Summary
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetnot only made a big difference when it comes to the series' formula and possibly how this will change with future titles, but also in terms of new Pokemon or new tools for returning pocket monsters, dramatically changing the competitive landscape. It’s not only a matter of competitive viability, though, as increasing the options a given existing Pokemon has or introducing new ones with interesting niches means players have more freedom and can create more unique teams. A big example of this logic is whatPokemon Scarlet and Violetdid for Magmar and Electabuzz, how they are now in a much better and more appealing spot, and why Gen 10 games should do more of the same.
It’s not uncommon for critters from past generations to come back in modern games changed for better or for worse, andPokemon Scarlet and Violetare no exceptions. Pocket monsters likeSmeargle and Incineroarwere among the most problematic in the recent past, and they both came back with The Indigo Disk, but the former was just ok and the latter was stronger than ever. In the case of Magmar and Electabuzz, they were mainly given a new egg move in the form of Follow Me, and that alone made them much more powerful and compelling to use.
Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Magmar and Electabuzz Buff is Great
How More Gen 10 Pokemon Could Benefit From the Follow Me Approach
Follow Me is arguably one of thebest non-damagingPokemonmovesin existence alongside Rage Powder because it forces enemy critters to attack the user. While it’s completely useless in single battles, Follow Me dominates double battles because it allows attackers to remain unpunished for a turn or more as their allies take damage for them. Specifically, Magmar and Electabuzz, as well as their evolutions Magmortar and Electivire, can turn Follow Me into an even more punishing tool thanks to Flame Body and Static.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s metais dominated by several powerful physical attackers, from Booster Energy Acrobatics Roaring Moon to Water Tera Surging Strikes Urshifu, and redirection can be great to let an allied attacker live long enough to dish out damage or change the course of the battle by other means. Having Follow Me on Magmar and Electabuzz as they hold Eviolite makes them tanky and has the added effect of Flame Body or Static punishing physical attackers by either Burning or Paralyzing them, dramatically reducing their efficacy. In fact, Burn reduces physical damage dealt by 50%, and Paralysis reduces a Pokemon’s Speed to 50% of its original value as well as gives it a 25% chance not to move every turn.
Pokemon Gen 10 Needs More Groundbreaking Combos After Scarlet and Violet
Why Gen 10 Pokemon Games Should Draw Inspiration From Follow Me Magmar and Electabuzz
The reason why this is such a big change is that Magmar and Electabuzz have never really had their time in the limelight before, and even their Gen 4 evolutions didn’t make them all that powerful in comparison. Instead, Follow Me is a fantastic addition to their kits moving forward as it gives them a special niche that can be quite effective in competitive VGC as well.PokemonGen 10 gamescan capitalize on this idea and add even more similar moves to returning critters' kits, buffing them.
Several pocket monsters could use some love in new games, such as Parasect or Sunflora getting a cross-gen evolution inPokemonGen 10, and although Follow Me can’t be the be-all, end-all solution to every critter’s problems, it’s a great blueprint for future games to have. If simply adding Follow Me as an egg move to two Pokemon’s kits makes them instantly much better than before, then the same can be achieved with different creatures and other moves. It remains to be seen what Gen 10 will entail, but usingPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Magmarand Electabuzz approach for more monsters would be an interesting choice.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you’re able to join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
