The latest trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet showcased a couple of new Pokémon, both of whom are very clearly related to Donphan. The Great Tusk looks like an ancient version of the Pokémon, and Iron Treads looks like a futuristic elephant. Donphan, who was introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver, had not received any kind of variant or unique move until now, with its only claim to fame being that the Pokémon anime's Ash received one late into his Johto adventure, before it evolved and became a more important part of his team when he took on the Battle Frontier.
Leaks about these past and future forms of Pokémon have referred to the creatures as Paradox Pokémon. There are many more of these forms to be found in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, almost serving as a more powerful version of even the best and most deserving of Pokémon's regional variants. They are said to take up their own Pokédex slots though, making it clear that they are separate from their original counterparts. Any reasons for this are currently unknown, but it would be unusual if the story did not further explain this.
Paradox Pokémon In SV May Be Counterparts To Ultra Beasts
Fans were quick to nickname the new Donphan variants after they were announced, calling them Koraidonphan and Miraidonphan. These fanmade names are clearly a play on the names of the cover Legendaries for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Right now, the Donphan forms have only been officially referred to as Great Tusk and Iron Treads, and it is unknown if they have more traditional names too. When every Ultra Beast Pokémon species first debuted, they were given codenames, and Paradox Pokémon could very well be similar to Ultra Beasts, but from a different time rather than a different space. Another similarity that has appeared in a datamine of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is that many of the Paradox Pokémon will have a base stat total of 570, which again matches the majority of the Ultra Beasts.
With only one Pokémon so far slated to get both a past and future form, it begs the question as to why Donphan specifically was chosen. Traditionally, multiple forms were reserved to Gen 1 Pokémon as part of the Pokémon series’ blatant nostalgia pandering, with Mewtwo, Meowth, Venusaur and Blastoise being the recipients of multiple forms, although Charizard is consistently the worst culprit of this favoritism. Compared to even its fellow starters, Charizard is popular and a valuable Pokémon to many fans, primarily just for nostalgic reasons. This gets exploited, as can be seen with its multitude of additional forms, something that is unprecedented for a Pokémon like Donphan. Considering Donphan was a late-game Silver exclusive when it debuted, most of the nostalgia towards it will likely come from Ash’s Donphan in the anime, but it was never given any preferential treatment like Infernape or Greninja were. Wheels and the technology behind them have been a large part of society for centuries, so perhaps that was the reason why Donphan was chosen, as its original form is very clearly based on a tire.
If Pokémon Scarlet and Violet continue to explore overlooked Pokémon that deserve evolutions and other forms of attention, they could prove to be a hit with fans of the series. Seeing comparatively unloved Pokémon get a lot of attention is always nice when the alternative is yet another Charizard form. With the release of the games drawing closer by the day, it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the Paradox Pokémon are officially revealed.
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