One of the most peculiar sets ofPokemongames is Gen 7, asPokemon SunandMoonintroduced unique concepts that influenced the series in the long term, starting with regional forms. While Gen 7 had interesting features in the form of Totem Pokemon, no actual Gym battles, Z-Moves, and evenUltra Beasts, regional forms were peakPokemoncontent because they allowed Game Freak to make new pocket monsters that were also familiar.Pokemon ScarletandVioletare rumored to have a very small amount of regional forms, and also two concepts that act similarly – the so-called “regional fakes” or “convergent species,” and the Ancient and Future Pokemon.
The former Pokemon are very similar to regional forms in theory, as they use familiar characteristics of existing critters to instead create a set of brand-new ones, according to the leakers.Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s themes of past versus future, on the other hand, are rumored to be particularly visible in the so-called “Paradox Pokemon,” as they are existing critters that have time-traveled from the past or the future, and are thus Ancient or Future forms of given species. This is an interesting take on the possible forms Pokemon can have, and they fit perfectly in Generation 9, but it’s possible that these new gimmicks could end up replacing regional forms.
RELATED:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Leaker Hints at Ostrich Pokemon
Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Paradox Pokemon Could Replace Regional Forms
According to leakers, Gen 9 will have only two regional forms in the Pokedex: one for Wooper that’s a Poison-type, and one for Tauros that’s a Fighting-type. Compared to Gen 7, Gen 8, andPokemon Legends: Arceus, that’s an incredibly low number of regional forms, and that fact alone might be telling of The Pokemon Company’s intentions. Still, there will be manyAncient and Future forms inPokemon ScarletandViolet, it seems, which may be a coincidence based on the fact that Gen 9 is heavily focused on the past versus future theme.
If the Paradox Pokemon are successful enough, however, it’s possible that the focus will shift towards them from Gen 10 onwards, much like regional variants became a new staple after Gen 7. It may be harder to justify their presence in other mainlinePokemongames compared to regional forms, though, as Ancient and Future forms work for Gen 9 specifically much likeTotem Pokemon worked for Gen 7or Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing worked for Gen 8. Yet, there is something alluring to the concept of Ancient and Future forms that provide existing Pokemon with a different look and a new set of Abilities, moves, stats, and other combat-related mechanics.
For example, Ancient forms could delve into more primal characteristics of a given Pokemon species, maybe turning a critter like Persian into a sabertooth cat, blending new lore with new mechanics. Likewise, Future forms could provide a more futuristic look to critters, maybe turning a pocket monster like Tyranitar into a metal-plated creature that swaps its Rock-type for Steel. If this is the case, thenPokemon ScarletandViolet’s Paradox Pokemon are not all that different from regional forms, except for the fact that leakers claim these critters are incapable of evolving and are already max-stage Pokemon.
The problem is that havingboth Paradox Pokemon and regional forms, possibly alongside regional fakes, can put a strain on the Pokedex of every new generation in the future, which could then lead Game Freak to cut something. Plus, if regional variants are now so limited in Gen 9, it is possible that Game Freak is already axing them from future content, or that this is a test run with that intention in mind. AfterPokemon ScarletandViolet, Gen 10 could hit the stores by the time the franchise will be celebrating its 30th anniversary, and it’s not impossible that even more new forms will be released as an experiment, taking the place of past ones.
