The latest Pokemon Presents event finally shed some light on the upcoming Gen 9 Pokemon games, with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's battle gimmick being revealed alongside new Pokemon and more details on the Paldea region. While the Pokemon Presents wasn't all about Gen 9, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet news had been lacking for over two months, leaving fans eager to know more about the games besides alleged leaks. Part of the presentation for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet was dedicated to what the Paldea region includes in terms of Pokemon, Gyms, and locations, but one of the most interesting bits is the so-called Terastallization battle gimmick.
In Paldea, trainers can use Terastal crystals to imbue their Poke Balls and provide a boost to a given Pokemon's type, but that's not all. Via Terastallization, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players can even change the base type of all their Pokemon that use the battle gimmick for the duration of the fight, making for interesting combinations. With the new trailer, The Pokemon Company also revealed the early-purchase bonus for Gen 9 games, and it has to do with the Terastal phenomenon.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's early-purchase bonus will be a special Pikachu with the Flying Tera type, which also knows the move Fly and can't be obtained through regular gameplay. This exclusive bonus is particularly juicy for Pokemon collectors and fans of the series because this special Pikachu will be able to Terastallize into an Electric/Flying Pokemon that is thus immune to Ground-type moves, much like Emolga. Because this Pikachu knows the move Fly, it means it can deal STAB damage with it when Terastallized, making it even more desirable.
Fans of the Pokemon Trading Card Game will recognize the design of Flying Tera type Pikachu from the Flying Pikachu card, which gives the iconic Pokemon the ability to fly thanks to balloons tied to its back. In fact, thanks to the Terastal phenomenon, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet pocket monsters with the Flying Tera type will get balloons on their heads and change their type accordingly. It's worth mentioning that this special Pikachu will be distributed via Internet connection through the Mystery Gift feature in the games up until February 28, 2023, and it's unclear at this stage whether it will be a pre-order exclusive bonus or a true early-purchase bonus for copies sold until March.
With the trailer, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet adds 3 new Pokemon to those that fans already know, and the rumored alternate Koraidon and Miraidon forms are also confirmed. As it stands, Gen 9 could be one of the most unique generations in the franchise, and fans will want to look for all sorts of Tera type Pokemon -- hence why an otherwise unobtainable special Pikachu is such a treat for fans.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet launch on November 18, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
