Pokémon Goes Punk?!

Galarian Forms

If you’ve played Sun & Moon, you’ll definitely be familiar with a mechanic called “Alolan Forms.” Nintendo took existing Pokémon (such as Raichu, Golem, Persian, and Diglett) and pulled a switcheroo – giving these Pokémon a brand new look and changing up their types. For example, Raichu gained the Psychic Type in addition to its Electric-type. Now, it looks like they’ve done it again with the Galar Region. Check out the several new forms of classic Pokémon they’ve introduced:

Galarian Weezing

It’s safe to say that nobody was expecting a dapper Weezing to make an appearance in Sword and Shield. However, there is something strangely appealing about the poison Pokémon‘s bold new look. Along with those glorious Top Hats/Chimneys comes the addition of the Fairy typing to Weezings arsenal. This could see it learning moves like Moonblast and Dazzling Gleam, making it a good choice to go up against any Dragon types you may encounter whilst traversing Galar.

There’s still no word on whether Koffing will get the same makeover.  It’s worth noting that some first stage Pokémon like Pikachu, Cubone, and Exeggcute didn’t get their own Alolan forms, even though their evolutions did.

Galarian Zigzagoon, Linoone, and Obstagoon

While these three might look more at home at a KISS concert (a band from the 1970s for all you youngsters out there) than in a Pokémon game, the trio is certainly eye-catching. The most exciting thing about them, however, is the fact that Linoone has finally gotten its third evolution. Linoone was introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire as an evolution of Zigzagoon and is primarily used for catching legendary/shiny Pokémon due to it being able to learn the move False Swipe. But now, it looks like trainers will have the option to train Linoone even further to snag themselves Obstagoon.

It’s worth noting as well that the trio’s coloration matches that of the Badgers native to the UK which the Galar Region is based on. The three are also sporting a new Dark-type attribute, whereas previous Linoone and Zigzagoon were only normal types.

A Hangry New Pokémon Appears!

Next up is the cute little gremlin with a wild side: Morpeko! This adorable little mouse can change forms seemingly after using its signature move “Aura Wheel”. When its belly empties out, the Pokémon goes from sweetness and love into a hunger-induced rage monster. Fortunately, this also changes Aura Wheel from an Electric to a Dark Type move, giving trainers more options if they come up against a type disadvantage while battling.

Morpeko isn’t the first Pokémon to change forms mid-battle, as Pocket Monsters such as Castform and WishiWashi, can also appear differently depending on certain battling conditions such as weather and low health respectively. Morpeko seems not to have an evolution at this point in time and if it follows the trend of the other form changing Pokémon it probably won’t have one any time soon.

Rivals Everywhere!

No Pokémon game is complete without a rival – and it looks like Sword and Shield will have plenty to throw at you!

Bede

If his expression and choice of clothing are anything to go by, it looks like this young fellow will be one of the antagonists of Pokémon Sword and Shield. In what little footage we see of Bede, he summons out the psychic Pokémon Solosis (perhaps hinting at the type-pattern the rest of his Pokémon team will take). He can also be seen wearing a Dynamax wristband, meaning you’ll probably be in for a fierce battle whenever you run up against him in your adventure.

Marnie and Team Yell

Bursting onto the scene in an explosion of punk aesthetics, it’s the Pokémon Trainer Marnie and Team Yell! We don’t know much about either of these two teams yet, but it looks like Team Yell will be making full use of the new Galarian forms of Zigzagoon and its evolutions.

Being a rival, Marnie doesn’t seem like your typical Pokémon bad guy. However, she may fill a similar role as Guzma from Pokémon Sun and Moon – a secondary antagonist alongside the main villain who has yet to be fully revealed. To hear more of our thoughts on Team Yell, click here.

That’s it for this trailer so far! Stay tuned to Pixelbay for more updates ahead of Pokémon Sword and Shield’s release on November 15.