Highlights
- The absence of Keldeo in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet may hint at its potential inclusion in a future Pokemon Legends game, possibly as the titular Legendary Pokemon.
- Keldeo's Resolute Form symbolizes its growth as a member of the Swords of Justice, distinguishing it from the other three members.
- Game Freak's decision to introduce Paradox forms for the remaining members of the Swords of Justice could be motivated by the desire to create balance within the group and provide alternative forms for all four members.
Now that it seems the Legendary Beasts trio and the main three of the Swords of Justice will receive Paradox forms in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, one Pokemon is missing from the latter whose absence may or may not be hinting at things yet to come. Though it might still surprise some Pokemon players, the Swords of Justice were never introduced to the series as a trio. Based on the four members of The Three Musketeers, the Swords of Justice also had its own fourth member with Keldeo, which begs the question if it too will receive a Paradox form despite there only being three Legendary Beasts.
Given that the Legendary Paradox Pokemon introduced so far have always come as pairs from Virizion and Suicune to Cobalion and Raikou, it seems likely that sooner or later Pokemon will announce the Paradox forms of Terrakion and Entei together. Yet while Keldeo already has its own second Resolute Form thanks to Pokemon Black 2 and White 2, its absence in Scarlet and Violet might not be purely down to this technicality. With rumors circling of a second Pokemon Legends game anticipated to be set in Unova, Game Freak might be intentionally holding Keldeo back for now.
Keldeo's Absence Could Be Intentional
Though Keldeo is considered a part of the Swords of Justice, it's characterized as the younger novice of the four that grows to become as capable as the other three, which is reflected in Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice. In line with this, its Resolute Form is symbolic of Keldeo's transformation into a true member of the Swords of Justice, especially since its type combination doesn't change and is dependent on its signature move Secret Sword. But with this, Keldeo remains an outlier within the Swords of Justice, if only because it has a second form while the others don't until Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
As a result, Game Freak's decision to use the remaining three members alongside Entei, Raikou, and Suicune for Scarlet and Violet's Legendary Paradox Pokemon could have been motivated by this fact. With Cobalion and Virizion confirmed to be receiving Paradox forms, once Terrakion has received its own then all four members would then be balanced with alternative forms. Furthermore, if the Legendary Beasts trio had already been selected, the choice of which trio to use alongside them is limited as Gen 8 had already introduced regional forms of the Legendary Birds, two new Regis, and one Force of Nature, leaving only the Swords of Justice unchanged.
Keldeo's Absence Might Not Be Intentional
However, even if the Swords of Justice were Game Freak's only choice for Legendary Paradox Pokemon, it's just as unlikely that it wouldn't have considered what it would do about Keldeo. Having appeared in both Gen 5 games with its Resolute Form introduced in the sequel as part of its character arc, Keldeo is arguably the most important and well-known out of the quartet. But then this would suggest that it's been completely omitted from Scarlet and Violet for a reason, given that it hasn't even been made available by trade or transfer, or included in an in-game event or Tera raid like Mew and Mewtwo.
This reason could be because of rumors that a new Pokemon project is expected to be announced once Scarlet and Violet's DLC has run its course. Coupled with the fact that Gen 5 is always next in line for the traditional remake, many players are anticipating a new Pokemon Legends game to coincide with these remakes. It's possible then that Keldeo has been excluded from Scarlet and Violet as Game Freak is planning for it to play a key role in the potential sequel to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, perhaps even as its titular Legendary Pokemon as Pokemon Legends: Keldeo.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
