Fans of thePokemonfranchise remain vigilant as The Pokemon Company slowly but surely reveals more information about the upcoming generation. Thanks to the footage that was recently shown, it has been confirmed thatPokemon ScarletandVioletwill continue a now decade-long tradition of introducing a new battle gimmick. Indeed, ever sincePokemonXandY, there has been a new, crucial gimmick in each subsequent generation. After Z Moves andDynamax left thePokemonsceneas quickly as they joined it, Gen 9 will make room for Terastalizing, yet another new approach at customizing the battle capabilities of the titular pocket monsters.
If the patterns of the last decade are any indicator, then Terastal will likely be a temporary gimmick meant to be tied toPokemon ScarletandViolet. Like its predecessor, this gimmick has the purpose of altering the physical appearance of certain Pokemon and make them stronger, with the added bonus of potential type changes as well. The series seems to have come a long way since the introduction of Mega Evolutions inPokemon XandY, but whether Terastalizing can live up to the legacy of Mega Evolutions remains to be seen. For now, it seems less creative and intuitive than Mega Evolutions as a concept.
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Mega Evolutions Versus Terastal
When Mega Evolutions were first announced, they were seen as a true novelty to thePokemonseries. The shock of fans was intense enough for people compare a newPokemongimmicktoDigimonmechanics, which is an ironic event, given the franchises' shared history. Prior to the sixth generation, Pokemon that got radical changes from one game to the next simply got new members of their evolutionary line altogether. Some monsters got new pre-evolved forms, while more formerly mediocre ones were blessed with new, stronger evolved forms.
However, that changed withthe arrival of Mega Evolutions. They were seen as game changers when they were first revealed, and dominated the meta until it was revealed that Game Freak would not expand upon the concept in Gen 7. The main draw toward Mega Evolutions was not just how overpowered some of them were. They were also a sign of what was to come for older or weaker Pokemon that would have gotten a new evolved form altogether in an older game. Terastal, while focusing on temporarily upgrading certain Pokemon, does not appear to want to accommodate specific fan requests. It’s a much more streamlined answer to the temporary power boost concept. With Mega Evolutions, players knew what to expect if they knew which Pokemon could Mega Evolve. So far, it looks like Terastal has the potential to offer more flexibility regarding strategizing. There is no way to predict which team member will actually go for it.
The mainpurpose of Mega Evolutionswas to temporarily shift the dynamics of a battle in favor of the Trainer using the Pokemon that just Mega Evolved. Using a device that replaces the Pokemon’s held item, the feature changes the Pokemon’s physical features, often painfully according to series lore and other Pokedex entries. With this metamorphosis tends to come a type change, as well as a new ability. Predictably, the Pokemon’s stats are also updated to ridiculous levels, with the strongest Mega Evolutions rivaling Legendary Pokemon. Another trait of the Mega Evolutions that made them appealing toPokemonfans is the selection of Pokemon that eventually got Mega Evolutions.
As of now, Terastal does not seem to operate on the same logic. There are no attempts at catering to fans of specific Pokemon. The primary purpose is to give a more accessible way of alternate the appearance, type, and abilities of a Pokemon. Additionally, while Terastal aims to turn the tides in favor of the person using the mechanic, there is little to no indication that these new forms will compete with Mega Evolutions in terms of raw power. While certain Pokemonlike Mawilewere blessed with very powerful Mega Evolutions, the lack of favoritism in Terastal currently makes it almost impossible to predict the efficiency of the gimmick. While it will undoubtedly be useful, the fear of the game-changing impact brought by Mega Evolutions hasn’t returned just yet.
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The Basics of Terastal Compared to Mega Evolutions
Due toPokemon ScarletandVioletstill being in development, not much is known about Terastal. However, the recent announcements revealed a few things about Terastal that already set it apart from Mega Evolutions. Similar to Mega Evolutions, Terastal is a mechanic that can be used once for battle, so players must actually think about how to incorporate the gimmick into their team and playstyle. However, when activated, it will not radically alter the Pokemon’s appearance to turn it into something familiar, but obviously different. Instead, it will merely create a jewel that sits on the Pokemon’s head
Setting itself apart from Mega Evolutions and even the other gimmicks that came between Gen 6 and Gen 9,Terastal is compatible with every Pokemoninhabiting the Paldea region instead of only being useable among a select few. In addition to its accessibility, Terastal grants a new “Tera type” to any Pokemon that uses it. Not much is known about these new types, but they are not strictly set by species. They can also vary depending on the individual creatures themselves.
Unlike Mega Evolutions, which were basically glorified new Pokemon with set types and battle capabilities, this new mechanic appears to expand upon what the Pokemon originally had to offer. Lastly, Tera Orbs are needed to Terastalize a Pokemon, and once they are used, they must be recharged, by either touching crystals that contain the right energy or by going to aPokemon Center. This already sets the gimmick apart from Mega Evolutions, whose own Mega Stones did not require the additional efforts to remain functional, even out of battle.
Overall, while the nuances of Terastal are still unknown, the new gimmick is eager to separate itself from its predecessors, especially the Mega Evolution shadow that looms over it. Whether thenewPokemongimmickis entertaining or not, it at least looks unique enough to stand on its own.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletrelease on November 18 for Nintendo Switch.
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