That is a nail-on-the-head perfect way to describe how I feel about this one. I am utterly whelmed.
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Pokémon Presents - Pokémon Day 2025 - Pokemon ZA Info & Pokemon Champions Announced
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That is a nail-on-the-head perfect way to describe how I feel about this one. I am utterly whelmed.
Just like Kangaskhan I'm fairly certain Machamp has gotten a redone face with better-looking lips and eyes.
Anyways Megalucha kicks ass, easy team addition if I wasn't picking Tepig. Can't wait to see what other Kalos megas are in store
Forgetting the OG smh
Yep, it's really overblown. (Fwiw Shedinja did in fact have fringe usage even in VGC for... same reason, walling Kyogre and Xerneas back in gen 7 and 8, but that's how far it went. Situational pick that you'd often not even bring because there's a angry fire/dark cat in the corner...)
Mega Hawlucha looking like "A Unite skin" honestly makes me giggle a bit. Not cause I hate it, far from it, looks cool, but cause after two basically goofy exagerated Megas we just get a take on "what if the same but flashier".
Eh, fair for me, no disappointment so far. The design really seems to go into the GOTTA GO FAST concept, so I'm looking forward to see the stat/ability changes for it.
I mean Machamp has been only in legends and let's go in switch era because of the fissure+no guard, all the moveset wipes in home are also with it in mind. No idea why they don't just make the exception of OHKO not working with no guard.
Also interesting including these specific pokemon to witness mega Hawlucha. Some gen 6 pokemon and...Raichu?
Also interesting including these specific pokemon to witness mega Hawlucha. Some gen 6 pokemon and...Raichu?
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Machamp was also in Sword and Shield. Regardless, any Machamp transferred from VC RBY couldn’t be used in official tournaments unless the player made it battle-ready, which would wipe its original moveset.
Kind of a shame that the in-game model of Mega Hawlucha doesn’t have the same glitter effect that it had in the CGI trailer. That would definitely help it feel more extravagant and have more of that Mega-brand of visual excess. And I doubt that Champions’ art style will be any different in that regard, either.
I think it would at least have that shiny metallic effect if it was in S/V
Quick Opinions On Mega Hawlucha:
Now this is more like it!
Is it a bit cheesy? Sure, but that's fitting for Hawlucha and its Luchador/Lucha Libre basis. I'm sure Lockstin would probably go deeper into the meaning of Luchador masks and how this properly represents Hawlucha getting stronger; I really couldn't find anything from my quick searches.
Though, thinking about it, this isn't really Hawlucha getting a "new mask" but finally putting one on (though I can see them explaining away the sudden clothing addition as just its upper body feathers getting charged with Mega Evolution energy, turning black & gold and fluffing up into a chest guard). I know a rule in Lucha Libre is that if a Luchador's mask is taken off they have to retire it (& the character attached to it), so I can imagine many Luchadors maybe having gone through several masks/persona before finding one which works out. Thus, Mega Hawlucha is not just it "putting on" a mask/persona but the one which it has found great success with.
That said, not everything is perfect. Love the changes to the mask/chest guard/cape, I like the bulkier build... and that's really all that's on it to like. Cause they stopped designing it right there. COME ON! Okay, I get it, they don't want to overdo the black & gold. But at least give it black & gold "gloves" and "boots". Maybe even make the "belt" have a stripe of black; heck, maybe just give it "pants" altogether. If you want to start pushing it's going full Luchador than go full Luchador!
From the website (and hinted at in the reveal video), its confirmed for an Attack & Defense increase. And I'm going to guess, in addition to a small bump to SpD, that's really the only stats changing about it. Now, the way Hawlucha struts about may also hint of a Speed decrease; I hope not, it has a rather notable Special Attack stat (74) they could easily drain for some extra points if they needed. So throwing around some predictions:
Base: 78/92/75/74/63/118//500
Ideal: 78/132/125/34/103/128//600
Increase Only: 78/132/125/74/73/118//600
That's all I'm willing to guess, if they decrease Speed who knows by how much (going down by 10 points I don't think would be too bad, but going below 100 I feel would be a downgrade; Unless they maybe like almost completely drain it? 78/152/145/74/103/48//600?)
And Ability which we won't know until Champions, Stamina seems fitting. Then again, so does Big Pecks. Though, with how its chest guard absorbed Machamp's Karate Chop, maybe a hint for Battle Armor? Also, I know we shouldn't rely on the blurbs on the site, though it says it "After luring its opponent into attacking, it retaliates to make them flinch before (using Flying Press)". Hint of a new Flinching Move (I'm imagining something like a weaker Sucker Punch, unless they change it so that a Flinch can carry over to the next turn)?
(Responses next post)
Now this is more like it!
Is it a bit cheesy? Sure, but that's fitting for Hawlucha and its Luchador/Lucha Libre basis. I'm sure Lockstin would probably go deeper into the meaning of Luchador masks and how this properly represents Hawlucha getting stronger; I really couldn't find anything from my quick searches.Though, thinking about it, this isn't really Hawlucha getting a "new mask" but finally putting one on (though I can see them explaining away the sudden clothing addition as just its upper body feathers getting charged with Mega Evolution energy, turning black & gold and fluffing up into a chest guard). I know a rule in Lucha Libre is that if a Luchador's mask is taken off they have to retire it (& the character attached to it), so I can imagine many Luchadors maybe having gone through several masks/persona before finding one which works out. Thus, Mega Hawlucha is not just it "putting on" a mask/persona but the one which it has found great success with.
That said, not everything is perfect. Love the changes to the mask/chest guard/cape, I like the bulkier build... and that's really all that's on it to like. Cause they stopped designing it right there. COME ON! Okay, I get it, they don't want to overdo the black & gold. But at least give it black & gold "gloves" and "boots". Maybe even make the "belt" have a stripe of black; heck, maybe just give it "pants" altogether. If you want to start pushing it's going full Luchador than go full Luchador!
From the website (and hinted at in the reveal video), its confirmed for an Attack & Defense increase. And I'm going to guess, in addition to a small bump to SpD, that's really the only stats changing about it. Now, the way Hawlucha struts about may also hint of a Speed decrease; I hope not, it has a rather notable Special Attack stat (74) they could easily drain for some extra points if they needed. So throwing around some predictions:
Base: 78/92/75/74/63/118//500
Ideal: 78/132/125/34/103/128//600
Increase Only: 78/132/125/74/73/118//600
That's all I'm willing to guess, if they decrease Speed who knows by how much (going down by 10 points I don't think would be too bad, but going below 100 I feel would be a downgrade; Unless they maybe like almost completely drain it? 78/152/145/74/103/48//600?)
And Ability which we won't know until Champions, Stamina seems fitting. Then again, so does Big Pecks. Though, with how its chest guard absorbed Machamp's Karate Chop, maybe a hint for Battle Armor? Also, I know we shouldn't rely on the blurbs on the site, though it says it "After luring its opponent into attacking, it retaliates to make them flinch before (using Flying Press)". Hint of a new Flinching Move (I'm imagining something like a weaker Sucker Punch, unless they change it so that a Flinch can carry over to the next turn)?
(Responses next post)
What could also be interesting, is changes to a Pokemon's moveset upon mega evolution. The mechanics have existed since the Kyurem fusion days, and we see them with the Swsh wolves. Dragonbreath turns into Draco Meteor for the megas that turn into dragons, while also keeping dragon pulse as an option. Victeribell getting a new poison move replacing sludge bomb upon mega evolving, something like hitting steel types and reducing special defense. Dragonite getting a new flying move, Hawlucha has an improved version of Flying press like how Ash Greninja improved Water Shriken
0:35: "AND HIS NAME IS MA-CHOOOOOOOOOOKE!"
1:09: That's a trainer who know karma is coming.
1:27: "As Arceus as my witness HE IS BROKEN IN HALF!"
1:48: Noibat as weights? They only weigh 17.6 lbs/8 kg each. The Slowpoke the trainer is lifting is 79.6 lbs/36 kg! Get some Aron to hang from that bar, that'll be a workout!
2:08: Time to cheat!
2:32: Gallade's, Heracross's & Lucario's Trainers: "... WAIT, we could have Mega Evolved our Pokemon this entire time?!"
2:56:
: "Where is your Gigantamax now?"3:15: "BIG HIT! It couldn't take it, it's down! Game, set, AND match; it's a total victory for the Blue Corner!"
3:48:
: "I'll rematch you again in Champions when they add in Dynamax"Megas for the Kalos Starters would likely be considered "big news" (at least in terms of new Mega Pokemon), so I can see them deciding to make the first new Mega Kalos Pokemon something that is both flashy but also won't get everyone riled up. If the Kalos Starters did get Megas and they want to reveal them before the game's release, I think they would do it JUST before the game's release. A final cherry on top for the Legends: Z-A promoting. And doing that means they can keep whatever they plan on doing with the Z-A Starters for a surprise when you play the game (and you avoided spoilers). Right now I'd say is the time for the other com mons to get their Mega spotlighted.
It's a baby face Luchador, it fights with honor!
After pulling that stunt in Super Smash Bros Ultimate it got barred from being even near the ring unless it had a match.
That's a neat idea.
I hope they give the winner a Hawlucha shaped trophy.So is it free to watch online or do you need to get a ticket?
Nah, Sky Drop, it's coming back.
They wanted Pikachu Libre but it refused to meet Hawlucha anywhere unless it was the ring.
Pichu always roots for Pikachu Libre so it refused of she did.
Dedenne refused to feature in a Mega Pokemon trailer unless it was its own.
Meanwhile Raichu always betted against Pikachu Libre so it was glad to appear (it knows it's chances of getting a Mega is low anyway)
An interesting idea though would it be too close to Dynamax's Max Moves for GF to consider it?
Please give it good as gold once it hits main series it would be so funny
Why did you make the mask tails/headcrest black? That one was pretty clearly an intended reference to the regular form, which has a green face and orange head feathers.
Also it already has markings on the tips of its wing feathers, just only on the back of the wings, which makes sense hawks usually only have markings on one side of they're wing feathers and wrestlers with capes usually only have designs on the outside.
the orange feathers work in base hawlucha because its a well placed accent color with the eye mask and the feathers, and the base design being balanced with the main colors of red/green/white and yellow/orange as an accent. however, the mega changes how the colors are distributed, making black and yellow base colors and relegating orange as just appearing in the feathers, which makes it look out of place and an unnecessary added color
i know, but i think that doesnt solve the front design looking empty and the design being a luchador and their decals is much more important than being accurate to hawk feather pattern placement
Actually looking back in the animated short, Machamp used Darkest Lariat. Incineroar was there through the Heel replacement!
For the dragon-type evolutions, I think something like simply having an empty move slot become Draco Meteor upon Mega Evolution would be a good idea.
I love they continue to go with making the Megas more and more ridiculous. Won't know if I am going to try fitting it when I play Z-A but it's enough to get me to look into arranging shiny hunting one in SV down the line at least because the design of the cape/mask might be funky with alternate colors.
Anyways, personally hoping if Champions does a Dynamax returning promo vid they reference the outcome by having Machamp G-Max and drop Mega Hawlucha as a sort of revenge but probably not happening.
Anyways, personally hoping if Champions does a Dynamax returning promo vid they reference the outcome by having Machamp G-Max and drop Mega Hawlucha as a sort of revenge but probably not happening.
I feel the wing fringes are a bit too much.
I gave it black hands/gloves which goes nicely with the golden talons, gold cuffs to make the arms look less bare, gave it a sorta "champion" belt with the bid face gold piece around its eye as a sort of sigil, painted its legs black to look like tights, and drew black crescents on its legs to give the "boot" feet a bit more detail.
i like yours too, i like his funny pants
Maybe Mega Hawlucha may get a buffed version of Stamina in that every hit your Hawlucha has ever taken gives it a boost, so it'd be like Rage Fist. Let's say Hawlucha comes in on a U-Turn. If it is forced out and then comes back in and Mega Evolves, it'll have a +1 boost to Defense immediately since it'll have a counter like Rage Fist.
Before you say this is impossible, Gamefreak has been going off the wazoo with powercreep in modern gens, such as Zacian and Zamazenta getting free stat boosts, with it giving Dracovish Strong Jaw and Fishious Rend, Darmanitan-Galar Gorilla Tactics, the Urshifu forms' Unseen First, the horses' Abilities, the Ultra Beasts Beast Boost, Magearna Soul-Heart, Annihilape Rage Fist,Chi-Yu unga boonga Beads of Ruin, Baxcalibur, Chien-Pao, Espathra, Flutter Mane, Iron Bundle, Ogerpon-Hearthflame, Palafin-Hero, Palkia-Origin, Roaring Moon, Archaludon, Gouging Fire, Sneasler, and Terapagos-Stellar.
Before you say this is impossible, Gamefreak has been going off the wazoo with powercreep in modern gens, such as Zacian and Zamazenta getting free stat boosts, with it giving Dracovish Strong Jaw and Fishious Rend, Darmanitan-Galar Gorilla Tactics, the Urshifu forms' Unseen First, the horses' Abilities, the Ultra Beasts Beast Boost, Magearna Soul-Heart, Annihilape Rage Fist,Chi-Yu unga boonga Beads of Ruin, Baxcalibur, Chien-Pao, Espathra, Flutter Mane, Iron Bundle, Ogerpon-Hearthflame, Palafin-Hero, Palkia-Origin, Roaring Moon, Archaludon, Gouging Fire, Sneasler, and Terapagos-Stellar.