Highlights
- Niantic should introduce the new Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet into Pokemon GO before the global release of Generation 9.
- Some new Pokemon in Scarlet/Violet have unique evolution methods that may need to be adjusted for Pokemon GO.
- Evolution methods in Scarlet/Violet, such as using specific moves or reaching certain levels, may need to be modified for Pokemon GO due to the game's mechanics and limitations.
Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet are the ninth generation of Pokemon, so it's only a matter of time before the Paldean Pokemon start appearing in Niantic's Pokemon GO. Prior to the worldwide release of Gen 9, players could spot Pokemon #999 at golden PokeStops: Gimmighoul. With the Teal Mask & Indigo Disk expansion pass, now would be ideal for Niantic to start throwing some of the new Pokemon into GO.
Most Pokemon GO trainers are already familiar with how evolution works. In Scarlet/Violet, some of the new Pokemon have challenging or unusual methods of evolving. Since GO has yet to incorporate all the mechanics from mainline Pokemon, several Pokemon call for an evolution change when they eventually cross over from Nintendo Switch to mobile devices.
6 Primeape & Annihilape
Prior to Gen 9, Primeape was the final and only evolution of Mankey. Both of these Pokemon are from the Kanto Region, but Scarlet/Violet introduced a new evolution for the Mankey-line: Annihilape. Unlike its pre-evolved forms, Annihilape is a Fighting/Ghost-type Pokemon.
To evolve Annihilape in Scarlet/Violet, Primeape would have to use the move Rage Fist (learns at level 35) 20 times. Since Pokemon moves work a bit differently in GO, this would have to be changed. Perhaps Primeape would evolve into Annihilape by taking part in a set number of raids or winning Gym Battles for Pokemon GO.
5 Dunsparce & Dudunsparce
Dunsparce is a Gen 2, Normal-type that generally had an unimpressive moveset and stats. Despite this, it does have its share of fans. Unlike Mankey/Primeape, Dunsparce was long due for an evolution to give it some bulk in battle. Come Scarlet/Violet, Dunsparce could evolve into Dudunsparce.
Like Bonsly and Mime Jr., Dunsparce evolves only when it learns a certain move. At level 32, Dunsparce will learn Hyper Drill. If Hyper Drill is one of its four moves at the time of leveling, it will evolve into Dudunsparce. The interesting thing about Dudunsparce is that there are two forms: Two-segment and Three-segment. The chances of getting a Three-segment Dudunsparce is 1/100, making it quite rare. For Pokemon GO, they should keep the randomization of Dudunsparce's Forms, but they may have to find another way to get Dunsparce to evolve. Since Dudunsparce is considered a docile Pokemon, maybe Dunsparce's potential evolution in GO could involve the usage of the Buddy Feature.
4 Tandemaus & Maushold
Tandemaus is a Normal-type Pokemon that trainers can spot in specific areas of the Paldea Region in Scarlet/Violet. This Pokemon has a unique move called Population Bomb, which has as chance of hitting a Pokemon up to 10 times. What makes Tandemaus so interesting though isn't its signature move, but rather its evolution method.
Trainers need to level up their Tandemaus to level 25, but it can potentially skip the evolution animation depending on how it reaches level 25. Trainers may open their menu and see that their Tandemaus has multiplied. Like Dudunsparce, Maushold has two forms: Family of Four and Family of Three. With Family of Three being the rarer of the two, Pokemon GO could borrow this feature should they welcome Tandemaus to the roster. Maybe Tandemaus would evolve after eating a set amount of Berries, but only when players exit out of the Pokemon's summary page, mimicking how it evolves off-screen in Scarlet/Violet.
3 Bisharp & Kingambit
Pawniard and Bisharp are Dark/Steel-type Pokemon that made their debut back in Black/White. Bisharp stood as the final evolution of Pawniard for four generations before Kingabmit was added. Unfortunately, Bisharp can be a tricky Pokemon to evolve for some trainers.
In order to evolve Bisharp, players need to have it win a battle against three Bisharp that are holding a Leader's Crest. The Bisharp that are found around Scarlet/Violet that are surrounded by Pawniards are the ones carrying the Leader's Crest. As long as the trainer's Bisharp lands the finishing blow, it will count towards the evolution. Since Pokemon can't hold items in Pokemon GO, Niantic would have to find a different way to evolve Bisharp. Similar to Pancham, maybe trainers would have to catch a set number of Dark-type or Steel-type Pokemon to evolve. If they want to stay loyal to the battle theme of the evolution, then they could make it where trainers need to win 3 raids with Bisharp as the Buddy Pokemon.
2 Charcadet, Amarouge, & Ceruledge
Armarouge and Ceruledge were some of the Paldean Pokemon that were revealed prior to Scarlet/Violet's worldwide release. They are both the pre-evolved form of Charcadet, but there's a catch: Armarouge is only available in Pokemon Scarlet, while Ceruledge is native to Pokemon Violet. Armarouge is Fire/Psychic; Ceruledge is Fire/Ghost. Trainers need to use an Auspicious Armor (Armarouge) or a Malicious Armor (Ceruledge) on their Charcadet to evolve it.
Getting Charcadet's evolution items require trading Pokemon Materials, which of course, can't be done in Pokemon GO. If Charcadet makes it into Pokemon GO, its evolution methods could require the day cycle. Charcadet would evolve into Armarouge during the day, or it could evolve into Ceruledge at night. GO could also turn it into a Trade Evolution Pokemon, too.
1 Finizen & Palafin
At a first glance, there's no difference between a Finizen and a Palafin, except for a heart design on Palafin's chest. When it uses Flip Turn in battle, it undergoes a transformation off-screen thanks to its Zero to Hero Ability. Hero Form Palafin is a lot stronger than Zero Form Palafin, but getting Finizen to evolve into Palafin is a chore in itself, and one that has been met with complaints.
Finizen evolves at level 38, but only when connected to the Union Circle in Scarlet/Violet. This is an online feature that requires a Nintendo Online Membership. There's no doubt that if Finizen makes it into Pokemon GO, it will need to have its Scarlet/Violet evolution method changed. Fortunately, the method should be easier due to Pokemon GO's limitations, but this has yet to be seen. Since Palafin's dex entry alludes to it always being there to help its friends, GO!Finizen could evolve after players have sent Gifts to their Friends.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch; Pokemon GO is available for mobile devices.