Summary
Even withPokemon Legends: Z-Aset to launch later this year,Pokemonfans still have their eyes on the horizon as Gen 10 approaches and is expected to be the first true generation designed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Speculation about the next generation of thePokemonfranchise—codenamed “Gaia”—has heated up thanks to a recent leak from notable source, CentroLeaks, claiming that Gen 10’s region will be based on the Greek Cyclades islands. While this setting is certainly filled with potential, the games would need to walk a fine line with one controversial mechanic or risk causing players a major headache.
ThePokemonfranchise is no stranger to island-based regions, with Gen 3’s Hoenn Region and Gen 7’s Alola Region both famously featuring island-centric geography. However, along with islands comes an abundance of water that players will need to traverse to hop from island to island, which means more Water-type Pokemon are likely to be available in Gen 10’s Pokedex. Certain Water-types have gotten a bad reputation in recent generations due to one annoying mechanic, and Gen 10 could be in a position to make these mons even worse.
Water Types are Likely to Be More Abundant in Gen 10
Out of thePokemonseries' 18 elemental types, Water is the most common, with around 15% of the total Pokedex having the type. While Water types have been common since Gen 1, regions that feature large sections of water, such as the Hoenn Region and its many water routes, tend to have a denser concentration of Water-type mons. The infamous criticism of theHoenn Regionhaving too much water largely stems from the density of Water-types on surfing routes and the lack of type diversity.
However, Gen 8’sPokemon Sword and Shieldadded another way to make water areas more annoying by introducing mons that would chase players over water in the Wild Area. Sharpedo became the bane of many players' existence with the way it would relentlessly pursue players across bodies of water, often moving faster than the players themselves could. Although the Galar Region is light on water routes, the existence of these aggressive Sharpedo made water-heavy areas like theIsle of Armora nightmare to traverse.
Information aboutPokemonGen 10 has not been officially confirmed, so this leak should be taken with a grain of salt.
More Water Types Mean More Critters Like Veluza and Sharpedo Could Cause Headaches
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetdoubled down on the Sharpedo frenzy of Gen 8 by introducing another relentless pursuer in the form of Veluza. Like Galar, Paldea is fairly light on water locales, but places likeCasseroya Lakebecame infamous for the danger posed by the high volume of Veluza players would have to avoid to cross it. If Gen 10 is increasing the amount of water terrain players will have to cover, it seems more than likely players will see even more critters like Sharpedo and Veluza in the Regional Pokedex.
Although more Water-type critters in a water-heavy region would make sense, the Gen 10 games may want to resist the temptation to go overboard with Sharpedo, Veluza, and any other pursuer critters to lessen the headache that water routes can be for players. An influx of Water types may be unavoidable due to the nature of an island-based region, but the games can reduce the impact of this overabundance by making water routes more desirable to traverse and reducing or removing the presence of aggressive mons like Sharpedo and Veluza. Despite having the most mons of any type in the series,Water-type Pokemontend to fall down on the popularity scale due to their association with the series' most frustrating gameplay, and Gen 10 has the chance to redeem these critters.
