Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will mark the start of a new generation for the franchise, and with that, players will get to explore a new region filled with new Pokemon to collect. More mysteries surrounding Pokemon will also be uncovered, including the strange phenomenon called Terastallization which causes some Pokemon to take on a crystal form and sometimes even change Type. Traveling will also be made easy thanks to Koraidon and Miraidon, two legendary Pokemon capable of changing form and transporting players across land, sea, and air.
Though gamers will have to wait a little longer before they can play Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, a few leakers have been furnishing eager fans with information regarding upcoming information. According to a few sources, in addition to the two legendaries that have been revealed, the games will also feature four legendary Pokemon whose concepts are inspired by Chinese mythology. Whether the leaks are accurate remains to be seen, but they do come from sources that have proven themselves to be trustworthy.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Rumored Legendary Quartet
There is not much time left until the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and in the lead-up to the game, developers have teased fans with a few trailers revealing much about the new region and the adventure that awaits. However, it appears that the bulk of the information fans have been getting has come from Pokemon leakers, and while some of them have been proven false, a handful have retained a near-flawless track record. This includes Riddler Khu, who has a habit of revealing information in the form of cryptic messages.
In past Pokemon games, in addition to the mascot legendary Pokemon that may appear on the cover of the games, there are usually additional legendary Pokemon that are connected in some way. For instance, in Generation One, there were the elemental birds, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, while the game which followed, Pokemon Gold and Silver, featured the three legendary dogs, Entei, Raikou, and Suicune. According to some leakers, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will feature their own set of legendaries, but this time it will be a quartet instead of a trio.
A known leaker, Kaka, claimed that the quartet will not be Dragon-Type or Fairy-Type, which is notable, as these are popular types for legendary Pokemon. A Tweet by Riddler Khu featuring four Pokemon may give some insight into what the legendary Types could be. The Pokemon in the image are Incineroar, Krookodile, Sneasel, and Cacturne, and gamers have taken this to mean that the legendaries will be Dark/Fire, Dark/Ground, Dark/Ice, and Dark/Grass Pokemon.
What Are the Four Perils?
It is not uncommon for Pokemon to be themed after mythology and folklore, and this is the case, for instance, with Ninetales, who is based on the kitsune of Japanese mythology. It has been speculated that the rumored legendary quartet of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet could be based on the Four Perils of Chinese mythology. Sometimes known as the Four Creatures, the Four Perils are described as malevolent beings that are the counterparts to the Four Benevolent Animals. They are typically depicted as terrible beasts and are given the names Hundun, Taowu, Taotie, and Qiongqi.
Hundun is described as a faceless being that is associated with primordial chaos. It is said that Hundun is incapable of differentiating right from wrong, and will follow the instructions of those with bad intentions. Taowu is associated with ignorance, and the horrifying beast is described as having pig's teeth, tiger paws, and the face of a human. It cannot be taught anything, and it is painfully stubborn. Taotie is associated with gluttony, and it is depicted with the head and hands of a human and the body of a sheep. Taotie is so greedy that it will even eat humans. Lastly, there is the winged tiger Qiongqi who is associated with deviousness and is said to bring disaster and misfortune. According to mythology, Qiongqi will attack noble people.
There are many ways in which the Four Perils could potentially be incorporated into the four legendaries that will allegedly be in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The games could take inspiration from the designs of the beasts, as they are described quite vividly, and with a little creativity, they could be adapted to look like Pokemon. Developers could also draw from the mythological stories behind the Four Perils, although that may imply that the legendary Pokemon could play a sinister role in the upcoming game. This would be especially fitting if it is true that the quartet will all be one-part Dark-Type. In past Pokemon games, evil organizations have tried to use Pokemon for nefarious purposes, so it would not be the first time Pokemon have found themselves on the dark side.
The Mythology of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Although leaks surrounding Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's legendary quartet come from a source with a good track record, the information has yet to be confirmed by Game Freak or The Pokemon Company, so it is a good idea to take it with a grain of salt. Already, there are plenty of rumors surrounding what other mythology may inspire Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, although it is likely that there will be plenty of Spanish influences, seeing as how Paldea appears to be based on Spain and its surrounding regions. One of the prevailing theories is that Fuecoco is based on Morrop, a Peruvian god who is also known as the Iguana Man.
A legendary quartet based on the Four Perils would make for an interesting group of Pokemon to discover and hopefully catch. If the leaks are accurate, it suggests that the legendaries of Paldea may be a dark bunch, which could make for an intriguing plot. Either way, they will have to be impressive since they face some tough competition from past Pokemon generations.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are scheduled to release on 18 November 2022 on Nintendo Switch.