Pokemon Legends: Arceus - More Regional Variants That Would Make Sense
The Pokemon Presents showcase earlier this week showed off some great shots of Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. With the three games set in the same area, a lot of attention is being paid to the Sinnoh/Hisui region over the next year. Part of this attention has been focused on introducing new Pokemon and regional variants unique to Hisui in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
While players have already seen new evolutions for some classic Pokemon with Basculegion and Wyrdeer, there were also the Hisuian Braviary and Hisuian Growlithe regional variants. Both of these new forms don the Pokemon with more regal and classical looks that complement the environment players will be exploring. With Pokemon Legends: Arceus set in the early years of humanity’s cultivation of the region, there are some familiar places, but the environment and some Pokemon look very different. This idea could be capitalized on with great efficacy if Pokemon Legends: Arceus introduces even more variants than it already has.
Timburr, Gurdurr, and Conkeldurr
There are plenty of Pokemon that are documented within the games of having worked alongside humanity for generations. While the time that Pokemon Legends: Arceus is set in doesn’t see as many people forming strong or amicable bonds with Pokemon, there are still those that are likely to have been around. Pokemon like Timburr, Gurdurr, and Conkeldurr would be invaluable as allies during this time, thanks to their affinity for construction and ability to take on strong foes like Regigigas.
Giving them a regional variant that highlights how they may have looked when humans and Pokemon first interacted would be a great way to build on the Gen 5 Pokemon. Conkeldurr is believed to have taught humanity how to make concrete about 2,000 years ago, and has likely changed in appearance over that long period of time. Even more likely is that it was present during the expansion of places like Jubilife Village. Working with Conkeldurr’s lore could dive deeper into the budding relationship of Pokemon and people in Hisui, while still shaking up the series gameplay.
Nidoking and Nidoqueen
Nidoking and Nidoqueen could both benefit from a Hisui form, and it would make decent sense. While the governments within the different Pokemon games aren’t touched on too much, they don’t appear to be in the form of monarchies. In most places that players explore, the Elite Four and Champion are shown to be at the top of the sociopolitical ladder. This makes sense, as the relationship with Pokemon has grown and their importance in the world is evident in almost everything that people do, but there’s evidence that this wasn’t always the case.
Highlighting how power structures and society have changed with Nidoking and Nidoqueen could be a great way to delve into the intricate happenings of Pokemon’s past. Royal or high-ranking people could have captured and tamed wild Nidoking and Nidoqueen in the years before the main Pokemon games giving them their regal names as a show of status. While there is a lot of respect for trainers, especially skilled ones, the presence of rich and aristocratic characters suggests a system where classes like this could exist.
Their strong and rough nature would also make them invaluable to these types of people in the ambitious open world of Pokemon Legends: Arceus. With the world of Pokemon in a state of flux, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world still rough there would likely be a lot of need for Hisui Nidoking and Nidoqueen. They would be prime candidates for anyone looking to protect themselves and still display power or status during the early days depicted in the game.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus' Fossil Pokemon
Hisui forms of Galar’s fossil Pokemon would be a fun way to continue to poke fun at the amalgamized dinosaur creations that players saw in Gen 8. Whether or not fossil Pokemon will be present in Pokemon Legends: Arceus might be up for debate, but introducing Hisui variants for Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, and Arctovish could be a fun way to keep them relevant. The technology used for fossil Pokemon could be in its infancy and result in unique combinations much like the jigsaw puzzle bodies that were used in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
An alternative could also be that Hisui fossils make more sense. It could be possible that their respective pieces are found in better condition or intact unlike how they are discovered in the Galar region. While this seems unlikely it could scratch the itch that some fans have to see Gen 8’s fossil Pokemon completed. They are noticeably mismatched in the games and while their appearances are unique, regional variants that offer a cleaner form could be just as interesting as what they look like now.
Spiritomb in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Spiritomb should also see a Hisui form. A part of Pokemon Legends: Arceus' story should even be dedicated to the nefarious Pokemon, its history, and the Hallowed Tower. While it was said to have been originally sealed 500 years ago when players encounter it in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl it isn’t likely that that’s the first time players have tried to capture the Pokemon. Given its vague but established history, Spiritomb is known in the region and the Hallowed Tower is likely in much better condition in Hisui than by the time players will see it in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Being able to encounter new yet different places in Pokemon Legends: Arceus will likely be a major aspect that keeps veterans of the series engaged in the game’s environment. There is a lot of potential to explore not only how Pokemon have changed but how the culture and places in Pokemon have also evolved. A ghost-type Pokemon like Spiritomb is one of the best opportunities to explore this and also dive deeper into the rich lore that the region has.
Using these regional Pokemon could and should complement the story as a way to offer the most in-depth experience while still breathing some new life into the series. There's a lot of potential in Pokemon Legends: Arceus and deep dives with regional variants is only one of the ways the game could expand on Pokemon's lore.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus will release on January 28, 2022, for Nintendo Switch.
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