Over the years, new Pokemon battle or evolution gimmicks have become expected in each new generation. From double battles to triple battles, from Mega Evolution to Dynamax/Gigantamax, these have played a major role in how popular certain generations were. Now, many are curious about the main gimmick of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, although there is no official information out there quite yet.
One thing many Pokemon Scarlet and Violet fans noticed, however, many shed a little light on it. In the Japanese logos of the game, there appears to be a gleaming crystal—likely indicative of the delivery method for this particular gimmick—and some have pointed toward the "types" being shown on titles in the main city. What that means though remains to be seen, but one reliable leaker may have hinted at it.
Riddler Khu is a reliable leaker for Pokemon games, having been accurate multiple times in the past about Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, as well as Pokemon Legends: Arceus. They even teased the new Pokemon Scarlet and Violet starters early by posting emojis indicative of a grass cat and a fire crocodile ahead of the Pokemon Presents showcase. The thing with Riddler, however, is always posting their leaks in vague, cryptic ways.
The latest from Riddler Khu comes in the form of a unique symbol, seen below, as their first real teaser of Titan (seemingly the gen's codename). Many have deduced that this symbol is Japanese for three, and sensibly, it seems many followers who know Khu decently well have taken this to be a teaser for the new Pokemon gimmick. The leading theory, as of now, seems to be that Pokemon will have access to a third type in some way.
How extensive that proves to be is questionable. It’s unlikely some Pokemon are just getting a permanent third-type, instead being something based in certain battles where a Pokemon can adopt a third type or perhaps change to a third type. In other words, it could be a temporary form change similar to Mega Evolution or it could be something like crystals being used similar to Arceus’ plates (like in Pokemon Legends: Arceus/DPP before that).
Changing types mid-battle may not seem as flashy as Mega Evolution or Dynamax, but how extensively this changes these Pokemon forms is another unknown aspect. However it works, though, the ability to change types would provide amazing coverage for in-game battles, as well as competitive gameplay. It could be as simple as an Infernape changing from Fire/Fighting to Fire/Dark or Fire/Fighting/Dark to counter its Psychic weaknesses.
This does pose a question about monotype Pokemon (though Dual-type, for coverage, tends to be more popular), but as it stands, it would probably be only applicable to certain dual-type Pokemon. Or, Khu’s hint could mean something else entirely, but they suggest fans will learn more this summer.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are scheduled for release in 2022 on Nintendo Switch.
Source: Riddler Khu