Summary
The next generation ofPokemongames is likely to include more regional variations, a trend that began in the Alola region and continued throughout Galar, Hisui, and Paldea. However, the Generation 10Pokemongames should avoid repeating Paldea’s mistakes.Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’sregional forms felt lacking, as they were few in number and consisted primarily of three nearly identical variations of the Generation 1 Pokemon Tauros.
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Tauros' Three Regional Forms Were Unnecessary
Speculation that Tauros would receive a Paldean form ran rampant as soon as it was revealed that thePaldea region drew inspiration from Spain. Spain is famous for bullfighting and the “Running of the Bulls” event in Pamplona, making the bull-themed Tauros a perfect choice. However, the regional Tauros that ultimately debuted in Paldea was somewhat lacking.
Paldean Tauros possesses three forms: Combat, Blaze, and Aqua. All are black, differentiated only by horn and tail shape plus the red and blue patches on Blaze and Aqua’s respective manes. This can make catching allthree Paldean Tauros formsa frustrating endeavor, as Combat Tauros spawns far more frequently and the three types can be difficult to differentiate in the field. This is not helped by Tauros' aggressive behavior, as it is likely to charge at the player and force them into several unwanted battles with Combat Form before Blaze or Aqua is encountered.
East Province, Area Two/Three Asado Desert
Aqua Jet Wave Crash
Additionally, Paldean Tauros has little to do with bullfighting or bull running other than its black coloration potentially referencing Pamplona’s bulls. Catching a rarer Blaze or Aqua Tauros - as the forms areScarletandVioletexclusive respectively - could have been an opportunity to introduce a “bull running” event which would require players to utilize the games’Union Circlemultiplayer mechanic. Overall, Paldean Tauros feels to many like a missed opportunity to reimagine a classic Pokemon.
Generation 10 Should Embrace Variety
Another complaint was thatPokemon Scarlet and Violetintroduced fewer regional forms when compared to previous games. Other than the three Tauros, there was only Wooper and Clodsire, which became swamp-dwelling Ground/Poison-type Pokemon. This is in major contrast to Alola, Galar, and Hisui, which added several new variations as well as new evolutions for previous lines such asObstagoon, Basculegion, and Perrserker.
Balancing Regional Forms, Paradox Pokemon, And Regional Fakes
Pokemon Scarlet and Violettried to balance the lack of regional forms with Paradox Pokemon - massive prehistoric and futuristic versions of existing Pokemon - and “convergent evolution” Pokemon, also known as regional fakes. Examples include the Water-type Wiglett and Wugtrio, the Ground/Grass-type Toedscool and Toedscruel, and the Grass/Ghost-type Poltchageist and Sinistcha, added as part of theTeal MaskDLC.
While it is unlikely that Paradox Pokemon will return in Generation 10, as they closely tied toScarlet and Violet’s past vs. future theme, the “ecologically similar” convergent Pokemon may be seen again. Future Generations would be wise to balance regional forms andconvergent Pokemon, rather than heavily favoring one over the other as Paldea did. They will also hopefully return to the more colorful, visually distinct regional forms rather than repeating the mistake of introducing three rather dull Tauros variants.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetwill receive one more DLC,The Indigo Disk,which will feature new Paradox Pokemon and a new evolution for Duraludon. It has not been confirmed whether any new regional forms or “regional fakes” will be added, although it is possible. If that is not the case, however, fans will have to wait until Generation 10 to see new regional Pokemon - and hopefully no repeats of the Tauros situation.
