Players can now look forward to utilizing the unique new ability called Toxic Chain, which is exclusive to the Loyal Three trio consisting of Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti. This ability will play a significant role in helping players protect the land of Kitakami from the menacing ogre, Ogerpon. The inspiration for these mons can be traced back to the Japanese folk tale of Momotaro, where a brave hero battled oni-like ogres with the assistance of a dog, monkey, and pheasant. Excitingly, the official Pokemon website has shared additional gameplay details about this trio, unveiling their groundbreaking introduction of this new ability to the game.
How Toxic Chain Works in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
The potential strength of a Pokemon in battle often relies on its ability, and the Loyal Three's Toxic Chain ability shows promise. When one of these Pokemon lands a hit on an opponent, there is a chance for Toxic Chain to activate, causing the opponent to become badly poisoned. This status, usually achieved through the move Toxic, gradually drains the afflicted Pokemon's HP each turn, making it a powerful threat that can swiftly knock out the creature if not addressed promptly.
Toxic Chain presents a unique advantage by allowing the user to potentially inflict the badly poisoned status on an opposing Pokemon without having to use the move Toxic. An image on the official Pokemon website showcases Fezandipiti using Air Slash on a Meowscarada, resulting in the activation of Toxic Chain and the opponent being badly poisoned. Previous abilities like Static and Effect Spore provided the opportunity to inflict a status condition on an attacking Pokemon when hit with a physical move. However, Toxic Chain's ability to combine damage with the chance to apply one of the most advantageous status effects in the game is truly a game-changer.
Toxic Chain not only boasts immense power, but it also holds the potential to unveil intriguing details about the enigmatic Loyal Three. The infliction of the badly poisoned status strongly implies that each of these three creatures possesses the Poison typing as one of their characteristics. Although their typings have not been officially confirmed, the presence of this ability strongly suggests that they are, at the very least, partly Poison type, which aligns harmoniously with their design featuring a distinct pink chain. Additionally, there is a possibility that Fezandipiti may possess a dual typing of Poison/Flying, as evidenced by its utilization of the Flying-type move Air Slash.
Considering the unknown factors such as their other typings, stat distributions, and move sets, the Loyal Three could potentially become formidable contenders in competitive battles, bolstered by the lethal capabilities of Toxic Chain. Poison types generally hold significant value in the Scarlet and Violet meta of Pokemon, as they effectively counter the prevalent Fairy type, which tends to dominate VGC battles. The revelation of the Loyal Three's ability prior to their typing is an intriguing choice, hinting that their type combinations may play a pivotal role in the storyline of The Teal Mask, a secret that Game Freak and The Pokemon Company are not yet prepared to unveil.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.