One of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's strongest new Pokemon is the pseudo-legendary Baxcalibur. This Godzilla-like behemoth earns its pseudo-legendary status thanks to its base stat total of 600, a stat total unique to Baxcalibur among all new mons added in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Despite its status as one of the Paldea Region's strongest, it feels out of place in the Spain-inspired Paldea Region. Its Excalibur motif would make more sense if it originated from Galar—the Pokemon world's United Kingdom equivalent, home to the real-world tale of King Arthur.
The mythology of King Arthur is one of legendary proportions wherein the hero Arthur is granted the sword Excalibur by the Lady of the Lake so that he may rule Britain with its magical powers. Baxcalibur draws inspiration from this tale in its design, incorporating elements of a sword into its blade-like dorsal fin and signature move Glaive Rush. With its clear basis in British legend, releasing Baxcalibur in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet rather than Pokemon Sword and Shield seems like a huge missed opportunity.
Baxcalibur Seems Like a More Natural Fit for Galar's Environment
In the Paldea Region, Baxcalibur's pre-evolutions, Frigibax and Arctibax, can be found in the network of tunnels around Glaseado Mountain. However, according to Frigibax's Pokedex entry, it tends to prefer forests and craggy areas. The caves of Glaseado Mountain might fit the craggy description, but the forest environment makes more sense as a habitat for a Pokemon with a biology based on a theropod. Dinosaurs like Spinosaurus and Allosaurus are prime examples of theropods with their large hind legs and small arms. As Frigibax evolves, it adopts more of a theropod-like appearance, making a mountainous environment less than the ideal habitat.
Although Glaseado Mountain meets the cold and craggy requirements that are needed for this Pokemon, it isn't as viable a home as some locations in Galar. Theropods thrive in plains and forest environments, making Galar's Crown Tundra a much more fitting habitat for the Baxcalibur evolution line. The snowy fields of the Crown Tundra still give the Ice/Dragon type the frigid climate it needs while having terrain that is more suitable for movement than Glaseado Mountain. Route 10 would be another fitting location to find Baxcalibur for the same reasons, as well as its late-game position on Galar's map, a fitting spot to catch a pseudo-legendary.
Pokemon Sword and Shield Should Have Swapped its Pseudo-Legendary for Baxcalibur
The trend of having one line of Pokemon reach the 600 base stat total needed to achieve pseudo-legendary status has existed since the first generation introduced Dragonite. Each generation since has followed suit, except Gen 3 with both Metagross and Salamence as pseudo-legendaries. Gen 8 introduced Dragapult as the pseudo-legendary for Pokemon Sword and Shield with its design based on a hybrid of the prehistoric Diplocaulus and the modern-day stealth bomber plane. With no specific ties to real-world Britain, Dragapult could have easily been swapped for Baxcalibur as the game's pseudo-legendary.
Dragapult can already be found in Paldea as it exists in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Pokedex. Although it is exclusive to Pokemon Violet, the marshes and swamps where its base form Dreepy can be found are much more abundant in Paldea than in Galar. While Dreepy can only be found at the Lake of Outrage in Pokemon Sword and Shield, there are a total of nine different areas where it can be found in Pokemon Violet making a compelling case for its natural home being the Paldea Region. The reason for Baxcalibur being added a generation after a region based on the United Kingdom was introduced is unknown, but the argument for Baxcalibur and Dragapult swapping places as their respective generation's pseudo-legendary is compelling enough to make it a huge missed opportunity.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
