Cobblemon Breeding 101 (A Look Ahead)

Though breeding hasn't been added to Cobblemon yet, it’s an exciting feature that many players are looking forward to. Breeding has been a staple mechanic in Pokémon games for years, allowing trainers to pass on specific traits and build the perfect team. While we wait for this feature to be introduced in Cobblemon, we can speculate on how it might work, based on the mechanics from the core Pokémon games, and what players can expect when it finally arrives.

This guide will cover what Cobblemon breeding might look like, why it's important, and how to prepare for it in the meantime.

What is Breeding in Pokémon?

In the Pokémon series, breeding involves placing two compatible Pokémon in a special environment (often a daycare or breeding center) to produce offspring. This offspring can inherit traits from its parents, such as abilities, moves, stats (IVs), and natures, making breeding a powerful tool for building competitive teams.

Breeding can be used to:

• Pass on specific moves (egg moves) that the Pokémon can’t learn through leveling.
• Influence stats (IVs) to create a Cobblemon with optimal performance in battle.
• Select the right nature, which affects stat growth, making a Pokémon more suitable for offensive or defensive roles.
• Shiny Hunting, by increasing the chances of finding shiny variants of Pokémon through methods like the Masuda Method (in the main series games).

What Breeding Could Look Like in Cobblemon

Although we don't yet know the specifics of Cobblemon's breeding mechanics, it’s possible that many features from the main Pokémon games will carry over. Here’s how some of the core mechanics might work:

1. Finding a Breeding Center or Ranch

When the breeding feature is introduced, it’s likely that Cobblemon will include a specific location, such as a ranch or daycare center, where players can place their Pokémon to breed. Players will probably need to bring two compatible Cobblemon—usually, this means one male and one female of the same species or egg group.

2. Compatibility and Egg Groups

In the main Pokémon games, Pokémon are divided into egg groups that determine which species can breed with each other. Cobblemon will likely follow a similar pattern. Pokémon from the same egg group, such as Field or Water 1, would be able to breed and produce offspring. A key strategy is to understand egg groups to breed for moves, abilities, or specific stats.

3. Passing on Traits (IVs, Natures, and Moves)

One of the main reasons players breed Pokémon is to control which traits are passed down to the offspring. When breeding is added to Cobblemon, players will likely be able to influence:

• Individual Values (IVs): These hidden stats determine a Pokémon’s base strength in areas like HP, attack, and defense. In the main games, IVs are partially passed down from parents. Cobblemon could use a similar system to allow players to breed stronger Pokémon.
• Natures: Natures boost one stat while lowering another, making certain natures desirable for specific builds. Items like an Everstone could be introduced to ensure the offspring inherits a specific nature from one of the parents.
• Egg Moves: Certain moves can only be learned through breeding, known as egg moves. For instance, you may want to pass down a strong or rare move that the offspring wouldn't normally learn through leveling up. When Cobblemon introduces breeding, it’s likely this mechanic will follow similar rules.

4. Breeding for Shiny Cobblemon

Shiny hunting through breeding could also be a possibility in Cobblemon. Typically, the odds of producing a shiny Pokémon through breeding are quite low, but special methods, such as breeding two Pokémon from different regions (similar to the Masuda Method), could increase the chances. This would add an exciting challenge for players hunting for rare shiny Cobblemon.

Preparing for Breeding in Cobblemon

Even though the breeding system hasn’t been added yet, there are steps you can take to prepare for it:

1. Collect High-IV Cobblemon

Start gathering Cobblemon with high individual values (IVs). These stats can be checked with certain commands on servers, and Cobblemon with higher IVs will be valuable breeding stock once the feature is live. By collecting strong Cobblemon now, you’ll be ready to breed powerful offspring as soon as the system is introduced.

2. Explore and Collect Various Natures

Catch Cobblemon with a variety of natures, especially the ones suited to competitive battling, such as Jolly (boosts speed, lowers special attack) or Modest (boosts special attack, lowers attack). Having a collection of these will allow you to breed the perfect nature when breeding becomes available.

3. Plan Your Egg Move Strategies

While we don’t know exactly how egg moves will work in Cobblemon, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with common breeding chains in the main Pokémon games. By planning ahead, you can ensure you have the right Cobblemon pairs to pass down desirable moves.

4. Build an Apricorn Farm for Poké Balls

Breeding Cobblemon will likely require a lot of Poké Balls to catch and test various offspring. Make sure to expand your apricorn farm now to have a large supply of Poké Balls ready. This will save you time later when you’re trying to catch the perfect Cobblemon for breeding purposes.

Speculation on Potential Cobblemon Breeding Items

While we wait for the breeding feature to be added, it’s worth considering some items from the main series that could be implemented in Cobblemon:

• Everstone: This item is often used to pass down a parent’s nature to the offspring. Expect it to play a key role in controlling breeding outcomes.
• Destiny Knot: Used in Pokémon to ensure more IVs are passed down from the parents. This would be a valuable tool for players looking to breed high-stat Cobblemon.
• Incenses: Certain Pokémon in the main games need to hold an incense item to produce specific baby Pokémon (like breeding Snorlax to get Munchlax). Cobblemon could introduce similar mechanics to expand breeding possibilities.

Conclusion

Breeding is an exciting and highly anticipated feature in Cobblemon. Though it hasn’t been added yet, players can already start preparing by collecting strong Cobblemon with high IVs, a variety of natures, and planning for future breeding strategies. When it finally arrives, breeding will allow players to create custom Cobblemon with perfect stats, ideal moves, and possibly even shiny variants.

While we wait, now is the perfect time to explore Cobblemon’s world, catch potential breeding stock, and build up your collection of rare and powerful Cobblemon. Stay tuned for updates, and happy hunting!

Feel free to share what you're most excited about when breeding is finally added to Cobblemon in the Discord!