Well regular Psychic-type Alakazam learns Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Knock Off, Drain Punch, Focus Punch, Dynamic Punch and Mega Punch. I could definitely see a hypothetical Fighting-type Alolan Alakazam use its hands for combat.
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Gen VII: Pokemon Sun and Moon Discussion MKII
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Well regular Psychic-type Alakazam learns Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Knock Off, Drain Punch, Focus Punch, Dynamic Punch and Mega Punch. I could definitely see a hypothetical Fighting-type Alolan Alakazam use its hands for combat.
Alakazam also learns Headbutt and Iron Tail. The thought of Alakazam hitting their opponent with their head always amuses me.
EDIT: Although personally I dislike fighting type Psychics unless their flavour is specifcally like that (see Gallade). The thought of Alakazam punching things is going to bug me to no end if this is real.
EDIT: Although personally I dislike fighting type Psychics unless their flavour is specifcally like that (see Gallade). The thought of Alakazam punching things is going to bug me to no end if this is real.
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Alolan Pokemon:
Well, who saw this coming (aside from the leakers)! We've had alternate forms before, we've had Pokemon based on divergent evolution, though never would I imagine GF would combine both. Now I had personally played around with the idea of Pokemon being able to change their typing, inspired by the Delta Pokemon in the TCG. However I never went as far as giving the Pokemon a type they wouldn't have logically speaking. However GF have shown they have no qualms taking an established Pokemon and turning it on it heads be it with an extreme design or new typing. We had a taste of this with Mega Pokemon, another surprise though one who some would say is a logical addition to the Pokemon idea of evolution. This, though thinking about it is just as logical, I feel came further from left field. And I fully embrace it. But before we dive deeper into my overall thoughts, let's look at the examples of Alolan Pokemon presented to us:
Vulpix & Ninetales: Turning from a fiery Kitsune to an icy one that then embraces its mystical powers once evolved.
Originally not native to Alola, Vulpix is another Pokemon brought over but as with any animal a wild population popped up (well what do you think happened to all those Pokemon you breed or eggs you release? :P). Eitherway they wanted a habitat of their own so went to one where there were very little other Pokemon: a snowy mountain peak. While odd at first, its not out of the realm of imagination that a creature of flame would set up home in a cold environment; their internal flames will keep them warm and their prey would not be used to their hunting tactics at first. However over time newer generations start to evolve and adapt to their environment, a process which normally takes hundreds of thousands of years but I imagine with Pokemon this process is sped up. The Vulpix and Ninetales use their fire powers less and less, at some point only using their internal heat to keep them warm, then they begin to take on traits which would make it useful to live in their environment like controlling the ice and requiring a lower body temperature. Ninetales, who always had mystical powers but mostly relied on its flames, start using its latent powers having them come to the forefront. No longer a beautiful beast of flame, their now graceful beasts of ice and mysticism; their eternal flame now burning cold.
If you can't tell I like the changes done to the Alolan Vulpix family. While most relate Kitsune to the element of fire, Kitsune had many more powers and it seems the changes to Alolan Vulpix family reflect that. While I can't find anything about ice controlling Kitsune, I do know that part of the Kitsune myths involved their fur color. Kitsune can either have gold or white/silver fur upon growing their ninth tail depending on the source. There's no difference between the two, some sources even just say its a silvery gold, but the fact remains in some sources Kitsune's fur is white/silver. While Ninetale's shiny form is based on that, it feels like Alolan Ninetales is more based on that with the question what would turn a normal Ninetales white? Cooling down and turning into an Ice-type? Also it's nice to see that Ninetales finally got a secondary typing that reflects its latent mystical powers. Upon growing their ninth tails, Kitsunes gain powers of the deity (aka the three "omni's": omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience). This has been reflected with Ninetales of it knowing some Psychic moves, but it never got the secondary typing. With Alolan Ninetales mixing it up they decided to finally give it that secondary typing... but of Fairy. This could be due to Kitsune being a type of Japanese creature known as a yokai, which are kind of hard to classify. They're essentially their own thing, they're not completely ghosts or spirits which is the closest thing a westerner can compare them to. So why the Fairy-typing? I don't think its that they're fairy-like but rather its the mystical, some may even say magical, properties which made them decide to make it part Fairy. It's not a Ghost as a few other Yokai Pokemon have been made into, it has mystical powers but the source of this isn't exactly from a more developed brain like most Psychic-types, closest thing would be a Fairy who also have part of its image of being graceful, ethereal creatures.
Gameplay I'm interesting in seeing how an Ice/Fairy Pokemon plays out, if stats are put in a the right place it can be an offensive threat (especially to Dragon-types) though a fragile one. Thankfully its been revealed Alolan Pokemon have different stats as well as typing so hopefully they make the oddly special bulky Ninetales into a more faster and offensive threat. BUT what offensive stat should this be? One may immediately think Special as that's usually where the powerful moves of Ice and Fairy are, but there's a small hiccup. Reading Ninetale's description, it sounds like it get moves like Icicle Spear, Icicle Crash, and Ice Shard, all Physical moves. Could a possible physical shift being hinted here? It also mentions blocking attacks using ice crystals (HAHAHA) so maybe it'll pull a reverse becoming a Physical Pokemon instead of Special (though if that's the case they better give it Play Rough and introduce some more Physical Fairy-type moves). Oh, and its Ability Snow Cloak is situational being weather based. Though normal Ninetales isn't any better with it relying on switch-ins to activate Flash Fire. Of course most competitive Ninetales probably have their Hidden Ability, Drought. So if we have Snow Cloak replacing Flash Fire, could we possibly have something replacing Drought... say Snow Warning?
I talked a bit about what I liked about Alolan Vulpix family change so how about their design? I also like it, it going for that mystical, ethereal feeling a nine tailed Kitsune would probably have using its powers. Besides that Vulpix still looks cute, my only complain is that a subtle genius design point was removed: though Vulpix had six tail curls, it also has 3 hair curls on the back of its head. That's gone with the Alolan Vulpix sadly. Actually just in general the number of tails is hard to make out on both of them. Vulpix tail and hair tuft is made to resemble piles of snow while Ninetales looks like a snowy mist cloud (really only looking directly at its back can you see the nine tails). But they're still there and that's what matters in the long run.
I personally feel that of the Alolan Pokemon so far shown, the Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales are the best to sell you on the idea.
Sandshrew & Sandslash: More like Snowshew and Snowslash (said everyone about a dozen times so doesn't sound as witty anymore).
So I think it makes sense that the Vulpix family moved to colder regions due to them being able to keep themselves warm. However I have no idea how the Alolan Sandshrew family even exists. So they were driven from their desert habitat due to volcano eruptions. Alright, there's other places like cliff sides, caves, and other rocky areas, there's plenty of places the Sandshrew family can make a new home that they can easily survive in. So what in the world made them decide to live on a mountain peak where its cold. They started as Ground-types, they're weak to Ice! All the ones who decided to do this should have froze to death. Okay, let's TRY to make sense. How would a creature that can't stand cold temperatures survive in a cold habitat. Well, being this is a mountain I suppose they made deep burrows that kept the cold out and possibly filled it with materiel to make it warm. That's plausible. Of course they need to hunt/forage so have to face the cold, something that would be difficult at first. I would think maybe they'd develop into part Steel-types before becoming an Ice-type, Steel is a natural extension of Ground and it would keep their inner body warm. So with them now having a secondary Steel-type they can start living closer to the surface and they'd stop relying on digging through rough rock to be able to more swiftly get through snow and ice (plus with a metal body they'll become colder on the outside). So their Ground-type becomes a Ice-type, thus their new typing. Still, I don't think a Sandshrew's next choice of home would be a cold environment but whatever.
Like Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales, I think Alolan Sandshrew & Sandslash are meant to sell you on the idea though I don't feel they would have done the job by themselves. I don't know, could be my above problem of a Ground-type moving to a colder region making me feel something if off here. What I like from them is their design so we'll more about this later.
Gamplay, Ice/Steel is one of those types that sound cool but then you remember how the mechanics of Pokemon work and realize it really isn't that great. Quad weak to Fighting & Fire, normally weak to Ground (oh the irony; though the Alolan Vulpix family also become weak to their previous type, WTH?), they do resist a lot but those are some blaring weaknesses right there. And with it becoming slower (not that their Speed was that great to begin with (if you don't use Sand Rush), if anything this would make them more useful in Trick Room teams) they better focus on its Attack. Though that has problems too as Steel is more a defensive type and there's really no very strong Physical Ice-type moves. Unless they add change and add things they really left Alolan Sandshrew family very little to work with. And they also gave it Snow Cloak so its Ability is not that much helpful (I would suggest that since Snow Cloak is a Hail version of its natural Ability, Sand Veil, that they'd make a Hail version of Sand Rush as its Hidden Ability... but then you remember they made them slower so that wouldn't really be helpful either). So yeah, while the Alolan version might have given the Vulpix family new potential I think for the Sandshrew family they might have took potential away (seriously GF, STOP WITH SLOW ICE-TYPES! Fast and high offense, that should be the norm Ice-type not the exception).
At least they have neat designs. Sandshrew is cute, especially with it looking like an igloo. I also find the image of it curling on the ice funny. I've always wanted an Ice-type Pokemon with icicles for spikes, and though we have Regice and Mega Glalie the ones I'm envisioned is the ones Alolan Sandslash has. I think they did a nice job with them even if it does look like an icy Sonic the Hedgehog. Also Sandslash is where I finally see that Steel-type coming into play. Don't quite know what's so Steel-type about Alolan Sandshrew, but Alolan Sandslash you know exactly where it is: those claws. I like how they turned into ice hooks, it makes sense and looks viscious. Not sure how they'll perform in battle, but they'll at least look cool doing it.
Alolan Exeggutor: So, *looks way up* this is a thing...
So while the Vulpix family was brought over & changed and the Sandshrew family were native but an event caused them to change, from what I gather Alolan Exeggutor was always like this as the people of Alola insist this is its true form (much like how scientists believe Mega Aerodactyl is Aerodactyl's true form). Speaking of which, funny story, I had to work on the day of announcements so when I got a time to check I first went to Serebii to see the new news and this is what I saw:
Due to the color change I didn't recognize the Sandshrew family and Vulpix family, but I did recognize Exeggutor. So, my first thought was "OMG! MEGA EXEGGUTOR!". But then on closer inspection of the other two I realized what they were. "Wait, is that a Sandslash and Ninetales? Mega Sandslash and Mega Ninetales?! But, that's Sandshrew an Vulpix too. Mega Sandshrew and Vulpi... no, that can't be. Something's up". And that's how I discovered the Alolan Pokemon, thinking Alolan Exeggutor was Mega Exeggutor. Though honestly this is what I would have pictured a Mega Exeggutor being, maybe not as tall though.
I don't really know how I feel about Alolan Exeggutor. On one hand I love it, it has that extreme goofiness that Mega Slowbro has. Its a Exeggutor who's neck grew really long (like in the Southern Island TCG art for it that was posted pages ago), so long it now needs an extra head to control its tail (and probably legs). However there are some things about it that bothers me that make me see it in a lesser light. First off I'm okay with a taller Exeggutor, but this is ridiculous. I can't take it seriously, and it feels like it wasn't done because it would look nice but rather because they could now that the games were in 3D.
Designer: "Look how long we can make Exeggutor's neck!"
Me: "That's nice but it doesn't look that good"
D: "But look how we can use the camera with it!"
M: "Still doesn't look good"
D: "Oh don't, you'll like the 3D stuff we'll do with it"
M: "I'd would rather like its design..."
Also the head on its tail looks nothing like the heads on top. Where did that head come from? The heads were based on Exeggcute so which Exeggcute do you see has a Gulpin's face?
Oh, and of course we got to talk about it becoming part Dragon-type. YES, I know about the Dragon Palm Tree. Yes, I know about the dragon blood resin. I don't care. What about Alolan Exeggutor makes it a Dragon-type? "Well, what about normal Exeggutor made it Psychic-type"? While subtle, there is justification in normal Exeggutor's design for it being part Psychic. The heads were mentally linked as Exeggcute and probably still are (even though they think independently) thus they know what each other are thinking thus don't squabble and can show multiple emotional states at once. And if one head falls off it uses its psychic powers to find other fallen heads to become a new Exeggcute. So the reasoning was their, just subtle. Where's the justification for Dragon-type here? It's not in the design, it's not mentioned in its description, it just is.
So, what does this mean for gameplay? Well it may have lost its Fire-, Dark-, and Ghost-type weakness (and quad Bug weakness turns to just a normal weakness) but it gained a Dragon and Fairy one plus a quad weakness to Ice, so its a give and take. It sounds like it's becoming a Physical attacker which is okay, maybe it'll finally be able to use its Signature move BarraHAHAHA! Sorry, couldn't keep a straight face saying that; though I guess if it becomes physical this would be an opportunity to make Barrage useful (though it would involve a major overhaul). It also gains the Ability Frisk, which sounds odd at first but Frisk's Japanese name is "Unobstructed Sight" so that's why (you see since its so tall it can see the item the opponent is holding, I guess). Frisk is okay for a support Pokemon, though I think Exeggutor would rather double speed in Sunlight or able to restore the Berry that it consumes.
I pretty much went over design above so I'll wrap up. While the Alolan Vulpix family and Sandshrew are meant to sell you on the idea of Alolan Pokemon, Alolan Exeggutor is more here to be a comedy element. Or they could be trying to appeal to as many people as possible: The Vulpix family to draw in those who like beauty and grace, Sandshrew family for those who like tough and cool looking, and Exeggutor who likes the quirky Pokemon. But sorry Alola Exeggutor, after the laughter I still rather normal Exeggutor.
Alola Pokemon Overall: So what should we take from this? Well personally I'm sold on the idea. Despite my complaints I like the divergent evolution idea being applied to existing Pokemon. Not only does it give those Pokemon yet another chance to show their stuff but also can be used to fill in certain gaps they're missing where an existing Pokemon as in wouldn't and they don't want to waste a new Pokemon slot on. Like we all suspected the Alola region might be light on Ice-types, or at least new Ice-types, so having the Alola Vulpix and Sandshrew family be Ice-types is a clever way to fix that. And of course the possibilities for other Pokemon are endless, I won't make a list as that would be wishlisting but I would say I'd be interested in seeing a new Shellow/Gastrodon form (especially with what I said about J. T. Gulick in my previous post)...
However I do have some concerns. To get a normal version of the Pokemon would you need to get it from a previous generation? Would this affect breeding in any way? If they make a Mega Pokemon for a species that has a divergent evolution counterpart how's that going to work? For VGC would species clause mean you could only use either the original or divergent version even though they are essentially different Pokemon? Since the Alolan Pokemon are only in Alola does that mean we can only get them from games based in the Alola region? Once again I feel GF made a new toy and are now playing around with it and not fully thinking about what this means for future games (and may be neglecting other mechanics such as Mega Evolution).
Well, finally got through all the Pokemon, so next up in "Alola Region" according to the site.
NEXT TIME: The Island Challenge! Trials, Captains, & Kahunas! Oh my!
Well, who saw this coming (aside from the leakers)! We've had alternate forms before, we've had Pokemon based on divergent evolution, though never would I imagine GF would combine both. Now I had personally played around with the idea of Pokemon being able to change their typing, inspired by the Delta Pokemon in the TCG. However I never went as far as giving the Pokemon a type they wouldn't have logically speaking. However GF have shown they have no qualms taking an established Pokemon and turning it on it heads be it with an extreme design or new typing. We had a taste of this with Mega Pokemon, another surprise though one who some would say is a logical addition to the Pokemon idea of evolution. This, though thinking about it is just as logical, I feel came further from left field. And I fully embrace it. But before we dive deeper into my overall thoughts, let's look at the examples of Alolan Pokemon presented to us:
Vulpix & Ninetales: Turning from a fiery Kitsune to an icy one that then embraces its mystical powers once evolved.
Originally not native to Alola, Vulpix is another Pokemon brought over but as with any animal a wild population popped up (well what do you think happened to all those Pokemon you breed or eggs you release? :P). Eitherway they wanted a habitat of their own so went to one where there were very little other Pokemon: a snowy mountain peak. While odd at first, its not out of the realm of imagination that a creature of flame would set up home in a cold environment; their internal flames will keep them warm and their prey would not be used to their hunting tactics at first. However over time newer generations start to evolve and adapt to their environment, a process which normally takes hundreds of thousands of years but I imagine with Pokemon this process is sped up. The Vulpix and Ninetales use their fire powers less and less, at some point only using their internal heat to keep them warm, then they begin to take on traits which would make it useful to live in their environment like controlling the ice and requiring a lower body temperature. Ninetales, who always had mystical powers but mostly relied on its flames, start using its latent powers having them come to the forefront. No longer a beautiful beast of flame, their now graceful beasts of ice and mysticism; their eternal flame now burning cold.
If you can't tell I like the changes done to the Alolan Vulpix family. While most relate Kitsune to the element of fire, Kitsune had many more powers and it seems the changes to Alolan Vulpix family reflect that. While I can't find anything about ice controlling Kitsune, I do know that part of the Kitsune myths involved their fur color. Kitsune can either have gold or white/silver fur upon growing their ninth tail depending on the source. There's no difference between the two, some sources even just say its a silvery gold, but the fact remains in some sources Kitsune's fur is white/silver. While Ninetale's shiny form is based on that, it feels like Alolan Ninetales is more based on that with the question what would turn a normal Ninetales white? Cooling down and turning into an Ice-type? Also it's nice to see that Ninetales finally got a secondary typing that reflects its latent mystical powers. Upon growing their ninth tails, Kitsunes gain powers of the deity (aka the three "omni's": omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience). This has been reflected with Ninetales of it knowing some Psychic moves, but it never got the secondary typing. With Alolan Ninetales mixing it up they decided to finally give it that secondary typing... but of Fairy. This could be due to Kitsune being a type of Japanese creature known as a yokai, which are kind of hard to classify. They're essentially their own thing, they're not completely ghosts or spirits which is the closest thing a westerner can compare them to. So why the Fairy-typing? I don't think its that they're fairy-like but rather its the mystical, some may even say magical, properties which made them decide to make it part Fairy. It's not a Ghost as a few other Yokai Pokemon have been made into, it has mystical powers but the source of this isn't exactly from a more developed brain like most Psychic-types, closest thing would be a Fairy who also have part of its image of being graceful, ethereal creatures.
Gameplay I'm interesting in seeing how an Ice/Fairy Pokemon plays out, if stats are put in a the right place it can be an offensive threat (especially to Dragon-types) though a fragile one. Thankfully its been revealed Alolan Pokemon have different stats as well as typing so hopefully they make the oddly special bulky Ninetales into a more faster and offensive threat. BUT what offensive stat should this be? One may immediately think Special as that's usually where the powerful moves of Ice and Fairy are, but there's a small hiccup. Reading Ninetale's description, it sounds like it get moves like Icicle Spear, Icicle Crash, and Ice Shard, all Physical moves. Could a possible physical shift being hinted here? It also mentions blocking attacks using ice crystals (HAHAHA) so maybe it'll pull a reverse becoming a Physical Pokemon instead of Special (though if that's the case they better give it Play Rough and introduce some more Physical Fairy-type moves). Oh, and its Ability Snow Cloak is situational being weather based. Though normal Ninetales isn't any better with it relying on switch-ins to activate Flash Fire. Of course most competitive Ninetales probably have their Hidden Ability, Drought. So if we have Snow Cloak replacing Flash Fire, could we possibly have something replacing Drought... say Snow Warning?
I talked a bit about what I liked about Alolan Vulpix family change so how about their design? I also like it, it going for that mystical, ethereal feeling a nine tailed Kitsune would probably have using its powers. Besides that Vulpix still looks cute, my only complain is that a subtle genius design point was removed: though Vulpix had six tail curls, it also has 3 hair curls on the back of its head. That's gone with the Alolan Vulpix sadly. Actually just in general the number of tails is hard to make out on both of them. Vulpix tail and hair tuft is made to resemble piles of snow while Ninetales looks like a snowy mist cloud (really only looking directly at its back can you see the nine tails). But they're still there and that's what matters in the long run.
I personally feel that of the Alolan Pokemon so far shown, the Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales are the best to sell you on the idea.
Sandshrew & Sandslash: More like Snowshew and Snowslash (said everyone about a dozen times so doesn't sound as witty anymore).
So I think it makes sense that the Vulpix family moved to colder regions due to them being able to keep themselves warm. However I have no idea how the Alolan Sandshrew family even exists. So they were driven from their desert habitat due to volcano eruptions. Alright, there's other places like cliff sides, caves, and other rocky areas, there's plenty of places the Sandshrew family can make a new home that they can easily survive in. So what in the world made them decide to live on a mountain peak where its cold. They started as Ground-types, they're weak to Ice! All the ones who decided to do this should have froze to death. Okay, let's TRY to make sense. How would a creature that can't stand cold temperatures survive in a cold habitat. Well, being this is a mountain I suppose they made deep burrows that kept the cold out and possibly filled it with materiel to make it warm. That's plausible. Of course they need to hunt/forage so have to face the cold, something that would be difficult at first. I would think maybe they'd develop into part Steel-types before becoming an Ice-type, Steel is a natural extension of Ground and it would keep their inner body warm. So with them now having a secondary Steel-type they can start living closer to the surface and they'd stop relying on digging through rough rock to be able to more swiftly get through snow and ice (plus with a metal body they'll become colder on the outside). So their Ground-type becomes a Ice-type, thus their new typing. Still, I don't think a Sandshrew's next choice of home would be a cold environment but whatever.
Like Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales, I think Alolan Sandshrew & Sandslash are meant to sell you on the idea though I don't feel they would have done the job by themselves. I don't know, could be my above problem of a Ground-type moving to a colder region making me feel something if off here. What I like from them is their design so we'll more about this later.
Gamplay, Ice/Steel is one of those types that sound cool but then you remember how the mechanics of Pokemon work and realize it really isn't that great. Quad weak to Fighting & Fire, normally weak to Ground (oh the irony; though the Alolan Vulpix family also become weak to their previous type, WTH?), they do resist a lot but those are some blaring weaknesses right there. And with it becoming slower (not that their Speed was that great to begin with (if you don't use Sand Rush), if anything this would make them more useful in Trick Room teams) they better focus on its Attack. Though that has problems too as Steel is more a defensive type and there's really no very strong Physical Ice-type moves. Unless they add change and add things they really left Alolan Sandshrew family very little to work with. And they also gave it Snow Cloak so its Ability is not that much helpful (I would suggest that since Snow Cloak is a Hail version of its natural Ability, Sand Veil, that they'd make a Hail version of Sand Rush as its Hidden Ability... but then you remember they made them slower so that wouldn't really be helpful either). So yeah, while the Alolan version might have given the Vulpix family new potential I think for the Sandshrew family they might have took potential away (seriously GF, STOP WITH SLOW ICE-TYPES! Fast and high offense, that should be the norm Ice-type not the exception).
At least they have neat designs. Sandshrew is cute, especially with it looking like an igloo. I also find the image of it curling on the ice funny. I've always wanted an Ice-type Pokemon with icicles for spikes, and though we have Regice and Mega Glalie the ones I'm envisioned is the ones Alolan Sandslash has. I think they did a nice job with them even if it does look like an icy Sonic the Hedgehog. Also Sandslash is where I finally see that Steel-type coming into play. Don't quite know what's so Steel-type about Alolan Sandshrew, but Alolan Sandslash you know exactly where it is: those claws. I like how they turned into ice hooks, it makes sense and looks viscious. Not sure how they'll perform in battle, but they'll at least look cool doing it.
Alolan Exeggutor: So, *looks way up* this is a thing...
So while the Vulpix family was brought over & changed and the Sandshrew family were native but an event caused them to change, from what I gather Alolan Exeggutor was always like this as the people of Alola insist this is its true form (much like how scientists believe Mega Aerodactyl is Aerodactyl's true form). Speaking of which, funny story, I had to work on the day of announcements so when I got a time to check I first went to Serebii to see the new news and this is what I saw:
Due to the color change I didn't recognize the Sandshrew family and Vulpix family, but I did recognize Exeggutor. So, my first thought was "OMG! MEGA EXEGGUTOR!". But then on closer inspection of the other two I realized what they were. "Wait, is that a Sandslash and Ninetales? Mega Sandslash and Mega Ninetales?! But, that's Sandshrew an Vulpix too. Mega Sandshrew and Vulpi... no, that can't be. Something's up". And that's how I discovered the Alolan Pokemon, thinking Alolan Exeggutor was Mega Exeggutor. Though honestly this is what I would have pictured a Mega Exeggutor being, maybe not as tall though.
I don't really know how I feel about Alolan Exeggutor. On one hand I love it, it has that extreme goofiness that Mega Slowbro has. Its a Exeggutor who's neck grew really long (like in the Southern Island TCG art for it that was posted pages ago), so long it now needs an extra head to control its tail (and probably legs). However there are some things about it that bothers me that make me see it in a lesser light. First off I'm okay with a taller Exeggutor, but this is ridiculous. I can't take it seriously, and it feels like it wasn't done because it would look nice but rather because they could now that the games were in 3D.
Designer: "Look how long we can make Exeggutor's neck!"
Me: "That's nice but it doesn't look that good"
D: "But look how we can use the camera with it!"
M: "Still doesn't look good"
D: "Oh don't, you'll like the 3D stuff we'll do with it"
M: "I'd would rather like its design..."
Also the head on its tail looks nothing like the heads on top. Where did that head come from? The heads were based on Exeggcute so which Exeggcute do you see has a Gulpin's face?
Oh, and of course we got to talk about it becoming part Dragon-type. YES, I know about the Dragon Palm Tree. Yes, I know about the dragon blood resin. I don't care. What about Alolan Exeggutor makes it a Dragon-type? "Well, what about normal Exeggutor made it Psychic-type"? While subtle, there is justification in normal Exeggutor's design for it being part Psychic. The heads were mentally linked as Exeggcute and probably still are (even though they think independently) thus they know what each other are thinking thus don't squabble and can show multiple emotional states at once. And if one head falls off it uses its psychic powers to find other fallen heads to become a new Exeggcute. So the reasoning was their, just subtle. Where's the justification for Dragon-type here? It's not in the design, it's not mentioned in its description, it just is.
So, what does this mean for gameplay? Well it may have lost its Fire-, Dark-, and Ghost-type weakness (and quad Bug weakness turns to just a normal weakness) but it gained a Dragon and Fairy one plus a quad weakness to Ice, so its a give and take. It sounds like it's becoming a Physical attacker which is okay, maybe it'll finally be able to use its Signature move BarraHAHAHA! Sorry, couldn't keep a straight face saying that; though I guess if it becomes physical this would be an opportunity to make Barrage useful (though it would involve a major overhaul). It also gains the Ability Frisk, which sounds odd at first but Frisk's Japanese name is "Unobstructed Sight" so that's why (you see since its so tall it can see the item the opponent is holding, I guess). Frisk is okay for a support Pokemon, though I think Exeggutor would rather double speed in Sunlight or able to restore the Berry that it consumes.
I pretty much went over design above so I'll wrap up. While the Alolan Vulpix family and Sandshrew are meant to sell you on the idea of Alolan Pokemon, Alolan Exeggutor is more here to be a comedy element. Or they could be trying to appeal to as many people as possible: The Vulpix family to draw in those who like beauty and grace, Sandshrew family for those who like tough and cool looking, and Exeggutor who likes the quirky Pokemon. But sorry Alola Exeggutor, after the laughter I still rather normal Exeggutor.
Alola Pokemon Overall: So what should we take from this? Well personally I'm sold on the idea. Despite my complaints I like the divergent evolution idea being applied to existing Pokemon. Not only does it give those Pokemon yet another chance to show their stuff but also can be used to fill in certain gaps they're missing where an existing Pokemon as in wouldn't and they don't want to waste a new Pokemon slot on. Like we all suspected the Alola region might be light on Ice-types, or at least new Ice-types, so having the Alola Vulpix and Sandshrew family be Ice-types is a clever way to fix that. And of course the possibilities for other Pokemon are endless, I won't make a list as that would be wishlisting but I would say I'd be interested in seeing a new Shellow/Gastrodon form (especially with what I said about J. T. Gulick in my previous post)...
However I do have some concerns. To get a normal version of the Pokemon would you need to get it from a previous generation? Would this affect breeding in any way? If they make a Mega Pokemon for a species that has a divergent evolution counterpart how's that going to work? For VGC would species clause mean you could only use either the original or divergent version even though they are essentially different Pokemon? Since the Alolan Pokemon are only in Alola does that mean we can only get them from games based in the Alola region? Once again I feel GF made a new toy and are now playing around with it and not fully thinking about what this means for future games (and may be neglecting other mechanics such as Mega Evolution).
Well, finally got through all the Pokemon, so next up in "Alola Region" according to the site.
NEXT TIME: The Island Challenge! Trials, Captains, & Kahunas! Oh my!
mahn all I have seen you do is complain.
Seriously though, you are saying they are going to butcher the designs, yet it is not as if they replace the designs? The real designs are still there, and if you prefer them, good for you!
I, on the other hand, am extremely excited to see what they could do with something like a water type arcanine, or fighting type Abra. You got to remember, its evolution at play here [or atleast a pokemon equivalent], and, some pokemon could have been brought to Aola earlier than others, meaning their evolution could be more drastic.
Embrace it dont fight it!
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I don't know man I would hate for Ninetales and Arcanine over their water substance counterparts. I guess it's just my nostalgia but some of the designs hit me hard when I was younger and I wish it would for others too. :[
I guess it's weird in general how different my generation is compared to the new gen. I mean, I'm not even Gameboy era (I got into Pokemon truly Dpp era) but it's going to be really weird how games like Pokken and sun and moon are the younger generations childhood games. Shows how far technology has grown.
If you want me to say something positive, all these ice types and water resisters do make my favorite Pokemon like Infernape and Scizor even more viability. If they will even be used competitively.
I guess it's weird in general how different my generation is compared to the new gen. I mean, I'm not even Gameboy era (I got into Pokemon truly Dpp era) but it's going to be really weird how games like Pokken and sun and moon are the younger generations childhood games. Shows how far technology has grown.
If you want me to say something positive, all these ice types and water resisters do make my favorite Pokemon like Infernape and Scizor even more viability. If they will even be used competitively.
Wooooooooooow that's some pessimism. Maybe I'm reading wrong or you worded it wrong but if not, are you literally saying that them trying something new or going in a different direction is doomed to absolute failure and will cripple the game? Seriously mate? Try and lighten up; the changes they've shown so far have been incredible. Alolan forms show a great compromise between Megas and cross-gen evolutions, trainer customization is back, the overworld looks better than ever, the new direction they're going in actually seems to be very interesting so far... I don't really get what's to be negative about in particular when so far this shows promise.
A bunch of dragon eggs obviously.
Exeggcute is in the Japanese video evolving in Aloan Exeggutor, it is just a regular exeggcute.
Eh, to be honest the Island Trials do seem like they will involve at least one minigame: the dancing one would either be a memory one ala remembering the orders at the Hotel in Lumios, or a rythm one ala gen 4 super contests. Beyond that they probably will more likely be things like "run around looking for 3 items/pokemon/people to talk to" or "navigate this maze" rather than minigames.
Honestly, if these replace the gyms (still not 100% convinced tbh) for this generation I can Digglet it. This is a very flavorful alternative and can probably fit with the story, so it isnt a fail on that end. But I would like this to be a one time kinda thing since it probably wouldn't work out so well in a region inspired by another culture.
Castform doesn't strike me as a Pokemon that needs an Alolan Form. It is already extremely adaptable with the ability to change based on its type, so there isn't a flavour reason for it. Also having a Pokemon with multiple form changes and an Alolan form would be confusing and unnecessary so it'd just be easier to leave Castform as it is.
[I dont' usually make humungous posts but the words just kept coming]
I love the idea of Alolan forms and I love the forms themselves.
Yet, despite the fact that Pokemon have had form changes before, this is the only time it has slightly bothered me that they have the same name as the original forms.
For example, Alolan Ninetales is kind of a mouthful but we'll need to refer to it specifically because this Fairy/Ice is nothing like the original.
I guess it's not a big deal because the fandom will come up with some concise way of identifying them: Icetails, Snowslash, Neckseggutor :P
Or we'll probably just settle on Sandslash-A.
So for Z-moves you need a move matching the Z-stone in type. That suggests that a Pokemon can use a Z-move for any type that it can learn a (damaging?) move.
I'm guessing you'll select the Z-move just like Mega-Evolution with its own button and it'll be disabled once you've used it.
Probably the button will be disabled from the outset if the Pokemon doesn't have a move with a matching type.
Since Z-moves take an item slot I wonder if they'll make them immune to Protect and perfectly accurate like Hyperspace Hole.
Either that or the move shouldn't be "consumed" unless it connected. It'd be pretty sad if a miss counted as your only chance.
I'm thinking that setup sweepers that have trouble with particular Pokemon could benefit the most from Z-moves.
Take Gyarados, for example, who's stuck with Bounce for flying STAB. Pokemon with Water Absorb and Protect can play around it.
However, if Z-moves work like I expect, Gyarados would be able to have Bounce and also a really powerful immediate Flying move in its pocket.
It could unleash it against a bothersome check and continue to sweep. Of course it'd be forced to carry a Z-stone so that's a tradeoff.
I really like Oricorio in a way I don't usually like a Pokemon right away. I'm not very critical with Pokemon; I kind of like them all.
However I wanted to catch an Oricorio right away and dance Flamenco and Hula. I just think it's a cool concept and the forms are all cute.
I'll have to make a musical team with Melloetta, Oricorio, Jynx, Kricketune, Chatot, and either Gardevoir or Lopunny as the talentless pop star.
Minior's ability feels like a cross between Stance Change and Zen Mode in terms of trigger conditions and effect. It will work nicely with a decent setup move.
Shell Smash would actually be pretty darned cool since it can't be statused/burned and will probably be slow and have high defenses to take a hit before Shield's down is activated.
If it lost more than half HP from the enemy's attack it's ready to rumble otherwise it could run substitute to control Shields Down activation with its newfound speed.
Now I want that.
Ride Pokemon look cool and have a level of action-based gameplay not often seen in Pokemon. I also look forward to doing other things (island trials) except beating pushover gyms.
I have to say that I'm really looking forward to PLAYING these games through as opposed to just learning about the new Pokemon and whether they'll be good in battle.
I kind of lost interest in the Gen V and VI games before the end but I'm actually feeling hyped for S/M.
Great stuff. I'm very pleased so far.
I love the idea of Alolan forms and I love the forms themselves.
Yet, despite the fact that Pokemon have had form changes before, this is the only time it has slightly bothered me that they have the same name as the original forms.
For example, Alolan Ninetales is kind of a mouthful but we'll need to refer to it specifically because this Fairy/Ice is nothing like the original.
I guess it's not a big deal because the fandom will come up with some concise way of identifying them: Icetails, Snowslash, Neckseggutor :P
Or we'll probably just settle on Sandslash-A.
So for Z-moves you need a move matching the Z-stone in type. That suggests that a Pokemon can use a Z-move for any type that it can learn a (damaging?) move.
I'm guessing you'll select the Z-move just like Mega-Evolution with its own button and it'll be disabled once you've used it.
Probably the button will be disabled from the outset if the Pokemon doesn't have a move with a matching type.
Since Z-moves take an item slot I wonder if they'll make them immune to Protect and perfectly accurate like Hyperspace Hole.
Either that or the move shouldn't be "consumed" unless it connected. It'd be pretty sad if a miss counted as your only chance.
I'm thinking that setup sweepers that have trouble with particular Pokemon could benefit the most from Z-moves.
Take Gyarados, for example, who's stuck with Bounce for flying STAB. Pokemon with Water Absorb and Protect can play around it.
However, if Z-moves work like I expect, Gyarados would be able to have Bounce and also a really powerful immediate Flying move in its pocket.
It could unleash it against a bothersome check and continue to sweep. Of course it'd be forced to carry a Z-stone so that's a tradeoff.
I really like Oricorio in a way I don't usually like a Pokemon right away. I'm not very critical with Pokemon; I kind of like them all.
However I wanted to catch an Oricorio right away and dance Flamenco and Hula. I just think it's a cool concept and the forms are all cute.
I'll have to make a musical team with Melloetta, Oricorio, Jynx, Kricketune, Chatot, and either Gardevoir or Lopunny as the talentless pop star.
Minior's ability feels like a cross between Stance Change and Zen Mode in terms of trigger conditions and effect. It will work nicely with a decent setup move.
Shell Smash would actually be pretty darned cool since it can't be statused/burned and will probably be slow and have high defenses to take a hit before Shield's down is activated.
If it lost more than half HP from the enemy's attack it's ready to rumble otherwise it could run substitute to control Shields Down activation with its newfound speed.
Now I want that.
Ride Pokemon look cool and have a level of action-based gameplay not often seen in Pokemon. I also look forward to doing other things (island trials) except beating pushover gyms.
I have to say that I'm really looking forward to PLAYING these games through as opposed to just learning about the new Pokemon and whether they'll be good in battle.
I kind of lost interest in the Gen V and VI games before the end but I'm actually feeling hyped for S/M.
Great stuff. I'm very pleased so far.
Posting this solely here because I don't want to double post in the Merchandise thread, but at least this does talk about things that have to do with the games.
Gamestop posted a pre-order for the Z-Ring that you can buy that will interact with the game: http://www.gamestop.com/collectibles/toys/pokemon-z-ring-set/133077 And here's the page for buying crystal sets: http://www.gamestop.com/collectibles/toys/pokemon-z-ring-crystals-3-pack/133078
Apparently the Z-Ring can store 7 crystals total.
Gamestop posted a pre-order for the Z-Ring that you can buy that will interact with the game: http://www.gamestop.com/collectibles/toys/pokemon-z-ring-set/133077 And here's the page for buying crystal sets: http://www.gamestop.com/collectibles/toys/pokemon-z-ring-crystals-3-pack/133078
Apparently the Z-Ring can store 7 crystals total.
Indeed, I was thinking more along the lines of if it will automatically be in different forms depending on the island, rather than an Alola form.
which leak?As much as I don't want to believe the Chinese "leaks" (except Rowlet's 'cause ghat damn), sometimes Gamefreak likes to make gym leaders and important trainers look similar to the pokemon they raise.
And this guy seems to be borrowing design elements from a certain leak. I think you know which one.
Thankfully he is supposed to be a Marowak trainer, and I could easily be looking at a different pokemon inspiration like Salandit's evolution for example. Or he could be designed not to be reminiscent of any pokemon at all. Here's hoping.
Other than that, he makes me feel like doing a billion crunches. Jeebus.
At the very least, we know Mallow corresponds to a different island then Hala. Hala is the kahuna of Melemele, however, we know Mallow is the trial leader in the Lush Jungle, which has the totem pokemon Plumantis, and its flavor text says it is the totem pokemon of the lush jungle, and the lush jungle is on a different island,
a forgetable aspect known as coverage
Kind of relevent to what your saying, the "new" update to those dang leaks talks about alola form. If this leak is "reliable", why would they wait for it to be revealed before talking about it. I don't like some aspects of this leak: the rugby monkey, synchro still existing, but since there was an argument on how the rugby monkey was translated, we could get a football monkey(soccer), which I would be more open too, or even a football monkey(american football) which I would hate, so yeah. As long as the synchro isn't like reburst, and rather like the anime, I wouldn't mind it, but the only evidence w had for it was the gems, and we know what those are for now, so I have now evidence to believe that. I know most of us don't want these leaks to be true, but there is more evidence than not to confirm their existance, I mean, mallow wa the girl in the litten-stage-2 art, but y'all can't say it wa a coincidence, because if there wasn't at least some truth involved, I can't imagine just coincidentally including someone who actually exists in art that came out months before the leak of her.
What about octillery: flamethrower and ice-beam
Stop blatenty Wishlisting m8. If you want to wishlist, at least try to hide it.
I don't want thi thread locked at least until we've got to talk about corocoro
THATS why its an ice type: TEAM MYSTIC= articuno = Ice type = Ninetales is mystical = Ice/Fairy
Wait weren't they all from the same leak?
anyway, mind blowig up the picture for all of us?
While game freak makes the game, unlike 3rd party games like, say tekken, pokemon, along with things like Fire Emblem, Mario, Yo-Kai Watch, Legend of zelda, is a first party game
I love the looks of Alola Ninetales and Sandslash, even though they gain weaknesses to the types they used to be (oh the irony). Sandslash's typing is the ultimate double-edged sword, as it does have bad x4 weaknesses to Fighting and Fire, both common types, but then it does have Flying, Normal, Grass, Ice (x4), Fairy, Dragon and Bug. The low Speed is annoying, but it's not all bad - remember, Sandslash gets Gyro Ball which now has STAB. I'm hoping it gets Ice Shard as well to somewhat make up for its low Speed. It could learn it by breeding with Swinub.
As for Nintetales, again it's weak to the type it used to be, but Ice-Fairy is certainly interesting. Defensively it's a mixed bag, as yes Dark, Bug and Ice resistances are nice but it has a bucket load of weaknesses too. I'm hoping Ninetales gets boosts to its Attack, Special Attack and Speed. If they make it a physical attacker, it would need to get Icicle Crash and Play Rough, which it could get by breeding with Beartic and Snubull, respectively.
My hopes for the new base stats:
DHR EDIT: Right on the line of wishlisting, please don't do this or we will have to delete posts. I've hidden it for now as a warning.
As for Nintetales, again it's weak to the type it used to be, but Ice-Fairy is certainly interesting. Defensively it's a mixed bag, as yes Dark, Bug and Ice resistances are nice but it has a bucket load of weaknesses too. I'm hoping Ninetales gets boosts to its Attack, Special Attack and Speed. If they make it a physical attacker, it would need to get Icicle Crash and Play Rough, which it could get by breeding with Beartic and Snubull, respectively.
My hopes for the new base stats:
Sandslash
HP: 75
Attack: 110 (+10)
Defence: 120 (+10)
Special Attack: 45 (no change)
Special Defence: 65 (+10+
Speed: 35 (-30)
Ninetales
HP: 73
Attack: 100 (Swapped with SpD)
Defence: 75 (no change)
Special Attack: 101 (+20)
Special Defence: 56 (-20)
Speed: 100 (no change)
HP: 75
Attack: 110 (+10)
Defence: 120 (+10)
Special Attack: 45 (no change)
Special Defence: 65 (+10+
Speed: 35 (-30)
Ninetales
HP: 73
Attack: 100 (Swapped with SpD)
Defence: 75 (no change)
Special Attack: 101 (+20)
Special Defence: 56 (-20)
Speed: 100 (no change)
DHR EDIT: Right on the line of wishlisting, please don't do this or we will have to delete posts. I've hidden it for now as a warning.
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Of course i have played that kind of games, not only developed by Nintendo. What I'm saying, is if it ends in a shitty minigame then Nintendo and only Nintendo (or Game Freak) is the culprit. In terms of design (coherence aside), there's no reasonable argument to separate a gym from a well constructed maze/volcano/skycraper.
True, but as far as I'm aware at least two of the islands share a similar climate. Plus Castform changes form depending on in battle weather. Colder areas in past games haven't change Castform to Castform-Snowy in the past so why start now?
I could go on as to why I think the thread should be locked, but I'm not going to.
Rather, I'm going to ask this: Am I the only one who likes all of the Alolan starter evos?
I'm mainly talking about Litten's final evo (who I'm calling Cenya until its official name is released). Apparently it's a Dark-type heel wrestler, which I think is rather creative and cool. Sure, it sucks that it's bipedal (and as such it's my least favorite of the bunch), but it has a badass design that I definitely prefer over Blaziken's and Emboar's, and I think it's just as good as Infernape's. My only other gripes are the fact that everyone's gonna name theirs John Cena or something and this unfortunate design element:
Source
Okay, maybe it doesn't pee fire but Mallow was still shown cooking tea on its crotch. Yeah, let's stop there.
I also think Rowlet's evolution redeemed it big time, and I'm in love with Popplio's final evolution. In other words: I WANT TO BELIEVE
Rather, I'm going to ask this: Am I the only one who likes all of the Alolan starter evos?
I'm mainly talking about Litten's final evo (who I'm calling Cenya until its official name is released). Apparently it's a Dark-type heel wrestler, which I think is rather creative and cool. Sure, it sucks that it's bipedal (and as such it's my least favorite of the bunch), but it has a badass design that I definitely prefer over Blaziken's and Emboar's, and I think it's just as good as Infernape's. My only other gripes are the fact that everyone's gonna name theirs John Cena or something and this unfortunate design element:
Source
Okay, maybe it doesn't pee fire but Mallow was still shown cooking tea on its crotch. Yeah, let's stop there.
Because Castform needs all the buffs it can get.
The only thing that can save Castform competitively would be being able to create the heavy weathers on switch-in.
Am I the only the one that doesn't see the problem with Alolan Exeggutor's dragon typing?
- Its got 3 heads like a hydra
- Has a long ass neck which many dragons are depicted with
- Bottom half of its body is pretty reptilian with that tail and scaly look
- IT'S 35 FEET TALL
- EDIT: It's also supposedly based off the Dragon palm tree
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Its neck is like, 34.5 of those feet so lol. I mean a tree isn't what usually comes to mind when you think of dragons.
I know other's have mentioned it, but it's partly based off of the Dragon Palm.
...Goddammit Game Freak.
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