The Value and Status of Oranguru in Pokemon

Yes, Oranguru is considered a regional Pokémon due to its limited availability in select main series Pokémon games. As a Moon and Scarlet exclusive, obtaining Oranguru requires trading or acquiring special versions. This guide will explore Oranguru‘s history, value, strengths, and why it‘s so prized by collectors and competitors.

Oranguru‘s Origins and Availability Across Pokémon Games

Oranguru first appeared in 2016‘s Pokémon Sun & Moon as a version exclusive, only obtainable in Pokémon Moon. This sage-like Pokémon lives deep in forests away from humans, lending an air of mystique. As a Psychic/Normal type, it possesses unique attributes and lore.

I‘ve analyzed Oranguru‘s availability across core Pokémon titles:

As you can see, Oranguru has consistently been restricted to just one version of each Pokémon generation, making it trickier to find compared to Pokemon obtainable in both versions. Trading with other players is the only way to get Oranguru in games where it‘s exclusive. This scarcity is a key factor driving up its value and prestige.

Why Does Oranguru Have Such Unique Lore?

There are a few key elements that contribute to Oranguru‘s mystique in the Pokémon world:

• Oranguru‘s design is based on an orangutan, giving it a wise, sage-like appearance unique among Pokémon.

• It lives deep in forests and is selective about interacting with humans, preferring solitude. This elusive nature adds to its mystique.

• According to lore, Oranguru is capable of using telepathy to give instructions to other Pokémon. Its calm intelligence lets it command without speaking.

• Oranguru crafts Poké Balls from berries and special medicine said to be highly nutritious. It cares for weaker Pokémon.

• In the anime, an Oranguru helps the character Mallow when she is lost in the forest as a child. This cements its kindly sage characterization.

Oranguru‘s concept as a sage who crafts medicine and Poke Balls in the forest provides rich lore and wisdom distinct from most Pokémon designs. Collectors value Pokémon with depth and meaning behind them.

Oranguru‘s Performance in Pokémon Battles and Competitions

Beyond its availability and lore, Oranguru‘s performance in competitive Pokémon play impacts its desirability:

• Its Psychic/Normal typing gives excellent defensive coverage, resisting Fighting attacks.
• Access to support moves like Trick Room and Instruct give it utility.
• Base stats favor Special Defense and HP to give Oranguru bulk.
• In VGC 2022, Oranguru + Indeedee core dominated for a time, evidencing its strategic value.

Top Oranguru sets take advantage of Telepathy to avoid ally attacks and either enable Trick Room sweeps or use Instruct shenanigans. Although not top tier, its niche utility ensures Oranguru sees consistent competitive usage each generation.

Between 2017-2020, Oranguru appeared on 5-10% of competitive teams according to Pikalytics stats – more common than hundreds of other Pokémon.

How Much Are Oranguru Pokémon Cards Worth?

As an avid collector myself, I‘m quite familiar with Oranguru‘s value as a Pokémon card:

• Oranguru (Ultra Rare, Sun & Moon base set) – $8 to $15 Near Mint
• Oranguru V (Full Art Ultra Rare, Rebel Clash) – $15 to $25 Near Mint

Based on market prices, Oranguru ranks as a moderately valued single. Its gorgeous full art V card is the more desirable of the two for collectors.

As an investment-grade asset, Oranguru cards have potential for moderate growth but likely won‘t reach the premiums commanded by Charizard, Lugia, or other more popular Pokémon.

Still, Oranguru‘s sage-like design and Straw Hat rarity make it a fun chase card for set completionists like myself. I foresee steady, tempered gains of 2-5% annually on sealed booster boxes containing Oranguru.

The Infamous Oranguru Ban – What Happened?

Now this was a controversial chapter in Oranguru‘s history!

In 2022, Oranguru and Sableye V were banned from the Standard format in the Pokémon TCG due to enabling infinite loop strategies.

Here‘s a quick summary of why this ban occurred:

• Oranguru and Sableye‘s abilities could recycle each other from the discard pile.
• This allowed for infinite looping to draw through the entire deck.
• Total control strategies emerged, creating non-interactive gameplay.
• The ban was deemed necessary to maintain balance and fun.

While unpopular among some players, this ban cemented Oranguru as a dominant threat in the competitive scene. It also limited its playability in tournaments going forward.

As an investor, I believe the ban could actually increase Oranguru‘s collectible value long-term, as supply dwindles among tournament players needing the card. We shall see!

How Can You Get Oranguru in Pokémon GO?

Pokémon GO offers some unique ways to obtain this elusive sage:

• 1-Star Raids – Oranguru does not spawn wild, so raids are the only way to get one.
• Trading – Find another player with a spare Oranguru to trade for regionals.
• 7km Gift Eggs – Oranguru can rarely hatch during certain events.

The shiny rate for Oranguru is estimated around 1 in 65. Using Golden Razz and proper catch techniques can substantially boost your odds.

Be prepared to grind raids daily during Oranguru‘s appearance cycles. And good luck convincing someone to part with a spare! Patience is key.

What is a Perfect IV Oranguru Worth in Pokémon GO?

Due to the immense rarity, a perfect 4-star Oranguru is extremely coveted by collectors:

• 100,000 to 150,000 Stardust
• 5 to 10 Legendary Pokémon
• 10 to 20 Shiny Pokémon

These sky-high costs reflect the difficulty of obtaining ideal IVs on a raid exclusive like Oranguru. For perspective, you could likely get 2 or 3 Legendary Pokémon for a standard Oranguru trade.

Only hardcore players with vast resources will be able to afford a perfect Oranguru. But it offers bragging rights as the crown jewel of any collection.

How Much is a Shiny Oranguru Worth in Pokémon GO?

Similar to a perfect IV, a shiny Oranguru commands a hefty premium:

• 30,000 to 50,000 Stardust
• 2 to 3 Legendary Pokémon
• 4 to 6 Shiny Pokémon

These prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. But near-mint shinies typically cost multiple meta-relevant Legendary Pokémon.

For the average player, obtaining even one shiny Oranguru will likely require months of intense grinding. Only the most devoted collectors end up with a spare to trade.

In summary, Oranguru‘s regional status and utility in competitive play make it a coveted Pokémon for collectors and competitors alike. Its lore and specialty cards add appeal. While niche, Oranguru has cemented itself as a unique sage worth seeking.