MQ's Pokémon Review Blog

[MeanQueen16]

(feel free to move this if it's in the wrong spot!)

Hey y'all, I decided I want to make my own blog where I'll review the new Mega Evolution Pokémon as they come out! If I end up really liking it, maybe I'll review some Pokémon that already exist. Not sure.

So, I'll give my thoughts on their design, their history and what they're based off of (not that I come up with that stuff myself, I'll link to whatever videos I watch to understand them).
I'll also speculate about their future- their Ability since those haven't been announced, and where the +100 to their Base Stat Totals may go.

Remember, these are all just going to be my opinions, not necessarily facts! I am 100% open to responses, other opinions, or even polite debates.
I hope y'all enjoy this blog! I don't know how often I'll post, obviously Megas only come out so often, but even when they do I won't necessarily post immediately.

Spoiler: Links

Mega Evolution

(Edits: typos)

 

[MeanQueen16]

Mega Dragonite

Design:

Mega Dragonite’s idea is that it gets Dragonair-like features when it Mega Evolves. It's not touched on much in many forms of Pokémon media, but Mega Evolution is a painful, body-twisting process. The XY Pokémon Adventures manga touched on how taxing it is to the Trainer, but aside from Pokédex entries, it's rarely touched on how much it affects the Pokémon. There's always a drawback to the major power boost they get.

For Dragonite, the drawback is that its brain is affected. Its kindhearted nature gets amplified, to an unfortunate degree. All it thinks about is helping others, and even if it's in the middle of a heated battle, if it senses one of its allies in trouble, it will rush to their aid.
This supports the idea that its design is partly based on angels. In Christian mythology, Angels can fly incredibly fast, and they have wind powers that let them do it. Dragonite was a fast flyer already, capable of circling the globe in 16 hours, and flying faster than the speed of sound. It says that thanks to Mega Evolution, it can fly even faster and further with its head wings, the strength of which has been shown in its recent anime debut.

In addition, there's depictions of Angels called Seraphs (including in “Petites Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry”; which was created by a parisian manuscript illuminator), that have specifically 6 wings, 2 of which are on their head; similar to Mega Dragonite with its tiny ankle wings and shoulder wings. Serpahs are generally a very high - ranking Angel. The adjective derived from their name, “seraphic”, means to have a sweet nature. Angels are also saviors, especially guardian Angels. They're historically the figureheads on ships, and the Pokedex says that Dragonite is used as a figurehead as well. That also fits with its kindhearted nature, and the fact that Dragonite is water oriented to begin with.

Interestingly enough, most Angel mastheads were bare chested (apparently they thought the wind wouldn’t blow on a bare chested woman?), as were many depictions of Valkyries (which will make sense in a moment). So it could've been fitting to add Dragonair’s chest orb to Mega Dragonite - it would’ve been an interesting part to add to its design. However, they probably didn't want to suggest that it had breasts. The over-sexualization of breasts was much more recent than the aforementioned ship figureheads and such, anyway, but that's a separate thing.

Two other things that fit Mega Dragonite’s design are the aforementioned Valkyries from Norse mythology, who are depicted with wings on their heads, and Hermes from Greek mythology (also known as Mercury in Roman mythology), who has wings on his ankles, as well as a winged helmet.
What Valkyries and Hermes/Mercury have in common is that they are both psychopomps - meaning, their job is to escort souls to the afterlife. Now, how does this connect to Mega Dragonite?
Well, as part of what I said before, Mega Dragonite has no objective other than to help others. If it views someone as its enemy, however, its idea of helping them is to end their suffering by defeating them as fast as possible, since they’re so weak and stand no chance against it. That’s similar to a psychopomp's job, since that could be interpreted as making sure its enemies get to the afterlife. Just…in a rather violent manner.

Speculation:

Base Dragonite’s Base Stat Total (BST) is 600, which is already higher than many Legendries and Megas. It shares that total with Pokémon like Mega Scizor and Gengar, Mew, Tyranitar, Metagross and Salamence. So with going up to 700, with Mega Evolution’s +100, it’ll be on level with Pokémon such as Black and White Kyurem, Mega Garchomp, Zacian, Zamazenta, and Stellar Form Terapagos. (For context, the current highest BST that’s obtainable in-game is 780, with the Mega Mewtwos and Mega Rayquaza.)
It’s been used competitively as mostly a Physical attacker due to Dragon Dance, though its Special attack is certainly very good, which explains why in the manga and anime it practically has Hyper Beam as its signature move. I’m sure it’ll get at least a +30 buff to both, as well as a Speed buff.

Ability-wise, I feel like there’s 2 obvious options.
The first is Dragonite’s Hidden Ability, Multiscale. Since Ability Patches are so hard to get, having a guaranteed Multiscale would be amazing. However, it will only have an Ability in Pokemon Champions, not Pokémon Legends Z-A, and it’ll be much easier to give it its Hidden Ability there. So, since almost no one in their right mind gives a Dragonite Oblivious, it’d be almost pointless.

The second option I see is Aerilate, the ability of Mega Salamence and Mega Pinsir. That would make so much sense, giving its almost-signature Hyper Beam a big buff…but if they do that, I pity everyone who plans to play competitive Pokémon Champions - myself included.
Tera Normal Dragonite with Extreme Speed was overpowered enough in Scarlet and Violet…Aerilate Dragonite with +100 BST would be even worse.

I guess they could do Intimidate or something similar, but that wouldn’t fit its cute appearance. The anime doesn’t really give us a clue to its Ability, I can’t tell if its Hyper Beam is extra - boosted. Aerilate hasn’t been in the show yet anyway, so there’s nothing to compare it to. So I’d bet on Aerilate for its Ability, unless they give it a brand - new Ability.

So, that's Mega Dragonite! One of the videos I've linked, the one my Lockstin & Gnoggin, has additional information about what Mega Dragonite's presence in it's reveal trailer specifically could mean, but I didn't want to put that all in here.
I give Mega Dragonite an 8.5/10 overall!

Thanks for reading <3

Spoiler: Links:

Mega Dragonite
Dragonite
Dragonair
Mega Evolution
Seraphs
Petites Heures of Jean de France, Duc de Berry
Seraphic
Valkyrie
Hermes
Psychopomp
Dragon Dance
Hyper Beam
Multiscale
Oblivious
Aerilate
Extreme Speed
Intimidate
Austin John Plays' Mega Dragonite video
Lockstin & Gnoggin's Mega Dragonite video - CW minor nudity in background images, mostly censored.

Edits: Typos