Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is set to come out on November 18th, and fans are waiting with bated breath to see more of the new Pokemon. The new region, not yet named, is known to be based on the Iberian Peninsula, much like how the Galar region was inspired by the United Kingdom. Knowing this, a lot of fans have been predicting what could be in store.
Region variants are special kinds of Pokemon that were first introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon and have been used in the games since. These new kinds of Pokemon basically take a familiar Pokemon from previous games and reinvent them with a twist that matches the new region environment. These Pokemon have been quite popular, so many fans are hoping to see more come to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Dragonair
Dragonair is a Pokemon many fans wished never evolved. Their date back to the first generation, and are loved for their sleek forms, winged heads, and calming blue colors. Their designs were more popular than Dragonite, which was a shame since that is their final evolution. However, with region variants, this could be changed.
A region variant of Dragonair could have no evolution. Of course, its design would need to be a little different. It could gain more bright and festive colors and have a different typing such as Ghost, Fairy, or Dark-type. Its design can also take inspiration from Spanish folktales. There is a legend of St. George fighting a dragon, and a Dragonair variant can take inspiration from that story.
Tauros
Ever since it was announced that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet would take place in a region inspired by Spanish cultures, fans have been expecting a Tauros region variant. This is due to bulls being a huge symbol in Spain and for the animals being involved in the Running of the Bulls as well as bullfighting. Not only do many fans expect a region variant of Tauros, but it would be a good choice just so this old first-generation Pokemon can get more attention.
Tauros has no evolution or variants yet. It is pure Normal-type, which is also not quite popular. A region variant will not only give Tauros a new look but can change its typing as well. Fans have made a lot of variant fan art, showing Tauros as a Ghost-type, Dark-type, Electric-type, and Fighting-type.
Roselia
Roselia is a Grass and Poison-type Pokemon introduced in the third generation. They evolve from Budew and turn into Roserade if given a Shiny Stone. It has no regional variants yet and is now considered one of the early Pokemon as more generations have come out. To have a regional variant would bring new life to this nostalgic Pokemon, and it would fit into the region's Spain inspiration.
Spain has a festival centered around roses and books in Barcelona called the Festival of Sant Jordi. In it, men get gifts of books, and women receive roses. It spawned to celebrate Saint George's defeat of a dragon. Upon defeat, a rose grew out of the dragon's blood. With this legend in mind, a Dragon-type Roselia variant would be very interesting.
Honedge
Honedge was introduced in Pokemon X and Y, making it not an early Pokemon, but its design garnered a lot of attention and fascination from fans. The Steel and Ghost-type Pokemon is based on legends of possessed swords from Japanese culture and designed off of European claymores. It was one of the most popular new Pokemon of its generation.
Giving this popular Pokemon a regional variant would not only excite fans, but it would also fit into a region based on the Iberian Peninsula. Traditional fencing is famous in Spain, and it goes as far back as the 1500s. With this in mind, a Honedge based on a rapier rather than a claymore could be very cool.
Pikachu
Pikachu is the face of Pokemon. While it has had no variants, a lot of Pokemon have been Pikachu-adjacent such as Mimikyu, Pichu, Emolga, Morpeko, and Togedemaru. Pawmi is one new Pokemon revealed for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and seems to fit this Pikachu-inspired mold as well.
If Pokemon is to make so many Pikachu-inspired Pokemon, then it may be time to take the next step and make a Pikachu region variant. There is a lot of opportunity in a Pikachu variant since Pikachu is already so popular and nostalgic. Having a different design and different type would refresh this iconic Pokemon. A particular type that would work well is the Fairy-type, as designers could go for the folkloric angle with the legend of "El Ratoncito Perez." It is basically the tooth fairy, but a mouse.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet release for Nintendo Switch on November 18, 2022.
