With upcoming main series titlesPokemon Scarlet and Violeton the horizon,Pokemonfans have begun to speculate about the new and returning creatures which might be making an appearance in the games. In particular, fans are wondering whether regional forms of Pokemon will return, a question which has not yet been answered in any of the trailers forPokemon Scarlet and Violetreleased so far. Some creativePokemonfans have taken to designing their own regional variants which could appear in the upcoming games.
Regional variants of Pokemon were first introduced with Alolan Forms inPokemon Sun and Moon.These Alolan Forms were generally received positively by fans, particularly the amusingly tallAlolan Exeggutor, leading to Nintendo continuing the trend with Galarian Forms inPokemon Sword and Shieldand Hisuian forms inPokemon Legends: Arceus.Regional variants are differently colored and typed versions of Pokemon from previous generations. They may also include brand-new evolutions for the Pokemon, such as Galarian Zigzagoon and Linoone able to evolve into Obstagoon inSword and Shield.
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OnePokemonfan, who goes by TheWildPikmin on Reddit, chose to design and share their take on a potential regional variant forRelicanth, a Water/Rock-type Pokemon introduced in the third generation of games,Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire.The Reddit user’s take on Relicanth dropped the secondary Rock type in favor of a secondary Dragon type. It showed the Relicanth as a large Pokemon, approximately five meters long in total, with heavily armored scales and a built-in helmet colored either copper or silver.
According to TheWildPikmin’s explanation, they were inspired to create a Relicanth variant by the Mawsonia, a genus of prehistoric fish that were related to Coelacanths and known for their enormous size. The switch from Rock to Dragon typing was caused by generations of adapting to a lake environment; this Relicanth has a fiercer and more combative personality and an appetite for snacking onMagikarp. It would have access to the Hidden Ability Rock Head, which prevents recoil damage in battle. Although this was not clarified in the user’s Reddit post, it would presumably have to be caught using a fishing rod similar to the original Relicanth in all games where it has appeared.
Response to the user’s creation was generally positive, with fans appreciating the idea of such an ancient-looking Pokemon being able to adapt and survive into the modern day. Some commenters also expressed that they found the design quite effectively terrifying, and that they would swim away if they encountered such a creature underwater. AsScarlet and Violet’scurrently unnamed region is likelyinspired by Spain, which is known for its coasts, there would definitely be room for water-dwelling Pokemon such as this Relicanth variant to live.
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