With the DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet just around the corner, the series is getting a second chance to correct some of the mistakes made by Pokemon Sword and Shield's DLC a generation prior. While there are several ways The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet can improve upon the shortcomings of the Gen 8 DLC, an even bigger obstacle it needs to avoid is one mistake made by the base games of Pokemon Sword and Shield. Terapagos is set to be the star of The Indigo Disk expansion, but it shouldn't end up like Gen 8's Eternatus.

Although there isn't a lot of information about what role Terapagos will play in the plot of The Indigo Disk, the rumored August Pokemon Presents may shed more light on this critter's status. It's likely that Terapagos will be a key piece in the Terastal Phenomenon puzzle given its crystalline design and shell of Pokemon-type symbols. However, Terapagos appears to have two forms that could relate to the Terastal Phenomenon, but like Pokemon Sword and Shield's Eternatus, its Tera Form shouldn't be limited to a single boss battle and should be accessible by players after its caught.

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Terapagos Can't Repeat the Same Mistake as Gen 8's Eternatus

The main gameplay gimmicks of Gen 8's Pokemon Sword and Shield were Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, which allowed mons to grow massive in size for a limited time, with some even changing forms. A variation of this mechanic took place during the climax of Pokemon Sword and Shield's story where players had to face off against the legendary Eternatus in its Eternamax form. While this intimidating creature was the source of an awesome boss battle, many players were disappointed upon catching it and learning that Eternatus could not transform back into its Eternamax form outside of that one battle.

Terapagos could face a similar issue in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC as the likely representative of Gen 9's Terastal Phenomenon gimmick. While another creature similar to Terapagos was shown in the Pokemon anime, it's unclear if this mon is a pre-evolution of Terapagos or merely a different form. If it is in fact a different form, it stands to reason that the Terapagos featured in marketing materials for The Indigo Disk is the Tera Form of the mon that only appears once the base form Terastallizes, lending further credibility to the rumors that Tera Forms for multiple mons are coming in the DLC.

It would be somewhat disappointing if the version of Terapagos players are most familiar with ends up being limited to a singular boss fight like Eternamax Eternatus was in Pokemon Sword and Shield. While the battle against Eteramax Eternatus was an epic showing of the Dynamax mechanic, it felt undercut by the fact that players couldn't utilize this Eternamax form for themselves. If Tera Forms are indeed a new mechanic coming in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, then the mascot mon of this mechanic deserves to be able to take its Tera Form in battles after being caught.

Until more information is revealed about The Indigo Disk and Terapagos' role within the DLC, it's hard to set expectations beyond looking at what past games have done with their generational gimmicks. As such, there is a genuine concern that Terapagos could end up in the same boat as Eternatus given the precedent Pokemon Sword and Shield set for its generational gimmick mascot mon. However, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has already improved upon a lot of Gen 8's shortcomings with its base games, so there is hope that the DLC will continue this trend and Terapagos avoids the same mistakes that befell Eternatus.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.

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