Soak on Charmander theory?

Question

Charmander's pokedex entry says:
>From the time it is born, a flame burns at the tip of its tail. Its life would end if the flame were to go out.

If a Pokemon uses Soak, would its life "end" because it would be water, making the flame go out?

Answer 1

There's no real way to find out. The description for Soak states "The user shoots a torrent of water at the target and changes the target's type to Water." This doesn't necessarily mean that Charmander becomes water, it could just be wet, I guess? Also, the general consensus in the Pokemon community is that Pokedex entries are garbage. They say that Shedinja steals your soul when you look at the crack in its back, yet not a single thing happens to the player and you look at Shedinja's back all the time.

Answer 2

Game Freak Logic.

Pokémon is first and foremost a kid's franchise, with competitive players (and logic) taking the backseat. So logically, yes, Charmander would die when hit by Soak... or Surf... or Brine... you get my drift. However, since Pokémon don't regualrely die in the anime (although it is referenced that Pokémon will fight to the death in the first Pokémon movie, and Latios dies in Pokémon Heroes for a worthy cause) and you can't actually witness the death of a Pokémon in the games (although it is also implied that they die), they can't go around killing Pokémon willy-nilly, or else sales will drop and Pokémon will go under and we will all be very sad.

Post-script: The Manga is the exception to the rule, where both people and Pokémon can die or be killed. For example, in one manga it is revealed that Team Aqua Leader Archie killed Team Mamga Leader Maxie in a sword duel. Not someting you'd see in the anime or the games.