One newer addition to the Pokemon franchise that has found many fans is the introduction of regional variants. Regional variatns are versions of Pokemon that only appear in certain areas of the world, complete with altered appearances, abilities, moves, and even types. It is a great way of reimagining some of the most popular Pokemon out there, while also giving Pokemon players new ways to discover the Pokemon that they already know and love. The regional variants have also helped make Pokemon's world feel more alive while helping give each region its own flavor while keeping it connected to other regions players have already visited.
Regional variants were originally introduced with Pokemon Sun and Moon, which took place in the Hawaii-like region of Alola. Since, more regional variants were added with the Galar region present in Pokemon Sword and Shield. Recently, trailers for the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Arceus has revealed that new regional variants will be added to that game as well, indicating that regional variants are here to stay throughout the series. This is not too surprising, as regional variants have largely been popular with the Pokemon community, and there have been some great ones already included in previous games.
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Alolan Region Variants
- Rattata
- Raticate
- Raichu
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Vulpix
- Ninetales
- Diglett
- Dugtrio
- Meowth
- Persian
- Geodude
- Graveler
- Golem
- Grimer
- Muk
- Exeggutor
- Marowak
The first round of region variants in the Alola region revisited some of the most iconic Pokemon from the first generation, and also focused on only adding a number of select types to its new variants. The likes of Rattata, Raticate, Grimer, Muk, Meowth, and Persian all taking on Dark versions of their previous selves. There are also various variants that are ice variations of their traditional types such as Sandshrew, Sandslash, Vulpix, and Ninetales. The other variations included a selection of types like psychic, dragon, and ghost, and all of the forms eventually made their way to the very popular AR mobile title Pokemon GO.
However, the Alolan forms also brought numerous visual changes to the original designs of the Pokemon as well. This included a Raichu that flies on its tail like a surfboard and a ghost-themed Marowak that has ghostly flames on either end of its bone to look like a traditional Hawaiian fire dancer. Some of the visual changes to the Alolan variants also became very popular on their own. One of these was Alolan Exeggutor that got a massively long neck that fans couldn't help but chuckle at. The same went for Dugtrio, whose change was effectively putting some blonde wigs on a standard Dugtrio.
Galarian Region Variants
- Meowth
- Ponyta
- Rapidash
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Farfetch'd
- Weezing
- Mr. Mime
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Slowking
- Corsola
- Zigzagoon
- Linoone
- Darumaka
- Darmanitan
- Yamask
- Stunfisk
- Runnerigus
- Obstagoon
- Cursola
- Mr. Rime
- Sirfetch'd
- Perrserker
Pokemon Sword and Shield expanded the regional variants to include Pokemon beyond the first generation and even went so far as to also give some Pokemon regional evolutions that were entirely new additions. Interestingly, the Galarian variants did give Meowth another variant, but did not include Persian, and gave him an entirely new evolution, Perrserker. This generation was also the first to offer regional variants of legendary Pokemon by giving new forms to the iconic Pokemon legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres to make them Psychic, Fighting, and Dark types respectively. This was not only a great way to mix up those legendaries but also to give some interesting character and ore to the region itself.
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Interestingly, the Galarian variants also included a variant that did not add a type to the original Pokemon, but instead removed it. This is the case for Slowpoke, which became just a Psychic-type instead of a Water and Psychic-type. However, its evolution Slowbro does get an additional Poison-type instead of its standard Water-type. These variations did also feature visual changes as well, including making Farfetch'd look more menacing and giving Weezing some clever tophats that are also factory smokestacks. The variants also turned Meowth into a particularly fuzzy ball of fur that many Pokemon fans quickly fell in love with.
Hisuian Region Variants
- Growlithe
- Braviary
- Wyrdeer
- Basculegion
Not very much is known about what regional variants will all make an appearance in the bold new open-world Pokemon Legends: Arceus, but four have been confirmed so far. With Growlithe becoming a Fire and Rock-type and Braviary becoming a Psychic and Flying-type. Growithe's redesign sees his shapes becoming much more rounded while making him more red than orange, whereas Braviary's design is a bit more understated with some more hair in some spots and largely the same color palette. The new regional variants were introduced alongside new battle mechanics that are coming to Pokemon Legends: Arceus on top of the game taking the series open-world for the first time.
The four announced regional variants for Pokemon Legends: Arceus also confirms that the newest entry will continue the pattern set by Pokemon Sword and Shield with some of the variants sticking to the first generation of Pokemon while also branching out to other generations as well. It also confirms that Pokemon Legends: Arceus will continue to introduce new regional evolutions in Wyrdeer and Basculegion, which are new forms for Stantler and Basculin respectively. It will be very interesting to see what other new variants Pokemon Legends: Arceus has in store for fans of the series.
With a new generation of Pokemon undoubtedly in the works, as well as an unknown number of spin-offs, it will also be interesting to see what new forms regional variants take in the future. It seems possible that new games in the franchise will continue to add to the system with even more variants and options. It would be great to see a game eventually include variants of some of Pokemon's best starters or even other popular legendaries as well. Regional variants could also begin introducing fusions between multiple Pokemon, which are already popular among the fanbase. Thankfully, players do not have much longer to wait for Pokemon Legends: Arceus to see what other variants it has in store.
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