Hmm, not sure if I agree 100% with this. I don't think the issue is with number of Types but rather, as you stated, many Types feeling same-ish. Though I'm not quite sure how to fix that either without making it so each Type is over specialized. I also don't think combining Types together is the answer either as there's a reason why each Type is the way it is (infact they could add more Types factoring in elements they haven't). Maybe each Type needs to have one or two special innate traits about them, like how Fire-types can't be burned or Ghost-types can't be trapped. Really think about what that Type in general wants to do and apply that idea to game mechanics. For example, a major gimmick for Grass-types is healing, yet aside for some moves that's not apparent from the Type itself. I always thought that in Sunny and Rainy weather that Grass-types should have the naturally trait of healing some HP each turn. Nothing major, maybe as much as a turn of Leftovers, but it would be a step forward in representing that Type both in what its goal/role is and showing the different from others Types.
Also, maybe having a Type Chart you can always call up would help smooth out needing to know all the Types. Sure, in battle it's nice the moves now tell you if it'll be super effective/resisted/immune by the target, but when preparing for battle if I'm told the Gym Leader I'm going up against is a Flying-type would like to be able to select the Pokedex, select the "Type Chart" button, and see what Flying-types are bad and good against. They could even add onto that idea by showing you what Pokemon in your Party and Box would have the advantage/disadvantage either via its Type or the Moves that it knows.
Finally, a more controversial idea: We have a lot of Pokemon which look like they could be another Type but for on reason or another aren't. Maybe allow a way for certain Pokemon to tap into a "passive" Type. If said Pokemon is a dual-type either have it change one of its Type or maybe try implementing Triple Types (obviously they would need to make some adjustments to the Type multiplication, like if a Pokemon is triple weak to one Type instead of receiving 8x (2 * 2 * 2) damage make it 6x (2 * 2 * 1.5); same with resistance).
And that's why I wasn't against a Limited Dex. GF dropped the ball HARD. A Limited Dex is a perfect opportunity to go back to older Pokemon and adjust them so they have a place in the current generation and modern Pokemon designs. Maybe they'll get a major overhaul, maybe not, but point is why make a new Pokemon when you can adjust an old Pokemon to fill a missing role. That then opens up the newer Pokemon to doing whatever they want, not be held back by what's needed but giving that Pokemon the best opportunity to shine.
Heck, here's a crazy idea, how about we slow down the Pokemon releases so we aren't getting a new gen every 3-4 years. Maybe even not release a new generation until the next Nintendo Console. Or, do as you suggested, if a new gen is released on a Nintendo Console which already had a new gen released on it don't include that many or any new Pokemon. If Gen IX is also on the Switch don't add any "new" Pokemon, instead focus on making the old Pokemon being brought over feel more fitting. And instead of "New" Pokemon how about doing more regional variants & forms. As I suggested above add a new gimmick that lets a Pokemon be more flexible in what it can do.
I agree that the Elite 4 is way too under utilized.
But I disagree that it's tough to expand upon them. I mean, is it that hard to just have them suddenly appear and interact with the player in some way before the Pokemon League? As you noted, many have occupations outside of their Gym and for those who don't surely has some interest they can be given or job from the Pokemon League (you know, like maybe investigating that criminal organization that's running around causing trouble). Infact let's try that out:
Gen I/Kanto:
Agatha: In the Pokemon Tower, instead of some random Channeler having setup a healing spot have it be Agatha who was sent to investigate reports of troubles in the tower and Mr. Fuji being kidnapped. You first see her talking with Blue, a bit of a tense conversation as Agatha bluntly tells Blue that she thinks Oak wasted his life studying Pokemon instead of training them which gets under Blue's skin. Blue, knowing he's not ready to take on Agatha yet, instead focuses his frustration on the player. After losing and storming off, Agatha will introduce herself and congratulate on your win so will explain what's going on. Team Rocket have been causing trouble in the tower but Agatha chased most of them off, however she can't access the top floor as an angry ghost is preventing progress. She tells the player that a fellow Elite Four member, Bruno, was sent to Silph Co in Saffron to retrieve an item that can help identify the ghosts. She send the player to find out what's taking him so long as she stays to protect the tower. Coming back with the Silph Scope, you identify the ghost as the Mother Marowak. Upon beating her, Agatha says she'll stay and help send off the spirit while the player goes ahead to the top floor to rescue Mr. Fuji. Once saved, Agatha will come up and escort both player and Fuji back to the Volunteer House where Professor Oak is found waiting. He heard both about Mr. Fuji's kidnapping and Agatha's presence from Blue so decided to wait for both in the Volunteer House. Agatha and Oak have some tense back and forth before she leaves, Oak then thanking the player for helping and tells Mr. Fuji that they'll talk later as he also leaves back to his Lab.
Bruno: You go to Sliph Co. to get the Silph Scope but are stopped at the entrance by a Rocket Grunt who won't let you pass. Exploring the city a bit more, you then find Bruno standing outside of the Fighting Dojo trying to figure out how he can help their leader, Koichi. As expected, Bruno asks for the help of the player via challenging the Fighting Dogo. After you defeat Koichi he at first refuses to admit defeat which is when Bruno walks in. It's then explained that Bruno was the original leader of the Fighting Dojo, back when it was Saffron's Gym. However he was then invited to become a member of the Elite Four and when he left that's when the Psychic Gym finally was able to defeat the Fighting Gym. Koichi feels ashamed for not being as strong as Bruno and losing their Gym status but Bruno reassures him that Sabrina was eventually going to beat them as she foresaw it in a vision she told Bruno. That is why Bruno, who also was feeling he wasn't getting any stronger, decided to accept the Elite Four offer so he can keep on battling stronger trainers. Koichi, finding a new resolve, decides to leave on his own journey soon, and as thanks gives the Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan. Seeing how helpful the player has been, Bruno then asks the player to help him with another thing: freeing Silph Co. from Team Rocket (originally Bruno wanted Koichi's help but he had refused feeling undeserving to help Bruno). Bruno runs ahead and you'll discover he knocked the Rocket Grunt guard aside. Inside you'll find Bruno taking on several Rocket Grunts at once so it's up to the player to go ahead. Once Giovanni is defeated and leaves, Bruno comes up to see the Silph Co. president has given you the Silph Scope and tells you to go to the Pokemon Tower where Agatha is waiting, then finding out that the player is here because Agatha sent them so feeling a bit embarrassed as he leaves back to the Pokemon League.
Lorelei: Could have showed up on the Seafoam Islands both looking out for Team Rocket activity but also on a quest of her own: looking for the Legendary Ice-type Articuno. She'll give the player tips on how to get through, maybe also add in a side thing where Team Rocket are in the Seafoam Islands trying to locate Articuno and you help Lorelei chase them out, Lorelei then leaving also.
Lance: Actually, I feel having Lance be first encountered at the Pokemon League would be appropriate to keep with the game's original twist. Maybe have Lance greet the player as they enter the Pokemon League, building himself up to be the final boss, but then when you beat him he does the reveal that Blue had just became Champion so you gotta battle him. Besides, he gets his moment in Gen II.
Gen II/Johto:
Will: In addition to meeting Morty and Eusine in the Burned Tower, Will is there also. As how Morty is fascinated by Ho-Oh and Eusine with Suicune, Will is fascinated by Lugia and is looking for it. He joined Morty and Eusine as the Legendary Beasts were spotted in the Burned Tower, and where they are Ho-Oh might be and where Ho-Oh is might also be Lugia. Of course that's not the case so after the event of the beasts running away Will also leaves trying to find the whereabouts of Lugia. In the post game he'd be the one that gives the player the Silver Wing.
Koga: I say keep it a surprise he's an Elite Four member now but have him do stuff in the post game. Notably have him have some interactions with Janine, maybe even asking the player to challenge Janine who's been spending more time goofing off by having the Gym Trainers taking her place than actually training.
Bruno: Continuing his connection with Koichi, have him be training with him in Mt. Mortar.
Karen: Ugh, I don't know, Karen is pretty ambiguous. Maybe have her appear in Goldenrod and Blackthorn having visited their Gym Leaders, Whitney and Clair. Says she was just having some girl talk and moves on. Make it a subtle hint that it's maybe Karen's doing that both Whitney and Clair are reluctant to hand over the Badge, like she's a bad influence (cause she's a Dark-type trainer, get it?). Could also then have her appear in Goldenrod during Team Rocket's invasion of the Radio Tower, having a tag battle with the player against Ariana (maybe even have Karen and Ariana know each other personally; not suggesting Karen should be an ex-member of Team Rocket though then again that wouldn't be a bad backstory for her either).
Gen III/Hoenn:
Sidney: Another tough one, and unlike Karen I don't really think I can link him to other characters. Considering his high class appearance maybe have him be involved with the Mauville Game Corner.
Phoebe: Easy enough, have her be a part of the Team Aqua/Magma plan of stealing the Orb. She hears that her grandparents are in danger and rush over. She then helps the player battle through grunts, then has a tag battle with the player against the Admins which buys Archie/Maxie enough time to grab the Orb and escape.
Glacia: While an obvious location for have her appear in is Shoal Cave, concerning her backstory is she's from a colder region but moved to a hotter one to train her Ice-types in tougher condition would be interesting to have her appear in Fiery Path. Maybe she can appear in both location, first training in Fiery Path but then again in Shoal Cave as a reward for her Pokemon training so hard.
Drake: How about having Drake appear real early as a friend of Mr. Briney. Team Magma/Aqua stole Peeko and Drake chased after them but he loses track of them. After you save Peeko you both go back to Mr. Briney and Drake thanks you by saying any trips you take with Briney is on him before leaving.
Gen IV/Sinnoh:
Aaron: Probably could have shown up in Floaroma Town and got involved with the Valley Windworks plot.
Bertha: I say Solacean Town or the route before it, Route 209 and have her involved with the Solacean Ruins and/or the Lost Tower. It all depends on whether they want to address her similarities with Agatha, if they do then I say 209/Lost Tower but if not then Solacean Town & Ruins.
Flint: Flint has a role outside the League via trying to get Volkner to get back to the Gym.
Lucian: Surprised they didn't ever have Lucian appear at some point in the Canalave Library.
Gen V/Unova: (Don't know why any weren't involved with the plot when they gave a role to all the Gym Leaders)
Shauntel: Being she's a writer they could have her pop-up anywhere. Maybe in BW have her appear at Relic Castle and in B2W2 have her show-up at the Celestial Tower. She's always on a lookout for a good story to write though in BW she's also keeping an eye on Team Plasma who have been sniffing around the Relic Castle.
Marshal: Now in BW he was assigned to guard Chargestone Cave though didn't do much else so think they could have maybe had him end up chasing Team Plasma grunts he snuck their way past him. In B2W2 they could have him appear in Mistalton Cave both training but also trying to learn the whereabouts of Cobalion and the other Swords of Justice.
Grimsley: Man, what's with Dark-type specialists having a hard time being placed? No Game Corner, so probably the next place Grimsley could be is Nimbasa City taking in the sights.
Caitlin: Well obvious spots would be the Dreamyard and Strange House, feeling something in those locations were calling to her.
Gen VI/Kalos:
Malva: Feeling they could have done a bit more with Malva, specifically with her covering up for Team Flare's schemes. Maybe even have her appearing talking with Lysansdre once, also meeting the player for the first time earlier to set up the encounter in the Pokemon League.
Siebold: Having him own a restaurant in say Ambrette Twon would be appropriate.
Wikstrom: I could see Wikstrom being at the Battle Chateau or hanging around Route 7, maybe getting a bit involved with the Parfum Palace plot.
Drasna: Maybe something involving Terminus Cave, something to make Zygarde not such a random Pokemon (because they never made Pokemon Z).
Gen VII/Alola:
Kahili: While all the other character who eventually became Elite Four members got screentime, poor Kahili got nothing. I still don't know why we never got anything involving the golf course which is visual on the map.
Agatha: In the Pokemon Tower, instead of some random Channeler having setup a healing spot have it be Agatha who was sent to investigate reports of troubles in the tower and Mr. Fuji being kidnapped. You first see her talking with Blue, a bit of a tense conversation as Agatha bluntly tells Blue that she thinks Oak wasted his life studying Pokemon instead of training them which gets under Blue's skin. Blue, knowing he's not ready to take on Agatha yet, instead focuses his frustration on the player. After losing and storming off, Agatha will introduce herself and congratulate on your win so will explain what's going on. Team Rocket have been causing trouble in the tower but Agatha chased most of them off, however she can't access the top floor as an angry ghost is preventing progress. She tells the player that a fellow Elite Four member, Bruno, was sent to Silph Co in Saffron to retrieve an item that can help identify the ghosts. She send the player to find out what's taking him so long as she stays to protect the tower. Coming back with the Silph Scope, you identify the ghost as the Mother Marowak. Upon beating her, Agatha says she'll stay and help send off the spirit while the player goes ahead to the top floor to rescue Mr. Fuji. Once saved, Agatha will come up and escort both player and Fuji back to the Volunteer House where Professor Oak is found waiting. He heard both about Mr. Fuji's kidnapping and Agatha's presence from Blue so decided to wait for both in the Volunteer House. Agatha and Oak have some tense back and forth before she leaves, Oak then thanking the player for helping and tells Mr. Fuji that they'll talk later as he also leaves back to his Lab.
Bruno: You go to Sliph Co. to get the Silph Scope but are stopped at the entrance by a Rocket Grunt who won't let you pass. Exploring the city a bit more, you then find Bruno standing outside of the Fighting Dojo trying to figure out how he can help their leader, Koichi. As expected, Bruno asks for the help of the player via challenging the Fighting Dogo. After you defeat Koichi he at first refuses to admit defeat which is when Bruno walks in. It's then explained that Bruno was the original leader of the Fighting Dojo, back when it was Saffron's Gym. However he was then invited to become a member of the Elite Four and when he left that's when the Psychic Gym finally was able to defeat the Fighting Gym. Koichi feels ashamed for not being as strong as Bruno and losing their Gym status but Bruno reassures him that Sabrina was eventually going to beat them as she foresaw it in a vision she told Bruno. That is why Bruno, who also was feeling he wasn't getting any stronger, decided to accept the Elite Four offer so he can keep on battling stronger trainers. Koichi, finding a new resolve, decides to leave on his own journey soon, and as thanks gives the Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan. Seeing how helpful the player has been, Bruno then asks the player to help him with another thing: freeing Silph Co. from Team Rocket (originally Bruno wanted Koichi's help but he had refused feeling undeserving to help Bruno). Bruno runs ahead and you'll discover he knocked the Rocket Grunt guard aside. Inside you'll find Bruno taking on several Rocket Grunts at once so it's up to the player to go ahead. Once Giovanni is defeated and leaves, Bruno comes up to see the Silph Co. president has given you the Silph Scope and tells you to go to the Pokemon Tower where Agatha is waiting, then finding out that the player is here because Agatha sent them so feeling a bit embarrassed as he leaves back to the Pokemon League.
Lorelei: Could have showed up on the Seafoam Islands both looking out for Team Rocket activity but also on a quest of her own: looking for the Legendary Ice-type Articuno. She'll give the player tips on how to get through, maybe also add in a side thing where Team Rocket are in the Seafoam Islands trying to locate Articuno and you help Lorelei chase them out, Lorelei then leaving also.
Lance: Actually, I feel having Lance be first encountered at the Pokemon League would be appropriate to keep with the game's original twist. Maybe have Lance greet the player as they enter the Pokemon League, building himself up to be the final boss, but then when you beat him he does the reveal that Blue had just became Champion so you gotta battle him. Besides, he gets his moment in Gen II.
Gen II/Johto:
Will: In addition to meeting Morty and Eusine in the Burned Tower, Will is there also. As how Morty is fascinated by Ho-Oh and Eusine with Suicune, Will is fascinated by Lugia and is looking for it. He joined Morty and Eusine as the Legendary Beasts were spotted in the Burned Tower, and where they are Ho-Oh might be and where Ho-Oh is might also be Lugia. Of course that's not the case so after the event of the beasts running away Will also leaves trying to find the whereabouts of Lugia. In the post game he'd be the one that gives the player the Silver Wing.
Koga: I say keep it a surprise he's an Elite Four member now but have him do stuff in the post game. Notably have him have some interactions with Janine, maybe even asking the player to challenge Janine who's been spending more time goofing off by having the Gym Trainers taking her place than actually training.
Bruno: Continuing his connection with Koichi, have him be training with him in Mt. Mortar.
Karen: Ugh, I don't know, Karen is pretty ambiguous. Maybe have her appear in Goldenrod and Blackthorn having visited their Gym Leaders, Whitney and Clair. Says she was just having some girl talk and moves on. Make it a subtle hint that it's maybe Karen's doing that both Whitney and Clair are reluctant to hand over the Badge, like she's a bad influence (cause she's a Dark-type trainer, get it?). Could also then have her appear in Goldenrod during Team Rocket's invasion of the Radio Tower, having a tag battle with the player against Ariana (maybe even have Karen and Ariana know each other personally; not suggesting Karen should be an ex-member of Team Rocket though then again that wouldn't be a bad backstory for her either).
Gen III/Hoenn:
Sidney: Another tough one, and unlike Karen I don't really think I can link him to other characters. Considering his high class appearance maybe have him be involved with the Mauville Game Corner.
Phoebe: Easy enough, have her be a part of the Team Aqua/Magma plan of stealing the Orb. She hears that her grandparents are in danger and rush over. She then helps the player battle through grunts, then has a tag battle with the player against the Admins which buys Archie/Maxie enough time to grab the Orb and escape.
Glacia: While an obvious location for have her appear in is Shoal Cave, concerning her backstory is she's from a colder region but moved to a hotter one to train her Ice-types in tougher condition would be interesting to have her appear in Fiery Path. Maybe she can appear in both location, first training in Fiery Path but then again in Shoal Cave as a reward for her Pokemon training so hard.
Drake: How about having Drake appear real early as a friend of Mr. Briney. Team Magma/Aqua stole Peeko and Drake chased after them but he loses track of them. After you save Peeko you both go back to Mr. Briney and Drake thanks you by saying any trips you take with Briney is on him before leaving.
Gen IV/Sinnoh:
Aaron: Probably could have shown up in Floaroma Town and got involved with the Valley Windworks plot.
Bertha: I say Solacean Town or the route before it, Route 209 and have her involved with the Solacean Ruins and/or the Lost Tower. It all depends on whether they want to address her similarities with Agatha, if they do then I say 209/Lost Tower but if not then Solacean Town & Ruins.
Flint: Flint has a role outside the League via trying to get Volkner to get back to the Gym.
Lucian: Surprised they didn't ever have Lucian appear at some point in the Canalave Library.
Gen V/Unova: (Don't know why any weren't involved with the plot when they gave a role to all the Gym Leaders)
Shauntel: Being she's a writer they could have her pop-up anywhere. Maybe in BW have her appear at Relic Castle and in B2W2 have her show-up at the Celestial Tower. She's always on a lookout for a good story to write though in BW she's also keeping an eye on Team Plasma who have been sniffing around the Relic Castle.
Marshal: Now in BW he was assigned to guard Chargestone Cave though didn't do much else so think they could have maybe had him end up chasing Team Plasma grunts he snuck their way past him. In B2W2 they could have him appear in Mistalton Cave both training but also trying to learn the whereabouts of Cobalion and the other Swords of Justice.
Grimsley: Man, what's with Dark-type specialists having a hard time being placed? No Game Corner, so probably the next place Grimsley could be is Nimbasa City taking in the sights.
Caitlin: Well obvious spots would be the Dreamyard and Strange House, feeling something in those locations were calling to her.
Gen VI/Kalos:
Malva: Feeling they could have done a bit more with Malva, specifically with her covering up for Team Flare's schemes. Maybe even have her appearing talking with Lysansdre once, also meeting the player for the first time earlier to set up the encounter in the Pokemon League.
Siebold: Having him own a restaurant in say Ambrette Twon would be appropriate.
Wikstrom: I could see Wikstrom being at the Battle Chateau or hanging around Route 7, maybe getting a bit involved with the Parfum Palace plot.
Drasna: Maybe something involving Terminus Cave, something to make Zygarde not such a random Pokemon (because they never made Pokemon Z).
Gen VII/Alola:
Kahili: While all the other character who eventually became Elite Four members got screentime, poor Kahili got nothing. I still don't know why we never got anything involving the golf course which is visual on the map.
Okay, after doing that I did start coming into trouble finding a place for a few of them, then again if I was writing the story that wouldn't be a problem (plus I was struggling to remember the important events of the games and how they could fit into them).
I kind of think that was sort of what they were going for. If you look at the two dragons to can tell Zekrom looks more mechanical looking than Reshiram which is more a natural animal (nevermind the turbine tail). Also fire is one of man's oldest tools while electricity is a rather new tool.
Opelucid City in White Version looks like an ancient city because it's implied that the older brother/Reshiram won their conflict. Meanwhile in Black Version it looks like a futuristic city as it was the younger brother/Zekrom that was implied to have won. Same coul be said with White Forest & Black City, what happened to that location was based on which brother won.
For all the talk of "Truths & Ideals" the words used doesn't really mean much because, you're right, they are interchangeable; that was the point. In White, N seeks out the truth that Pokemon were never meant to be subjected by people; meanwhile the player represents the ideal of Pokemon and people working together. In Black, N follows an ideal where Pokemon aren't subjected by people; meanwhile the player represents the truth that Pokemon and people do work together. Honestly it more sounds like a message of inevitability, no matter what path N takes he's doomed to fail by the player who'll represent the other path showing that both truths & ideals are indeed one, just like how original dragon Kyurem was once one whole dragon.
Gen I is perfectly fine, not only as a starting point for the franchise but goes to show how sometimes a simple story and a big world to explore can get the imagination of people going. The reason people like to bash on "genwunners" is because that term refers to people who pretty much only played Gen I and think all other gens after aren't good enough or their Pokemon designs suck compared to the original 151. "Genwunners" are naive people who hate on anything after Gen I because it's not Gen I regardless of detail, but people who like Gen I because it gives them something that playing the other games didn't then there's nothing wrong with liking Gen I.
