A new trailer that dropped in the last few minutes revealed a new batch of Gigantamax forms. Unsurprisingly, the Kanto pandering the franchise has been so in love with for the past few generations continues in full force - all of the new forms revealed today are specific to Pokémon introduced in the first generation. More surprisingly, most of these are tied to particular promotions in some fashion or another - but more on that later.
First of all - the trailer itself!
And now that that's out of the way, let's break down what we just saw, shall we?
Naturally, first on the line for shenanigans is none other than long-suffering series mascot, Pikachu.
In a fit of Peak Genwun, Gigantamax Pikachu's design harkens back to Pikachu's original design before years of anime and having to make appearances in everything whatsoever streamlined and slimmed it down. Any electric move carried by this blast from the past in its normal form are replaced for the duration of the transformation with G-Max Volt Crash, which deals damage and paralyzes all opponents on the field.
In recent years, Eevee has been getting nearly the same Mascot Treatment as Pikachu has been, so therefore it is of very little surprise that Eevee also got a Max Floof treatment. Apparently containing so much energy makes it even more hyper-actively playful and not quite aware of its being a towering Kaiju. Normal-type moves carried by Eevee in its normal form are replaced with G-Max Cuddle, which deals damage and has an Attract effect on opponents of the opposite gender.
The special, Dynamax-capable Pikachu and Eevee will only be available to players who have play records (presumably save files) from Pokémon Let's Go! Pikachu and Pokémon Let's Go! Eevee on their Switch systems - they will be able to receive them at the "Wild Area Station" which, ostensibly, the players will reach after about two hours of gameplay. Naturally, players with records from Let's Go! Pikachu will receive the Pikachu, and players with records from Let's Go! Eevee will receive the Eevee. Note that these special Pikachu and Eevee cannot evolve - which makes me wonder if they come with the same sort of stat boosts the Partner Pikachu and Eevee get in LGPE to compensate - but that's pure speculation.
Now that we got our "Buy our Genwun-Remake-Spinoff-Go-Simulator For Fabulous Prizes" out of the way, we move on to the next blindingly obvious candidate for the Gigantamax Treatment...
We all saw this coming - the writing was on the wall for 'Zard getting the Regional Gimmick ever since Leon, the regional champion, was revealed to use the Favoritism Lizarde as his ace Pokémon. In Gigantamax form, Charizard's flames are more all-over-the-place than ever - and it seems to get some pretty nifty markings too. Whatever fire moves it carries in its regular form are replaced for the duration of the transformation with G-Max Wildfire, which deals damage and continues damaging the opponent for four more turns afterwards. Fire-type opponents are immune to this damage-over-time effect.
The biggest surprise of this trailer was perhaps this - Gigantamax Butterfree! Its radiant and semitranslucent wings are rather evocative of a certain other well known Kaiju, and any bug-type moves it carries in its normal form are replaced for the duration of its transformation with G-Max Befuddle, which inflicts damage as well random status conditions (paralysis, poison or sleep) on all opponents in an Effect Spore-y sort of way. On a personal note it amuses me deeply that this is the first time Gamefreak has shown any love for Butterfree since the tiny boost it received to its special attack in Generation VI and the first Bug-type related thing in this reveal cycle at all. About time.
And lastly... don't say it... don't say it... don't-
LONGCAT IS LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG.
Yes, the hottest new meme of 2004 attempts to claw its way back to relevance amidst the rest of Gen 8's memetic mon. Apparently its obsession with shiny objects means that it uses gleaming skyscrapers as scratching posts. The insurance industry in Galar must make a killing.
Normal moves carried by this Meowth in its normal form are replaced for the duration of its transformation with G-Max Gold Rush, which unsurprisingly is a souped up Pay Day - with the added fringe benefit of confusing every opponent on the battlefield. (Honestly, we'd be confused too).
The special Meowth capable of Gigantamaxing, like Pikachu and Eevee, is more of a promotional thing available via Mystery Gift for players who purchase Sword and Shield before Wednesday, January 15, 2020 (an internet connection is required to receive it, but a Nintendo Online subscription is not required). Also like Pikachu and Eevee, it cannot evolve.
As for anything else... Not much to report, really. Gigantamax does not change these Pokémon's types or abilities - merely their forms and the special move they get. What sort of effect these new forms may have on the game itself? We'll just have to wait and see when the games release next month.
First of all - the trailer itself!
So here's this gigantamaxed enemy genwun... and you attack its weak point for massive damage.
And now that that's out of the way, let's break down what we just saw, shall we?
Naturally, first on the line for shenanigans is none other than long-suffering series mascot, Pikachu.
The special, Dynamax-capable Pikachu and Eevee will only be available to players who have play records (presumably save files) from Pokémon Let's Go! Pikachu and Pokémon Let's Go! Eevee on their Switch systems - they will be able to receive them at the "Wild Area Station" which, ostensibly, the players will reach after about two hours of gameplay. Naturally, players with records from Let's Go! Pikachu will receive the Pikachu, and players with records from Let's Go! Eevee will receive the Eevee. Note that these special Pikachu and Eevee cannot evolve - which makes me wonder if they come with the same sort of stat boosts the Partner Pikachu and Eevee get in LGPE to compensate - but that's pure speculation.
Now that we got our "Buy our Genwun-Remake-Spinoff-Go-Simulator For Fabulous Prizes" out of the way, we move on to the next blindingly obvious candidate for the Gigantamax Treatment...
And lastly... don't say it... don't say it... don't-
LONGCAT IS LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG.
Yes, the hottest new meme of 2004 attempts to claw its way back to relevance amidst the rest of Gen 8's memetic mon. Apparently its obsession with shiny objects means that it uses gleaming skyscrapers as scratching posts. The insurance industry in Galar must make a killing.
Normal moves carried by this Meowth in its normal form are replaced for the duration of its transformation with G-Max Gold Rush, which unsurprisingly is a souped up Pay Day - with the added fringe benefit of confusing every opponent on the battlefield. (Honestly, we'd be confused too).
The special Meowth capable of Gigantamaxing, like Pikachu and Eevee, is more of a promotional thing available via Mystery Gift for players who purchase Sword and Shield before Wednesday, January 15, 2020 (an internet connection is required to receive it, but a Nintendo Online subscription is not required). Also like Pikachu and Eevee, it cannot evolve.
As for anything else... Not much to report, really. Gigantamax does not change these Pokémon's types or abilities - merely their forms and the special move they get. What sort of effect these new forms may have on the game itself? We'll just have to wait and see when the games release next month.
