In a few months, Pokemon fans will get to enjoy the next entry in the series, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. One of the most exciting parts of any Pokemon game is selecting a starter Pokemon, and Generation Nine's starters are some of the most impressive ones yet. For Grass-Type fans, there is Sprigatito the feline, while Water-Type fans can select Quaxly the cute duckling. Fire-Type fans are also in luck because Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduce Fuecoco the feisty croc.
A recent trailer has revealed more about the upcoming game, revealing a few new Pokemon and a bit more about the new region. Plenty of new features have been included, and players will be able to attend Pokemon Academy and explore Paldea by hopping onto one of the two legendary Pokemon. Some things have not changed, however, and the aim of the game is still to become the greatest Pokemon Trainer, and this means having the strongest Pokemon. Players have been curious to know more about the evolved forms of the starters, including Fuecoco, though The Pokemon Company has yet to give out official information. Consequently, players have had to rely on leaks.
Fan Theories Surrounding Fuecoco
Fuecoco is a red, bipedal Pokemon with big jaws that make it look like a rascally crocodile. According to The Pokemon Company, Fuecoco is laid-back and loves eating. Fan theories surrounding starter Pokemon have proposed that Water-Type starters are inspired by weapons, Grass-Type starters are inspired by prehistoric animals, and Fire-Type starters are based on the Chinese zodiac. It does seem like the theory holds some weight for the Fire-Type starters, as Charizard resembles a dragon, Emboar looks like a pig, and Incineroar is inspired by a tiger, to list a few examples.
The animals that have not been used include an ox, sheep, horse, and snake. Consequently, with Fuecoco's arrival, Pokemon fans suspect that the Chinese zodiac theme has been broken, as it is unlikely that the crocodile-like Pokemon will evolve into any of those animals. However, some gamers have speculated that it might evolve into a serpentine creature, allowing the Chinese zodiac theme to continue. It seems unlikely, however.
Fans have also debated what food Fuecoco could be inspired by. There have been plenty of Pokemon that look like food, with Vanillite being but one example. Popular theories have claimed that Fuecoco is inspired by a chili pepper due to its color and shape, or an apple with a bite taken out of it. Supporters of the chili theory also propose that Fuecoco's final evolution will be Fire/Ghost Type, making the Pokemon a play on ghost peppers. However, the second Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trailer lent credence to the apple theory, as Fuecoco was seen next to an apple.
Using clues from trailers, gamers have concluded that the next Pokemon region, Paldea, is inspired by Spain, though it may also draw from other countries in the Iberian Peninsula, including Portugal. Though not in the Iberian Peninsula, some gamers have speculated that the game may also draw from Peruvian culture and that Fuecoco could be based on Morrop, a Peruvian god who is also known as the Iguana Man. In keeping with this theme, it is speculated that the Pokemon will have an egg on its head in its middle evolution, and a bird in its final evolution. This theory may seem outlandish, but it does align with some leaks which have come from credible sources.
Leaks and Rumors Surrounding Fuecoco
In lieu of official information from The Pokemon Company, leaks have popped up plentifully, and a good percentage of them have turned out to be accurate. A leaker named @realblaines has claimed that Fuecoco's middle evolution will feature an unhatched egg of fire on the Pokemon's head, and the egg turns into a flame bird in the final evolution. This may confirm theories that Fuecoco is based on Morrop, though it is also possible that the Pokemon is based on the Egyptian plover which is known to pick decaying meat from crocodile mouths.
The leaker is relatively unknown, though these details have since been vouched for by Riddler Khu, a leaker with a good track record. According to Riddler Khu, Fuecoco's final evolution is Fire/Ghost Type, while Sprigatito's final evolution is Grass/Dark Type, and Quaxly's final evolution is Water/Fighting Type. A recent riddle by Khu has suggested that Fuecoco's Hidden Ability is berry-based, which opens the door for the critter to have abilities such as Gluttony and Ripen.
The leaker @CentroLeaks has had a good track record with leaking information surrounding prior Pokemon titles, and they successfully leaked Terastallization and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's new region's name before it was officially announced. They have provided a rough sketch of Fuecoco's final evolution, and it shows the Pokemon on all fours like a lizard. Like the other leaks, it depicts Fuecoco's final evolution with a flaming bird on its head. Giving further hints about the Pokemon's evolutions, @CentroLeaks claimed the middle evolution stands on two legs while the final evolution stands on four. They also posted an emoji of a man singing into a microphone, which could suggest that the Pokemon may use sound-based moves which could be generated either through the croc or the bird on its head.
Many of the leaks seem to corroborate a few core points. Most notably, they all claim that Fuecoco will have a flaming egg, and then a flaming bird. They also claim that the final evolution will be four-legged. The alleged Fire/Ghost Typing also makes for an interesting combination, while the potential berry-based Hidden Ability could make Fuecoco a powerful Pokemon on the competitive field. Fortunately, Pokemon fans will not have to wait much longer to receive more official news about Fuecoco and its evolutions, as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's release date is not far.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are scheduled to release on November 18 for Nintendo Switch.