Some of these forms are simple, but each of them offers something more to the Pokemon in question. While some are exclusive to certain media or are simple visual alterations, others provide changes to stats as well. Many of the most notable forms appear in recent Pokemon history alongside Mega Evolutions and Dynamax monsters, the latter debuting in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
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Mega Evolutions
Mega Evolutions first appeared in Pokemon X and Y. This new form of evolutions was limited to battles, and while Mega Evolutions provided significant visual and stat changes to their recipients, they were balanced by requiring those Pokemon to hold a corresponding Mega Stone. The mechanic itself was somewhat divisive for fans, but the visuals of many Mega Evolution Pokemon showed the possibilities of building upon classic designs.
Since the introduction of Mega Evolutions, Pokemon has introduced other forms as well. Dynamax and regional forms are the most recent to appear in a game but Pokemon Legends: Arceus will also be introducing Noble Pokemon that may be viewed as a form once the game releases.
Dynamax Pokemon
Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokemon are exclusive to the Galar region, and were a major mechanic in the eighth generation of Pokemon games, including both the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions. While similar to Mega Evolutions, the changes provided to Dynamax Pokemon last only three turns in battle and can be applied to every monster if the conditions are right.
Gigantamax Pokemon are closer to Pokemon with Mega Evolutions, but operate the same way as Dynamax Pokemon. The key difference between the two is that Gigantamax Pokemon experience significant visual changes just as Pokemon who Mega Evolve, and they receive a unique G-Max Move. However, there are 32 Gigantamax Pokemon, fewer than the 48 Mega Evolutions in the Pokemon series.
Regional Variants
Another notable form archetype is regional variants. There aren’t many regional Pokemon, but each new game adds a couple more. While Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl haven’t introduced new ones, both Pokemon Sword and Shield as well as the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Arceus have regional Pokemon following up on the mechanic being introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon. These variants might feature new typings or new evolutions based on the original Pokemon.
This allows for new interpretations of fan favorites, as well as unique transplants in new regions. Regional forms have provided a fun way to explore what-if situations in the Pokemon franchise based on how a Pokemon might adapt to a different ecosystem, which develops new lore as well. This was explored with Pokemon in Generation 7 like Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Marowak.
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Pokemon with Alternate Aesthetics
Along with significant battle-focused forms like Dynamax, Mega Evolutions, and regional variants, there are many Pokemon that go through simple visual changes depending on how they’re encountered. For event-specific Pokemon, this can mean exclusive aesthetics, while certain other Pokemon might change depending on the time of day or weather.
Pikachu – Has both cosplay and cap forms. Cosplay was exclusive to Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and featured five costumes: Rockstar, Belle, Pop Star, Ph. D, and Libre. Cap Pikachu debuted in Gen 7’s Pokemon Sun and Moon, featuring each of Ash’s different caps from the anime. Spikey-eared Pichu – A unique female Pichu that only appears in Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Unown – This Pokemon has 28 different variations; 26 corresponding to the letters of the alphabet as well as an exclamation point and question mark. Castform – Castform has a normal form as well as a Sunny, Rainy, and Snow form depending on the weather. Shelos and Gastrodon – Different versions of these Pokemon can be found on the west and east sides of Mt. Coronet in Gen 4. Arceus – Has a different color change depending on the type dictated by the Plate that it’s holding. Basculin – Basculin has two forms, one with a red stripe and one with a blue Stripe. Deerling and Sawsbuck – Have four different forms that correspond to spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Keldeo – Has Ordinary and Resolute forms. Genesect – There are five forms that change Genesect’s type depending on the drive it’s holding: Normal, Shock Drive, Chill Drive, Douse Drive, and Burn Drive. Vivillon – This Pokemon has 18 different patterns depending on the region in which a player is based, as well as two event-exclusive patterns. Flabebe, Floette, Florges – This evolutionary line of Fairy-type Pokemon from Gen 6 has multiple colored forms: Red, Yellow, Blue, Orange, and White. Furfrou – There are ten different haircuts Furfrou can get to change its form in Pokemon X and Y: Natural, Heart, Star, Diamond, Debutante, Matron, Dandy, La Reine, Kabuki, and Pharoah. Xerneas – Xerneas changes into an active form when it enters battle. Oricorio – Oricorio’s four different forms are dependent on which island it’s encountered on in Pokemon Sun and Moon. They also have different primary types: Baile is Fire, Pom-Pom is Electric, Pa’u is Psychic, and Sensu is Ghost. Silvally – Similar to Arceus, Silvally can change its type and form color, but needs to hold a memory for each of the different Pokemon types. Mimikyu – Enters battle in its Disguised form, but changes to Busted form after taking damage. Magearna – Normal and Original Color Magearna use different pallets, but are overall the same. Cramorant – Normal, Gulping, and Gorging Cramorant forms depend on how much HP Cramorant has after using Surf or Dive in battle. Sinistea and Polteageist – Phony and Antique forms are defined by a mark of authenticity on the underside of the Pokemon. Alcreamie – Has 70 total forms, including 10 shiny ones, that change the color of the Pokemon and its attached garnish. Morpeko – Full Belly and Hangry mode Morpeko are switched each turn based on the Pokemon’s Hunger Switch ability. Urshifu – Single Strike is Fighting and Dark-type, meanwhile Rapid Strike is Fighting and Water-type. Zarude – Dada Zarude wears a pink cape with Celebi’s Pokedex number based on its appearance in Pokemon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle.
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Pokemon Forms that Affect Their Stats
On top of all the aesthetic changes listed above, there are also Pokemon forms that change their stats. This gives each Pokemon a distinct advantage in battle, which changes how players might use them on a team. For some Pokemon, it can completely change how they’re played and affect overall team composition for competitive matches.
Groudon and Kyogre – Both have Primal forms similar to Mega Evolutions. Deoxys – Has Normal, Attack, Defense, and Speed forms. Burmy and Wormadam – Plant, Sandy, and Trash forms exist for both Pokemon, but they only change stats for Wormadam. Cherrim – Has Overcast and Sunshine forms based on whether Sunny Day is active. Rotom – Rotom, Heat Rotom, Rotom Wash, Rotom Frost, Rotom Fan, Rotom Mow forms have varying stats and signature attacks. Rotom Pokedex and Rotom Phone are used as items. Giratina – Has Altered and Origin forms. Shaymin – Has Land and Sky forms. Darmanitan – Standard and Zen forms are used by both Unova and Galar regional forms of Darmanitan. Landorus, Thundurus, Tornadus – Each have Incarnate and Therian forms. Kyurem – Has Normal, White Kyurem, and Black Kyurem forms. Meloetta – Has Aria and Pirouette forms. Greninja – Has Ash-Greninja, which originated in the anime but appeared later in Sun and Moon. Aegislash – Swaps between Shield and Blade forms using its signature move King’s Shield. Pumpkaboo and Gourgeist – Has Small, Average, Large, and Super forms. Zygarde – By collecting Cells, Zygarde changes into 10 percent, 50 percent, and Complete forms. Hoopa – Has Confined and Unbound forms. Lycanroc – Has Midday, Midnight, and Dusk forms. Minior – There are Meteor and Core forms of Minior with red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet cores. Wishiwashi – Begins battle in School form, but falls back to a solo Wishiwashi when below a given health threshold. Necrozma – Has Normal, Dusk Mane, Dawn Wings, and Ultra forms. Toxtricity – Has Amped and Low Key forms based on its Nature. Eiscue – Has Ice Face and Noice Face forms. Zacian – Becomes Crowned Sword form when holding the Rusted Sword. Zamazenta – Becomes Crowned Shield form when using the Rusted Shield. Eternatus – Eternamax form could be counted as a Gigantamax, but it’s not usable in-game and only appears at the end of Pokemon Sword and Shield. Calyrex – Has Normal, Ice Rider, and Shadow Rider forms.
While forms were rare early on, they’ve grown in popularity and many fans look forward to seeing how new and classic Pokemon might change. This could be through additions like Voltorb’s new regional form in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, or seeing more diversity in a species like with Toxtricity. Other great alternatives could result in forms changing mechanics in future generations, just as Mega Evolutions and Dynamax have done for Pokemon in the past.
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