Terastallized Pokemon is one of many new features in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, representing the replacement of Dynamaxing feature from the eighth-generation Pokemon Sword and Shield, but it may have missed a major opportunity for one gym leader's ace Pokemon. The new gimmick allows Pokemon to take on any type in the game, switching their special-type attack bonus and bringing new life to the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet battle system.
Like the Dynamax function, Terastallize can only be used once enough energy is accumulated and trainers can only rely on its capabilities once per battle. Pokemon trainers, the rival of the game, and even gym leaders can use this ability, turning any monotype or duo-type into something entirely different, showing surprise value to terastallizing Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet during the heat of the battle.
Reddit user Orochiwonka brings up missed potential of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's first gym-leader, Brassius, and his ace Pokemon, Sudowoodo. Relying on his grass-type team consisting of three pocket monsters, Brassius begins the battle with a Petalil and follows it up with a Smoliv, two fairly easy Pokemon to take down. His third and final Pokemon breaks the mold, as he sends out the rock-type Sudowoodo, countering trainers who rely heavily on a fire-type Pokemon. His terastallized form turns out to be a grass typing, which on the surface makes perfect sense given the gym's theme.
The opportunity here could have made for some excellent synergy and mixing it up by turning Sudowoodo into a ground or water type, two elements that retain the advantage over fire-type Pokemon and tilt the momentum in the gym leader's favor. In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, terastal Pokemon retain their same-type attack bonus, otherwise known as STAB, thus making a Sudowoodo an unstoppable force if element types target several Pokemon types all at once. Unfortunately for Brassius and his ace Sudowoodo, the terastal grass form exposes Sudowoodo to a weakness he once didn't have.
Sudowoodo was introduced in Pokemon Gold and Silver as a tree-like figure that blocked pathways. The in-game mechanic worked similar to Snorlax's representation in Pokemon Blue and Red, only Sudowoodo required a Squirt bottle to shake it up and prompt it to battle the player. Perhaps developer Game Freak's intention with this was more of an Easter egg to pay homage to the Pokemon's debut and the belief, at the time, that it was both a rock and grass type when, in fact, it was just a mono-rock type. Terastal Pokemon are well regarded as one of the best gimmicks since Pokemon introduced Mega Evolutions, and the endless combinations make the game interesting at all turns.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.
