Out of all the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet final evolutions for its starter trio, Quaxly's final evolution Quaqaval seems to be causing the most commotion and has left fans comparing this light-footed Water/Fighting Pokemon to earlier generations. Between its unusual type match-up only seen before with Poliwrath and the various influences that went into its design, from a peacock tail to Spanish cultural history of dancing, Quaqaval is making waves on the starter final evolution line. As many fans have pointed out, it comes in stark contrast to the likes of Blastoise or Samurott, making it a unique newcomer in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Much like Sprigatito and Fuecoco, many fans were immediately drawn in by Quaxly's design, and while it spawned a breadth of fan designs for its final evolution it seems many recognized the direction Game Freak was planning to take Quaqaval. Compared to earlier generations, it diverges from the approaches of bulky final evolutions such as Feraligatr or Swampert all the way to the more stealth-orientated likes of Greninja or Inteleon. But whether Quaqaval can hold its own and be remembered as another favorite of Pokemon's final starter evolutions will remain to be seen.
Blastoise
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Comparing any final starter evolution to the series' originals back in Gen 1 is a tough call to make, but unlike Charizard and Venusaur, Blastoise was the only Pokemon among the trio that remained a solo Water type. As a result, Quaqaval has something of an advantage in terms of type variation with its Fighting type, but it is worth noting that Blastoise did receive both a Gigantamax form and a Mega evolution. However, both these additions still left it as a Water type, meaning Blastoise might only be favored to Quaqaval by fans due to its reputation as a Gen 1 starter and its distinct water cannon design.
Feraligatr
Though fans of Feraligatr have been hard at work online pairing its Totodile with newcomer Fuecoco due to both sharing a similar vibe, comparing Feraligatr to Quaqaval bears the same disadvantages as Blastoise has. Being a solo Water type and without even any additional forms to bolster it, Feraligatr doesn't have as good an edge on Quaqaval, meaning fans might prefer the latter were it not for Feraligatr's Gen 2 legacy. It also seems strange to compare the design of Feraligatr, intended to reflect the primordial ferocity of crocodiles and alligators, to Quaqaval's more elegant appearance, yet out of the two it bears the Fighting type.
Swampert
Despite seeming to have an advantage over Blastoise and Feraligatr by simply being a dual type Pokemon, Quaqaval won't be able to rely on this in comparison to Swampert. Like Blaziken, Swampert is a popular final starter evolution and its Water/Ground combination is useful at the competitive level. But like Blastoise and unfortunately for Quaqaval, Swampert received a Mega evolution that might put it ahead were it not for Mega evolutions being left behind in Pokemon. Ironically though, despite Mega Swampert's design exaggerating its strength and musculature, it retains its Water/Ground typing while yet again the dancer Quaqaval waltzes away as a Fighting type Pokemon.
Empoleon
Another dual type, while Empoleon marks a change in Water starters evolutions getting more creative with designs, its Water/Steel combination unfortunately makes it weaker to Quaqaval's Water/Fighting. So in a direct comparison, Empoleon would be at a disadvantage on a competitive level against Quaqaval, so fans of the Gen 4 final evolution might need to embrace its design influences instead. Both Pokemon take after birds, but while the Pokemon series has plenty of duck-like Pokemon from Psyduck to Ducklett, it has fewer for those inspired by penguins, which could be where Empoleon lucks out.
Samurott
Once again, Quaqaval in comparison to Samurott has the initial advantage not only for its original Unovan form introduced in Black and White, but even against its Hisuian form in Legends: Arceus. Unovan Samurott is, like Blastoise and Feraligatr, a solo Water type, and though it received a variant in the recent Gen 4 inspired spin-off even its new dual typing of Water/Dark is weak to Quaqaval's Water/Fighting. It seems Samurott even bears the same irony in that its inspiration comes from Japanese tradition of samurai, yet despite this famous warrior influence it doesn't share a Fighting type.
Greninja
In an ongoing streak, Quaqaval contrasted against Greninja has the same challenges that Hisuian Samurott has, where the Gen 6 Pokemon's type combination of Water/Dark is weak to the newcomer's Water/Fighting. However, Greninja at least remains true to its design influences where its Dark type is reflective of its ninja aesthetic, and it became such a popular Pokemon that not only did it receive a wholly unique form of Ash-Greninja thanks to the anime and films, but it also became a fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate alongside Incineroar. So while Quaqaval may be better competitively, it doesn't yet have Greninja's reputation.
Primarina
Quaqaval's streak of type advantages comes to an end with Primarina, as its Fairy typing would make it super effective competitively against the Gen 9 Pokemon's Fighting type. However, the comparison needn't be antagonistic, as Primarina's design influences appear to not just take after a circus sea lion but also an opera singer thanks to its sound-based moves and its signature Z-move Oceanic Operetta. It seems the Gen 7 Soloist Pokemon and Gen 9 Dancing Pokemon could find some artistic common ground as a unique reflection of their design inspirations, so fans picking a preference could be entirely subjective.
Inteleon
Competitively, Quaqaval regains the type advantage over Inteleon's solo Water typing, but with each being introduced one generation after the other, it seems the two share a lot in common. Both are bipedal, both take inspiration from their respective region's culture, and both aren't presented as hyper muscular compared to the likes of Feraligatr or Mega Swampert. The contrasts come then from the different designs the two take, varying between Inteleon's Gigantamax form embracing its sniper motif - something that could have given it another type like Dark or better yet Ghost - while Quaqaval leans more into its dancing-turned-fighting style and enjoys its dual typing.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on Nintendo Switch.
