Dog-lovers have been enjoying the new additions to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's roster of canine creatures. With three new evolutionary lines added this generation—Dachsbun, Mabosstiff, and Houndstone—there has never been a better opportunity for players to use an adorable puppy Pokemon on their team. However, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet missed an opportunity to create a perfect trifecta with their typing which could have solidified them as a unique trio of related mons.
A type trifecta occurs when three Pokemon have types that are each super effective against one member of the triangle, while also being weak to another. The most common example of this phenomenon is the starter trio in each game—Grass is super effective against Water but weak to Fire, Fire is super effective against Grass but weak to Water, and Water is super effective against Fire but weak to Grass. There are other types aside from those three that also make a trifecta, such as Fairy, Steel, and Fighting, or Flying, Rock, Fighting. Generation nine's dog trio was so close to being a type trifecta, but doesn't quite make it.
Despite Not Being a Type Trifecta, These Pokemon are Still Good Boys
Typing aside, Game Freak did a great job designing these Pokemon. Fidough and Dachsbun are the first of these mons players are likely to encounter, and they're a great addition to any team with their powerful Fairy typing. Trainers in the Pokemon world are said to love these creatures thanks to their helpful culinary abilities. According to the Pokedex, Fidough's yeast breath helps induce fermentation making it great for aiding chefs. Dachsbun's Pokedex entry mentions that the pleasant aroma that emanates from its body helps wheat grow making both of these mons great companions to have around towns and villages.
Maschiff and Mabosstiff are the next of these canine Pokemon players are most likely to encounter as Maschiff can be found as early as South Province Area One. This comical mon is said to try and scowl in order to intimidate its opponents, but it's so cute that even children burst into laughter when seeing it. Mabosstiff is also said to be good with children, adopting an intimidating appearance when trying to protect those it cares about. These loyal creatures are great for battle with their Dark typing and ability Intimidate, so they are worth considering when building a team.
Although more creepy than the other dog Pokemon, Greavard and Houndstone are still good boys and are some of the most powerful critters in the game. Poor Greavard is said to be a dog Pokemon that died without ever interacting with a human and will follow anyone who gives it attention forever as a result. Houndstone is a fiercely loyal dog capable of dealing devastating damage with its powerful move, Last Respects, which grows in power the more allies in the party that have been defeated. This move is so powerful that Houndstone has already been banned in some online competitive formats.
How Game Freak Could Have Made These Pokemon a Type Trifecta
Dachsbun, Mabosstiff, and Houndstone were so close to being a type trifecta that a couple of changes would be all that's necessary to achieve perfection. As it stands, Dachsbun—a Fairy type—is super effective against Mabosstiff—a Dark type—who is super effective against Houndstone—a Ghost type. Unfortunately, that is where the triangle ends as Ghost is not super effective against Fairy. In order to make this a perfect triangle, the Fighting type could be added to Mabosstiff and the Steel type to Houndstone. Mabosstiff would now be four times weak to Dachsbun, but still super effective against Houndstone, and Houndstone would now be super effective against Dachsbun.
If Game Freak wanted to add the Steel type to Houndstone, its lore could be adjusted to reference its bones being hard as steel so it can stay warm while buried beneath the snow. It wouldn't have been too much of a stretch to add the Fighting type to Mabosstiff as it already has enough lore discussing its willingness to fight to protect its family that the Fighting type would make sense. While these changes would have been nice to see so that these dogs could be a type trifecta, they're still some of the best new additions to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet regardless.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
