Unveiling Pokémon's Hints: Exciting New Regional Forms and Cross-Gen Evolutions Await!
Unlocking the potential of the next generation of Pokemon, Game Freak delves into the enigmatic Pokedex entries, hinting at exciting new regional forms and captivating cross-gen evolutions Prepare to unearth the mysteries of Hoppip's wind-swept population, Corphish's elusive origins, Gastrodon's hidden potential, and the long-awaited official evolution of Porygon
Highlights
Gen 10 can introduce new regional forms and evolutions based on past Pokedex entries, giving Pokemon a fresh twist and expanding its lore.
Hoppip's Pokedex entries suggest the possibility of a new regional form in a cold climate, combining Grass and Ice elements, inspired by its migratory patterns.
Corphish's mysterious origins make it an ideal contender for a new regional variant in Generation 10. This variant could potentially have a unique backstory, along with a Water and Fairy typing.
With Pokemon Gen 9 coming to a possible conclusion after the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC, the recent introduction of Dipplin, Archaludon, and Poltchageist has sparked a renewed interest in previous Pokedex entries that may indicate future cross-gen evolutions and regional variants. In contrast to the unique Paradox Pokemon introduced in Scarlet and Violet, Game Freak must strike a balance between this newfound momentum and a return to the series' core elements. Specifically, Gen 10 of Pokemon should prioritize the inclusion of regional forms.
Past regional variants and cross-gen evolutions have been influenced by the real-world characteristics of their respective regions, such as Alola's surfing Raichu and Galar's chimney-stacked Weezing. However, Gen 10 has the opportunity to deviate from this pattern and instead take inspiration from previous Pokedex entries. Just like Hisuian Voltorb and Electrode demonstrated how regional variants can adapt to the historical backdrop of Pokemon Legends, the next generation of Pokemon could introduce new forms and evolutions that were hinted at in the Pokedex. Considering the limited number of new Pokemon added in Scarlet and Violet, both in the base game and behind the DLC paywall, Game Freak has the potential to create an abundance of new Pokedex-inspired Pokemon.
The Mystery of Hoppip's Wind-Swept Population
Hoppip's Pokedex entries, spanning from its debut in Pokemon Gold and Silver to its appearance in Scarlet and Violet, consistently highlight how its lightweight design allows it to be carried by wind across the world, leading to a global population. However, Scarlet's entry goes a step further by suggesting that the exact origins of Paldea's Hoppip population remain unknown. Likewise, Violet's entry confirms that Hoppip can be found worldwide, except in cold regions, due to its travel via wind currents.
Interestingly, Hoppip's recent Gen 9 Pokedex entries could be hinting at the possibility of an entirely new regional form that focuses on the Pokemon's origins. For instance, Scarlet's entry alludes to the mysterious beginnings of Paldea's Hoppip, which could lay the groundwork for a future generation set in a remote region where Hoppip has settled and adapted after being carried there by the wind. In addition, Violet's mention of Hoppip's inability to survive in colder regions suggests the potential for a Grass/Ice variant of Hoppip in a future regional form, tailored to thrive in a cold climate.
The Still-Unresolved Origins of Corphish
One of the most well-known Pokemon, Corphish, has been hinted at having a regional form in its Pokedex entries. However, despite not being included in Generation 9, its most recent appearance in Pokemon Sword and Shield still references its origins from a distant region and its remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in unlikely water habitats. Despite several generations passing by without any answers about Corphish's origins or original appearance, it is hoped that Generation 10 will finally solve this mystery once and for all.
Corphish's first-ever Pokedex entry in the game Ruby explicitly confirms that it is foreign to the Hoenn region and arrived there as an escaped Pokemon. This implies that Corphish originated from a different region entirely. This fact has been referenced in every subsequent generation, indicating that none of the regions Corphish has appeared in since are its original home. Therefore, Generation 10 could introduce a new region that serves as Corphish's original habitat, featuring a regional variant that portrays why it was once kept as a pet. For example, a Water/Fairy type combination could be designed to contrast against its eventual evolution into Crawdaunt.
The Other Potential Forms of Gastrodon
In addition to teasing a regional variant for Pokemon Legends, Gastrodon's Pokedex entries also mention the unique gimmick of the Shellos line having two separate forms. Both the Pokemon Sun and Moon entries for Gastrodon discuss how scientists are trying to uncover if there are more forms in the wild or if they can create a completely new form artificially. However, Game Freak missed the opportunity to include North and South Sea forms for Shellos and Gastrodon in Scarlet and Violet, along with the current East and West Sea forms. The next generations should make an effort to rectify this oversight.
The most obvious approach Game Freak could take is to simply introduce new forms for Gastrodon, considering that the existing East and West Sea forms suggest the existence of other forms in different locations in the wild. However, Moon's Pokedex entry presents a more intriguing possibility for a new regional variant of Gastrodon or even a regional evolution for Shellos. Drawing inspiration from the scientific intervention to forcibly alter Gastrodon's form, a regional variant or evolution could involve Gastrodon losing its Water type when raised in different habitats like caves or tundras, instead acquiring a new type that reflects these environments.
The Intended Official Evolution of Porygon
Porygon, a manmade Pokemon, holds a significant place in the series due to its memorable design. It went through two evolutions, with Porygon2 showcasing improved graphics and smoother polygons. However, Porygon-Z, its third evolution, appears to draw inspiration from computer glitches, giving it a distinct and intriguing final stage. Intriguingly, Porygon-Z's Pokedex entries imply that it was not originally intended to be the next evolution after Porygon2, suggesting the possibility of an official Porygon3.
Numerous Pokedex entries allude to an unsuccessful update for Porygon2, resulting in the bizarre and glitchy evolution of Porygon-Z. In particular, the Shield's entry hints that Porygon-Z may not even be recognized as an official evolution by academics. This situation presents an exciting opportunity for a future Pokemon game to unveil the intended evolution for Porygon2 as an official Porygon3. This would introduce a split-evolution path for players to choose from. Porygon-Z could excel in Special Attack, while Porygon3 could focus on defense and possess a strategic repertoire of moves.
