The recent Nintendo Direct gave players their first good look at what they can expect from The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Showcased in the new trailer was the expansive new lands of Kitakami and Blueberry Academy that players will be able to explore, along with a handful of the returning critters players will be able to capture. However, one heavily rumored feature was notably absent, likely meaning it will be kept under wraps until launch similar to how Pokemon Scarlet and Violet kept Paradox Pokemon a secret prior to release.
This DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet was first announced back in February as part of the Pokemon Day 2023 Pokemon Presents. At the time, not much gameplay was shown, leaving room for fan speculation as to the size of the DLC's world and how its adventures would play out. In the time since this announcement, a new mechanic involving special new Tera Forms for specific Pokemon was leaked, further fueling speculation, but while the latest trailer showed a great deal more about the DLC than the initial reveal, nothing related to these rumored Tera Forms was shown.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Rumored Tera Forms Might Be a Surprise for the DLC's Launch
Part of the fun of recent entries in the Pokemon franchise is seeing the new forms given to existing mons as part of each generation's gimmick. Ever since Pokemon Mega Evolutions were introduced in Pokemon X and Y, fans have been theorizing and designing new forms for old mons based around generational gimmicks like Mega Evolutions and Gigantamaxing. Although the Terastal phenomenon was introduced as the new gimmick for Gen 9, it seemed like it wouldn't be bringing any unique new forms for existing mons with it.
Instead, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's gimmick forms would actually be the brand-new type of creature known as Paradox Pokemon. The marketing for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet did a great job of hiding this exciting new feature from players, allowing them to discover it for themselves when the games launched. Although leaks regarding these new Paradox Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet did emerge prior to the game's launch, many players were still surprised to learn the extent of the lore surrounding these bizarre new types of creatures and the role they played in Gen 9's story.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's rumored Tera Forms are in a similar position going into The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, with little more than a leak suggesting that the DLC would introduce new forms to coincide with Gen 9's Terastallization gimmick. If true, this new mechanic would bring the type of gimmick forms many fans expected to be present in the base game of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. However, this latest trailer was the perfect time to officially reveal Tera Forms, and their absence suggests that they could be intended to be a surprise for DLC players to uncover similar to the base games' Paradox Pokemon.
In classic Pokemon series fashion, the unique new mechanic that Game Freak and The Pokemon Company have been keeping a secret could end up being spoiled for players due to leaks if the rumors of Tera Forms in the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC are indeed real. While it's unclear if they're just keeping their cards close to their chest or Tera Forms aren't actually going to be in the DLC, it would be a shame to have such an interesting twist spoiled due to leaks. However, with the reliability of the Tera Form leaker being quite accurate, it's probable these forms will be present in the DLC, but they're likely intended to be a surprise reveal that will tie into the overarching plot.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.
