Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced over 100 new Pokemon to the franchise, bringing the total number released to over 1000. Of course, among the new Pokemon released in the game were a few with unique evolution methods and interesting-looking evolutions. However, one that quickly drew fan attention is Finizen, a dolphin-like Pokemon that has both a bizarre method of evolving and one of the most ridiculous evolutions seen in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and, at large, even recent Pokemon generations.
The ninth generation of Pokemon games was willing to get quite experimental with how various Pokemon evolve. In particular, it took advantage of the new "Let's Go" system, where a Pokemon can be sent out of its Pokeball to explore and battle independent of player input. Several Pokemon, including the generation's "Pikachu clone" Pawmi, can only evolve after walking 1000 steps in "Let's Go" mode. Others, like Gimmighoul, require players to collect coins scattered around the game's open world. Finizen's evolution Palafin also utilizes a new system added in the game, but takes it a step further with some less-than-ideal design decisions.
Evolving Finizen Requires Playing Together
Finizen is a pure Water-type Pokemon that resembles a bottlenose dolphin. It can generally be found in the oceans surrounding the Paldea region; catching or battling a Finizen typically requires a player to use the swimming ability of their legendary mount, Koraidon or Miraidon. Because Finizen requires swimming to catch, players are often unable to add one to their team until they have defeated three Titan Pokemon in the "Path of Legends" storyline and unlocked Koraidon or Miraidon's power to safely enter and cross bodies of water.
To evolve Finizen into Palafin, it must reach level 38, but it cannot evolve by reaching that level if players are playing alone. Instead, it only evolves if players are adventuring with their friends using the "Union Circle" multiplayer mechanic introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. This locked evolution was likely implemented to encourage players to connect with their friends and utilize the Union Circle. To use the Union Circle, players must have a Nintendo Switch Online membership and be playing Scarlet and Violet in online mode. Up to four players can adventure together and can also take on multiplayer Tera Raids found in glittering Raid Dens scattered throughout the Paldea region.
Palafin is a Bad Evolution with a Strange Gimmick
Finizen (which draws its name from the words "fin" and either "citizen" or "denizen") and Palafin's ("paladin" + "fin") connection to the multiplayer mechanic and helping friends does not stop after it has evolved. When Finizen evolves, it starts out in what is known as Palafin's "Zero" form. This form is almost no different from Finizen appearance-wise, with the exception of a single pink heart on its chest. Having such a small change undermines the entire process of evolution, and while some Pokemon do not undergo drastic changes, it's hard to name any other that have a single, small difference in terms of visuals. Palafin does have an ability Finizen doesn't, but it still don't make it better.
In battle, the first time a Palafin is switched out, it switches into its much more powerful and bulky "Hero" form, and remains that way for the rest of the battle. This can be accomplished via moves from the player such as Baton Pass as well as enemy moves that force switching, including Whirlwind and Dragon Tail. Palafin is able to do this due to its signature ability, which is called "Zero to Hero" and was introduced for the first time in Scarlet and Violet.
The "Hero" form of Palafin is extremely visually distinct from Finizen. It resembles a muscular humanoid "fish-man" wearing gloves and armored shoulder pads. Instead of swimming around, it stands on its tail fins and walks as though on two legs. Fans have compared it to other "humanoid fish" characters in video games, such as the Zora species from The Legend of Zelda - in particular, the similarly muscular Prince Sidon from Breath of the Wild. However, it is most likely that Finizen and Palafin's designs are inspired by a superhero, with the "Zero" form representing its unassuming secret identity used to hide the existence of its "Hero" alter ego. Still, that doesn't really justify the lackluster change between forms, as well as the ridiculous ability stacked on top of it.
This Unique Evolution Has Met Mixed Responses
Finizen and Palafin have been compared to other Pokemon that drastically change appearance on evolution, such as Dragonair to Dragonite, Cosmoem to Solgaleo or Lunala, and Remoraid to Octillery. Others enjoy the evolution but are disappointed that the Hero form of Palafin remains pure Water-type, rather than gaining a more "superhero-like" second type such as Fighting or Psychic. Fans do, however, generally like the line's signature move Jet Punch, for being a powerful Water-type move capable of dealing serious physical damage.
Bizarre evolution methods and forms have been a staple in Pokemon since the first generation of games, and are not likely to go away anytime soon. Finizen and Palafin are just the latest entries in a trend that includes turning consoles upside down to evolve Inkay into Malamar, seeking out a specific stone arch to turn Galarian Yamask into Runerigus, and many more. Ultimately, it is unsurprising that a Union Circle-tied evolution would exist, given that Nintendo has been placing a great amount of focus on the new mechanic since the very first trailers for Scarlet and Violet.
However, players who do not have any friends to play Pokemon with are frustrated as they find themselves unable to evolve Finizen at all. Fortunately, this is mitigated by the fact that a previously evolved Palafin is capable of appearing in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Tera Raids, although it does so infrequently and is found at high levels - typically around Level 50 - and can thus be quite difficult to defeat. Luckily, players can search online for random allies to join Tera Raids, so it is possible to obtain a Palafin without using the Union Circle mechanic. While this Pokemon's reception will likely remain mixed among fans, it is at least possible for every Paldean Trainer to add Palafin to their Pokedex without needing to fulfill its somewhat tricky evolution requirements.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is currently available for the Nintendo Switch.
