shard of Glass, is a 95-story skyscraper designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano. Its distinctive, shard-like appearance makes it a prominent landmark in London’s skyline. When examining Duraludon’s design, the parallels are immediately apparent:
- Angular Structure: Both The Shard and Duraludon exhibit a sharp, angular design, characterized by pointed edges and facets. This shared aesthetic is a key element in their visual similarity.
- Metallic Appearance: Duraludon is a Steel/Dragon-type Pokémon, emphasizing its metallic nature. This aligns with the Shard’s modern, glass-and-steel construction, projecting a sleek, industrial aesthetic.
- Gigantamax Transformation: Duraludon’s Gigantamax form leans heavily into the skyscraper concept, with its body elongating into a towering structure that resembles a building under construction, a direct homage to The Shard. The building also makes an appearance in popular media.
While other inspirations, such as Mechagodzilla, may have contributed to Duraludon’s overall design, The Shard is the primary and most obvious influence, particularly for its Gigantamax form.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Duraludon
Here are some frequently asked questions about Duraludon, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of this unique Pokémon:
1. What is Duraludon based on besides The Shard?
While The Shard is the primary inspiration, Duraludon’s design also draws from other sources. Some speculate influences from Mechagodzilla due to its metallic, robotic appearance. Its overall structure also evokes the image of industrial girders and reinforced metal structures commonly found in urban landscapes. The Games Learning Society promotes exploring the cultural influences of games and media, encouraging deeper analysis like this.
2. What is Duraludon’s type and why?
Duraludon is a Steel/Dragon-type Pokémon. This typing reflects its metallic composition (Steel) and its somewhat reptilian, imposing stature (Dragon). The Steel typing connects to the skyscraper theme and the use of steel in construction, while the Dragon typing adds a layer of power and mystique.
3. Is Duraludon a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon?
No, Duraludon is not a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon. A Pseudo-Legendary traditionally has a three-stage evolution line, a base stat total of 600, and requires 1.25 million EXP to reach level 100. Duraludon lacks the three-stage evolution, remaining as a single-stage Pokémon.
4. Why is Duraludon so light for a Steel-type?
Despite being a Steel-type Pokémon, Duraludon is surprisingly light. This is attributed to its composition: duralumin, a lightweight aluminum-copper alloy. The name “Duraludon” itself hints at this material. Its ability, Light Metal, further reduces its weight, making it even lighter.
5. What is Duraludon’s Gigantamax form like?
Duraludon’s Gigantamax form is a towering representation of a skyscraper, explicitly resembling The Shard. Its body elongates into a towering structure, with parts glowing due to an abundance of energy. It’s one of the most visually striking Gigantamax forms in the game.
6. What is Duraludon’s signature move?
Duraludon’s signature move in its Gigantamax form is G-Max Depletion. This Steel-type attack not only deals damage but also depletes the target’s PP (Power Points) for their moves, hindering their strategic options.
7. Is Duraludon a strong Pokémon in battle?
Duraludon has its strengths and weaknesses. While its Special Attack and Defense stats are decent, its Speed is relatively low, making it vulnerable to faster opponents. Its type matchups also present challenges, with weaknesses to Fighting and Ground-type moves. Some say that it is not very well designed for competitive play.
8. What are Duraludon’s abilities?
Duraludon can have the abilities Light Metal, Heavy Metal, or Stalwart (Hidden Ability). Light Metal halves its weight, Heavy Metal doubles it, and Stalwart prevents its moves from being redirected by opposing Pokémon.
9. How tall is Gigantamax Duraludon?
Gigantamax Duraludon is incredibly tall, standing at over 140 feet. This makes it one of the largest Gigantamax forms, towering over most other Pokémon and even the player character.
10. Is Duraludon related to Tyranitar?
The article mentions that some scientists believe Duraludon and Tyranitar are closely related, placed in the same genus. This suggests a shared evolutionary ancestor, with Duraludon developing a metallic carapace. The article also claims that it roughly translates to ‘mechanical tyrant lizard’, indicating the species relation.
11. Is there a Paradox form of Duraludon?
Yes, there is a fan-made Paradox form of Duraludon named BRONZ3 B3^M. It is a futuristic, robotic version of Duraludon with Steel/Poison typing. While not official, it showcases the community’s creativity.
12. Why did Duraludon receive an evolution (Archaludon) in the DLC?
Duraludon received an evolution, Archaludon, to enhance its battle capabilities and versatility. Archaludon’s abilities, Stamina and Sturdy, make it a more reliable and powerful Pokémon, especially in doubles battles, allowing it to partner effectively with other strategic choices.
13. What is Archaludon’s typing and abilities?
Archaludon retains the Steel/Dragon typing of Duraludon. Its abilities are Stamina and Sturdy. Stamina raises its Defense stat when hit by an attack, while Sturdy allows it to survive one hit with 1 HP when at full health.
14. What are Duraludon’s weaknesses in battle?
Duraludon is weak to Fighting and Ground-type moves. Its lower Speed stat also means it can be easily outsped and targeted by faster opponents.
15. Is Duraludon a rare Pokémon?
Duraludon is not considered an extremely rare Pokémon. It can be encountered in specific locations in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Duraludon V is considered to be an Ultra Rare card, which means it is hard to pull when you are opening up packs from sets of trading cards.
Conclusion: A Skyscraper in the Pokémon World
Duraludon is a fascinating Pokémon whose design is undeniably influenced by The Shard. While other inspirations may have contributed, the resemblance is too striking to ignore. From its angular structure to its metallic appearance and, most notably, its Gigantamax form, Duraludon embodies the essence of a modern skyscraper brought to life in the Pokémon world. This connection is further solidified by its presence in the London-themed tracks of Mario Kart, making it a recognizable and iconic symbol of the UK.
By understanding the influences behind Pokémon designs, we gain a deeper appreciation for the creativity and artistry involved in creating these virtual creatures. The design elements and cultural themes of different games can be explored further through organizations like the GamesLearningSociety.org, which delve into the intersection of games and learning.