The upcoming ninth generation of main series Pokemon games, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, will introduce fans to a brand-new region inhabited by Pokemon to discover, battle, and befriend. As with each new generation, fans are hoping to see some currently unused type combinations appear in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
So far, the only Pokemon revealed for Scarlet and Violet are its three starters: Fire-type Fuecoco, Water-type Quaxly, and Grass-type Sprigatito. With a region seemingly inspired by Spain and Portugal, fans anticipate a lot of colorful and unique Pokemon to appear. It is also likely that regional forms will make a return, as they have been a series staple since Generation 7 and recently appeared in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Scarlet and Violet may also introduce a new gameplay element, such as Dynamaxing or Mega Evolutions, that could alter the typings of existing Pokemon. There are a number of opportunities for highly anticipated new type combinations to appear.
Fire and Grass
While Water/Grass-type Pokemon exist via the Lotad line, and Fire/Water is represented by Volcanion, a Fire/Grass-type is still needed to complete the trio of combinations using the starter types. This combination would be strong against seven different types and lose its components' weaknesses to both Fire and Water-type moves. This Pokemon could be based on a hot pepper such as a jalapeno or Carolina reaper, or perhaps a roaring campfire that evolves into an out-of-control wildfire. This could even be a potential evolution for Fuecoco, which already shows some pepper inspiration in its design.
Bug and Dragon
Fans have previously gotten their hopes up with Yanmega and Flygon, both of which looked like they could be Bug/Dragon but ultimately were not. This type combination would be useful in battles against Dark and Psychic types, and could boost the already high Special Attack of Dragon-type Pokemon with access to moves like Quiver Dance. The legend of Saint George (San Jorge) and the Dragon is popular in Spain, making it likely that fans will see some new Dragon-types in this generation. Dragonflies and damselflies are also present in Spain, so a Yanma or Yanmega variant is possible.
Fire and Fairy
With the theory that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be taking place in a Spain-inspired region, the addition of a Flamenco dancer Pokemon seems inevitable. This could be a great opportunity to finally introduce the Fire/Fairy combination, which would lose Fairy type's weakness to Steel moves, be completely immune to Dragon-type damage, and provide super effective coverage against seven different Pokemon types. Rumors indicated a Fire/Fairy-type regional variant for Spritzee couuld be coming, so this combo in particular has been on fans' minds.
Fighting and Ground
Another thing fans are hoping to see in Scarlet and Violet is a bull Pokemon - whether as a new variant for Tauros, a new legendary Pokemon, or something else entirely - to represent Spain's history of bullfighting. A possible unused type combination for this new bull could be Fighting/Ground, which would be strong against eight other types. This combination would also take double damage from six types, but could make up for this with immunity to Electric damage and access to strong offensive moves like Earthquake and Close Combat.
Rock and Ghost
Some fans were disappointed when neither Generation 8's Cursola nor Runerigus were Rock/Ghost-types, despite thematically fitting the unused combination. Rock/Ghost is one of the few unused combinations featuring Rock, which often appears alongside other types due to its many weaknesses that need covering. A Rock/Ghost-type Pokemon, although it would still have a number of weaknesses, could be both offensively and defensively powerful. This type combo could be used for Generation 9's Fossil Pokemon, or for a Pokemon inspired by gargoyles or cave paintings.
Poison and Steel
Recent generations of Pokemon have used the Poison type for creatures inspired by modern human industrialization and pollution, such as Alolan Grimer and Muk or Galarian Weezing. A Poison/Steel-type Pokemon could be an inhabitant of a large city and possibly represent a theme such as skyscrapers or heavy machinery. In battle, this Pokemon would be strong defensively, having few weaknesses and a total of eight resistances; it could negate its severe Ground-type weakness if it had access to the ability Levitate, leaving it with almost no weaknesses at all.
Normal and Steel
With fans theorizing that Water-type starter Quaxly will draw inspiration from Spanish literary hero Don Quixote, it is only natural to give this Quixote a windmill Pokemon to fight. A creature inspired by Don Quixote's belief that windmills were giants could be a good fit for the unused Normal/Steel-type combination. This Pokemon would be extremely powerful, potentially boasting up to 12 resistances with a potentially sky-high Defense stat, and being strong against other popular types such as Fairy. If not a Windmill Pokemon, a Normal/Steel-type could potentially be a regional form for Steelix, Skarmory, Klefki, or possibly Honedge as a sword for the Don Quixote-inspired Quaxly to wield.
Hopefully, more new Pokemon debuting in Scarlet and Violet will be revealed soon. With only the three starters shown and the games' release date slated for late 2022, it is likely that fans will see at least a few more trailers released before the games debut. It is possible that one or more of these previously unused type combinations could show up in Generation 9 Pokemon, but until more official news is shared, fans will continue to theorize about what creatures Pokemon Scarlet and Violet might bring.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will release in late 2022 for the Nintendo Switch.