It has been several months since we got a glimpse of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet from its initial reveal trailer. All we’ve really seen so far are the new starters, a sneak peek of the region, and the game’s new logos. Before tomorrow’s new trailer, let’s talk about five realistic predictions for the games that have fans talking!
A game-changing new battle mechanic
Since 2013, Game Freak has been teasing new game mechanics for each generation in the game’s Japanese logo. If you’ll take a look at the picture below, it is very consistent since the X & Y era.
In X & Y, we got Mega Evolutions as the gimmick, in Sun & Moon, we got Z-moves, and lastly, in Sword & Shield, we got Dynamax and Gigantamax. Last generation’s hint was a bit more cryptic, as it was actually a logo used for the Gyms, where you would be able to Dynamax one member of your team.
While not yet confirmed nor shown during the trailer reveal, Game Freak has again hinted the icon for the new mechanic in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s Japanese logo.
A teal/greenish star with 6 spikes is seen incorporated in the word “Monster” (of Pocket Monster). Does this have a connection to the Colorless-type symbol used in the TCG? Could it relate to a gimmick where trainers might be able to change their Pokémon’s type/s or move type/s while in battle? This may be possible considering the fact that a lot of Pokémon have dual-typing and the recent focus on Arceus.
A new Eevee-lution
This Eevee that is starting at you right now is not just some normal Eevee. This Eevee is the root of all the “New Eevee-lution” theories that have been going around!
In the anime Pokémon Masters Journey: The Series, this Eevee is considered to be special because they have tried evolving it using evolution stones, friendship, and even locations, but it won’t evolve. According to the scientists in the anime, this Eevee, which is now owned by Chloe, possesses unstable DNA and their hypothesis on why it’s not evolving is that it might not have found its path yet. Now, fans have speculated that Chloe’s Eevee might be a tease to a new upcoming Eevee-lution that might be make its debut in either the series or in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.
It has been 9 years since we have gotten a new evolution for Eevee (Sylveon) and a lot of fans (including me) are looking forward to a new one!
The return of the National Pokédex…
…is unlikely. Although some fans are still hoping for its inclusion, The Pokémon Company’s announcement regarding Pokémon Home may have all but confirmed only limited Pokémon will be available in Scarlet and Violet through a footnote about the games’ compatibility with HOME,
“Each game that can receive Pokémon via Pokémon HOME can receive only Pokémon that can be obtained in that particular game. Each game that can receive Pokémon via Pokémon HOME can receive only Pokémon that can be obtained in that particular game.”
Throwing Poké Balls in the overworld is out
Fans have noticed that in Pokémon’s official website for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet news that a phrase regarding catching Pokémon seems to be indicating we won’t be experiencing throwing Poké Balls in the overworld without having to battle Pokémon (or like literally just throwing them everywhere) as in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
The site reads, “You’ll be able to experience the true joy of the Pokémon series — battling against wild Pokémon in order to catch them — now in an open-world game that players of any age can enjoy.”
It is probably safe to assume with the screenshot above from the trailer plus the statement from The Pokémon Company that it does seem to look like we would have to go back to our roots and battle & weaken the Pokémon first before catching it.
A plethora of “creative” and “cool” Pokémon are coming
Notorious leaker Riddler Khu teased fans that Scarlet and Violet are going to really blow people away with its Pokémon designs.
The Riddler said in the tweet, “I’m still considering how to arrange teasers abt brand new poke, cause im gonna take too much risk if I couldn’t deal with them properly (Gen9 got too many creative and cool designs). So maybe you need to wait for a while.”
Fan reactions to the region’s starting Pokémon have already been positive and many are looking forward to seeing just what else is in store. If Riddler Khu is right, we won’t be disappointed!
What are YOUR predictions for Scarlet and Violet? Please leave them in the comments and let us know! Don’t forget to join the live discussion on our Discord server as well!