Whismur

Using Whismur in a Playthrough

The Whismur line is a straightforward pure Normal family that develops from a frail early cave encounter into the bulky mixed attacker Exploud. Whismur evolves into Loudred at level 20 and Exploud at level 40, with Exploud reaching base 104 HP and equal base 91 Attack and Special Attack, allowing it to use both physical Normal moves and an unusually broad collection of special coverage. In Generation III Normal attacks are physical, so strong STAB primarily uses Exploud's Attack while moves such as Flamethrower, Ice Beam, Surf, and other special coverage use its Special Attack; the physical/special split later lets sound-based Normal moves such as Hyper Voice become special as well. Generation VI provides the line's biggest offensive upgrade through Boomburst, a 140-power, perfectly accurate special Normal move, while the Hidden Ability Scrappy allows Normal and Fighting attacks to hit Ghost-types that would otherwise be immune. Exploud remains fairly slow and its defenses outside HP are only average, but pure Normal typing gives only one weakness to Fighting and the family's enormous coverage makes it useful when a team needs a flexible neutral-damage attacker.

Whismur in Competitive Pokémon

Exploud spent its early competitive life in low tiers because respectable mixed offenses and excellent coverage were not enough to overcome mediocre Speed and only average defenses. Generation VI changed its identity dramatically by giving it Boomburst: a 140-power special STAB move with perfect accuracy that becomes especially difficult to switch into when paired with Scrappy, since Ghost-types can no longer rely on their Normal immunity. Choice Specs sets have used Boomburst as the primary wallbreaking tool while Fire Blast, Focus Blast, Surf, Ice Beam, or similar coverage punish Rock- and Steel-type answers. Soundproof offers a defensive immunity to sound-based moves, but Scrappy is generally the more important offensive ability because it allows Exploud to attack with its strongest move without first predicting a Ghost switch. Its base 68 Speed and limited defensive utility keep it below the top competitive tiers, yet Boomburst transformed Exploud from an unfocused mixed attacker into one of the more recognizable slow special wallbreakers in lower formats.

Whismur in Nuzlockes

Whismur is commonly obtainable in Hoenn's Rusturf Tunnel and evolves without trades or items, making the family a dependable if somewhat slow-growing Nuzlocke option. Exploud's large HP pool and pure Normal typing provide a useful Ghost immunity and only one ordinary weakness, while broad coverage means it can often fill whatever offensive type gaps remain on the team. Its actual defenses are not especially high, however, and base 68 Speed means Exploud frequently takes a hit before attacking, so the large HP stat should not be mistaken for exceptional tanking ability. Soundproof can create completely safe switches against known sound-based attacks, while Scrappy prevents Ghost-types from turning Normal STAB into a wasted turn. The line is therefore a solid generalist in permadeath play: less explosive than specialist attackers, but comparatively simple to plan around and capable of adapting its moveset to many different boss battles.

Whismur is naturally timid and usually speaks in murmurs so quiet that they are barely audible, but fear can trigger a cry approaching the volume of a jet aircraft. That scream reaches roughly 100 decibels and can leave nearby listeners with headaches lasting the rest of the day. The reaction can become self-reinforcing because Whismur is frightened by its own cry, causing it to scream even louder until exhaustion finally forces it to sleep. It can sustain the noise for unusually long periods because it breathes through openings that also function as ear canals, and the crying stops if its ear covers are closed. Wild Whismur favor caves, where the contrast between their normally faint voices and panic-induced screams can be especially dramatic.