Mathematically Proving which Pokémon Should Learn Surf

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Prior attempts I could find at solving the Wailord problem:
My two personal favorite estimations are from William Farmer at the University of Leicester (journals.le.ac.uk/ojs1/index....)
And by Sam Flower at Tom Rocks Maths (tomrocksmaths.com/2021/12/10/...)
blueditto.blogspot.com/2014/0...
gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/...
scientificpokedex.tumblr.com/...
/ an_extensive_writeup_i...
Known errors:
- There's an erroneous red dot visible for a few seconds at one point. Can anyone spot it?
- I accidentally left some details from Horsea's card on Tatsugiri's card, but the point stands that Tatsugiri's density is still too high.
#pokemon #science #maths

[@Kosmicd12]

what is up my serfs

[@adef]

get pinned

[@samuelazura7334]

I too, am a serfscriber

[@RTGOAT]

See how the serfs work the ground moment

[@icedlemongamer]

i make 18.50 an hour

[@throwawayaccount4009]

What if Rhydon’s Rock-Type skin is made of the igneous rock pumice, or some similar magical and somehow durable rock / mineral which allows it to float like pumice on the water’s surface?

[@DoctorSwellman]

Mew and Natu's density ratio to water being the value of Pi is so on brand

[@schpau9339]

It’s just because the height and radius he chose meant m/(h*r^2) = p So because the formula for the volume contains pi, by chance (not a very low chance mind you) he happened to select heights and radiuses a couple of times such that the density of the pokemon multiplied by pi equals the density of water. This also means the ratio is exactly pi.

[@andrewb5347]

@@schpau9339 shut up meg

[@pedroscoponi4905]

Can't wait to see Adef 10 months from now emerging from his lab with a crazed look in his eyes talking about the hardness and edge geometry of a Bulbasaur vine.

[@richardkirkland6805]

"Mathematically proving which Pokémon should learn Cut"

[@lio8066]

I would edge a bulbasaur

[@matthewlantz1677]

​@@lio8066😂😂

[@rizu-kun9687]

Brb calculating the tensile strength of Bulbasaur vines

[@notyourdad9548]

@@rizu-kun9687where you at

[@caserr]

Clamperl and shellos not being able to surf as water types makes sense! They are both bottom dwellers, and in pokemon ruby, sapphire, emerald clamperl can only be found at the bottom of the sea

[@twobladedswordsandmauls2120]

Clampearl is also shown to not be neutrally buoyant in New Pokémon Snap. It can only swim actively and in the same manner as real-life clams (which, oddly enough, can swim).

[@forceoffriction]

Also in Legends Arceus, you often find Shellos and Gastrodon on little islands out in the water, but never IN the water.

[@superkirby1111]

I didn't see anyone else point this out, but Tatsugiri probably can float on water! it has a small sac below its face that inflates which would likely make it less dense than the water, and its what makes it look so much like sushi as well. I believe it even does it when it is specifically floating on the lake in game, but I don't remember if the normal animation ever plays when its on water.

[@roseraid-1467]

Fact

[@Aceius]

I can't wait until adef goes inside an active volcano to find out what Pokemon should learn flamethrower

[@unfortunatelyevil1767]

Perhaps the next most painful step after the "who can..." series... is reassigning a "logical" weight to every Pokémon.

[@skitterly]

For real, they have Pokémon made of solid metal weighing less than my dog

[@TheAnalyticalEngine]

When the whale-sized pokemon is so light that it (under a cylindrical approximation) doubles as a blimp*, but somehow Ash can carry a hippopotas on his head...despite the fact that it weighs more than him. But he can punt telegraph pole sized logs, so that boy can LIFT *Game Theory proved that it actually can't, using the 3D model from the games and a CAD program - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGqwgWCNncR8ptU

[@ovrsurge4689]

One of the most accurate, yet outlandishly high seeming weights in pokemon is Mudsdale who neighs in at 920 kilograms, This sounds stupidly high but Clydesdale horses (the obvious namer and inspiration) can weigh between 771 and 998 kilos according to a quick google search. So if pokemon were ranked by how far they weigh from how far they SHOULD weigh, Mudsdale would be accurate. I only learnt this because of a romhack where a gym leader gimmick is that in their battle the speed is based on weight.

[@mistashadow]

I remember one scene where Brock/Takeshi was able to lob a Forretress with _one arm_ Forretress weighs 126 kilograms.

[@MusicalBoarder]

​@@ovrsurge4689does the pokedex use kg's i thought it was pounds... maybe just misremembering

[@unboundedquasar]

Primal kyogre being less dense than air? Well I guess that does explain how he’s able to freaking fly in Pokémon Generations

[@Ezecool-3105]

And in the Hoopa Movie

[@katieg1071]

For all nobody who asked, here's the list of Pokemon who adef calculated cannot swim, and yet, swim in Scarlet and Violet when sent out in battles on the water. - Horsea - Eevee - Tatsugiri (all 3 forms)

[@HungerGamesFan88]

well horsea is a seahorse and eevee does a doggypaddle i think, tatsugiri iirc has the lil inflatable swim bladder sac

[@Xaaaach]

A key to Surf is also that they’re large enough for you to ride ontop of them.

[@diegovs1508]

The fact i thought this channel had at least 500k subs given how well edited the video is and the amount of hard work there is behind it

[@spamatron6471]

I skimmed this and thought you were saying you subscribed at 500k and I thought “I wish I found him that early” He really feels like a big KZbinr

[@BlackReaper0]

I feel like clamperl and shellos not being able to swim make sense. Also the idea of tinkaton plummeting to the bottom of the ocean and refusing to let the hammer go is very funny.

[@danteshier5214]

Interesting bit I heard recently. Apparently you can take the models from the newer games and throw them in software to get their true volume, I think specifically it was Legends arceus or BDSP due to them using a more common engine with file types that worked with blender. Though don't quote me on that. Just found it interesting since it may alter the data a bit if every bit of the mons was measured rather than estimations.

[@kubomagico8853]

I have seen a youtuber (United Play) using the Sword and Shield pokemon models. Matpat on Game Theory also did that for his video on Wailord (he found it can't fly)

[@SheepStar8]

Game Theory did this in a video and found that Wailord could NOT float in air. The approximations of volume to the cylinder or a cylinder with two hemispherical caps, etc are, apparently, very impactful to approximate calculations' results.

[@Subtle_Pants]

This video about the physics of Pokemon surfing is WAY better than it has any right to be

[@dervakommtvonhinten517]

nope, he ignored way too many factors. takes 4 times damage from water attacks, but can literally swim in that element without taking damage... checks out same problem with charmander and its entire evolution line. just because its not very dense and bipedal doesnt mean it can swim. if the flame on its tail gets extinguished, it DIES!!! other fire pokemon like magmar have a similar problem, and pokemon like mekargo are hotter than the sun. so they would evaporate water till they run out of energy and die. so no swimming there. other pokemon, like that sandcastle ghost would just dissolve... same with some ice types. if they get thrown in water, they would melt cause water is an excellent conductor of heat. and some lightning types cant control their electricity. so if they are in a conductive material, they would be depleted of energy and die. then there is pokemon like zubat and golbat. just cause they arent dense doesnt mean they can navigate in water, so if they are face up, they are stuck there and cant escape. if they are face down, they just drown....

[@DoctorSwellman]

@@dervakommtvonhinten517 too long didn't read, video is good though

[@dervakommtvonhinten517]

@@DoctorSwellman tell me you are an idiot without telling me you are an idiot xD

[@dropfish3109]

@@dervakommtvonhinten517 tell me no one likes you without telling me no one likes you

[@loki7701]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@dervakommtvonhinten517so…everything you talked about literally doesn’t matter. This is a video on if a Pokemon can theoretically swim without diving into the logic on how they do. He also addresses the water thing, saying that he believes it wouldn’t matter. It is thus safe to assume he is applying this logic to everything else. For the charmander line, You do have a point here, except for the fact that we’re talking about theoretically being able to float. The pokemon that are supposedly hotter than/as hot as the sun would melt through the earth before they got anywhere near water, but because we’re not taking that stuff into consideration…and the fact that the planet is still existing… The sandcastle wouldn’t actually desolve considering it’s ability would make it more packed together. It’s also a ghost. So y’know. Oh, and ice isn’t weak to water. It used to resist it in fact. If that was an issue, no ice type would learn surf. Conclusion, you’re not fun. Pokemon is supposed to be. We’re posing a joke question and applying a legitimate solution to it. The minutiae doesn’t matter when you have Pokemon who float despite having zero means to do so.

[@anny8720]

14:05 "tinkaton (girl just put the hammer down)" no babygirl has to keep shooting those corviknights even while she's drowning in a pond 🙄

[@hibbs1712]

Lol “oh. nice.” @ gastly and haunter working out mathematically perfect with the lore

[@hibbs1712]

also, we need a rock smash list

[@anakruger2412]

These are so good, the editing is so good, I laughed out loud multiple times and my cat gave me a weird look, 10/10

[@Devynwithawhy]

yep

[@RealYaoi]

18:28 i think 'what steelix would look like in ball mode (tm)' is the real take away from this video. im so glad i finally know what steelix would like in ball mode (tm) and now my life is infinitely better. thank you adef.

[@ILikePi31415926535]

Steel/Flying Ball Mode (TM) Steelix form next game please Gamefreak

[@stellathefoxgirl3648]

Cosmoem not being to float and being that dense makes a lot of sense, considering it’s lore It *is* a condensed star

[@ElysiaWhitemoonOmega]

and both ash and lilly carry it around like nothing, kinda is a point for the ash's coma idea, as in a dream everything can happen:D

[@MetronaJ]

​@@ElysiaWhitemoonOmegaI mean the thing also floats so it's more like carrying a levitating object sooo

[@ElysiaWhitemoonOmega]

@@MetronaJ true about that

[@GeoQuag]

15:00 This is a bad calculation for wishiwashi school form because it’s really just a bunch of small fish arranged into the shape of a large one (perhaps even just the shell of a large one). They have to way of trapping the volume that makes up the space between them. This is similar to how a toilet paper tube might have a density less than air of you count the whole cylinder as it’s volume, when clearly the center isn’t contributing to that.

[@Crow0567]

I think something similar could be going on with Dondozo. Maybe theres just a lot of empty space in its mouth?

[@DarkTerrex]

I find it amusing that the only ones who can't swim are almost all first stage Pokémon. Also I'm imagining watching a Steelix just moving along, looking up a mountain and just curling up and rising to the top comically, then going home and trying to explain what you saw. I also regret to inform you that I don't have a board game with surprisingly accurate animal data at the ready this time.

[@TheJ0llyWalrus]

10:30 today I learned that Rayquaza is spaghetti.

[@RDDragonfruits]

More than happy to be of serf-ice for Pokemon science!

[@armorelarmadura7807]

My main reservation with Rhydon learning Surf was that surely Rock type dinosaur thing must weigh as much as a small car? But no, he's a bit over 200 lbs! So yeah, I gotta agree with you on this one

[@TheDeathby2]

Yeah....the pokedex weight data makes no sense at all. An everage rhino should weigh at least 3,080 lbs or ~1,400 kg. Looking at Rhydon, he looks like he'd weigh more than even the average rhino, but the pokedex writer knows like nothing about the real world so the weight data should be taken with a grain if salt.

[@Eldoofus]

18:30 As a matter of fact, this line is better known as a line from Sonic the Hedgehog, more specifically, from a certain "Sonic Says" section of his old cartoon show, The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.

[@enddorb]

Extremely loving your mathematical science videos with light comedy. And I wanna say that if you want to do something not pokémon-related, I'd be up for it

[@parkerrhodes289]

Agreed. Came for Pokémon, stayed for good humor and educational content.

[@wezen89]

The idea that school Wishiwashi, Dondozo, and Wailord all being able to float in air is just plain weird to me

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

I like the idea that when Kyogre goes Primal, it IMMEDIATELY rockets to the surface and is dragged into the air, screaming as it undergoes rapid decompression, while Rayquaza looks over and shakes its head.

[@williamflores8258]

Well in wishiwashi case, the school is filled with water or air. I imagine he only floats in air if the space between the whishiwashis is vacuum.

[@eternalinfernos]

love the way you approach these videos! the dedication and time you spent on these is a little concerning but very impressive! keep up the great work

[@CoalSmudge]

At this point we’re gonna end up with the whole HM list and why Linoone should learn all of them

[@Rednillasmhm]

I almost - almost - commented before the video ended. Something about "holy shit, the last one was so good, this one is already great" but I'm glad I finished it before writing this. That being said, holy shit, the last one was so good. This one is great, too. Can't wait for the next one! Thanks for your work.

[@The_One_In_Black]

Dive would be both interesting and ridiculously complicated, because the Pokémon needs to be able to both sink and float of its own accord. You'd have to have some model of how triangular a floating Pokémon can make itself to stop floating.

[@TunaBear64]

If a Pokémon can swim forward and "surf" it can swim downwards and "dive" As long is dense enough to be able to counteract its own buoyancy

[@dr4gonblitz]

I dont know anything about a "pokey man" but I sure do love learning about Physics and Math!!!!

[@lunamagnoliid8984]

I'd like to add that, Eternatus is pretty bony, it's surface area and actual volume would be quite the opposite of the other blimps. Wishiwashi is kinda the same conundrum, wouldn't they need a fluid-tight seal?

[@katzlover321]

What is your profile picture from? Did you make it?

[@jwoodsonmusic]

Your comedic delivery of the Steelix fact at the end gave me a chuckle. Great video!

[@EnterTheUnown]

So good! Amazing work again!

[@Skooby59]

I love how this dude can some times give off the same vibes as Jaskier from the Witcher show. The jokes and the gags warm my heart. Can’t wait to see more content

[@EquivalentInsanity]

I absolutely love this video series and deeplt appreciate the work and math that goes into these!!

[@itDishe]

Fluid mechanics coming in clutch, honestly these videos have been some of my favorite.

[@sapphire26]

Your videos are so well made, and I genuinely have so much fun learning through them. Keep up the great work!

[@Spifyninja]

I love this series and I just want to say I appreciate you for putting so much time and effort into making these video both informative and entertaining.

[@Piratejet_21]

Another incredible video Adef! I enjoyed this quite thoroughly and can't wait to see what you cook up for the next one!

[@Pokemonleafmon]

17:37 Not sure if anyone else has pointed this out, but Azurill isn't a water type. Not like a super important correction or anything, but just something I noticed.

[@skilly114]

Absolute peak youtube content, saw it pop up on my feed and immediately clicked. Keep up the work, you´re already providing high quality entertainment combined with a bit of a learning factor. 10/10

[@kazemitra3896]

Love your videos, adef! From sheer content, through your sense of humour, to the edits. With you a lot of strength (especially mental strength) with the continuation of the series!

[@bybeezguepe6557]

Great video ! I rewatched your older ones and they are great too !!

[@charginginprogresss]

17:22 It also means that even if some mons would float with you on top of them, they would be completely submerged with only you peeking from the surface of the water, not really surfing I'd say. This system is effective as it works as long as the mon is at least 0.....001% afloat with MC on top completely dry.

[@wilsonvanderslicecello]

Dude you are one of my new favorite creators. It’s so evident how much work you put into your videos and they are always so good. I hope you only find more success

[@NateHatak]

Thank you for answering the questions I didn't know I needed answers to. Also I gotta say your last videos are amazing! Really hope your channel is able to reach the other gamong geeks who will enjoy your content

[@noobula7]

Amazing channel! Been loving your videos and especially the humor in them!

[@jorisaalten3023]

Just watched the one on fly and instantly watched this one after. Keep up the good work man, very nice vids :D

[@geekecology]

The amount of work you put into this video is incredible. The math, the editing, even the humor is great!

[@Bongo-ez6wn]

These are super well made, Bravo!

[@tckz]

holy i genuinely enjoyed this video sm, even the mic quality is just amazing! Instant sub! ^ ^

[@kyiore6878]

Your content is incredible. I can't believe I only JUST discovered your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@1505627]

Excellent video! The bit aat the end has me wondering what there is to calculate who should be able to learn dig

[@legueu]

I saw the spreadsheet and just though: "Wow, his parents must have a field day trying to explain his job."

[@waveframe235]

your channel’s vids are so entertaining and well made, if i ever get a degree in physics these videos are why lol

[@solitaireclub]

Adef I've been loving this series, I appreciate how much effort you've been putting into all of this. Also, hilarious af.

[@jeffgiles4693]

1st video of yours I've seen and I'm now subscribed. 😂. Keep it up

[@federicofalessi4198]

This is phenomenal content! Love it

[@jyotshak]

This channel is criminally undersubscribed and underviewed. Phenomenal quality content!

[@Inugamirukazu]

This intro killed me, loving it as my ghost self

[@Richi0h]

Your content is so good man, I don't even play Pokémon anymore but these videos are so good! Your style of making content is so engaging. :D

[@Richi0h]

P.S. Strength next?

[@khaiasaurus2595]

"girl, just put the hammer down" had me in SHAMBLES

[@ariustemod8481]

This was wonderful, glad youtube recommended it to me. I will be watching for the flash breakdown.

[@LetuceP]

im in love with this channel, if youre reading this adef i just wanna let yknow that your content is absolutely a blast to enjoy

[@GeMan11]

Another banger video. Thanks for the content

[@cameton_youtube]

Honestly, in love with that cut away to "video footage" at the beginning. Cool effect

[@Lilskeevs]

The beginning had me giggling so much I had to let my cereal get soggy 😂❤ love your vids bro!

[@genieooofuzzy4181]

I sighed and clicked- “what slightly mad and thoroughly researched rabbit hole has adef wriggled wide for us today?”

[@1Lia11]

I just love the idea that wailmer evolves and just goes up, just floats, maybe it hits an airplane on the way, maybe that would be something pilots need to keep an eye to, recently evolved wailords

[@clairemoore8797]

I did not expect to be learning buoyancy physics while on holiday break, but this was such a good and fun explanation. Also the editing is *mwah*

[@halfhero]

Great video, thanks adef

[@laggingdragons]

Your explanation of buoyancy finally cracked that nut for me and now I'm writing down ideas for sky pirate airships thanks a lot.

[@afarewelltokings]

these videos of yours have such a bill nye energy to them i love it

[@airystrudel2011]

I can’t believe you make every part of these videos yourself and you’re absolutely hilarious. If you ran for president I would vote for you

[@garythornsberry5349]

I love these so much please continue making contact!!

[@beyondawesomegaming3517]

“Is a duck a boat?” Literally had me dead

[@optima1774]

I’m so stoked to see you tormented by which Pokémon can light up an entire cave

[@jaycobobob]

Saw this pop up in my recommended. 45 seconds in and you already got a like and sub, you funny as hell bro😭 great production quality, and interesting topic. Definitely gonna go watch the Fly vid after this. Keep it up!

[@IlyushaGM4]

keep it up man, amazing stuff

[@nathanh2523]

the right guy to answer these standing debates has finally found the platform to do it

[@xDontStandInTheFirex]

Ahhh, its an ADEF video, I already know this will be an absolute banger!

[@terderrer]

another awesome video! I lost it at the part 6 title card.

[@MechaLeo]

Just imagine flying about over route 223 when some Steelix locks eyes with you and springboards itself into the sky at rapid velocity.

[@Blockvard]

Cool video!! I really llike Matpat's video where he checks every pixel from Scarlet/Violet of Wailord to calculate it's density. Then it is heavy enough to not float, check it out!

[@biohazardously]

just found this channel, dude, how do you only have 25k?? this stuff is great, cant wait to see more!!

[@BardBreaker]

"If Steelix were to curl itself up into a ball....it can float in the air." - is an idea I never thought I'd have to think about in my Pokemon career.

[@persimmonnova]

all pokemon become squiggly snakes with the cylindrical estimation. they are all but just limbless, squiggly creatures squiggling about.

[@lePierre1860]

Mom, not now! A new adef video just dropped!

[@jadetree]

so glad you are getting rewarded for you effort!

[@remiiqbal9790]

Excellent video! Can’t believe how little subscribers you have for this kind of quality content

[@kaua4781]

If you ever consider doing a video about dive i would recommend using showdown to check what Pokemon learn what move, you just gotta open the teambuilder and select the nationaldex metagame

[@ogichi0808]

All jokes aside I learned what buoyancy really is through your video. This was a really fun video!

[@MajoraZ]

The list of floating pokemon is surprisingly reasonable the Steelix thing aside. A question I have though: Is there a reason you didn't calculate volume just by using the actual 3d models, since you could just scale those to their pokedex height? Would that have been a lot more work? (Unironically asking, though i'd guess so?)

[@wheniamaloneatnightisneakd4088]

Yes that would've been a lot of work plus the shapes that make up the sprites would need to be estimated anyways so it's better to just make one blanket estimation for all of them

[@Snt1_]

It would have been too much work, but it would have been 20 times more accurate as that shows Wailord is actually NOT lighter than air

[@Snt1_]

​@@wheniamaloneatnightisneakd4088that may be true but the current approximations are often very innacurate. Wailord is not lighter than air if you use the model ibstead of a cylinder

[@TheRedSmarty]

The models are actually already scaled to Pokédex height, they're only rescaled by the game itself.

[@juliner4036]

14:02 Good to know that that anime scene with Torkoal just jumping into the water and sinking is realistic.

[@brada5581]

your humor kills me, well done

[@npcarts]

I wonder how the results would change if you used the 3d models to calculate volume instead of making pokemon cylindrical! it would probably take more time, but could be interesting :v

[@connordelaney6254]

This is just a vsauce video with a pokemon mask to reel me in

[@Doopliss666]

We could be friends man. The Og Pokémon snap backdrop. The physics. The pokemon. And most importantly the ttyd background music. I’m straight but I think I love you

[@tadferd4340]

"Is a duck a boat?" Asking the real questions.