Highlights

  • The next generation of Pokemon games should include more regional variations but avoid repeating the mistakes of Pokemon Paldea, which had few regional forms that were lacking in variety.
  • The regional forms of Tauros in Paldea were frustrating to catch, as they were difficult to differentiate in the field.
  • Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced fewer regional forms compared to previous games, but tried to balance it out with Paradox Pokemon and convergent evolution Pokemon. Future generations should aim for a better balance and visually distinct regional forms.

The next generation of Pokemon games is likely to include more regional variations, a trend that began in the Alola region and continued throughout Galar, Hisui, and Paldea. However, the Generation 10 Pokemon games should avoid repeating Paldea's mistakes. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's regional forms felt lacking, as they were few in number and consisted primarily of three nearly identical variations of the Generation 1 Pokemon Tauros.

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Tauros' Three Regional Forms Were Unnecessary

pokemon scarlet violet shiny paldean tauros

Speculation that Tauros would receive a Paldean form ran rampant as soon as it was revealed that the Paldea region drew inspiration from Spain. Spain is famous for bullfighting and the "Running of the Bulls" event in Pamplona, making the bull-themed Tauros a perfect choice. However, the regional Tauros that ultimately debuted in Paldea was somewhat lacking.

Paldean Tauros possesses three forms: Combat, Blaze, and Aqua. All are black, differentiated only by horn and tail shape plus the red and blue patches on Blaze and Aqua's respective manes. This can make catching all three Paldean Tauros forms a frustrating endeavor, as Combat Tauros spawns far more frequently and the three types can be difficult to differentiate in the field. This is not helped by Tauros' aggressive behavior, as it is likely to charge at the player and force them into several unwanted battles with Combat Form before Blaze or Aqua is encountered.

Type

Game

Location

Unique Moves

Tauros Combat Breed

Fighting

Both

East Province, Area One East Province, Area Two/Three Asado Desert

Assurance Double Edge

Tauros Blaze Breed

Fighting/Fire

Scarlet only

East Province, Area Two/Three Asado Desert

Flame Charge Flare Blitz

Tauros Aqua Breed

Fighting/Water

Violet only

East Province, Area Two/Three Asado Desert

Aqua Jet Wave Crash

Additionally, Paldean Tauros has little to do with bullfighting or bull running other than its black coloration potentially referencing Pamplona's bulls. Catching a rarer Blaze or Aqua Tauros - as the forms are Scarlet and Violet exclusive respectively - could have been an opportunity to introduce a "bull running" event which would require players to utilize the games' Union Circle multiplayer mechanic. Overall, Paldean Tauros feels to many like a missed opportunity to reimagine a classic Pokemon.

Generation 10 Should Embrace Variety

Galarian Zapdos, Galarian Articuno, and Galarian Moltres in Pokemon GO

Another complaint was that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced fewer regional forms when compared to previous games. Other than the three Tauros, there was only Wooper and Clodsire, which became swamp-dwelling Ground/Poison-type Pokemon. This is in major contrast to Alola, Galar, and Hisui, which added several new variations as well as new evolutions for previous lines such as Obstagoon, Basculegion, and Perrserker.

Balancing Regional Forms, Paradox Pokemon, And Regional Fakes

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet tried to balance the lack of regional forms with Paradox Pokemon - massive prehistoric and futuristic versions of existing Pokemon - and "convergent evolution" Pokemon, also known as regional fakes. Examples include the Water-type Wiglett and Wugtrio, the Ground/Grass-type Toedscool and Toedscruel, and the Grass/Ghost-type Poltchageist and Sinistcha, added as part of the Teal Mask DLC.

While it is unlikely that Paradox Pokemon will return in Generation 10, as they closely tied to Scarlet and Violet's past vs. future theme, the "ecologically similar" convergent Pokemon may be seen again. Future Generations would be wise to balance regional forms and convergent Pokemon, rather than heavily favoring one over the other as Paldea did. They will also hopefully return to the more colorful, visually distinct regional forms rather than repeating the mistake of introducing three rather dull Tauros variants.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will receive one more DLC, The Indigo Disk, which will feature new Paradox Pokemon and a new evolution for Duraludon. It has not been confirmed whether any new regional forms or "regional fakes" will be added, although it is possible. If that is not the case, however, fans will have to wait until Generation 10 to see new regional Pokemon - and hopefully no repeats of the Tauros situation.