Classes and Classification of Pokémon

All Pokémon are unique in their own ways in shapes, sizes, and skills. Yet with all of them being rather varied, certain Pokémon can still stand to be put into classes and therefore have certain classifications. These classes highlight a common denominator about them that is undeniably characteristic and can hardly be changed even with time. It would be helpful to discuss about them and what makes them as such.

Even those who have been "long in the tooth" will recognize some of these classes and how they're evident. The starter Pokémon (and their evolved forms) comprise one of these classes as they're given out when one starts a journey in a respective generation; even though later journeys don't start with them, their starting quality "adheres" and they continue to be labeled as such. Likewise, with Legendary Pokémon, their rarity and impressiveness form the quality that applies to this class, which for even Pokémon of later generations are still rather demonstrative. It is not likely that they will ever shed the characteristics, and the classes continue to apply. This too is the case for the Ultra Beasts from the seventh generation, as they will remain as such even if no new species join them later on.

These classifications are of course distinct from species identifiers, for which every Pokémon species has one, though they're not necessarily unique or broadly applicable, and furthermore are truly different. Arcanine, for example, has the species identifier of "Legendary Pokémon", but this is different from the classification that still bears the term even today. This still makes for a good jest, but it's nothing more than that; the identifiers remain different and separate from the classes that are being discussed here as applicable to multiple species and not just a single instance. Such is definitely the case for Mythical Pokémon as the popularly-known adjunct to Legendary Pokémon.

Being that the classes apply across different generations, there's a certain repetitive quality about them, or what would chemists recognize as "periodicity". In fact, it's possible to arrange Pokémon by respective classes and generations and have that come out as something that resembles a periodic table... but this is starting to make a digression - one that deserves its own discussion, I think, and not here. The gist should be pretty clear in that they apply again and again, and thus the quality continues to become evident in periods or even series, for those still trying to get a grip on things,

It is plainly obvious that Pokémon species differ among themselves in many characteristics, but it is also obvious that certain qualities are shared even across Pokémon species of different generations, in a manner that allows the quality to apply perfectly even as things change. That would be the essence of the classes and classification that Pokémon species have and continue to have. The sameness that they provide, even with how different the species are, provide a timeless reference point that remains understandable.

One year ago: Battle Box for Pokémon Go?

Two years ago: Game Freak with Mario on the Side

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 6/8/2019

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Event Rollup, 6/8/2018

Five years ago: Poor Zygarde