Right now, the only things fans know for certain about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are what the starters look like, as well as what a few places in the region look like. Many are hoping Game Freak shows more at a Pokemon Direct next month, but the silence may be driving a few fans stir crazy. After all, if the reception of the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet starters are any indication, this region could be a good one.
Not just that, but with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet taking a full-fledged open-world approach, the new games are looking like what fans wanted on the Switch with Pokemon Sword and Shield. One thing it could do, however unlikely, to push this region over the top is introduce a new type.
If Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduce a new type, which is a big if, then there’s not really a better option than a Sound type. It should be noted that current rumors suggest the new Pokemon Scarlet and Violet gimmick is based on types, but that in and of itself would not support nor contradict the potential of a new Type.
Pokemon: New Types
It should be noted that there is no real pattern when it comes to new Pokemon types, as there have only been three added ever. In Gen 2, Pokemon introduced the Dark and Steel Types to balance the Ghost and Normal Types, while Fairy was introduced to better balance out Dragon Pokemon in Gen 6. Balances changes are always welcome, but there’s no real reason to think that a whole new type is needed.
Arguably, Sound could factor into the ground/flying/rock dynamics somewhere, but it wouldn't presumably introduce any game-changing elements as Fairy did. Just because it isn’t needed, however, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be welcome. Since new Pokemon type combinations, much less types themselves, are so rare, it would mark Pokemon Scarlet and Violet as something special—just like the Fairy type did for Gen 6 before it.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Is The Best Option to Introduce a Sound Type
Because of this, there’s no telling when, if ever, a new type would be introduced. However, if a Sound-type isn’t introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it’s not likely to ever come. It would be a missed opportunity if it did come out later. That’s because Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are based on Spain, and Spanish culture is deep and rich with music and dance.
Many already suspect that Sprigatito will be a grass/fairy Flamenco-dancing cat because of its connection to the dance, so thinking that musical instruments, traditions, festivals, and more would serve as inspiration for new Pokemon isn’t farfetched. That’s not to say an objectmon made of an instrument would be necessary, but music-based Pokemon has a ton of avenues it could go down. Jigglypuff and Maractus are good examples of what Game Freak could do with this design in mind. And there’s not really a better Pokemon region to do this in.
Pokemon Who Are Effectively Already Sound-Type
As noted by Redditor Darkiceflame (above), there is already an interesting dynamic to sound moves in Pokemon. There are 31 moves based on sound in the franchise (including non-canon games), whereas Dragon only has 27, Rock only has 24, and Bug, Ice, and Flying all tie at 30. In other words, it’s all really there to convert these types to sound moves, maybe introduce a couple of new ones, and make a formal type out of it.
After all, just like there are plenty of moves to justify a decision to add a Sound type in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, there are plenty of Pokemon. The following all already make perfect Sound-type Pokemon and could introduce new dynamics in their movesets.
- Kricketune (Bug/Sound)
- Exploud (Sound)
- Wigglytuff (Sound/Fairy)
- Chimecho (Psychic/Sound)
- Chatot (Sound/Flying)*
- Meloetta (Replace Normal with Sound in both forms)
- Noivern (Sound/Dragon)
- Maractus (Grass/Sound)*
- And more!
*These Pokemon would make great options to get new evolved forms based on Sound.
Of course, the idea of a Sound-type is nothing new, and Pokemon fans have floated it around before. But there are plenty of Sound-type conversions that could add new dynamics to the gameplay, as well as plenty of ideas to make new Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet. Introducing a new type would go a long way in making Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feel even more distinct, but as Game Freak hasn’t shown much about the game, it’s really anyone’s best guess at this point what the new games will contain. Fans can only sit on their hands and wait for more information.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are scheduled to release in late 2022 for Nintendo Switch.