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Based on this convo, do we think the weird lava-lamp effect on that Pikachu model we saw that was the "gimmick" for this gen is related to how Pokémon react to the environment they're not suited to?

So for example, if a Pikachu is in a volcano they start bubbling up and maybe it's the same as burn effect, their HP and attack stat reduces.

Alternatively, maybe the gimmick is that once you have "conquered" an area, you're given the power to allow any Pokémon to go to that area of the map and they are protected by the gimmick, so any Pokémon on your team sent out in the volcano goes all weird and lava-y.

This as the gimmick would be cool as it might mean certain Pokémon change formes when exposed to a special environment - so maybe there's a special ninjask forme when you battle with it underwater, or once you have the gimmick, if you take Houndour underwater to battle it evolves into a regional water/dark dog.

Half of me is hyped for how massive and ambitious this map is, but the realistic half knows it's just an early concept from 3 years ago and was most likely watered down significantly 🫩

Ok ok you’ve convinced me. Even if I don’t HAVE to have “load outs” for different locations, I’m going to play like that anyway

56:18 Dusty phrased this really beautifully, love how he said it

One idea I considered initially is that Pokémon now allows access to your team from a computer at any time, yet Pokémon Centers still contain computers. This logic makes me wonder whether a portable Pokémon Center might be added. If we are in many different locations doing important work in caves and other areas, flying to a center for healing could be difficult. I think a portable unit controlled by Rotom would be interesting, because it would suggest we can heal anywhere at any point.

I think the main reason why only the "Top End" of Australia is included in the map is due to the historical contact between the Makassar people of Sulawesi and northern Aboriginal Australians for trade, especially trepanging (sea cucumber harvesting). The Makassar called the northern Australian coast "Marege", and had a profound influence on the culture of the Yolŋu
Hence I think it makes sense for traditions in Poke-Indon to be found in that part of Poke-Straya, and that could potentially involve Pokemon Gyms or a more local Trial-like equivalent. And I hope we see lots of Pyukumuku here !!!

The different team load out idea excites me because I want to be able to use a whole lot of new pokemon.
I wanted to use a different set of 6 pokemon for each of the story paths in Violet but I was falling behind my friends. If this game encourages you to use a wider variety of pokemon and switch out your team members, I will be happy to train new teams for different conditions/locations/stories

In a game called wind and WAVES it would be cool to fill in the ocean with racing competitions where you’re on a board and your water type pulls you obviously some pokemon are faster than others. Like in the beginning of the Latios latias movie.

I agree with Hoops, You should only be able to use water types under water if there are battles taking place under water, there are many dual types that give you options, but if you come out of the water in a underwater cave or something, you could of course use all Pokemon

Two thoughts on the rotating team discussion for different biomes.

1. Almost confirms Browt will have some flying aspects because if not what would his biome be.
-Pombon (volcano)
-Gecqua (underwater)
-Browt (soaring)

2. The gimmick of this generation could allow pokemon to exist or operate in biomes they normally wouldnt be able to. Just sucks we did type changing with Terra in Scarlet and Violet already but maybe something there.

47:12

Based on the location of the towers, the leaks of a bubbly Pikachu and the conversation of how underwater battles would work, I have a theory that perhaps the gimmick majin makes these battles possible, like somehow terrastalizaton and dynamax change the type or the form of a Pokemon.

It would make sense as you progress in the story, to unlock more types that majin can change/work with, or collect data to make it possible. Like, these towers emit some sort of signal that make majin work so that you can explore the areas. This would make sense on a story level too, like collecting data or villain trying to exploit the these powers or something going wrong with that messes with nature and ecological order.

Changing teams based on biomes would be awesome, but I hardly believe that they would do anything to limit the use of your starter or any other pokemon you want to use.

One of the locations is Woobat Cave. I hope we get a new evolution for Swoobat.

Everything teraleak related I'm happy looking at cos I think it'll be fun to see what's changed and how much better or different they made certain buildings or areas since 2023/2024.

My only concern is we get a leak at some point similar to the testing they did with Gogoat riding, or the textures of the buildings, or the Talonflame helping you jump instead of your phone - all on ZA. The beta build looked better than what we got

Let’s freaking goooo!!!

@53:00 Gyrados would be the goat for this concept😅

Also the load out idea only works if there is more than just one thing to do in an area and that's something pokemon has never been good at

Completely agree with Dusty on the PC mechanic and how easily them being accessed actually makes this just so much easier and has hurt recent games experience.  Its not insignificant.

Looking like a mix between hoenn and alola

I would think that the lighter coral-like areas are areas where you either can just surf and fish, not go into the water, or that you can swim but not dive but that doesn't make so much sense OR Maybe the lighter areas are so shallow that you can walk there. But I think it is the Dark spots on the map, is where you can dive, some of these dark areas also have a cave icon in them. My prediction is Lighter Areas = Surfing and Fishing only, Darker Areas = DIving.