Unveiling New Pokemon Transformations in Pokemon Legends Alola: Regional Forms and Evolutions We're Eagerly Anticipating!

Highlights

The core gameplay loop of Pokemon Legends: Arceus has ushered in a groundbreaking level of innovation, making it exceptionally challenging to surpass. Subsequent installments, such as a captivating adaptation in the picturesque region of Alola, have the potential to further revolutionize the conventional Pokemon formula.

Alola offers a distinctive environment that can bring diversity and serve as a catalyst for fresh regional forms and evolutions for current Pokemon. This is exemplified in Pokemon Legends: Arceus as it introduces the Hisuian variants and new evolutionary stages.

Pokemon such as Pinsir, Heracross, Elekid, Rhyperior, Roggenrola, and Krookodile present excellent opportunities for regional forms or evolutions in a sequel set in Alola. These additions would not only align with the established lore, but also delight fans while introducing exciting new type combinations.

Pokemon games have a history of deviating from the norm set by their predecessors. Gen 5 acted as a fresh start for the franchise, straying from its Japanese-themed regions. Gen 6 introduced Mega Evolutions, while Gen 7 brought regional forms and Ultra Beasts. Modern games continue to alter the overall Pokemon formula, as seen in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. This entry stands out for its significant departure from the core gameplay loop, making it difficult to surpass. Sequels, like one set in the Alola region, have the potential to continue shaking up the franchise by introducing dedicated regions and offering a diverse setting. Alola, being vastly different from previous regions, can also inspire new regional forms and evolutions for existing Pokemon. Pokemon Legends: Arceus introduced Hisuian variants for previously encountered critters and introduced new evolutions for Pokemon like Sneasel, Basculin, and Ursaring. It would only be logical for a sequel based in Alola to follow suit.

Pinsir and Heracross

While Pinsir and Heracross may appear to be an odd duo, both have Pokedex entries that mention their territorial disputes with Vikavolt in Alola. Surprisingly, Pinsir's entry even states that it gets along specifically well with Heracross. Introducing regional forms or evolutions for either of these Pokemon not only aligns with the lore of the Pokemon universe, but it also breaks the "curse" of Pokemon's Mega Evolutions. This unwritten rule suggests that a Pokemon line cannot evolve further if it already has a Mega Evolution in Generation 6. Although never explicitly stated, this has been the prevailing pattern. Consequently, Pinsir or Heracross would make excellent candidates for new Alolan forms.

Elekid, Electabuzz, and Electivire

Elekid, another Pokemon in the Alola region, has connections to the region's history. According to its Pokedex entries, Elekid must battle against Togedemaru, who attempts to steal its electricity. Given that Togedemaru's type is Electric/Steel and the fact that Elekid, Electabuzz, and Electivire already possess strong and muscular bodies, a potential improvement would be to create a regional form for these three Pokemon, making them Electric/Fighting types. This change would make them highly effective against Togedemaru. In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the inclusion of the type combination Electric/Fighting through characters like Iron Hands and Pawmot was well-received. Implementing this combination for other Pokemon would be truly exciting.

Rhyperior and Roggenrola

One of the Pokedex entries for Rhyperior mentions its ability to project projectiles from its hands, using either regular rocks or Roggenrola. Given that both Rhyperior and Roggenrola appear in Gen 7 games, it would be exciting for Pokemon Legends Alola to introduce a regional variant of Rhyperior that resembles Dragapult, but shoots Roggenrola instead of Dreepy. This concept could greatly please fans. Furthermore, Roggenrola itself would be a suitable candidate for regional forms and could potentially have a symbiotic relationship with Rhyperior in some way.

Krookodile

With Gen 5's release, Krookodile quickly became a beloved creature, and it's possible that this Pokémon would find success in Alola just as it did in Unova. If an Alolan Krookodile were to appear in a sequel to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it could forgo its Dark type and adopt Water instead, transforming into a saltwater crocodile and maintaining its ability to blend in with the beach sand. Alternatively, it could keep its Dark type while giving up Ground for Water. Regardless of which route is taken, a fresh regional variant for Krookodile would undoubtedly capture the hearts of fans, and considering its ties to modern-day Alola, its inclusion in a Pokémon Legends game wouldn't seem far-fetched.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available for Nintendo Switch.