Character Sheet: The Past Paradoxes

GREAT TUSK/SCREAM TAIL/BRUTE BONNET/FLUTTER MANE/SLITHER WING/SANDY SHOCKS/ROARING MOON/WALKING WAKE/GOUGING FIRE/RAGING BOLT

The Paradox Pokemon are a . . . rather difficult concept to explain. They all mostly originate from Area Zero in the middle of Paldea, a strange zone where time distortions occur. The Paradox Pokemon inside aren’t really so much ancient and future versions of modern Pokemon, but more like . . . how those Pokemon would have developed in a world without humans, and machines that would have been built in a world without Pokemon? Something like that.

We’ll cover just the Past Paradoxes for now, starting with Great Tusk, a giant version of Donphan that pulls heavy inspiration from the mastodon.

Standard B: Megahorn

Side B: Headlong Rush

Up B: Stomping Tantrum

Down B: Earthquake

Final Smash: Ground Tera-Type Headlong Rush

Next, we have Scream Tail, a large version of Jigglypuff with wild hair that screams instead of singing. It seems mostly based on the stereotypical wild caveman archetype.

Standard B: Hyper Voice

Side B: Psychic Fangs

Up B: Play Rough

Down B: Wish

Final Smash: Normal Tera-Type Boomburst

Then, we have Brute Bonnet, a giant version of Amoonguss with hanging vines draping around its mushroom cap, seeming like a monster you might encounter deep in a prehistoric jungle.

Standard B: Sucker Punch

Side B: Giga Drain

Up B: Clear Smog

Down B: Rage Powder

Final Smash: Grass Tera-Type Solar Beam

After that, we have Flutter Mane, an ancient Misdreavus with larger wing flaps along its head that apparently takes some inspiration from various pterosaurs.

Standard B: Moonblast

Side B: Phantom Force

Up B: Astonish

Down B: Mystical Fire

Final Smash: Fairy Tera-Type Moonblast

Then, we have Slither Wing, a giant version of Volcarona with a larger, more reptilian body and wings too small to fly with.

Standard B: Bug Bite

Side B: Lunge

Up B: Whirlwind

Down B: Low Sweep

Final Smash: Fighting Tera-Type Superpower

Next, we have Sandy Shocks, an ancient Magneton with long legs and metal shavings for hair that makes it seem like something out of a Mad Max-style dystopian desert.

Standard B: Zap Cannon

Side B: Bulldoze

Up B: Magnetic Flux

Down B: Electric Terrain

Final Smash: Electric Tera-Type Electric Terrain

Then we have Roaring Moon, a version of Salamence that keeps its crescent-shaped wings normally seen only in its Mega Form, but much more wild and dinosaur-like.

Standard B: Night Slash

Side B: Dragon Rush

Up B: Fly

Down B: Dragon Breath

Final Smash: Dragon Tera-Type Dragon Rush

And finally, we come to Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, and Raging Bolt, Paradox forms of Suicune, Entei, and Raikou, and probably the main reason for the whole “alternate timeline” thing instead of just being ancient ancestors, because, you know, their backstory. Walking Wake is based on a theropod, Gouging Fire is a ceratopsid, and Raging Bolt is a long-necked sauropod respectively.

Standard B: Dragon Breath | Fire Fang | Zap Cannon

Side B: Aqua Jet | Flare Blitz | Dragon Hammer

Up B: Hydro Steam | Morning Sun | Rising Voltage

Down B: Thunder | Outrage | Burning Bulwark | Thunder

Final Smash: Water Tera-Type Hydro Pump | Fire Tera-Type Burning Bulwark | Electric Tera-Type Thunder

Most of the bonus stuff should be relatively ancient equivalents of their counterparts. Given the plot, Area Zero is probably the go-to stage for most of them.

Thanks for reading! Next up, let’s cover the Future Paradox Pokemon now.

Character Sheet: Convergent Evolutions

TOEDSCOOL/TOEDSCRUEL/WIGLETT/WUGTRIO/POLTCHAGEIST/SINISTCHA

Starting in this generation, we introduce the concept of convergent evolution, based on real world convergent evolution, where entirely different animals evolve the same type of body plan and role in the ecosystem entirely separate from each other, i.e. dolphins and sharks. First, we have Toedscool and Toedscruel, a pair of walking mushrooms that happen to have very similar body plans to Tentacool and Tentacruel.

Standard B: Mud Shot > Power Whip

Side B: Poison Powder > Seed Bomb

Up B: Wrap

Down B: Mega Drain > Giga Drain

Final Smash: Grass Tera-Type Power Whip

Next, we have Wiglett and Wugtrio, a line of Pokemon based on garden eels, who bear a distinct resemblance to Diglett and Dugtrio.

Standard B: Water Gun > Aqua Jet

Side B: Wrap > Throat Chop

Up B: Slam > Triple Dive

Down B: Water Pulse

Final Smash: Water Tera-Type Liquidation

And finally, we have Poltchageist and Sinistcha, a pair of ghosts with certain physical similarities to Sinistea and Polteageist, but who are ghost possessing bottles and mortars full of matcha tea.

Standard B: Mega Drain > Giga Drain

Side B: Hex > Matcha Gotcha

Up B: Stun Spore > Leaf Storm

Down B: Withdraw

Final Smash: Grass Tera-Type Matcha Gotcha

Most of their secondary stuff could all easily be slightly altered versions of what was said for their convergent “cousins.” Most of their spirit battles could reasonably be set on Pokopia out of this gen’s stages.

Thanks for reading! Next up, let’s introduce another new concept to the series: Paradox Pokemon!

Character Sheet: Paldean Forms and New Evos

TAUROS/WOOPER/CLODSIRE/ANNIHILAPE/FARIGIRAF/DUDUNSPARCE/KINGAMBIT/DIPPLIN/HYDRAPPLE/ARCHALUDON

Just like the last two generations, we had a few Paldean regional variants, but really only two to speak of, as well as a handful of new evolutions for other pre-existing lines. We’ll just do all of them together. First up, we have Tauros, who gained a new Fighting type variant, which, considering Paldea is based on Spain, is not all that surprising.

Standard B: Headbutt

Side B: Raging Bull/Flame Charge/Aqua Jet

Up B: Thrash

Down B: Close Combat/Flare Blitz/Wave Crash

Final Smash: Normal Tera-Type Raging Bull

Next we have Wooper, who has gained a Ground/Poison type form that lives more outside of water, and has gained a new evolution in Clodsire, based on the Iberian ribbed newt, complete with its ability to jut its bones out of its body.

Standard B: Poison Tail > Megahorn

Side B: Mud Shot > Sludge Wave

Up B: Slam

Down B: Toxic Spikes > Amnesia

Final Smash: Ground Tera-Type Earthquake

Primeape gains a new evolution where it becomes so angry that it literally dies, becoming a wrathful Ghost-type specter.

Standard B: Shadow Punch

Side B: Rage Fist

Up B: Stomping Tantrum

Down B: Outrage

Final Smash: Ghost Tera-Type Rage Fist

Girafarig now evolves into Farigiraf, an even taller giraffe with its tail-head now acting as a space helmet of sorts over the main head.

Standard B: Twin Beam

Side B: Double Hit

Up B: Psychic

Down B: Confusion

Final Smash: Psychic Tera-Type Twin Beam

Dunsparce gained a new evolution as well. To the disappointment of many, and possibly as a full-on troll move by Game Freak, it simply gained one to two extra body segments and that’s pretty much it.

Standard B: Dragon Rush

Side B: Hyper Drill

Up B: Hurricane

Down B: Yawn

Final Smash: Normal Tera-Type Hyper Drill

Bisharp now evolves into Kingambit, based both on the king chess piece as well as the daimyo that serves as warlord over the samurai under its command.

Standard B: Night Slash

Side B: Kowtow Cleave

Up B: Swords Dance

Down B: Iron Defense

Final Smash: Dark Tera-Type Kowtow Cleave

When we head to Kitakami in the DLC, we get a few more new evolutions. First, Applin can now involve into Dipplin, based on candy apples common at Japanese festivals, which can then evolve even further into Hydrapple, with multiple dragon heads coming out of the same apple.

Standard B: Bullet Seed > Fickle Beam

Side B: Dragon Tail > Power Whip

Up B: Growth

Down B: Syrup Bomb

Final Smash: Grass Tera-Type Syrup Bomb

We also get a new evolution for Duraludon, who becomes Archaludon, now based on a large suspension bridge that can raise and lower sections of its length for passing boats.

Standard B: Hyper Beam

Side B: Dragon Claw

Up B: Breaking Swipe

Down B: Metal Burst

Final Smash: Steel Tera-Type Flash Cannon

Most of their bonus stuff will be the same as their previous evolutions, just adjusted for any new themes.

Thanks for reading! Next up, while not exactly new evolutions, we have a new . . . concept of Pokemon to cover.

Character Sheet: All Gen IX Standalones

SQUAWKABILLY/KLAWF/BOMBIRDIER/ORTHWORM/FLAMIGO/VELUZA

Now, let’s cover all the standalone Pokemon that debuted in Generation IX. First up, we have Squawkabilly, based on the Quaker parrot, mixed with greaser punks wearing pompadours.

Standard B: Peck

Side B: Aerial Ace

Up B: Fly

Down B: Roost

Final Smash: Flying Tera-Type Brave Bird

Next, we have the first of our Titan Pokemon that guard the herbs that Arven sends you to collect in his storyline. Klawf is a large rock crab that lives on the side of cliffs and blends in until you disturb it.

Standard B: Rock Throw

Side B: Vise Grip

Up B: Guillotine

Down B: Rock Tomb

Final Smash: Titanic Guillotine

Bombirdier is the second of the Titan Pokemon, based partially on cranes, like the ones that deliver babies, and partially on secretary birds who will drop rocks on their food to crack it open, with Bombirdier carrying rocks from their pouches and dropping them like bombs from above.

Standard B: Rock Slide

Side B: Wing Attack

Up B: Whirlwind

Down B: Rock Tomb

Final Smash: Titanic Rock Tomb

Next, we have the third Titan Pokemon, Orthworm, a giant Steel-type earthworm mixed with an underground subway train.

Standard B: Iron Head

Side B: Iron Tail

Up B: Dig

Down B: Iron Defense

Final Smash: Titanic Earthquake

Flamigo fills the long-desired flamingo-based Pokemon slot, though it was met with mostly disappointment, as it is mostly just a flamingo, with a few little touches like a knot in its neck and its body shaped like a boxing glove.

Standard B: Double Kick

Side B: Wing Attack

Up B: Air Slash

Down B: Low Kick

Final Smash: Flying Tera-Type Brave Bird

Next up, we have Veluza, a fish Pokemon based on the European hake, capable of chopping off parts of its body that can be used as food. It also became rather infamous for being nearly impossible to escape due to its high speed in certain areas of the game.

Standard B: Psycho Cut

Side B: Aqua Jet

Up B: Night Slash

Down B: Fillet Away

Final Smash: Fighting Tera-Type Final Gambit

They’ll probably all enter via Poke Ball, though the Titans could have their game entrances. Taunts will be tied to their various themes. Kirby will have Squawkabilly’s pompadour, Klawf’s claws, Bombirdier’s apron, Orthworm’s subway segment, Flamigo’s beak, and Veluza’s fins. The karts will be Squawkabilly, Bombirdier, and Flamigo just flying, while Orthworm and Veluza would also be just on their own. Klawf would still be in the car. Their moves will be each’s most iconic move. Squawkabilly can be on Naranja/Uva Academy, Klawf, Bombirdier, and Orthworm could be on Area Zero, given their role in Arven’s plot, Flamigo will go to the Champions Arena, and Veluza can be on Blueberry Academy. Their victory screens are tied to their themes, while their losing screens are them fainted. And finally, they’d have their main and shiny colors, Squawkabilly having all four versions.

Thanks for reading! Next up, we have a few regional variants and new evolutions!

Character Sheet: The Gimmighoul Line

GIMMIGHOUL/GHOLDENGO

And now, we come to the 999^th and 1000^th Pokemon in the roster, a pair of Pokemon based on little greedy spirits and mimics, who live in treasure chests and hoard coins, Gimmighoul evolving into Gholdengo once you have collected 999 special coins for it. Gimmighoul is another with a limited movepool, so, as an Assist Trophy, it will just land on the stage and suck up items and coins into it.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Astonish

 

Side B: Metal Sound

 

Up B: Make It Rain

 

Down B: Substitute

 

Final Smash: Steel Tera-Type Make It Rain

 

Entrance: Poke Ball

 

Taunts: Surfing on a wave of coins, counting a bunch of its coins, looking chill, things like that.

 

Kirby Hat: Made of gold coins.

 

Kart: Just surfing

Special Move: Make It Rain

 

Spirit Battle: On Champions Arena

 

Victory Screen: Dancing around as coins fall from the sky.

Losing Screen: Fainted

 

Color Swaps: Main, shiny, other general colors

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, let’s go back now and cover all of our standalones. First up, Squawkabilly starts a gang war!

Character Sheet: The Frigibax Line

FRIGIBAX/ARCTIBAX/BAXCALIBUR

Now, we’ll skip over a bunch of new evolutions and twelve Paradox Pokemon to come to Frigibax, Arctibax, and Baxcalibur, our Pseudo-Legendaries for the generation. They are a Dragon/Ice combo that pull heavily from the design of Godzilla, as well as the Spinosaur, with a large icy sword growing out of their back.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Ice Fang > Ice Beam (II)

 

Side B: Dragon Claw > Glaive Rush (III)

 

Up B: Icy Wind

 

Down B: Dragon Tail > Icicle Crash (III)

 

Final Smash: Ice Tera-Type Icicle Crash > Mega Baxcalibur

 

Entrance: Poke Ball

 

Taunts: Roaring, blowing icy breath, tromping around, things like that.

 

Kirby Hat: Their back spikes

 

Kart: The Poke Ball car

Special Move: Glaive Rush

 

Spirit Battle: On Area Zero

 

Victory Screen: Standing on an icy mountain and roaring.

Losing Screen: Fainted

 

Color Swaps: Main, shiny, other general colors

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Gimmighoul is only in it for the money!

Character Sheet: Dondozo and Tatsugiri

DONDOZO/TATSUGIRI

Skipping over Veluza, we now come to the fourth and fifth Titan Pokemon who serve as the bosses of Arven’s storyline. I considered doing the Titans all together in one post later, but I think we have more than enough distinct groups I’ll be covering later, so I think I won’t. Anyway, Dondozo is based on a Wels catfish with a bit of a sushi chef mixed in, while Tatsugiri is a shrimp, as well as sushi and sashimi. Initially, it appears as though Dondozo is the main titan, until you discover that the Tatsugiri it “ate” is controlling it from inside its mouth.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Aqua Tail | Water Gun

 

Side B: Wave Crash | Dragon Pulse

 

Up B: Heavy Slam | Helping Hand

 

Down B: Order Up | Commander

 

Final Smash: Tatsugiri Tag Battle | Mega Tatsugiri

 

Entrance: Poke Ball

 

Taunts: Splashing around in the water, stretching out on the rice ball, things like that.

 

Kirby Hat: Dondozo’s sushi chef hat, Tatsugiri’s rice ball

 

Kart: The Poke Ball car

Special Move: Order Up, Commander

 

Spirit Battle: On Blueberry Academy

 

Victory Screen: Both spinning around excitedly, Dondozo presenting Tatsugiri on a platter.

Losing Screen: Fainted

 

Color Swaps: Main, shiny, other general colors (Tatsugiri having the three varieties).

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Frigibax freezes opponents in its tracks!