RUMOR: Riddles Hinting at Gen VIII Starter Pokémon?

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NOTE ABOUT RUMOR POSTS: As always, we cover rumors as a point of discussion and advise readers to never treat them as fact. Pokémon is a source of entertainment that we love and discussing the latest bit of online hearsay is just part of the fun.

Today we’re looking at a new rumor which allegedly first appeared in the Japanese fandom and has since gained some recognition on English forums as well. As the information goes, someone with insider knowledge is going the route of the Chinese Riddler (who revealed many tidbits about Sun & Moon) and sharing information in the form of riddles. To be clear, this is a different person.

They shared three images which many have guessed to represent the three starting Pokémon of Generation VIII.

  • The Hero of Dragon Quest VIII—Has a small rodent buddy called Munchie who helps him in battle. If I had to choose one distinct clue from the image, I’d lean towards the sword or the rodent (alright, that was two). Twitter follower SMNteria adds that he is a descendant of dragons!
  • An ancient depiction of the Labyrinth which is known in Greek mythology for holding the mighty Minotaur within. Could one of the starters be based on this mythological beast? The Fire-type starting Pokémon have followed the Chinese Zodiac as far as their animal inspirations and there has yet to be an Ox-like Pokémon.
  • Finally, Chinese character Sha Wujing from a classical tale. Commonly known as the water buffalo for his stubborn, physical approach to life. Could be inspiration for the Water-type starting Pokémon.

Keep in mind that many rumors involving Generation VIII have stressed a focus on the theme of past-present-future and this may even extend to the designs of the region’s Pokémon! Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Thank you to our rumors reporter PokéSirena for helping to gather information!

 

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51 thoughts on “RUMOR: Riddles Hinting at Gen VIII Starter Pokémon?”

  4. would they really do a “water buffalo” and a “minotaur” at the same time?

    wouldn’t they be too close together?

    if that’s how to actually interpret the riddle.

    Reply

  6. While I think each of the ideas is interesting individually, I do find it a little strange that two of the starters seem to be bovine. Even if one of them is anthropomorphised and one is not, I think it would be an odd design choice.
    That is, of course, if the latter two images do indeed represent a minotaur and water buffalo inspiration. It could be possible that the labyrinth is just alluding to greek mythology, which could encompass a wide variety of monsters, i.e. the sphinx, manticore, etc. Seems to be a pretty specific image, though.
    If these rumors are true, I’m a little sad. I was really hoping for a bug starter. 🙂

    Reply

  7. ya know ever since i heard about the “chinese zodiac” fire starter idea… i have wanted a fire/fairy jackalope.

    Reply

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      Reply

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      Reply

  14. This is probably the most plausible yet. Honestly, the further we get into the future of the series, the more I want to see the past of the Pokémon world. Lemme at them wild Shieldon and Tyrunt. I wanna see Altars being built or used.

    Reply

  18. Booooored Fakemon time

    Clayot
    Planter Pkm
    Ground/Grass
    Chlorophyll/Weak Armor HA: Harvest
    A small tan vase shaped Pokémon with four quadruped pegs under its body. On its front is a squared spiral for eyes and a cracked jack’o’lantern like mouth, out of the funnel atop its body is a broad single leaf sticking out

    HP: 57
    Atk: 60
    Def: 100
    SpAtk: 65
    SpDef: 93
    Speed: 50

    Absorb
    Harden
    Mud-Slap
    Growth
    Mud Sport
    Vine Whip
    Protect
    Mud Shot
    Leech Seed
    Razor Leaf
    Sunny Day
    Shell Smash
    Earth Power
    Power Whip
    Explosion

    “Its clay body grows stronger the more soil it eats, wayward seeds often fly into their heads and grow stronger and healthier than regular”

    “Collectors try to grow different types of plants inside Clayot’s head but because every Clayot is different some plants thrive while others don’t”

    Reply

  21. Let’s entertain the idea that these are starter hints…
    I’m suspecting the “Hero” is referring to it being a symbiotic thing, where two things work together as one (like Bulbasaur and its bulb), as they could have used plenty of different characters to reference the dragon lineage or connection, but not really all that much for a single character that’s a main organism working with a smaller one. I imagine it could be the flower nosed rabbit the designers mentioned that they cut from Gen 6 (unless it got the Hydreigon treatment and was repurposed into Bunnelby) or a mossy sloth or a monkey with a plant for a tail.

    For the “Labyrinth”, what if it’s not referencing a labyrinth in particular but more of a maze or tunnel system? In that case, I’m lead to imagine it would be a burrowing hare or snake if we follow the Chinese Zodiac theory, but a fire ant if not.

    And, lastly, with Sha Wujing, I actually picture a crab because of the fact that, so far all water-type starters have been amphibious to some degree, and also because Sha Wujing is actually more connected to sand than a water buffalo, and hides under a river. The water buffalo nickname comes from some interpretations making him out to be very unintelligent.

    However, if these are NOT starters… Hmm… In that case, I theorize a dragon-type with a little pokemon with it (like Kangaskhan or the original depictions of Mantine), a Dark/Fighting-type minotaur (perhaps a pseudo-legendary or a legendary?), and either an actual water-type bull (perhaps more of a play on sea cow?) or a… well… that’s it. Sha Wujing would also be an accurate clue towards Palossand, actually, so just the sea cow.

    Reply

    • this is the first I have heard of a flower nosed rabbit being cut from gen 6. That said I love the sound of all your starter ideas!

      Reply

  22. I think that we will get a grass type sword fighter, thats the hint rather. Simple one.
    Probably steel or fairy taking the magical powers, “fairy” would be plausible with the fighter, and dragon motive.
    I dont want a second grass/fighting one.
    maybe not dragon is most important but that it will be a mammal?
    cat or mouse?
    http://dragonquest.wikia.com/wiki/Hero_(Dragon_Quest_VIII)

    Second is minotaur and the maze. Thats interesting, lets hope for steel typing.
    Hope the maze doesnt mean “Ground” typing.

    Water pokemon will proabbly weild a staff or have that kind of weapon/
    and maybe ghost typing? lets hope.
    lets hope its not psychic, but maye with the right signature move effect?
    water, Giant fishman, maybe it will be part fighting?
    sand monk? maybe acces to ground type moves sand oriented ones?
    We know that Infernape was based on Goku…

    http://koei.wikia.com/wiki/Sha_Wujing

    Reply

    • the “moon weapon” could be for psychic but also for ghost taking that we had moon bat pokemon in gen 7.
      fighting also could be posibble if its a character from journey to the west.

      Reply

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