Pokemon Gen 10 Could Surpass Past Gimmicks With Twist on Classic Feature

Pokemon Gen 10 Could Surpass Past Gimmicks With Twist on Classic Feature

Key Takeaways

  • Gen 10 may break the 3-year development cycle and release in 2026.
  • Adding a fifth move slot could be a ground-breaking gimmick for Gen 10, adding a lot of depth to gameplay both in and outside of battles.
  • New moves in the fifth slot could be obtained through various methods in the game, such as breeding, Raids, events, trading, and more.

As a seasoned Pokémon trainer with over 25 years of experience under my belt (and counting), I am beyond excited for Gen 10. The rumors about a potential fifth move slot have me buzzing like Pikachu on a Double Espresso!


Fans are eagerly anticipating the next generation of Pokemon, Gen 10, but details about the games remain scarce at this point. It’s speculated that Gen 10 might deviate from Pokemon’s usual three-year development cycle and be released in 2026 instead, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the series on the rumored Nintendo Switch 2. However, given the lukewarm reception to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet due to performance issues, Gen 10 needs to make a big impact in every way possible. A notable area for improvement is its unique feature, which could revolutionize the series with a minor alteration, breaking a long-standing tradition.

Z-A, so it’s crucial for Generation 10 to present something new and equally captivating.

Why Pokemon Gen 10 Would Be Wise To Break a 30-Year Tradition With Moves

Adding a Fifth Slot For Pokemon Moves Could Make For an Incredible Gimmick

It’s tough to envision the Pokemon games incorporating a fifth move slot following their consistent use of four in every main series game, including innovative titles like Pokemon Legends: Arceus. However, Generation 10 might take advantage of this unexpected aspect as part of its unique selling point, enabling trainers to teach some or even all of their creatures a fifth move. To keep things engaging, perhaps these fifth-slot moves could be drawn from the same pool of techniques, displaying distinctive characteristics.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been pondering the recent introduction of Z-Moves, which, much like Mega Evolutions in Generation 6, give Pokémon unique animations and effects during use. These powerful techniques, however, are not unlike a secret weapon in our arsenal. The idea of expanding the move set to include a fifth slot is already intriguing, as it would significantly alter the flow of battles and team composition within the games. But imagine if these moves were thematically or typologically consistent! For instance, a move exclusive to Grass-type Pokémon could allow them to deal Water-type damage to Fire critters instead. Such a change would not only spice up our strategic gameplay but also add an exciting layer of unpredictability and complexity to the world of Pokémon.

As a passionate fan, I found an intriguing mechanic in Pokemon Legends: Arceus that revolves around Agile Style and Strong Style attacks. Instead of just affecting damage, these choices also influence the behavior of the creatures we encounter in battles. Agile Style boosts their initiative, making them more aggressive or evasive, while Strong Style slows them down, giving us an advantage in the heat of combat.

A Fifth Slot For Pokemon Moves Would Open Up Endless Gameplay Possibilities

These fifth-slot moves could either be reserved for special occasions, such as story fights against rivals and Gym Leaders or Raid battles, or they could be made available at all times. Another possibility would be to make these moves attainable from defeating and/or catching Pokemon from Raids, either unlocking the moves through breeding and similar means (like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s Mirror Herb) or simply making the moves available to critters sharing those types or themes. These could be sound-based moves for Pokemon like the Jigglypuff line, including Screaming Tail, or maybe camouflage moves for mons like Kecleon and Sceptile.

In a refreshing twist, expanding the move options for creatures in the game beyond the traditional four slots could inject fun and novelty into gameplay. This could be achieved by allowing players to actively participate in acquiring new moves for their critters, even including uncommon or event-exclusive ones. If well-balanced, the addition of a fifth slot might not disrupt competitive gameplay excessively, with certain powerful moves like Protect and Detect having limitations to prevent easy team creation. This concept seems fitting as a fresh gimmick that Game Freak could experiment with, pushing the boundaries of what Pokemon games are capable of.

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2024-10-02 22:34