Summary
- Paradox Pokémon have brought exciting new variations to the franchise but could have been introduced in better ways, leaving questions and concerns unresolved.
- There are currently only 18 Paradox Pokémon, and fans wanted more for nostalgic species when Scarlet & Violet released.
- Paradox Pokémon lack lore and history to flesh out their species, and sharing the same abilities limits their uniqueness and impact on the series.
Pokémon has been around for a long time now, and nine generations of games and the anime have finally pushed this storied franchise over 1000 total species of Pokémon. Every generation has introduced its own collection of Pokémon, and some have even tried new things with evolution mechanics, new battle gimmicks and regional variants.
These regional variants started with Gen VII's Alola region, bringing back familiar faces but giving them a makeover relevant to this new region, with lore to justify their new design and typing. This has evolved through Sword & Shield, Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Scarlet & Violet, and the latter has taken things even further by introducing Paradox Pokémon. But have these Paradox additions proven successful?
Setting The Scene For Paradox Pokémon
Paradox Pokémon are special species found while exploring the Paldea region, and are relatives of existing Pokémon found through the unprecedented triumphs of time-machine experimentation. What kind of relative depends on which Gen IX game is being played - Pokémon Scarlet has ancient past relatives of familiar faces, while Violet visits the distant future.
The respective designs reflect the time period the species is from, with Scarlet's ancient Paradox Pokémon having more primal and prehistoric features, while the others are more futuristic with engines and electricity. As the Paradox Pokémon were likely named by an AI, as explored through the Gen IX story, the names are very different to those that Pokémon usually have. The English names are always two words, from Great Tusk and Slither Wing to Iron Treads and Iron Moth.
How Paradox Pokémon Have Missed The Mark
While Paradox Pokémon have brought exciting new variations for beloved species, there are various better ways that they could have been introduced to the franchise. There is still room for future Paradox Pokémon to help rectify these problems, but Pokémon fans won't expect too much. Paradox Pokémon are still fun and creative in design and premise. There are just some questions and concerns that Pokémon fans will continue to have until they are officially addressed.
Could There Have Been More Of Them?
As of right now, there are 18 Paradox Pokémon spread across both versions with nine from the ancient past and nine from the distant future. Part 2 of the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, titled The Indigo Disk, is set to introduce two more Paradox Pokémon, but could more have been introduced when the base games of Scarlet & Violet were released?
At the time there was the perfect number, with the respective Donphan relation being a Titan Pokémon, with six of the others being featured in that ultimate battle in Area Zero, in addition to the version-exclusive cover Legendary. However, fans were left wanting more, and specifically relatives for more nostalgic species. Only two Gen I Pokémon received Paradox Pokémon relatives in Magneton with Sandy Shocks and Jigglypuff with Scream Tail, with the Pokémon community running with their own fantasy variations of fan-favorites.
They Needed More Lore Behind Them & Better Pokédex Entries
Most of the Paradox Pokémon have cool designs with interesting twists on the originals, but most of these glow-ups simply deserved more lore and history to flesh these species out. Most Pokédex entries for these Paradox Pokémon are lacking in significant detail beyond brief descriptions of their design, or reasoning for why they are rare.
The fact that these Paradox Pokémon have come from another era via a time machine, would suggest that they are still unknown entities, but equally, having notes dotted around the respective professors' offices and labs with additional information could have been a nice touch. Ultimately, these Paradox Pokémon were a great idea, they just needed more history and personality to make them impact proceedings that little bit more.
Having The Same Abilities Harms Any Chance Of Truly Standing Out
A lack of personality and lore is also not helped by all Paradox Pokémon sharing the same two abilities depending on what version they are from. Scarlet Paradox Pokémon from the ancient past have the Protosynthesis ability, while those from the distant future have Quark Drive. These are weather and terrain abilities respectively and can set up some fun strategies or simply boosted attack output, but the repetition in abilities does bring the risk of these Pokémon becoming forgettable due to no spark or unique quirk.
An ability is an extension of a Pokémon's stamp on the franchise, and while many abilities are used by multiple different Pokémon, this is often done sparingly and doesn't always tarnish their overall character. In fact, most of the time, Pokémon have multiple abilities to cycle between, in addition to a hidden ability. Legendary and Mythical Pokémon aren't so lucky in this regard however, and are stuck with what they are given. Paradox Pokémon and Ultra Beasts from Gen VII are two major examples of groups that have been burdened with the same ability, stripping them of creative freedom that could have seen them reach new heights and potential.
Their Stat Totals Should Be Higher Than Pseudo-Legendaries
Pseudo-legendaries have become a staple in Pokémon now, with a new pseudo-legendary line being introduced every generation. However, many fans forget that pseudo-legendaries have a base stat total as high as 600, which is the same as Mythical Pokémon, and is only really bested by legendaries. This scaling is fine in general, but when new formidable species come along like these Paradox Pokémon, they tend to settle in below the pseudo-legendaries and Mythical Pokémon with their base stats.
While Koraidon and Miraidon boast base stat totals of 670 each, as they are Legendary Pokémon, the Paradox Pokémon generally only have 570, except for Roaring Moon, Walking Wake, Iron Leaves and Iron Valiant who have 590. For Iron Thorns to have 570 and its past relative Tyranitar 600, something doesn't quite add up or even seem fair. Paradox Pokémon and Ultra Beasts are more deserving of being treated like Mythical Pokémon than pseudo-legendaries, but they are not given such treatment.
Paradox Pokémon were a fun new addition to the Gen IX roster, and they even helped the Scarlet & Violet story's dramatic climax have that extra level of shock and tension. However, they will be forever tarnished by missed opportunities - mainly in not taking advantage of establishing each Paradox Pokémon with its own unique character beyond fancy designs. Better stats, more lore and meaning behind them, as well as separate abilities could have made Paradox Pokémon an indisputable success story, but will instead lean into plenty of "what ifs" and unfulfilled potential.