Alola Variant Pokemon: Thoughts and Predictions

[Guzma]

I've never been fond of the concept of Mega evolution. There are some cool designs, but they aren't really outlets for the wacky and creative concepts GF's been making since Gen V. This is a better way of "reinventing" old Pokemon while also being able to do something more creative with them, like making a literal dragon tree.

 

[Stratelier]

Which is COMPLETELY false, Because Jynx isn't based off of Black people, She's Based off of the Ganguro Girls of Japan!!!!! There was LITERALLY no Way for us to have KNOWN about the Ganguro girls, Because They're ONLY found in Japan.

Whether or not it is "correct" is irrelevant to the fact that it's been perceived and criticized as such (THANK YOU INTERNET! ) and that the designers responded to it by changing Jynx's color scheme from black to purple.

Spoiler

Fun fact: "ganguro" translates as "black faced"

Also: On the Origin of Species: Jynx - Bulbanews

But, me, I still find Jynx creepy regardless. If they could come up with a more endearing variant for Alola (for example, I'm fine with Smoochum) then I'm for it.

 

[Guzma]

I can never look at Jynx without thinking of Mr. Popo.

 

[Bolt Strike]

Since there's hints that Lugia and Ho-oh might be showing up in this game, maybe they can get Alola forms too? I was thinking Water/Dragon for Lugia and Fire/Fairy for Ho-oh,

 

[Aphrodite]

Here's some ideas for Alolan variants:

• A Tropius that has all sorts of fruits on its neck and bigger leaves due to more sunlight. Could be just pure grass, or perhaps it's become more reptilian and can be another Grass/Dragon.
• Jellicent/Frillish as tropical electric jellyfish (so, I guess similar to the Tentacruel idea). Water/Electric
• Mantine as an electric stingray instead of just a manta ray, and it's also Water/Electric.
• ANOTHER Water/Electric type with the Eelektross line being swimming eels.
• Corsola! I'm not sure how, really. But it's coral and it's set in the islands and...yeah.

 

[EmpoleonProd]

Why are some people worried that their transferred Pokemon will suddenly change types? This is not a retcon like with the Fairy type. They're new variants that can be found exclusively in Alola because they adapted to a new environment. So if your Ninetales or Sandslash has been caught in a region other than Alola it's safe to assume they will retain their original typing.

Plus I'm sure the old forms can breed offspring with the old forms, same deal with the new forms, so if the blue pentagon thing is any issue again like it was in Gen VI (I really hated it though), you can just breed an old Ninetales and hatch a new Vulpix in Gen VII that isn't Alolan form.

 

[The Outrage]

Since there's hints that Lugia and Ho-oh might be showing up in this game, maybe they can get Alola forms too? I was thinking Water/Dragon for Lugia and Fire/Fairy for Ho-oh,

What hints?

Unless the games are ready to explicitly state that there is more than one Ho-Oh and Lugia, I doubt we're getting Alola forms since these are regional variants of a species. They aren't forms Pokemon can take on temporarily (similar to how Wormadam aren't able to switch between its forms).

• Fairy/Flying Skarmory that didn't develop armor, and instead developed a cotton candy coat like Swirlix

I demand to know the thought process behind this genius

 

[Karamazov]

I demand to know the thought process behind this genius

I thought, "Wouldn't Skarory look super cute if it had curly cotton candy fur?" and thus, the idea was born!

 

[Psalmist]

@Karamazov Send your resume into GF's Pokémon design team right now.

 

[Lone_Garurumon]

Plus I'm sure the old forms can breed offspring with the old forms, same deal with the new forms, so if the blue pentagon thing is any issue again like it was in Gen VI (I really hated it though), you can just breed an old Ninetales and hatch a new Vulpix in Gen VII that isn't Alolan form.

My GOD I hope we lose that pentagon. I REFUSE to re-breed and train ONE AND A HALF BOXES (and that number's just going up) of my favourite Pokemon that I shuffle around into teamsies, just to partake in Global Link Tournaments.

 

[Bolt Strike]

What hints?

There's a town in the game resembling Ecruteak and cloud patterns that look like them on the map.

Unless the games are ready to explicitly state that there is more than one Ho-Oh and Lugia, I doubt we're getting Alola forms since these are regional variants of a species. They aren't forms Pokemon can take on temporarily (similar to how Wormadam aren't able to switch between its forms).


I demand to know the thought process behind this genius

Multiple instances of legendaries isn't unheard of, they've definitely done so in the anime and there are at least some legendaries in the games that can have multiples (Entei and Manaphy for instance). And from a development standpoint, of course they're giving legendaries regional variants. You think they're going to pass up the opportunity to make forgotten legendaries relevant in marketing again?

 

[Lufenium]

Love the idea. The more variety and choice we have the better. I'm hoping they reveal more soon, I really like the concept. Seeing an Alola Variant Mega Pokemon would be really interesting too.

Alola Ninetales is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Plus that Ice/Fairy typing!
I'm not fussed by Sandslash, but it's cool Ice type get more additions and Ice/Steel is unique.
Alola Exeggutor though is hilarious. Honestly, I'm not bothered for it, but I appreciate it the same way I appreciate Mega Slowbro - I love how whimsical and humorous it is. The fact that it's a dragon tree reference is genius too.

 

[Esserise]

Yeah I say again that I am 151% sure that people are just seeing things in those "Ho-Oh/Lugia clouds." It's like when people "saw" Hoopa Confined's shadow in that Mirage Spot picture with the Gen IV and V mascots, except it was really just Reshiram's tail obscuring part of the portal.

Not to say that Ho-Oh/Lugia can't appear, but those clouds have nothing to do with it.

 

[Hidden Mew]

After a day to reflect on the Alola forms, I think I have a better grasp on my feelings for them. I do like them and I like that they are an interesting way to provide new forms for older Pokemon without giving them Mega Evolutions, even though I still wouldn't mind a Mega Ninetales. They can also be another way to help Alola stand out and feel more life-like compared to the other regions.

I just hope that they won't have too many Alola forms and that they won't all be Kanto Pokemon. I do like the idea of a Bug/Dragon Alola Flygon. If we can't get Mega Flygon, something like that would be the next best thing. I'm probably still a bit mixed on them for those reasons, but if it's only a small handful of older Pokemon with many a couple from other generations, I think I'll be okay with it. I do love the Alola Vulpix and Ninetales. I've always liked Vulpix and Ninetales, so I'm already super tempted to raise those forms. I do hope that they won't overshadow the new Alola Pokemon though.

 

[The Outrage]

What I find interesting about regional variants is that the concept has been around in other franchises for a long time (e.g., Agumon vs SnowAgumon; all the different monster variants in Monster Rancher; Jibanyan's other variants) yet Pokemon somehow manages to make this fresh for the series. Perhaps it is because Game Freak waited 6 generations before trying to redesign old species, and are even going further by giving a realistic explanation for their existence.

 

[Arceus the Dragon]

If we ever get variants of starters then I want it to be Johto. Grass/Fairy with Pixilate, Fire/Steel and Water/Dragon. I don't see them losing their primary types but who knows?

 

[Johnny Boy]

If we ever get variants of starters then I want it to be Johto. Grass/Fairy with Pixilate, Fire/Steel and Water/Dragon. I don't see them losing their primary types but who knows?

Those are actually the kind of typings I'd want for mega Johto starters. Though I always pictured Mega Typholosion being Fire/Dark.

 

[EmpoleonProd]

My GOD I hope we lose that pentagon. I REFUSE to re-breed and train ONE AND A HALF BOXES (and that number's just going up) of my favourite Pokemon that I shuffle around into teamsies, just to partake in Global Link Tournaments.

Me too... It seemed utterly pointless. What was the point of banning Gen V and earlier mons? I get that VGC14 was Kalos Dex only but they could've just said "you can only use Pokemon in this Dex, whether old or new"... I don't get it, but whatever.

 

[Esserise]

Me too... It seemed utterly pointless. What was the point of banning Gen V and earlier mons? I get that VGC14 was Kalos Dex only but they could've just said "you can only use Pokemon in this Dex, whether old or new"... I don't get it, but whatever.

My guess is it was intended to keep hacked Pokémon from old games out of Gen VI battles (as this was before people finally managed to hack the 3DS games).

 

[Silktree]

there are at least some legendaries in the games that can have multiples (Entei and Manaphy for instance).

Entei's GS Pokedex entry was just a fable that was essentially contradicted by the Crystal lore. You might have a point about Manaphy, but we don't know that the Ranger series is canon.

The only legendaries that we definitely know aren't unique are the Creation trio (and even then, we don't know which one was recreated in the Sinjoh Ruins). The Regis and Heatran arguably can't move between regions, but that is still an assumption. In any other case, it is either implied or easy to imagine that the legendary traveled to another region.

And from a development standpoint, of course they're giving legendaries regional variants. You think they're going to pass up the opportunity to make forgotten legendaries relevant in marketing again?

That's a weird argument when Formes and Mega Evolutions are already ways to reinvent legendaries. Regional forms seem to be about climate changes, which wouldn't be interesting for legendaries that have more lore potential.

Also, between the four guardians, mascot duo, Zygarde and the mythicals, I don't think that Sun and Moon need more legendaries.