Out of all the baby Pokémon in the series, Munchlax is certainly one of the more interesting ones. Introduced early on before the release of any Generation IV games, Munchlax springboarded off of the popularity Snorlax had gained through the franchise's history so far.
Most players know that obtaining a Munchlax requires breeding a Snorlax with a Lax Incense, but there are many other facts about the "Big Eater Pokémon" that can be missed throughout one's playthrough of any Pokémon game. This list will enlighten you with 10 facts about Munchlax, including how to evolve it, so you will become a Munchlax expert.
10 It Was The First Generation IV Pokémon To Ever Be Revealed
Munchlax was initially revealed in May of 2004, making it the first Generation IV Pokémon ever revealed. Back in the early/mid 2000s, it was easier for game companies to promote their games without the risk of leaks ruining the surprise, and the hype for new Pokémon games on a brand new system sent fans into a flurry. The release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl helped revive the Pokémon franchise, bringing in newer, younger fans as first-time players.
Munchlax was the first Pokémon Game Freak chose to showcase, and what better what to stir up excitement than an adorable baby Pokémon of an already-loved classic?
9 Munchlax Is The Heaviest Baby Pokémon
Weighing in at 231.5 pounds, Munchlax is the heaviest baby Pokémon, outweighing others such as Bonsly (33.1 pounds) and Tyrogue (46.3 pounds). If Munchlax were able to be thrown in Super Smash Brothers like Bonsly was in Super Smash Brothers Brawl, he would send every opponent flying off the screen!
Though there are many colossal Pokémon heavier than Munchlax, most humans would struggle to lift 231 pounds, and for Munchlax's petite size (just two feet tall), it is quite an enigma of physics. Considering just how much he eats, however, it isn't all too surprising.
8 It Evolves Into Snorlax Through Friendship
The friendship mechanic in Pokémon has been around since Generation I with the player's partner Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow, but wasn't expanded to include all Pokémon until Generation II. Munchlax will evolve into Snorlax when they level up with a friendship level is 220 or higher. This value cannot be seen in-game, but NPCs can analyze the player's Pokémon to see how much they love or trust their trainer. There are also mechanics such as Diamon & Pearl's Pokétch which includes an app that shows friendship level through hearts.
Giving Munchlax healing items, berries, and other foods will make it more friendly towards their trainer, as well as leveling up or treating it to massages or grooming.
7 It Is One Of The Slowest Pokémon Ever...
It probably shouldn't come as a surprise that a Pokémon named Munchlax is slow and...well, relaxed, but just how low Munchlax's base speed stat is may surprise you. It has a base stat total of 390, and a whole 5 of those stat points are dedicated to Speed, making it one of the slowest Pokémon ever, competing with Pyukumuku and Shuckle.
You can be assured a Munchlax will probably never attack first, unless Trick Room is in effect. Since Munchlax is into eating and napping, it makes sense that its stats would reflect its lore.
6 ...But Has The Highest Base Stats Of Any Baby Pokémon
Several baby Pokémon evolve via friendship like Munchlax, including Azurill, Chingling, and Riolu, but none have the base stat total Munchlax does. Considering how many baby Pokémon exist in the games, having the highest stats of them all is quite a feat, and Munchlax earns that medal with a base stat total of 390. Other baby Pokémon such as Mime Jr. have totals of only 310, or Azurill's meager 190 total.
Munchlax's greatest stat is unsurprisingly its HP, akin to its evolution, Snorlax. Munchlax's base HP is 135, quite close to Snorlax's 160.
5 Munchlax Was In Three Games Before Generation IV
Before players could even get their hands on a Munchlax and battle with it, the big eater Pokémon appeared in three different games before the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. The first was Pokémon Dash, a racing game from 2004 and the very first Pokémon game released on Nintendo DS.
Munchlax's next appearance was in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, released in Japan in August of 2005. Finally, Munchlax made a cameo in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, where it would trade the Munch Belt in exchange for food items.
4 Munchlax's Anime Debut Was In The 7th Pokémon Movie
Munchlax made its official anime debut in the 7th Pokémon movie, Destiny Deoxys, where it was primarily comedic relief for the film. Released in Japanese theatres on July 17th of 2004, Munchlax can first be seen cleaning up litter in Larousse City, introducing itself early on in the film.
The Pokémon ends up being a hero for Ash and his friends, who try to make it to a tower to regain control of the city from Deoxys. Ash and Tory attempt to ride a hot dog machine to the tower but miss, but Munchlax, who was hiding in the machine, bursts out and evolves into Snorlax, allowing Ash to step across it and get to the tower.
3 Wild Munchlax Will Always Hold Leftovers
Healing 1/16th of the holder's HP every turn, the Leftovers are considered one of the most useful held items in Pokémon (perhaps too useful) and have consistently been hunted down in every game in the franchise including Sword & Shield. The sleeping Snorlax the player must wake up in the original Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow always holds Leftovers, and such has been true for every catchable Snorlax except for the ones in FireRed and Leafgreen and X & Y. However, wild Munchlax will always hold Leftovers without any exceptions, making it another good reason to have a Munchlax in any Pokémon game.
2 It Is Able To Learn Fissure
Baby Pokémon aren't usually associated with dealing one-hit knock-outs: they are usually known to be weak, adorable, and important for breeding. Munchlax, however, can learn the move Fissure thanks to breeding.
Fissure is a move with 30% accuracy (not very accurate at all) to balance its immense power. It is mostly learned by Ground or Water-type Pokémon such as Dugtrio or Whiscash, but can also be taught via TM in Generation I games. To have a Munchlax who knows Fissure, one can acquire a Stunfisk (who learns Fissure at level 55) and breed it with another Pokémon in the Water 1 AND Monster Egg group such as Lapras. This Lapras can then breed with a Snorlax holding a Lax Incense to produce a Fissure-knowing Munchlax from an egg.
1 It Hides Food Under Its Hair
One of the most revealing facts about Munchlax is what the Generation IV Pokédex reports about it: "It hides food under its long body hair. However, it forgets it has hidden the food." Munchlax endeavors to eat its entire body weight in food (231 pounds) every single day, meaning it is often chowing down nonstop. Black and White's Pokédex entry speaks of its "desperation to gulp down food" which causes it to forget about its hidden food in the first place. Munchlax is a trash can who must consume any and all scraps it is given, whether delicious or rotten.