Pokemon Gen 10 Has an Easy Solution to a Growing Pokedex Problem

Following the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, surpassing the 1,000 creature mark in the Pokemon series, it’s evident that the franchise will need to address a continually expanding Pokedex in future instalments. Although the vast National Dex size has caused complications previously, like the “Dexit” debate in Gen 8, upcoming Pokemon games can minimize the impact of a colossal Pokedex by capitalizing on an already prevalent trend within the series. With regional variants becoming more common in recent generations, Pokemon Generation 10 could utilize this concept to prevent overwhelming the National Dex with too many entirely new monsters.

In Pokemon Gen 10, it might be beneficial to focus more on the creation of regional variants compared to introducing entirely new creatures. This approach can offer an updated look and typing for older Pokemons, reigniting players’ excitement. While each generation has predominantly showcased brand-new critters, regional variants often stand out due to their ability to tap into nostalgia while still feeling fresh. By prioritizing regional variants over a large number of new mons, Pokemon Gen 10 could maintain variety within the Pokedex without compromising on delivering a unique gaming experience for players.

Pokemon Gen 10 Should Prioritize More Regional Variants Over Brand-New Mons

The Pokedex Includes Regional Variants in the Same Entry as Their Original Form

Region Number of Regional Variants Number of Brand-New Pokemon Added
Alola 18 86
Galar 25 89
Hisui 19 7
Paldea 3 120

It’s advantageous to include more regional variants rather than entirely new Pokémon because the Pokédex treats regional forms as part of their original version’s record. Consequently, adding regional variants doesn’t increase the overall size of the Pokédex, which helps maintain a National Dex closer to 1,000 entries. Except for Generation 9, most recent generations have limited the number of new Pokémon to fewer than 100, and focusing on Regional Variants can help Generation 10 adhere to this trend.

In terms of structure, Generation 8 serves as an exemplary model for Generation 10 to emulate, as it introduced 25 new regional species and their evolutions in Pokemon Sword and Shield, followed by another 19 in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. However, Generation 9 has deviated from this pattern by incorporating over 100 brand-new creatures with only three regional variants: Paldean Wooper, its evolution Clodsire, and Paldean Tauros (which interestingly has three different forms). Although Pokemon Legends: Z-A could potentially introduce more regional variants for Generation 9, it would be prudent for Generation 10 to adopt a strategy similar to that of Generation 8 by introducing a larger number of regional variants in order to help manage the growth of the National Dex.

Regional Variants Strike the Perfect Middle Ground Between Unique, New Designs and Classic Critters

As a passionate gamer, I’ve always been intrigued by the idea that every new Pokemon generation could bring something fresh and exciting. Yet, some fans might feel let down if there are fewer brand-new critters in the upcoming generation. However, focusing on regional variants could strike an ideal balance, offering us the best of both worlds.

Regional variants have shown the power to transform our perception of certain creatures, as demonstrated by Alolan Muk and Alolan Ninetales, which have proven significantly more useful than their original counterparts. By giving forgotten critters a second chance to shine through new forms, we can continue to honor the rich legacy of this beloved franchise as we move into Generation 10.

More recently, there’s been a strong focus on highlighting creatures from the initial generations to cater to fans who cherish the franchise’s early days. Giving these characters a revamped look through regional versions is an effective method to maintain their classic charm while introducing something new. However, regional variants for mons from Generations 3 and 4 have been relatively scarce, so it makes sense that Game Freak would concentrate on these generations for new forms in Generation 10. This approach helps keep the generation fresh without overwhelming players with entirely new designs.

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2025-01-06 02:06