Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Looking ahead: ORAS mega evolutions

So far, the new mega evolutions revealed with ORAS all hold a pattern: there's a logical reason why these Pokémon would be picked. No "man, this is such a random choice" so far. Sceptile and Swampert because they're starters and Blaziken already has one, Sableye because it's Mawile's counterpart, and the latter already has one, Kyogre and Groudon because they're the cover Pokémon, and Diancie because it's an upcoming event and Gamefreak must've realized how crappy they made it.

So, what else do you think will get the mega treatment? There's been a lot of hype over Sharpedo and Camerupt since Maxie and Archie have mega triggers of their own, and it means one of two things: either it's for their respective aces, or it's for Kyogre and Groudon. I wouldn't mind Sharpedo and Camerupt getting a hand, because they really, really need it. Something else I want to see is Mega Milotic, which is in my opinion one of the most likely introductions, because while it's not a version exclusive, it's still clearly Gyarados' counterpart, and it's a kickass Pokémon that also is in dire need of help. I remember being so disappointed when it turned out its typing wasn't changed to Water/Fairy, so there might be a second chance here. Don't screw this up, Gamefreak.

But the one thing I want the most is for Gamefreak NOT to get scared by the prospect of giving huge boosts to weaker Pokémon. While anyone with a brain could've told you Blaziken, Lucario and Gengar would end badly (although credit needs to be given for realizing base Lucario was going to fall into obscurity), before the game came out no one would've imagined Kangaskhan would've wrecked as much face as it did, in major part thanks to the exalted presence of Power-Up Punch. Now I've been told Gamefreak actually acknowledged that they went overboard with it (though I think just preventing the baby from triggering added effects might be all that's needed to balance it), though I have yet to see that for myself, but I don't want to see a whole bunch of megas underperform just because Gamefreak held back to avoid another Kangaskhan fiasco. We've already seen it happen with Mega Sableye. Now think of all those Pokémon that were handed god-tier destruction tools, such as Charizard and Mawile, and STILL aren't gamebreaking. We need more of that kind of improvement to salvage bad Pokémon, and I hope Gamefreak considers the solid hits more than the one miss nobody saw coming.

Edit: Mega Metagross confirmed! Not a huge surprise, being Steven's ace and all, but one can only wonder how Mega Charizard X is involved in all of this. Anyway, here's to hoping for a nice ability. How about Defiant? That'd be great...

Also, a Hoenn Dex expansion has been confirmed. I think everyone saw it coming, considering the Kalos Dex had a massive 450 Pokémon, so going back to 200 would be really lame. Can we hope for better E4 lineups? The originals were littered with duplicates and NFEs, and made for the worst League challenge in my honest opinion.

29 comments:

  1. I have seen people hoping for Mega Evolutions to the likes of Salamence, Metagross and Flygon, which are all signature pokemon of Generation 3.

    There is some evidence to support both Milotic and Metagross getting a Mega Evolution. If you look at the 3rd generation, Steven uses a Metagorss as his ace in all the games and Wallace's ace is a Milotic. Steven was the champion in Ruby and Sapphire and a Super Boss in Emerald, while Wallace was the Champion in Emerald. Now, the Champion in X and Y, Diantha, has that Mega Gardevoir, so it would make sense that the champion's pokemon would gain a Mega Evolution. Or if Steven is the champion, they could cop out and make his Mega evolution Aggron. (( Special Sweeping Mega Aggron Of Doom! ))

    Other pokemon I'd like to see given Mega evolutions include...

    Delcatty
    Breloom
    Tropius
    Altaria
    Regigiggas

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    1. Oh for fuck's sake NO MEGA BRELOOM PLEASE. They've nerfed it to absolute oblivion this gen and STILL it's comfortably mid-OU.

      Anyway, Steven's been shown with Mega Charizard X, which is odd despite his mineral motif. Whether it means he'll use it in battle, who knows.

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    2. Probably not, since CoroCoro said he'll use Mega Metagross...

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    3. Which wasn't revealed when I made that post.

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    4. The mega charizard was completely unrelated. it was there because the scan mentioned Steven was researching the mystery of mega stones and the (level 100) charizard was just there as a "wow so mysterious" thing. If you check the official websites you find the same screen on the section about mega evolution, completely unrelated from Steven.

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  2. Whoa. Let's give Serperior Contrary as a DW ability first, then we'll talk about whether it needs a mega or not. I agree on the rest though, although for some reason Infernape getting a mega would feel kinda weird.

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  3. Great minds think alike I guess. I was thinking Sharpedo/Camerupt and Milotic getting Megas because it made sense (bad guys' main pokes, Gyarados counterpart). I don't know about Salamence but I can see Metagross getting a Mega because Steven Stone (you can also argue for Milotic for Wallace). Machamp and Golem kinda make sense since the other two trade-evolutions from Gen I got one. Johto starters all desperately need one to remain even remotely relevant but not sure we'll get that quite yet, nor would I want them to get them at the expense of others. I think Raichu might get one just because it would mean another anime episode where Pikachu loses to one, Ash gives it the option to evolve (this time with Mega-Goodness) and it will still refuse because "reasons", yet somehow manages to defeat its evolution's Mega. Outside of that not sure who else...I mean, there are plenty of 'mons who could use one, but doesn't mean they will or should get one (like Farfetch'd).

    Also, not surprised you refused to comment on the super secret bases. [Frankly I care more for the prospect of move tutors]

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    1. Don't need to explain, you got your wish. Steven Stone uses one, at that (as I think we all expected would be the case).

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    2. Well then, I've got some good news for you http://www.serebii.net/omegarubyalphasapphire/metagross.jpg

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  4. I'm not saying it's broken, it's just that it's in this kind of weird spot where it's really not far off the OU cut-off line, and it's one of the top threats in UU, so it's not really bad enough to warrant a mega, and yet not good enough to just pay it no mind.

    Heck, we've seen Pokémon get salvaged just by external factors alone before. Can you imagine if they took a look at Bisharp and said, hey, this Pokémon kinda sucks right now, let's give it a mega? Not saying it'll happen every time, but still, I'd say Infernape is still in a spot where it might make a comeback if it turns out to be needed somehow.

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  5. I think Metagross and Flygon are the mostly likely along with Camerupt and Sharpedo. Milotic is a possibility, but I think if Milotic got a mega evolution, it'd have to be easier to find in the wild. Or rather, Feebas would have to be easier to find.

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    1. After seeing how piss easy they made it to find it in gen 5, I don't think we're going to revert to that tile bullcrap. Unless it's the Mega Stone you have to fish out in that fashion...

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    2. Please, don't give Trollfreak this kind of idea.

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  6. What about the two pokemon they gave absolutely shit stats to, Castform and Spinda? Surely they'd be candidates for Mega-evos, right?

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    1. Castform would be stuck with Forecast anyway, and I don't think 520 BST with no held item slot would fly, even in the lower tiers. Heck, I can pretty accurately predict its potential stat spread: 70 HP, 90 everywhere else. Sucks even with held items.

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    2. and im just remembering spinda too, with a bst of 360,it would be horrible too

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  7. Zangoose and Seviper seem like possibilities, being fairly well-known version exclusives and all. They could sure use the help.

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  8. As for Megagross, I'm going to guess that it's ability is probably going to be Trace (it's basically a computer, so it makes sense), which actually would be fairly decent on it...not that Clear Body is that great an ability to overthrow and the less said about Heavy Metal the better. I'm glad to see an expanded regional dex, not surprised since GF's M.O. is typically to make the generations mostly self-contained regarding non-legendaries. The E4 can ONLY get better, as it can't possibly be worse than it was. With double the number of 'mons overall and hopefully double the old Hoenn Dex, there's no excuses to just sit with NFEs and crappy FEs. They'll probably do what they've been doing last two gens: give them just four mons (when you got copies, and copies of NFEs at that, not like it matters) but make them all at least halfway decent. Of course, didn't help back then that the then-new Hoenn 'mons for the most part sucked balls....

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  9. How dare you say Hoenn had the worst Elite Four! The worst was Sinnoh because they were hard.

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    1. Sinnoh's DP incarnation was a good runner for worst E4, because it was both massively overleveled and heavily underpowered at the same time (BEAUTIFLY? Flint having over half his team not be the right type? Come on!)

      Difficulty is normally = good. I like Platinum's E4.

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    2. Actually, I liked Flint having a varied team (same for Candice and Volkner). Beats him having an Infernape, two Monfernos and two Rapidashes, right? But the point is, I'm beyond sick of type-based gyms and E4s. There are so many cool gimmicks this game can offer, and it's just not being exploited at all! How about a sky battle gym? An inverse battle gym? A weather gym? The possibilities are endless!

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    3. Careful what you wish for, a sky battle gym might be something put into Winona's gym. I don't mind the gym battles being type-based (for beginners it makes sense, really). I'd like to see E4 based more on specific strategies rather than just types (they can still go predominantly type based but secondarily), at least for rematches.

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    4. The problem with those theme gyms is that it would force the player to have specific pokemon, since not all pokemon are legal in Sky battles. The Sky Battle gym idea would be the biggest example of this issue.

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    5. Yeah, you're right for the specific case of sky battles. Still, for the rest, it's not all that different now, does it? An Electric gym suddenly becomes a lot easier with a Ground-type, etc. If anything, it might become more beneficial to put extra thought into building your team, and I'd never say no to making the games more challenging, especially through other means than a high level curve.

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    6. I like type based gyms with the idea that the type should attempt to circumvent its own weaknesses. So Volkner's team having multiple Ice attacks is a great thing.

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  10. Jesus Christ, Mega Metagross is going to be silly powerful. 700 BST is only going to end one way, without an ability to stop it. Not that I'M complaining, Metagross is cool so I like this.

    I'm hoping for Rhyperior and Salamence, because Aggron and Tyranitar get them and those are the old counterparts (as in before Gen 6). Possibly something like Mightyena to give the low tiers a Mega. Dusknoir because of Sableye. Plusle and Minun in the same vein as Lati@s for the same reason as Mightyena? Whiscash to keep going on the "this thing gets so much odd stuff" train? There's some good chances for amazing stuff around here.

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  11. I think pokejungle managed to make out that the ability is Tough Claws, though we still need clear scans to confirm.

    Considering how the claws are the big change of the design I could see it

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    1. If it is Tough Claws that's interesting. I seem to recall Metagross getting a lot of contact moves, such as its main STAB of Meteor Mash. There's also the elemental punches and Zen Headbutt which would also all benefit.

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  12. Not related to Megas, but more info from CoroCoro scans. Looks like the contests are going to be involve costumes and oh god what they did with Pikachu...Also they are implying that the E4's Phoebe will be using a Dusknoir, so we have evidence that they are changing their rosters (and goddamn if there's anyone that needed a roster change it was the Hoenn E4)

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