The Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC is rumored to expand upon the Terastal Phenomenon introduced in the base games as the new battle gimmick for Gen 9. If these rumors are to be believed, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will give certain mons a new form similar to Mega Evolutions when they Terastallize. However, while these forms could shake up gameplay in a huge way, Game Freak shouldn't miss the opportunity to give the Paldean starters these new forms in the DLC.
The Terastal Phenomenon is already a major part of the gameplay of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, revolutionizing the way competitive teams are built and giving new viability to mons that have struggled in the past. Much like how Mega Evolution gave certain mons new utility when it was introduced in Pokemon X and Y, and Gigantamax forms turned battles on their head in Pokemon Sword and Shield, there is still a lot of untapped potential left that the rumored Tera Forms could introduce to the series. In order for this rumored mechanic to reach its full potential, the upcoming DLC needs to avoid the missteps of Mega Evolution and give the region's starters new forms.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Starters Should Be First in Line for New Tera Forms
Although controversial when it was first introduced in Gen 6, Mega Evolution has become a fondly remembered mechanic among much of the fan base. Many fan-favorite mons like Lucario, Garchomp, and Gengar received new designs that further elevated their popularity, and Mega forms for less popular mons like Mawile, Pinsir, and Medicham gave them a new opportunity to shine. While the Gen 1 starters Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, as well as the Gen 3 starters Sceptile, Blaziken, and Swampert each got Mega Evolutions, the starters from the mechanic's home region of Kalos missed out entirely.
Despite these starters being overall less popular than the legacy mons that did get new forms, they still deserved more attention in their home games than they got. Pokemon Sword and Shield almost fell into this same trap with the Galarian starters, initially skipping over giving them Gigantamax forms in favor of more popular mascots like Pikachu, Eevee, and Charizard. However, the Gen 8 games rectified this issue by giving Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon special Gigantamax forms in the DLC for Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Since there were no new specific forms for mons when they Terastalize in the base game for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it's understandable that the Paldean starters wouldn't have special forms initially. However, if these rumored new Tera Forms in fact part of the upcoming DLC, it would be a mistake to skip over Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval in favor of older mons who have already received a lot of attention in past gens. Game Freak has a tendency to rely too heavily on nostalgia for older gen monsters when marketing the games to older players, which ends up undercutting the potential popularity of a generation's new creatures.
The Gen 9 starters are already quite popular, which puts them in a great position to receive Tera Forms if the rumors turn out to be true. However, it's also likely Game Freak will want to give new forms to other mons like the Hisuian starter Pokemon or even the Kalos ones to make up for snubbing them in Gen 6. Regardless of whether starters from other regions get these new Tera Forms, the Paldean starters should be first and foremost in their home region, as they deserve to be recognized as the mascots of the games.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
