Summary
With the DLC forPokemon Scarlet and Violetjust around the corner, the series is getting a second chance to correct some of the mistakes made byPokemon Sword and Shield’s DLC a generation prior. While there are several ways The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC forPokemon Scarlet and Violetcan improve upon the shortcomings of the Gen 8 DLC, an even bigger obstacle it needs to avoid is one mistake made by the base games ofPokemon Sword and Shield. Terapagos is set to be the star of The Indigo Disk expansion, but it shouldn’t end up like Gen 8’s Eternatus.
Although there isn’t a lot of information about what role Terapagos will play in the plot of The Indigo Disk, therumored August Pokemon Presentsmay shed more light on this critter’s status. It’s likely that Terapagos will be a key piece in the Terastal Phenomenon puzzle given its crystalline design and shell of Pokemon-type symbols. However, Terapagos appears to have two forms that could relate to the Terastal Phenomenon, but likePokemon Sword and Shield’s Eternatus, its Tera Form shouldn’t be limited to a single boss battle and should be accessible by players after its caught.
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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Terapagos Can’t Repeat the Same Mistake as Gen 8’s Eternatus
The main gameplay gimmicks of Gen 8’sPokemon Sword and Shieldwere Dynamaxingand Gigantamaxing, which allowed mons to grow massive in size for a limited time, with some even changing forms. A variation of this mechanic took place during the climax ofPokemon Sword and Shield’s story where players had to face off against the legendary Eternatus in its Eternamax form. While this intimidating creature was the source of an awesome boss battle, many players were disappointed upon catching it and learning that Eternatus could not transform back into its Eternamax form outside of that one battle.
Terapagos could face a similar issue inPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s DLC as the likely representative of Gen 9’s Terastal Phenomenon gimmick. While another creature similar to Terapagos was shown in thePokemonanime, it’s unclear if this mon is a pre-evolution of Terapagos or merely a different form. If it is in fact a different form, it stands to reason that the Terapagos featured in marketing materials forThe Indigo Disk is the Tera Formof the mon that only appears once the base form Terastallizes, lending further credibility to the rumors that Tera Forms for multiple mons are coming in the DLC.
It would be somewhat disappointing if the version of Terapagos players are most familiar with ends up being limited to a singular boss fight likeEternamax Eternatus was inPokemon Sword and Shield. While the battle against Eteramax Eternatus was an epic showing of the Dynamax mechanic, it felt undercut by the fact that players couldn’t utilize this Eternamax form for themselves. If Tera Forms are indeed a new mechanic coming in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, then the mascot mon of this mechanic deserves to be able to take its Tera Form in battles after being caught.
Until more information is revealed aboutThe Indigo Disk and Terapagos' rolewithin the DLC, it’s hard to set expectations beyond looking at what past games have done with their generational gimmicks. As such, there is a genuine concern that Terapagos could end up in the same boat as Eternatus given the precedentPokemon Sword and Shieldset for its generational gimmick mascot mon. However,Pokemon Scarlet and Violethas already improved upon a lot of Gen 8’s shortcomings with its base games, so there is hope that the DLC will continue this trend and Terapagos avoids the same mistakes that befell Eternatus.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare available for Nintendo Switch.
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