Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, while receiving a mixed reception due to lags, glitches, and other performance issues, pleased fans by introducing several never-before-seen type combinations. Additional rare type combinations have made their second or third appearance in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Pokedex, one of which being Ghost/Fighting - represented by the powerful Primeape evolution Annihilape. Although the type combination is so rare that some fans see Annihilape as the first Ghost/Fighting-type, the first was actually Marshadow: a Mythical Pokemon that received little notice due to its belated, limited release.
Prior to the release of Scarlet and Violet, Ghost/Fighting topped many fans' lists of type combinations they wanted to see in Generation 9. Other highly requested ones included the previously unused type combinations Fire/Grass, Steel/Poison, and Fairy/Fighting, which were added via the Capsakid line, Varoom line, and the Paradox Pokemon Iron Valiant, respectively. Although Marshadow exists, Annihilape is largely preferred by fans for being more widely available, having interesting lore, and being a new evolution for a somewhat neglected Generation 1 line.
Annihilape Happens When Primeape Gives Into Its Rage
Mankey and Primeape were both pure Fighting-type Pokemon. Primeape in particular is known for its extreme rage, which causes it to constantly get into fights and get angry over the smallest things, such as being unable to eat its favorite food. Annihilape gains the Ghost typing because its rage has "transcended its physical body," according to the Paldean Pokedex. It is an extremely useful Pokemon in battle, boasting a high Attack stat and access to powerful damaging moves including Outrage, Final Gambit, and its signature move Rage Fist.
Trainers can evolve their Primeape into Annihilape by having it use the move Rage Fist 20 times in battle. While some fans appreciate that the new Pokemon was given a unique evolution method, others felt that the Annihilape evolution was a waste of potential for not making use of previous lore indicating that Primeape sometimes becomes so angry that it literally dies of rage. Some felt it would make more sense if Primeape evolved into Annihlape after fainting a certain number of times, or used moves that damaged itself such as Take Down, Double Edge, or Head Smash. Despite this, Annihilape uses its dual typing well.
Marshadow's Release Received Little Fanfare
Marshadow is a Mythical Pokemon that resembles a human made from shadows. It was released in April 2017 as the final addition to the Alolan Pokedex prior to Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. It is a cautious monster, often hiding in the shadows and avoiding human contact whenever possible. However, when Marshadow becomes angry enough, it is capable of entering Zenith Mode, in which it can use its unique Z-Move: Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike. It also knows a unique move called Spectral Thief, which steals the opponent's positive stat changes and deals damage.
However, Marshadow's debut as the first Ghost/Fighting-type Pokemon was hampered by its limited release. Added long after Sun and Moon, Marshadow could only be obtained via a code that required going to physical locations. Initially, Marshadow was available for only a limited period of time in 2017, although a repeat distribution event was held in October 2022. Despite the distribution occurring shortly before the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, codes given out were for obtaining Marshadow in Pokemon Sword and Shield. It remains to be seen whether there will be any method of obtaining a Marshadow in Scarlet and Violet beyond transferring one through Pokemon HOME.
Marshadow's Pokemon Film Appearance Felt Forced
With Marshadow's release already underwhelming for its limited scope, fans were less than pleased when Marshadow was given a significant role in the franchise's 20th film, I Choose You! It primarily serves as a nostalgic look back at protagonist Ash's journey through the Kanto region, so giving a newly released Alolan Pokemon such a major role was a controversial decision - although other Pokemon from later generations such as Lucario and Piplup were also featured. Marshadow in the film was a "shadow guide" who communicated with Trainers specifically chosen by the Legendary Pokemon Ho-Oh, a role that was met with mixed reception.
While the Pokemon anime has not yet moved on to covering the Paldea region, many fans hope that Annihilape will have a significant role when it does. In the Indigo League arc of the original anime, Ash briefly trained a Mankey that evolved into a Primeape, but struggled due to the Pokemon's aggressive nature and fondness for pranks. The Primeape was eventually given to a Fighting-type Trainer named Anthony, and has not been seen since. With Ash departing from the anime before its next season, it seems unlikely this particular Primeape will return.
Although Annihilape is the series' second Ghost/Fighting-type Pokemon, some fans may see it as the first true addition due to its connection with a Generation 1 evolutionary line and better encapsulation of the type combination. Others enjoy Marshadow's concept and hope that the Mythical Pokemon will make a return, possibly in upcoming DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet or another release event specifically for Generation 9.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are currently available for the Nintendo Switch.
