Pokemon Scarlet and Violet aim to immerse players into a living, breathing Pokemon world like never before. Not only does it tout itself as the first fully open-world Pokemon experience, but fans can look forward to Terastallization among other new features while discovering Paldean critters to catch. To tie-in with Halloween, a new Ghost-type Pokemon was just revealed. While the dog-themed Greavard is adorable, there's a deeper truth that's rather terrifying if one looks closer.
Ghost-type Pokemon by nature have always been a bit creepy and spooky. Creatures like Haunter and Giratina have designs that come off as unsettling, whereas others like Mimikyu and Pumpkaboo fit in with more cute Halloween aesthetics; adding variety to the type. Greavard, coming to the upcoming titles Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, is a good mix between the two. It can be found popping out of the ground after hiding with just its flame above the surface when it meets someone new. However, this is where Greavard's true nature begins to show.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: About Greavard
Like other Pokemon announced for Scarlet and Violet, fans will find more information about this cute ghost dog if they go to the official English website. There's a small Pokedex Entry that says a single bite from Greavard can be dangeous, which makes sense with its large jaws. The webpage also reveals that while the dog sits underground, it hardly moves and doesn't use much energy.
Despite how cute the puppy ghost looks, the text advises players not to spend too much time with their Greavard. While the Pokemon is apparently the easiest to befriend in the entire Paldea region, its friendship comes with a price as Greavard steals the life-force from those surrounding it. Normally, text like this about the series' creatures can be taken with a grain of salt, but there's evidence to take this warning seriously.
What Being Around Greavard is Like in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
In the "ghost hunt" trailer that revealed Greavard, a member of the Ghost-type Pokemon Club at Naranja Academy discovers it out at night. After jumping out and startling the trainer, it acts like any other dog and reassures them. The trainer calls Greavard cute and accepts the creature's invitation to play, but shortly after they spend time with the dog, they notice they're feeling fatigued.
The trainer ends up succumbing to the fatigue, passing out after saying, "Searching for Ghost-types really sucks the life out of you." Even though descriptions warning players of Greavard's life-absorbing abilities say it happens slowly, this trailer suggests that the effects settle in within minutes. Greavard also licks the trainer in an attempt to get them to play more, which suggests the Pokemon does this "inadvertently."
This makes the trailer somewhat horrifying in hindsight, as not many Pokemon trailers have featured someone potentially dying on camera - though there's a chance the trainer simply passed out. It's also sad that Greavard likely isn't aware of its power, and gives way to potential thoughts of other members of the Greavard species that have lost their trainers without fully knowing why. What's worse is the text doesn't specify if it only happens to people, meaning other Pokemon could have their life-force drained as well.
It could be argued that the effects of Greavard's presence is exaggerated for the video, but as the trailer acts like "found footage," it could very well be exactly what happens in the Pokemon universe. Obviously having a Greavard on one's team won't actually kill a trainer in-game, but creepy Pokedex entries are favorites among fans. Just like how many never forget that Drifloon kidnaps children, Greavard will most likely be talked about for a long time after Scarlet and Violet arrives.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will launch on November 18 for Nintendo Switch.