Pokemon ScarletandVioletare currently marching toward the release of their two-part DLC. Collectively referred to as The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, these two content packs are expected to bring new maps, new Pokemon, and new story to the 9th GenerationPokemontitles. Although they suffered from a rough launch,Pokemon ScarletandViolethave been steadily improving through patches and features likePokemon HOMEbeing integrated. With more significant updates on the way, likely coinciding with The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk in the back half of 2023, these games still have room to grow.
Rumored content updates could push these games even further. Trustworthy sources have indicated that thePokemon ScarletandVioletcould gain a significant visual upgrade in the future, possibly tied to the heavily rumored Nintendo Switch successor. It would be nice to seePokemon’s open world and seamless co-op debutget the graphical polish it deserves, on top of whatever else The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero brings. Another popular rumor presents one possibility for that, and it sounds like a return to something pastPokemongames have experimented with.
RELATED:Pokemon That Should Get Exclusive Tera Forms in Scarlet and Violet DLC
Tera Forms Are The Next In a Line of Pokemon Battle Gimmicks
Ever sincePokemon XandY, the franchise has been trying out different approaches to mid-battle transformations. The Generation 6 games had Mega Evolution,Pokemon SunandMoontried something else with Z-Moves, andSwordandShieldmerged the two with Gigantamaxing. Dynamaxing was a generic variant that every Pokemon could use, andPokemon ScarletandVioletfurthered this approach with Terastallization, bestowing a Tera Type upon every Pokemon different from their usual Typing. While opinions on it are split like most things inScarletandViolet, it has provided an interestingnew dimension to competitivePokemonbattling.
Similar to howPokemon SwordandShield’s starter evolutions did not receive Gigantamax forms until their DLC released, another facet of Terastallization may be on its way. According to leaks, this will be called a Tera Form, which will likely be implemented like the unique Gigantamax forms. Unlike normal Terastallization which provides Pokemon with a crystal sheen and large, ornamental hat,Tera Forms will assume entirely new appearances. That can be intuited from the name alone, but there should be more that these transformations enable.
What Gaining And Using Tera Forms Could Be Like
Overall, Tera Forms should cause a major shift in a Pokemon’s Typing similar to what Mega Evolution and Gigantamaxing can do, possibly also altering their stat distribution and ability in the process. Similar to Gigantamaxing, it’s likely that only specific members of a given Pokemon species will have access to a Tera Form, replacing whatever their Tera Type could be. These lucky Pokemon,which will probably include Charizard, will likely be caught in Tera Raid Battles. If they come with the move Tera Blast equipped, it could even become a flashy, personalized Z-Move equivalent upon changing forms.
The last unique feature of Tera Forms, and what could set them apart most from their predecessors is their place inPokemon ScarletandViolet’s story. Many have observed that the DLC takes players far away from the Paldea region’s Area Zero, despite it being in the expansion’s title. The likely cause of this is that parts of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero willreturn to an expanded Area Zero, introducing Tera Forms in the process. It may even turn out that the titular treasure is special crystals which confer Tera Forms, found near Terapagos' resting place in The Indigo Disk. Whatever the case may be, fans are excited to hear more about this likely feature coming soon toPokemon ScarletandViolet.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare out now for the Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is Treating One DLC Feature Like Paradox Forms
