It appears I've posted in this thread several times without mentioning a bit of a strange affinity for me: I actually think there's something positive to the underwhelming Pokémon.
Namely, that they make an excellent foundation for cross-generation evolutions. I have a soft spot for those. There's something about seeing a Pokémon as a complete joke since forever, then suddenly it gets an evolved form with a significant power boost. The original Pokémon then becomes a coveted teammate, since it comes with the promise of eventually becoming good. Just think of how much of a failure Tangela used to be, or Porygon, or Yanma, or Togetic, or ... uhh, like half of Gen II, I guess. But they were redeemed in the end. Not all of them became top-tier battlers, but at least they got the ability to prod some buttocks in-game instead of being an underwhelming millstone for trainers to drag around by the late stages of their adventure.
I was saddened by the absence of cross-generation evolutions for so long, but I've become cautiously optimistic after Legends Arceus started playing around with them again. Ursaluna and Wyrdeer are straight-up, no-nonsense evolutions of Ursaring and Stantler, no silly "regional form" conditionals wherein the original 'mon remains underwhelming while only its newly discovered cousin gets to evolve into greatness (here's looking at you, Sirfetch'd and Obstagoon). It could be that cross-generation evolutions are back for real.
And underwhelming Pokémon have the greatest potential for getting in on the action. For the time being, the great store of crapmons from the first four generations is far from depleted. However, it would eventually become a boring sort of favouritism if only 'mons from Gen I-IV got a second lease of life, while Gen V+ 'mons were relegated to stagnation. That's why it's somewhat refreshing that there are some weak and underwhelming Pokémon from the recent generations as well. Stonjourner being bad means leaving some room for a future Stonenge or whatever. I can take the mediocrity of Pincurchin if it means getting a Spearcurchin later.
That being said, the longer the crapmons go without an evolution, the less favourably we consider them compared to their compatriots that received one. Nowadays Stantler comes across like a neat catch, while Girafarig sobs quietly in the corner. I wouldn't really go hunting for an Eiscue or Carnivine either. But of course, that period of contempt is what makes the redemption so sweet. It's more fun with a cross-generation evolution when it makes you think "man, remember how this Pokémon used to be useless?"
I hope the future has more cross-generation evolutions in store. And more underwhelming single-staged 'mons, so the dance can go on.
Namely, that they make an excellent foundation for cross-generation evolutions. I have a soft spot for those. There's something about seeing a Pokémon as a complete joke since forever, then suddenly it gets an evolved form with a significant power boost. The original Pokémon then becomes a coveted teammate, since it comes with the promise of eventually becoming good. Just think of how much of a failure Tangela used to be, or Porygon, or Yanma, or Togetic, or ... uhh, like half of Gen II, I guess. But they were redeemed in the end. Not all of them became top-tier battlers, but at least they got the ability to prod some buttocks in-game instead of being an underwhelming millstone for trainers to drag around by the late stages of their adventure.
I was saddened by the absence of cross-generation evolutions for so long, but I've become cautiously optimistic after Legends Arceus started playing around with them again. Ursaluna and Wyrdeer are straight-up, no-nonsense evolutions of Ursaring and Stantler, no silly "regional form" conditionals wherein the original 'mon remains underwhelming while only its newly discovered cousin gets to evolve into greatness (here's looking at you, Sirfetch'd and Obstagoon). It could be that cross-generation evolutions are back for real.
And underwhelming Pokémon have the greatest potential for getting in on the action. For the time being, the great store of crapmons from the first four generations is far from depleted. However, it would eventually become a boring sort of favouritism if only 'mons from Gen I-IV got a second lease of life, while Gen V+ 'mons were relegated to stagnation. That's why it's somewhat refreshing that there are some weak and underwhelming Pokémon from the recent generations as well. Stonjourner being bad means leaving some room for a future Stonenge or whatever. I can take the mediocrity of Pincurchin if it means getting a Spearcurchin later.
That being said, the longer the crapmons go without an evolution, the less favourably we consider them compared to their compatriots that received one. Nowadays Stantler comes across like a neat catch, while Girafarig sobs quietly in the corner. I wouldn't really go hunting for an Eiscue or Carnivine either. But of course, that period of contempt is what makes the redemption so sweet. It's more fun with a cross-generation evolution when it makes you think "man, remember how this Pokémon used to be useless?"
I hope the future has more cross-generation evolutions in store. And more underwhelming single-staged 'mons, so the dance can go on.