As Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's release draws nearer, The Pokemon Company has been revealing more about the upcoming game, including a few of the Pokemon that gamers will get to see. This includes the three starter Pokemon - Quaxly, Sprigatito, and Fuecoco - and newcomers like Fidough. Regional variants also make a return, and players have already gotten a glimpse of Paldean Wooper. Plenty more Pokemon remain to be discovered, and finding them all over Paldea will be a bit easier thanks to the legendary Pokemon - Koraidon and Miraidon - that players will be able to ride.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet also introduce a new phenomenon called Terastallization, and it has the potential to greatly impact battles. In Paldea, players will discover Terastal Pokemon, and they have the amazing ability to transform, changing their appearance, and sometimes even their Type. When used correctly, players should be able to pull a few surprises on their opponents, although they should also be on the lookout for rivals using Terastal Pokemon.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Introduce Terastallization
With each Pokemon generation, the series introduces new gimmicks to keep gameplay fresh and shake up the competitive scene. Many gimmicks of the later generations have involved Pokemon taking on different forms that make them stronger. Fans saw this in Pokemon X and Y, which introduced Mega Evolutions, and in Pokemon Sword and Shield, which features Dynamaxing. Trailers for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have revealed that one of the gimmicks for this generation will be Terastallization.
Terastal Pokemon are found in Paldea, which is the Spanish-inspired setting for Scarlet and Violet. Pokemon who undergo Terastallization take on a sparkly, crystal form, and they gain an ornate Tera Jewel on their head. To take advantage of Terastallization, players will require a Tera Orb. It loses all its power after being used, and players will have to recharge it by visiting a Pokemon Center or touching crystals containing Terastal Energy.
Terastallization does not merely involve cosmetic changes, however. Terastal Pokemon have a Tera Type, and there are 18 of them, as is the case with regular Types. When Terastal Pokemon transform, they activate their Tera Type, which could be different from their regular Type. Already, fans have seen a Flying-Type Terastal Pikachu and a Fire-Type Terastal Drifblim. Players can transform one Pokemon per battle, and Terastallization lasts for the duration of the battle. Though all the details surrounding the mysterious Terastallization phenomenon have yet to be revealed, enough has been shown to make it clear that it has the potential to drastically how battles play out.
Brassius and Sudowoodo
Like prior Pokemon games, Scarlet and Violet will feature their own cast of memorable characters. One of the characters that players have been introduced to already is Brassius, an enigmatic individual with green hair and a thorny belt. He is the gym leader of Artazon, and he specializes in using Grass-Type Pokemon. A recent trailer showed that he will be a formidable foe, and his team features a Smoliv and Sudowoodo.
At first glance, Sudowoodo does not seem out of place in a Grass-Type gym leader's team. However, Pokemon fans will likely realize that Sudowoodo is the odd one out because, despite its appearance, it is a Rock-Type Pokemon. The Pokemon's deceptive appearance is hinted at by its name, which is a combination of the word "pseudo," meaning fake, and "wood." It was introduced in Generation 2, and although it may have tricked gamers at first, most players are probably wise to its ways at this point.
Brassius proved that with Terastallization, Sudowoodo can still be a tricky Pokemon. In a recent trailer, Brassius was shown in battle, and he had a Terastal Sudowoodo that transformed from a Rock-Type Pokemon to a Grass-Type Pokemon. This is a smart move for Brassius to make when up against the Water-Type starter Quaxly, as Rock-Type Pokemon are weak against Water-Types, but Grass-Types are super effective against Water-Types. After the transformation, Quaxly is no match for Sudowoodo, and it is quickly knocked out.
The surprise change in Typing poses an unexpected challenge for players going up against a Terastal Sudowoodo. The value of Tera Types is not limited to Sudowoodo, and players will be able to use similar strategies with other Pokemon to keep their opponents guessing. For example, a Flying-Type Terastal Pikachu gets rid of its Ground-Type weakness, which could easily throw off an opponent's entire strategy. Terastal Pokemon could find themselves being used quite frequently in battles, especially if players see drastic Type changes like Water-Types turning into Fire-Types and Fairy-Type Pokemon turning into Dragon-Types.
Many More Mysteries Await in Paldea
There is still a lot for gamers to discover in Paldea. Depending on which version players purchase, they will run into either Professor Sada or Professor Turo, who are both very knowledgeable about Paldea's lore. With Professor Sada wearing caveman-like attire and Professor Turo wearing futuristic clothing, it appears that rumors that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will feature time travel may be true. Players will also get to learn more through the school they will attend, with Pokemon Scarlet players attending Naranja Academy, and Pokemon Violet players attending Uva Academy. Between attending school, catching Pokemon, battling gym leaders, and learning about Terastallization, there will be plenty for players to do.
Expectations are high for Scarlet and Violet, and it appears that the games are looking to raise the bar for the franchise while innovating on many aspects that fans have gotten used to. With Terastallization, strategies that worked in the past may not be as effective any longer. As Brassius and his Sudowoodo illustrate, players will have to stay on their toes and watch out for Type changes. However, if they harness the power of Terastal Pokemon for themselves, players can also throw a few curveballs at their opponents.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are scheduled to release on November 18, on Nintendo Switch.