Each new generation of Pokemon has introduced interesting requirements for evolving certain critters, andPokemon Scarlet and Violetfeatures one of the most unique evolution methods to date. While some mons require connecting with another player in order to evolve, the addition of the new Union Circle feature for multiplayer inPokemon Scarlet and Violetbrought a whole new twist on this evolution method. The result was the requirement for Finizen to evolve into Palafin occurring when leveling up to level 38 while another player is in the Union Circle, a unique evolution process that Gen 10 will have a hard time beating.
In the time since the launch ofPokemon Scarlet and Violet, this line has become quite well known thanks toPalafin’s impact on the VGC meta. However, Finizen and Palafin were one of the biggest anomalies at release due to their bizarre evolution method as well as Palafin’s strange Zero to Hero ability which rendered Palafin looking very similar to its pre-evolution until it transforms. While many players were excited to finally have a dolphin-inspired creature in the series, catching and evolving a Finizen proved to be somewhat of a difficult task for some due to its multiplayer-centric evolution method.
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Finizen and Palafin Take the Cake as the Pokemon Series' Strangest Evolution
There have been some pretty interesting evolutions inPokemon’s past, both in terms of evolution method and difference between evolutionary stages.Pokemon Black and White’s Karrablast and Shelmet are great examples as they must be traded with each other to evolve, and their evolutions take on visual elements of each other. Inkay’s evolution intoMalamar inPokemon X and Yis also unique in that it utilizes the 3DS' built-in gyroscope by requiring players to turn their system upside down when leveling Inkay up to Level 30 in order for its evolution to trigger.
While these instances are certainly unique, none are quite as wild as what trainers need to go through whenevolving Finizen into Palafin. Not only do players need to connect with a friend via the Union Circle to get Finizen to evolve, but once it does, Palafin barely looks any different from Finizen; it only gains a pink heart-like mark on its chest. Players won’t really be able to get a good look at Palafin until swapping it out in battle so that its Zero to Hero ability activates and Palafin reveals its Hero Form, along with the massive stat increase that comes along with it.
The next generation ofPokemongames will have a hard time outdoing the craziness that is the Palafin line, but there are some ways it could come close. Gen 10 will likely release on theNintendo Switch’s successor, meaning some new evolution methods could take advantage of the new console’s features. Depending on what hardware and design Nintendo goes with for their next console, it’s possible the Gen 10 games could require a player to be physically near another console a la the 3DS' StreetPass feature or perhaps even use some kind of NFC chip like an amiibo to trigger an evolution.
All of these ideas are largely hardware dependent, and it’s possible Nintendo will keep their next console relatively tame compared to past hardware. If that’s the case, it will be difficult for Game Freak to innovate with weird evolutions beyond reusing similar methods from past generations.Pokemon Scarlet and Violettruly pushed the envelope for what constitutes an evolution with mons likeTandemaus, Rellor, and Gimmighoul, but Finizen’s evolution into Palafin embodies the peak of Gen 9’s evolution design by being one of the most complicated evolution methods that yields one of the most underwhelming results upon initial appearance.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare available for Nintendo Switch.
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