Summary
ThePokemonseries has built a plethora of traditions and in-universe rules or even laws over the many years it has been around, and most likely with the intent of reshaping the classic formula that franchise fans have known for so long,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetbroke many of those traditions. From Gen 9 games ditching tall grass encounters entirely to featuringPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Larry as a Gym Leader and Elite Fourmember at once, there are many instances where the latest titles broke some sort of established practice. The Indigo Disk DLC is not immune to this logic either, and it too broke several longstanding traditions, with Archaludon being the protagonist in one specific case.
One of the eightnew Pokemon in The Indigo Disk DLC, Archaludon is the cross-gen evolution of Duraludon, and it fits in the expansion perfectly given the many Gen 5 references, with it being a direct callback to Skyarrow Bridge from Unova. Archaludon also made its debut inPokemonVGC with the newest Regulation F ruleset, and it’s quite a threat with several different sets it can run, including a Defense-boost Body Press kit or a Special Attack-invested set with Electro Shot and powerful STAB moves. What makes Archaludon special, though, is the combination of its stat and leveling-up process, making it both a pseudo-Legendary and a regular Pokemon.
Why Archaludon is Both a Pseudo-Legendary Pokemon and it Isn’t
Pseudo-Legendaries inPokemongamesare often some of the most powerful pocket monsters one can find in any given playthrough, but they are also typically rare and/or found very late in the game to compensate for their battle prowess. Another typical characteristic of pseudo-Legendaries is that they’re Dragon-types, although there have been exceptions to this rule in the form of Tyranitar and Metagross. What truly makes pseudo-Legendaries as such is the fact that they are the only non-Legendary or Mythical Pokemon to have a base stat total of 600 and also belong to the “Slow experience” group.
Pokemon’s Criteria for Pseudo-Legendaries Explained
There are many Pokemon outside of Legendaries, Mythicals, and pseudo-Legendaries that belong to the Slow experience group, even inPokemon Scarlet and Violet, and they simply take more XP to level up compared to other critters. On the other hand, there are no Pokemon with a BST of 600 or more that don’t belong to the Legendary, Mythical, or pseudo-Legendary group.
Some Mega Evolutions have a BST of 600 or more, but they don’t qualify as pseudo-Legendaries or even Legendaries and Mythicals, as their stats come from a specific battle gimmick. The BST of the original Pokemon is often well below 600.
Interestingly, Archaludon has a BST of 600, but it is not part of the Slow experience group. This unique combination makes it an exceptional case because one could argue that it both belongs to the pseudo-Legendary category and it doesn’t. This is all the more of a strange occurrence because pseudo-Legendaries have always been part of evolutionary lines with three stages, whereas Archaludon is the evolution of Duraludon, and no other Pokemon belongs to this line.Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Baxcaliburis the Gen 9 pseudo-Legendary, in this case, but it’s hard to say if it’s the only one.
Why Archaludon Could Be a Pseudo-Legendary and Why It’s Not
Considering that Archaludon is aDragon-type Pokemon, that distinction is even harder to make considering that all pseudo-Legendaries since Gen 4 have always had Dragon as one of their types (or their only type). The current pseudo-Legendary Pokemon include:
It remains to be seen whetherPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Archaludonwill eventually be added to the pseudo-Legendary category, broadening its horizons and inclusion terms. As it stands, however, it seems unlikely that the criteria will change.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
