I’m Luke Summerhayes and I love Turtonator.
Turtles and tortoises, with their hard shells, are often depicted with land masses or mountains on their backs in mythology and artwork. We’ve seen it already with the Turtwig line back in the fourth generation. From mountains on the backs of turtles, it’s only one small step to volcanoes.
The Hawaiaan Islands are home to the Hawksbill turtles, some of them swimming in the waters around the volcanoes themselves. They look pretty normal, but elsewhere in the world there are more volcanic looking turtles. The Mata Mata in south America has a rocky carapace and dinosaurlike spines. The Volcan Wolf turtle lives on a certain volcano in the Galapagos and has a big, open shell at the front.
Turtonator is a big, bipedal turtle and a fire and dragon type Pokemon. It has spikes and ridges on its shell, a helmet-like crest on the head, a ridged tail like the Mata Mata and a nose with an opening like the Volcan wolf – a cannon.
Moon
It gushes fire and poisonous gases from its nostrils. Its dung is an explosive substance and can be put to various uses.

The ashes and aftermath of volcanoes are a source of vital minerals and vitamins, often creating perfect conditions for life to flourish. The actual magma and power of a volcano is a destructive force, but in the Pokemon world it can be eaten and harnessed.
Ultra Sun
It lives in volcanoes and eats sulfur and other minerals. Materials from the food it eats form the basis of its explosive shell.

Shield
Eating sulfur in its volcanic habitat is what causes explosive compounds to develop in its shell. Its droppings are also dangerously explosive.

With this volcano diet, Turtonator develops it into a powerful shell, making it the monster equivalent of a claymore personnel mine.
Sword
Explosive substances coat the shell on its back. Enemies that dare attack it will be blown away by an immense detonation.

ltra Moon
Its exploding shell poses a real danger but is sensitive to moisture. On rainy days, Turtonator takes silent refuge in caves.
Turtonator has enormous defense and pretty decent attacking stats, appropriate for a big turtle monster with an explosive shell. If this were a boss fight in a regular videogame, it would just need a glowing weak spot.
Sun
The shell on its back is chemically unstable and explodes violently if struck. The hole in its stomach is its weak point.

In the turn-based battling of Pokemon, this weakness is simpler; Turtonator has dreadful speed and HP. No matter; Turtonator is a slow, methodical fighting machine – a true mix between a turtle and a terminator. Its also a detonator, which is reflected in the Japanese name Bukugames, combining bakuhatsu, explosion, and kame, turtle.
Turtonator is a very unique Pokemon in its design, lore and typing. It has a stat spread which is interesting to come across but easy to deal with when one knows, and without a special ability or a unique move to really bring the concept to life, Turtonator has never shone in the main series of games. It has moments in the anime, and maybe it will show up some time in a fighting game or something and show us what it can really do.
Music for Luke Loves Pokemon was composed by Jonathan Cromie. Artwork for the show is by Katie Groves. Funding is by supporters at patreon.com/podcastiopodcastius.
I love hearing from listeners! Get in touch on youtube, social media or email and let me know about your favorite Pokemon. Coming up next are Togedemaru and Mimikyu, so let me know your thoughts about those or any other monsters.
Even if you don’t feel like doing any of that, thank you so much for listening.
I love Turtonator. And remember, I love you too.