In the lead-up to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's release, The Pokemon Company has released plenty of information about the upcoming games. The next entries in the series will be taking players to the Paldea region, where plenty more Pokemon mysteries await. To travel around, players can hop on one of the two legendary Pokemon, Koraidon and Miraidon, that can take on different forms to traverse land, air, and water. Players will also be to pick from one of three starter Pokemon: Quaxly, Fuecoco, and Sprigatitio.
With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet comes Terastal Pokemon, which can transform due to a mysterious phenomenon. Terastallized Pokemon take on a sparkly new form, and sometimes even a new Type, which could have massive implications for Pokemon battles. It is a fascinating new gimmick, and it compares well to the Ultra Beasts of Sun and Moon.
A Look Back at Ultra Beasts
Pokemon Sun and Moon were important entries in the series that did a lot to experiment with the franchise's usual formula. It did away with the Elite Four and gyms, instead having players partake in the Island Challenge which involves completing various trials on Alola's islands. Along the way, players come across Ultra Beasts, which are strange creatures from another dimension. They reach Alola through Ultra Wormholes opened by Professor Lusamine, and their jarring designs make it evident that they are in a place they do not belong. Players can catch the Ultra Beasts, and it is best done using Beast Balls.
In addition to being a particularly unique set of Pokemon, the Ultra Beasts also serve as a cautionary tale warning of the dangers of invasive species. The Ultra Beasts resemble invasive species in the real world, with Blacephalon resembling a dandelion, Nihilego resembling a jellyfish, and Buzzwole resembling a mosquito, to list a few examples. Like the invasive species of the real world, the Ultra Beasts wreak havoc in Alola, and they do not seem too happy to be there either. Hence, while some gamers might be put off by the strange designs, there is something to be admired about the cleverness behind them.
The Ultra Beasts are also very powerful Pokemon, making them a useful addition to most teams. With a few exceptions, most boast a high HP, especially Guzzlord, and most also boast high Attack stats, especially Kartana. Players who like to strike first will not go wrong with Pheromosa, and players looking for a Pokemon with strong defenses will be satisfied with Stakataka. Fortunately, the Ultra Beasts are not limited to Sun and Moon, and players get to catch them again in Sword and Shield.
Introducing the Terastal Pokemon
With every generation, Game Freak introduces a new gimmick, and in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it appears that one of the new gimmicks is Terastallization. When Pokemon Terastallize, they shine like crystals, and they get a magnificent jewel called the Tera Jewel on their head. Players can Terastallize one Pokemon once per battle, and the Pokemon will remain Terastallized for the duration of the battle. Quite a few Terastal Pokemon have been shown off already, including the starter Pokemon as well as Terastal Pikachu.
Each Pokemon has a Tera Type, and just like regular Types, there are a total of 18 Tera Types. Pokemon of the same species can have different Tera Types, hence one Eevee could have a Normal Tera Type, and another could have a Flying Tera Type. This Tera Type will remain inactive until the Pokemon Terastallizes. To make use of Terastallization, players will need to obtain a Tera Orb, which only select trainers in Paldea may carry. The Tera Orb loses all of its energy after being used, and players will have to recharge by visiting a Pokemon Center or by touching crystals containing Terastal Energy.
Although gamers will have to wait until the release of Scarlet and Violet to learn the ins and outs of this mysterious phenomenon, a lot has been revealed already. Terastal energy that seeps from the ground in Paldea is said to be involved in the Terastallization process. This may suggest that the phenomenon is exclusively limited to the region, and it will not be making a reappearance in future games.
How Do Ultra Beasts Compare to Terastal Pokemon?
Terastal Pokemon are perhaps more interesting when it comes to Pokemon battles. The ability to change a Pokemon's Type opens the door for plenty of new strategies, and if used correctly, it can quickly change the dynamic of a battle. By activating a Pokemon's Tera Type, players can change their Pokemon's weaknesses and increase the strength of moves that are the same Type as the Pokemon. While the Ultra Beasts are powerful, Terastal Pokemon have greater potential when it comes to crafting the most competitive team and battle strategies.
Judging designs is a bit more tricky. The Terastal Pokemon do look very pretty, as they sparkle like diamonds and carry twinkling Tera Jewels. Gamers have yet to see all the Terastal Pokemon, and some unseen transformations may turn out to be gorgeous. However, they all follow the same basic pattern, which may end up getting monotonous. In contrast, the Ultra Beasts remain some of the most eccentric Pokemon designs in the franchise, and they very clearly stand out from the rest of the roster. This, combined with the lore behind the Ultra Beast designs, could make them a little more unforgettable.
There are still plenty of questions surrounding Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and fans are eager to see more of Paldea, more of the regional variants, and the evolutions of the starters. Gamers are also eager to know how the game will incorporate the legendary Pokemon and allow players to seemingly access them quite early on in the game. All these mysteries, along with the secrets of the Terastal Pokemon, will be uncovered with Scarlet and Violet's nearby release.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are scheduled to release on November 18 for Nintendo Switch.
