Over the last few days, we here at Pokéjungle, as well as fans from all corners of the internet, have been gathering data, translating and theorising. As our loyal readers know very well, what really made Pokéjungle the place that it is now is that we have always told you everything we know and everything that crosses our paths. If we know something, then you will know something. We hide nothing, because we respect you. If there is a rumour or speculation that comes our way, we do not keep it under our hats in fear of damaging our reputation. No sir! We would rather share it with you guys and come to better, wiser conclusions. Aren’t many heads better than one? We value what you think and what you have to say. Without any further adieu, please enjoy!
There’s a lot of stuff to cover, so click the spoiler tag to read on!
Starters: Evolved Secondary Types hinted at
[spoiler]Back in the fourth generation, Mr. Masuda who directs the Pokémon games once expressed interest in giving the secondary types of ‘Dark’, ‘Psychic’, and ‘Fighting’ to the starter Pokémon in their later evolutions in order to balance out the traditional weaknesses. The recent trailer for the Sixth generation strongly suggests that they will finally implement this idea.
In the trailer we see a pattern in the attacks of the starter Pokémon. Each one first uses an attack of the type they represent, followed by a secondary type.
As you can see, the first attack is almost certainly Solarbeam, an attack that is representational of grass types. Followed by a Purple slashing/scratching attack, which looks quite likely to be a dark type attack like Nightslash. This alone is not enough to prove it is a dark attack, but let’s take a look at the other Pokémon attacks.
Here Fennekin is shown using what looks like flamethrower, again, an attack that is representational of fire types. It’s next move however, shows it attack a Kirlia with what is almost certainly a psychic type attack.
Now we must turn our attention to Froakie. After an attack that is possible Water Gun, it goes on to use what appears to be a fighting move. It’s hard to tell from a still image, but the moving scene in the trailer suggests this. Whats more, its pose when it is first brought out looks very aggressive and combative, traits of a Pokémon that will have fighting moves, and eventually evolve to gain a secondary fighting type.
Though it is important to bear in mind that this is all just speculation. Take a look at the evidence and decide for yourselves.[/spoiler]
Masuda hints a relation between “Bonds” and an “innovative new battle mechanic”
[spoiler]Something I found quite interesting was the lack of people picking up on a statement that game director Mr.Masuda had made shortly after the announcement.
「プレイヤーとポケモンの絆が深くなることで、さらにポケモンが強くなる新しいバトルの仕組み。
誰もが楽しめるシナリオと音楽」
“A new battle mechanism in which Pokémon become stronger by having their bonds deepened with the player”.
A generic statement about trainers and their bonds with Pokémon? Perhaps. But somehow I doubt it. Mr.Masuda specifically refers to it as “A new battle mechanism”. Exactly what it is, and what effect it will have on raising and training of Pokémon from here on is yet to be known, but it seems to be a big enough of a deal to be mentioned in both the English and Japanese trailers.
English trailer: “The more you battle together, the stronger your bond will become”.
Japanese trailer: “As [your Pokémon] fight, [your] bonds [with them] become stronger.” [/spoiler]
Location: Paris
[spoiler]As well as the flash of a structure that is unmistakably based on the Eiffel Tower at the beginning of the trailer, there are multiple factors that suggest that the sixth generation region is based on Paris.
A few months ago Mr.Masuda regularly updated about his trip to Paris. And from a couple of weeks ago his twitter avatar features a picture he took of himself with the Eiffel tower behind him.
Since we are still at a very early stage it is difficult to entirely rule out that the region will not be based on Paris alone. Perhaps France in general, or even all of Europe. Though there is not yet enough evidence to support this.[/spoiler]
Legendaries: Origin
[spoiler]There is increasing evidence to suggest that the legendary Pokémon are based on Norse Mythology.
Yggdrasil, also known as “the World Tree” is a giant mythical Ash Tree in which various gods are said to gather.
Three creatures that inhabit the tree are an Eagle, a Stag, and a Dragon.
Yveltal seems to be based on either Vedfolnir or Hraesvelgr. Especially the latter which has “vel” it its name. It is said to be a giant that takes the form of an Eagle. It is a “corpse swaller” and waits at the end of the world. It represents death which is in juxtaposition to what I believe Xerneas is based on.
Xerneas seems to be based on Eikbyrnir. The Japanese Wikipedia says that it creates springs by dripping water from its antlers, and that it represents life. Anybody who has seen Princess Mononoke will be familiar with this concept.
If the creatures that live in Yggdrasil are anything to go by, the third legendary may well be a dragon.[/spoiler]
Significance of X and Y
[spoiler]X and Y possibly represent two things. XY and XX are male and female chromosomes respectively. The Japanese logo shows the helix symbol which suggests chromosomes and DNA will play a role in the theme for this generation. In addition to this, X,Y and Z are co-ordinates in making 3D images. Coinciding with the fact that this will be Pokémon’s very first main game that is in 3D.
Above is another theory courtesy of Flore-ange. [/spoiler]
Tidbits and Fun Predictions (post below and we may add it!)
[spoiler]
-Roller-skates. We can see the main character using roller-skates in distinctly Parisian areas. What is the significance of this? Is it to replace running shoes? Or even the Bicycle?
-If the Legendaries are based on creatures from Yggdrasil, said to be a giant Ash tree, could it be that the professor’s name will reflect this? What are the chances of トネリコ博士? (professor Toneriko, Japanese word for Ash Tree). Though in the unlikely event that this prediction comes true, Professor Ash does not look likely to stay in an English language localization for obvious reasons. Other sources indicate that Yggdrasil is a yew tree (as opposed to an ash), could the professor be called Professor Yew? The yew is also a quite common tree in Europe. But that’s just my take on it. ~dae
-What is the significance of the mirror? Is it merely to show the character at the beginning of the game or will there be some customisation?
– New Eevee evolution? The anime, cardgame, movie, recent products and even official Japanese website have been pushing the whole ‘Eevee factor’ recently. Could this be interpreted as a possible a new Eevee evolution? Even the English Language Pokémon Official Twitter page mentioned the Eevee family recently!
[/spoiler]
So, what do you think guys? Anything you want to add?
/Kriffix on behalf of everyone at Pokéjungle. Special thanks to Kryzz too!
Loved the article. I wish chespin is a dark type!! As a long time Pokejungler (?), i know that the staff is very honest and loyal, and it really feels like a community. There have been many great moments on this site over the years, and i hope for many more.
Much appreciated! We haven’t really had a chance to show this traditional side of us recently, what with the lack of news. But now we’re back on track!
Yeah grass/dark is great, weaks to 6th types, one of them 4x..Really great!!
Ever heard of Tyranitar? Also weak to 6 types but nobody ever complains about that. The amount of weaknesses on a pokemon does not determine the strength of the pokemon at all. It’s how you use it, that’s what counts. I love variety of typing in pokemon, so i could care less if it has 6 weaknesses.
Actually, the reason why Tyranitar’s 6 weaknesses don’t matter much is because if its moveset, stats and ability. It’s the star player of Sandstorm team with Sand Stream, which also boosts its already high Special Defense to ridiculous levels. EV train its Special Defense and it will function as a great Special Wall. Even if you don’t, it’ll still inprove its already great bulk tremendously. Tyranitar can also fill many roles in a team. It can be a Dragon Dance sweeper, Banded Wallbreaker, Stealth Rock setter-upperer etc. Its gigantic movepool isn’t a bane either.
Back on topic, I’d love for Chespin to be Dark-type. I think I’ll choose Chespin regardless of its secondary type, though.
I dont think that the roller skates will replace the running shoes because in the trailer we see the female trainer running on a bridge….i dont know about the bicycle though..
Very good point! It will be interesting to see what role they play
The roller skates WOULD finally make sense for a reason why you need special shoes to move rapidly. And there was nothing that seemed to show the characters moving at a walking speed. Instead they seemed to always be moving as though running, much like Wes and Michael in Colosseum and XD respectively, other 3D model games. However, in showing Diamond, the player character only ran, so this doesn’t necessarily mean much. Just more points to consider.
It would be amazeballs if those were the secondary types to the starters. Just another reason I will be choosing Fennekin if that turns out to be true!
On a far less important note, “XX and XY are male and female chromosomes respectively”. That should actually be flipped. XX is female and XY is male. I know you know that & probably just accidentally switched up the wording but being the genetics nerd that I am I couldn’t stop myself from correcting it XD
Great article nonetheless!
Well noticed! Thanks for pointing that out!
It’s these types of articles that make me use Pokejungle as my main source of news during exciting times like these. Great work! ;D
I think it’s worth mentioning that on the “Veðrfölnir and eagle” wikipedia page, there is mention of a squirrel that takes messages between the eagle and the wyrm.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ve%C3%B0rf%C3%B6lnir_and_eagle
I hope there will be a fourth legendary based on this Squirrel, nice catch 🙂
Wouldn’t it be kinda random to pick three from the creatures at Yggdrasil? Especially the eagle, the dragon and one of the four elks… I don’t think they make the squirrel and the snakes too. If a legendary trio should be based on Yggdrasil, I think it should be dragon – squirrel – eagle, because they have something to do with one another, at least… You know?
You know, the interesting thing is that different versions of the myths place value in different areas. This particular wiki page mentions 4 different stags from the one I’m linking to. It makes it hard to pin point what is exactly what. I’m wondering if it’s all kind of meshed together and made into Pokémon.
I don’t know about this myth, but if what was said is true, then it would be safe to assume that the possible “Z” legendary will be the dragon and the Mew/Pixie will be the squirrel. For some reason, this also makes me think that the 4 Musketeers might have a small role in this game.
On a different note, that new mechanic makes me feel like it will be sort of an expansion on the “friendship” mechanic. Maybe Pokemon will learn different moves or act out in battles depending on whether they like you or not. The DNA makes me think some Pokemon might evolve through “hatred” as well as friendship. The DNA also makes me think 2 Pokemon can breed to make a completely new Pokemon. Like if Tauros and Miltank or Luvdisc and Alomomola bred.
kinda random but, doesn’t sawsbuck and deerling have 4 different formes? mabey its an indication that the seasonal change will still be in effect. i dont know, just a thought. also, what if chespin is a grass and ground type? he does have the indication of being mole like.(foot claws, wide arms) it almost reminds me of a drilbur.
Awesome article! I hope we get customization, be such a good feature.
Well this won’t happen, but i wouldn’t mind if it did. If say, Ash from the anime ended up becoming a professor, which then would cause the anime to grow off another character. (and said “evolve” (let’s be honest, we’ve had enough of him) I’m not sure if I would like Ash in the games though. Again though, i’m not sure this would work, timeline wise, because X and Y are said to be taking place around the same time period as Black and White 2 did. Guess i’m just hopeful about Pokemon turning into a potential anime (epic battles, japanese intros, a good plot/plot twists, etc.)
i love eevee.. i hope there will be new evolution in this game…
I know right!? I love eevee and espeon and the other evolutions! I would love to get more though 🙂 I can only hope for the best.
I’d really love a new Eevee evolution !!
And the stuff about the possible origins of the Legendary was interesting 🙂
And what about Professor Willow ? for a Prof name XD
And i hope the Starters have the three other types.
Really excited for the games, and cant help thinking if Xerneas and Yveltal were part of a trio with another Pokemon would that Pokemon act as the “Trio Master” like Rayquaza and Landorus or if they will have a Pokemon higher than them to fit that role ?
Yea the same idea of a trio master came to mind. As the origin pokemon that represents before life(x) n after death(y) n rules them to keep balance. I do hope a space snake type(z) As our origins are from space depending on who you talk to.
Amazing article! This is why I come to PJ for articles like these, you never find them on Serebi/Beach.
Anyways, yeah I agree with pretty much everything.
The legendary concept is really really interesting, I read something about an Armageddon.. What I also find interesting is that Yveltal seems very, how do I say this “Dark-ish” in the sense that it looks more aggressive and evil-like then Xerneas which seems more calm and elegant.
Im loving the whole thing being based in Paris/Europe. I’m really looking forward to the towns and cities! Europe has a lot of history and beautiful buildings and I’m a sucker for Architecture and old buildings. Being able to play in that setting will be breathtaking!
I loved the part with the origins of the legendaires. Old mythology like that is very interesting one of the subjects I like learning about the most. x3
I’m also looking forward to the whole new mechanism. Maybe it’ll be based around the happiness or something like that…? It sounds very promising to say the least!
Am I the only one who thinks the grass starter might be grass/ground?? It looks like a mole to me and reminds me of Drilbur and Excadrill.
Also for some reason I think he might be able to roll himself into a ball due to the patterns and colors on his body.
He does look fairly mole like.The Japanese name seems to play on the word for “hedgehog”, so its no wonder it looks rodent-like. Expect more spikes as it evolves.
At first I thought Froakie would become Water/Ice and that fluff around him would become like a fur-coat. I don’t know why I imagined this.
Found this interesting:
(Scandinavian and Norse mythology are the same I believe)
Fox fire is the ignes fatui or ‘Will o’ the wisp’. In Scandinavian mythology the ‘light of the fox’ is the Aurora Borealis. Fox-fire – i.e. fause or ‘false fire,’ the phosphoric light, without heat, which plays round decaying matter, especially that produced by certain fungi found on rotting wood.
Also, if the region is based more on Europe as a whole, then there are other interesting folklores that could be considered.
For example, the Brothers Grimm have stories that include frogs (The Frog Prince, which could be suitable seeing as Froakie has that fancy butler-ish look), a few about foxes, and one about a hedgehog who was a hedgehog on the top of its body and a boy on the lower half. (Sorta like Chespin?) This hedgehog boy also spends most of the story in a tree! Fitting? 😀
If this gen is based on DnA Yveltal probably represents death so maybe ghost/flying and Xerneas could be life water/steel
Oh God, I’m so sick and tired of this second move/secondary type conversation. It became bring as HELL! Jeez.
I think that Fennekin’s secondary type might be Ghost instead of Psychic. Dark was Super-effective against Golurk and Fighting was Super-effective against Patrat. If we follow this trend, it would be likely that Fennekin was really using a Ghost move against Kirlia. It also seems to play in Nicely with the ‘Will o’ the Wisp’ that has been mentioned by the post above mine.
Xerneas may also be based off a Chital, considering how the species name of the Chital is ‘Axis axis’.
I’m now predicting Froakie to get George Washington hair, a Moustache and a monocle.
I’m pretty sure the move Chespin is using is Aerial Ace, since it looks like the BW2 version of the move.
And the XY thing seems to still be related to color. The Japanese word for chromosome 染色体 (senshokutai) has the word color in it.
chromosome, chrom is color also 🙂
The English Pokemon Twitter is asking how many Eevee evolutions there are.
http://tinyurl.com/a8qrwdv
In the scene where the protagonist is running across the bridge, there is a statue in the background of a human standing with a Palpitoad and a Golurk. Both of which are ground type Pokemon which could imply a ground type gym leader character in that town. If you look carefully at the statue, though, you can see there is an Eevee standing in Golurk’s hand. If there is a ground type theme with that trainer then this could imply a new ground type Eevee evolution. SpEcUlAtIoN!
I have a big feeling that the DNA thing that they were talking about will be incorporated as the bonding mechanism between the trainer and pokemon. Maybe something like the more steps you take the higher the attack or easier levelling up becomes with a certain pokemon.
I still think that the move that Chespin used was Shadow Claw. It just reminds me more of that than Night Slash. Grass/Ghost would be cool, however, Grass/Dark wouldn’t be bad either. Also, I have no support for this it is just food for thought, what about Grass/Fighting, Chespin sorta looks like a fighting type. Only thing I really have against Chespin being Grass/Dark is that there is already enough comparisons to the Shiftry line as is.
As for Fennekin, I can’t tell what move that is, it looks like Confuse Ray to be honest but at the same time, it doesn’t. I’m hoping for a Fire/Psychic but I’d also like Fire/Poison.
Finally, Froakie, he really is the wildcard of the bunch. He looks like he could go just about any way, Water/Fighting, Water/Flying, Water/Poison, Water/Ice, or just Water. I’m personally hoping for Water/Ice or Water/Flying, but I know Water/Fighting is more likely. Just imagine, a flying frog-gentlemen, makes me think of the old Warner Brothers frog, except blue and you know…. flying.
On to the legendaries:
Yveltal – I think this one will ultimately be Flying/Steel or Flying/Fighting. It gives off that felling of a ferocious attacker alla fighting types. However, it also looks like it razor(sharp) claws looks like it could have armor as it shows no real signs of feathers or fur except in a few places.
Xerneas – This one gives no real indication to it’s typing except maybe Steel as it’s hooves resemble blades. Also, it is very heavy for its frame and size. So what could accompany Steel if it is Steel type? I’m leaning towards thinking it’ll be Psychic due to the rainbow coloration of it’s antlers in the trailer. However, someone on the Serebii forums made a good suggestion of Steel/Rock due to it’s official artwork looking like it’s antlers are made of some sort of stone. On the other hand, there is also the part where someone said that the most probable inspiration for Xerneas is a stag from Norse mythology who was aside from living in Yggrdrasil, was also known to create springs with it’s antlers. This implying that it may be Steel/Water. However, I’m leaning towards Steel/Psychic. All of this is just thoughts and speculation though.
Nice article, but as far as Typing goes for the starters, I’m quite sure you are spot on with Chespin and Froakie, but I think Fennekin will be a Fire/Ghost type as there are stories about Fox Spirits in Japanese Folklore, I also think this because if you look at the pokemon they are fighting against then you get an idea of the attack typing.
Chespin uses what appears to be a DARK type move on Golurk – Super Effective
Froakie uses what appears to be a FIGHTING type move on Patrat – Super Effective
Fennekin uses what appears to ba a PSYCHIC type move on Kirlia – Not Very Effective??? That doesn’t make any sense, which make me think that it is a Ghost move because that would be super effective!
Just my thoughts on it.
Froakie’s attack looks nothing like a fighting attack. It’s more like a normal type attack related with speed.
The move could be Close Combat!
It doesn’t look like Close Combat animation, doesn’t have anything resembles punches, kickes. It looks like pokemon becomes invisible while attacking becasue it is so fast, like quick attack or extremespeed. Actually its animation is the same as Extremespeed’s animation from Gen 5
Froakie could be using Mach Punch. I’m hoping everything in this analysis is right cause it sounds totally kick-ass. The whole look of the game is just cool & the fact that they’re going deep into mythology is very cool. Is it October yet? :p
or acrobatics
Could be. But look at the poses and the way it moves, even when not using the attack. Looks kind of fighting-y, no?
Interesting point. Ghost is also a viable option.
Just one question though, what makes people understand that the moves are super-effective/non effective? The reaction of the Pokémon being attacked? Isn’t it just different animation sequences for different attacks?
I’m just assuming they are super effective if the typing of those moves turns out to be true, because if the typings are what we think they are then it just makes no sense use a Psychic attack on a pure Psychic type. So only speculation, no evidence to back up the moves used to be super effective.
I see. Would indeed be interesting if Super effective moves do have a more dramatic animation! 😀
It looks more like a status move to me. It could be just a Psychic type attack that inflicts a certain condition on Kirlia.
I also have a prediction to make in regards to what the Evil Team my be like.
If the rumors are true that the legendaries are based on Norse Mythology (and it appears that they are) then I will no be surprised if the leader of the evil team is based on Loki or Luafey from Norse Mythos and the hencemen will utilize ICE types to represent the Frost Giants.
OR
The Elite Four will be representations of key figures in Norse Myth.
Thor – Electric type user
Loki – Ice type or Psychic type user
Surtr – Fire type
Hel – Ghost type
Just my 2 cents