Judge-a-Pokémon Express: Three-stage families of Galar (part 3: G-Max)
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Codraroll
After a long break (let's agree to pretend it's because we've been working from home), Judge-a-Pokémon Express is finally finishing our long-running series about the three-stage evolution families of the new Pokémon of Generation 8 by looking at what could be called their "fourth stage": the Gigantamax formes. We have already covered the Gigantamax formes of Galar's starters, and now it's time for the G-Max versions of the other three-stage Galarians that are fortunate enough to have one (let's spare a moment of thought for Dragapult). As we all know, the Gigantamax phenomenon was introduced in Gen 8, and it's reasonable to assume that the Gigantamax formes of several of its Pokémon were integrated in their design process from the onset. Now, let's see if our panelists think the designers have managed to take advantage of that.
| Corviknight | Orbeetle | ||
| Coalossal | Hatterene | Grimmsnarl | |
Ryota Mitarai
Although Corviknight is one of my favorite Galar Pokémon, I definitely think the Gigantamax version is a little bit lazy given there aren't any notable differences between it and the normal one, bar the size, although it does look very cool at such a size. The only notable element from its official art is the feathers that have fallen from its wings, as those resemble Spikes a lot. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, if you really hate hazards), Corviknight doesn't learn Spikes, so the resemblance is most likely just a coincidence.
In terms of its G-Max move, I think this is where G-Max Corviknight is a winner. Maybe it's just me, but I really like moves (or techniques in other franchises) that spin like tunnels because they always look so powerful. Unfortunately, this attack is coming off either base 87 Attack or 53 Special Attack, so that won't be the case normally, though I guess this is the cost of being able to remove hazards while dealing an acceptable amount of damage.
zeefable
I'm actually a really big fan of G-Max Corviknight. The red Gigantamax aura that runs through its body coupled with that massive wingspan and the spikes that surround it allows it to fully realize its intended edgy design. I also like how the design just looks really aggressive in general, with its talons stretched out, looking like it could grab anything that comes near it. I'll admit that the design certainly isn't the most original, but I really don't mind the minimal change here.
I do think G-Max Wind Rage is a bit of wasted potential. In VGC, you won't see hazards used ever, so basically all it does is clear Terrains and screens. This is a nice effect on its own, but in most cases this is not enough to sell it over the default Max Airstream for boosting its and its partner's Speed.
Blitz
Contrary to a few of my fellow panelists, I actually really like this G-Max forme! While one can say it's just "bigger Corviknight," the pattern it now has goes superbly with the Dynamax aura, and the eight feathers that look like Spikes, I believe called mini birds, I find to be an underrated aspect; they can be used independently to attack foes, which I find pretty cool! G-Max Wind Rage is also a sick name for a move but unfortunately falls short in its effect when competing with one of the best Max Moves in the game.
Ununhexium
I'll be the first to say that I think a lot of Gigantamax formes look overdesigned, but I don't think that's the case with Corviknight. I don't really know why it has those things floating around it, but I otherwise think it's a pretty natural progression from Corviknight's base forme and could very well have just been a fourth evolutionary stage.
Max. Optimizer
Honestly, when it comes to Corviknight's Gigantamax forme, I want to start plucking the crow right away and say that I am not particularly impressed. As a matter of fact, I had completely forgotten that it even had one until I was invited to participate in a new edition of our JAPE article series. Generally speaking, the main reason as to why my response to Corviknight's Gigantamax forme is so half hearted is because I cannot help but think that the Gigantamax forme unfortunately looks barely different from its standard forme and that there is some wasted potential somewhere down the line. G-Max Wind Rage, its signature Gigantamax move, is not particularly helping its case either. While it is undeniably true that removing screens, as well as the somewhat rare entry hazards, from the field is a valuable asset to have, I still cannot help but ponder if it would be better to just use standard Corviknight with Defog and choose a different Gigantamax user for your team. Some experienced competitive players have been known to have successfully pulled it off in the official formats, but I think that it is still worth taking the "risk versus reward" situation into consideration. At this rate, I do not think that anyone will make me eat crow when I say that it becomes increasingly doubtful that Corviknight made for a useful Gigantamax forme candidate in the first place. However, I do not mean that it is completely "for the birds," so to speak, and I want to finish my summary by pointing out a little, yet creative, aspect I actually like about the design: the four bird-like missiles that menacingly orbit around it. In fact, I cannot be the only one that feels reminded of how Dragapult uses Dreepy as living homing missiles, right?
Pikachu315111
G-Max Corviknight disappoints me. Whereas most other Gigantamaxes base themselves on giant objects, creatures, or traits, Corviknight is just a bigger version of itself; it barely looks different. If I had to guess what the designers were thinking, maybe it's supposed to be a lord (an evolution of its knight theme) and its blade birds are its retainers (it could also maybe represent a murmuration). Though, if that was their train of thought, I would have preferred it more looking like a flying castle than a puffy-sleeved noble. If they were having difficulty, I would have abandoned the concept completely and made it resemble something like a World War II heavy bomber. The blade birds are a neat idea, however.
Corviknight is a bulky bird both in stats and typing, so it takes great advantage of double HP while Gigantamaxed, and while its design may disappoint, its G-Max Wind Rage doesn't. It removes screens and entry hazards and isn't blocked by Ghost-types unlike Rapid Spin (which only removes entry hazards) and Brick Break (which only removes screens). If you don't mind losing out on a more offensive effect and/or are more concerned with entry hazards (and screens... though mostly entry hazards), then G-Max Corviknight will stop your opponent from clipping your Pokémon's wings.
Codraroll
I mentioned in the intro that the Gigantamax formes of the Gen 8 Pokémon could have been designed alongside their base formes. That would have been logical, allowing the designers to create a design with a consistent design evolution from its base stage all the way until its Gigantamax forme. However, Corviknight makes me question if this was the case after all. Gigantamax Corviknight looks like an enlarged version of the base forme with a red glow, and that's it. Upon closer inspection you might notice a handful of extra dimples on the armor of the Gigantamax forme and the purple, airplane-like feathers flying around it. Still, there is very little that distinguishes Gigantamax Corviknight from a regular Dynamaxed Corviknight, making me question what the point of this forme is in the first place. It doesn't help either that the dark and red color scheme blends badly into the battle background of Dynamax Dens, making a design whose details are hard to distinguish. All in all, I don't like this Gigantamax forme very much.
{Pokemon_Vigilante}
Corviknight is truly a marvelous specimen in the bird community of Pokémon. Couple that with the idea of Gigantamaxing a Corviknight built like a defensive lineman with 252 HP / 4 Atk/ 252 Def EVs, and it can have the makings of things only spoken about in hushed tones. G-Max Wind Rage gives this Purple Poké Eater the ability to deal damage and clear the field of hazards, and if you've eliminated Flying-resistant foes by this point, sweeping may be relatively easy. In the end, though, I'm a fan of the aesthetics as opposed to statistics. Gigantamax Corviknight reminds me of Wiraqocha Rasca. (For anyone not caught up on their Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's, Wiraqocha Rasca is a reincarnation of the Condor in the Nazca Lines of Peru.) The design of the wings is a bit reminiscent of Rasca's in the way the feathers come to a gorgeous colored tip, and the color scheme is almost a dead match. But Corviknight is sought after for a multitude of reasons, and no matter what your reasons are, I know that those reasons make your heart soar!!
Bandkrook
I think Orbeetle is one of the coolest G-Max formes we have! It's a huge insect UFO with the power of mind controlling every living being in its vicinity. That has to count for some cool points. Its red body accentuated with those blue and green neon highlights gives it a very futuristic vibe, which complements its UFO motif even more. G-Max Orbeetle's pointy, glove-like hands, big hypnotic eyes, and huge brain remind me of a crazy scientist. Just imagine you're out one night, just walking around, minding your own business, and you are suddenly struck with this huge, bright flash out of nowhere. You look up and see G-Max Orbeetle looking down on you with those striking eyes and flashing lights. Before you know it, Orbeetle has taken control over you and your body! You no longer have free will and are bound to this otherworldly creature. Truly a creepy scene! I wouldn't mind seeing a movie around that, though.
zeefable
I love. Love. Love G-Max Orbeetle. The UFO design is one of the most creative for G-Max Pokémon, and at first I especially did not expect it to come from... a ladybug-beetle hybrid of all things? The specific design of the spaceship also reminds me of the ones from Super Mario Galaxy—not sure if that was intended,but it's really cool how that worked out.
Unfortunately for Orbeetle, it does not see much usage in VGC to begin with. However, inaccurate sleep moves such as Sleep Powder, Hypnosis, and Sing see frequent usage. As G-Max Gravitas summons the Gravity effect to the field, it can be used to buff these moves' accuracy for more reliable sleep attempts.
Blitz
I spoke a bit about this one in the last JAPE, and my opinion hasn't really changed since then: this is one of the coolest G-Max formes! It expands on Orbeetle's UFO concept and fleshes it out. Its lore tells you that it's capable of controlling the minds of everything around it, and given its size as a massive flying saucer, it's hard not to imagine that a world where G-Max Orbeetle exists is a world where the functional equivalent of an alien take-over would happen and likely be successful. Even with all the crazy feats Pokémon can accomplish, this is something truly terrifying to think about!
Ununhexium
I like Orbeetle's base design, so I don't understand why they had to absolutely massacre it by making it into a UFO. According to its Pokédex entries, it is supposed to be able to use mind control powers. While that's great and all, I'm not exactly sure how that translates into Orbeetle becoming a giant UFO. I think it's just way too much and too unbalanced against the rest of its body and is overall just kinda ugly.
Max. Optimizer
I cannot help but think that it is definitely one of the more creative Gigantamax formes. While one could, broadly speaking, argue that the Gigantamax forme still strongly resembles standard Orbeetle, I personally still believe that it manages to stand out with the help of several creative, "alienating" artistic choices, if you will. By keeping in mind that Orbeetle is partly a Psychic-type Pokémon, it does not come as a surprise that it starts to take on the shape of a technologically advanced UFO in its Gigantamax forme. While it is not displayed in the artwork attached to this article, Gigantamax Orbeetle actually beams a flashy light column, a classic representation that can be found in many stories about aliens invading Earth. While aliens manage to abduct humans and animals by sucking them into their spaceship with the help of this beam, it becomes safe to assume that Gigantamax Orbeetle is capable of doing it to its foes while hovering over Wild Area 51, using the Psychic-type moves like Psychic and Psybeam from its repertoire. When we cast our minds back to the iconic scene from Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back, when Mewtwo made Ash levitate before he pushed him into the water basin, we remember that Psychic-type Pokémon are definitely capable of these things. Speaking of Orbeetle's move repertoire, I cannot help but also think that the pulsating and mesmerizing lights on top of its shell greatly go hand-in-hand with the fact that it is able to learn Hypnosis. I am glad to see that the "Science Fiction" aspect of Pokémon lore, regarding certain Pokémon being associated with space (e. g. Lunatone and Solrock, with both of these Pokémon also incidentally being partly Psychic-type Pokémon), continues to expand further.
Pikachu315111
I really like G-Max Orbeetle! I honestly think it's one of the best Gigantamax in both design and theme. It becomes a giant UFO after becoming a mad scientist in its base forme. If this was a video game, base Orbeetle would be the big bad, and its Gigantamax would be its lair you'd have to fight all throughout to get to it. If I had to nitpick one thing, it would be that its head and body don't really change and look a bit awkward just hanging there like a figurehead of a ship, but this can easily be overlooked for the other neat details such as having the Gigantamax clouds hovering underneath the blue core looking like its powering its main laser.
Sadly, this is where most of the positives end for G-Max Orbeetle. While it has great defensive stats, it has low HP, which you'd think Gigantamaxing doubling would help. Also, while its typing is neat, it just gives Orbeetle too many weaknesses; Bug / Psychic feels to be more of an offensive Pokémon type, not defensive. Things don't get better with its G-Max Gravitas; intense gravity is very situational, and you need to build a team around it. Increased accuracy and hitting Flying-types and Levitate users with Ground-type moves aren't bad effects, but it's just not as flexible as other Max Move effects. Considering its Pokédex description, I would have thought its G-Max Move would be something that caused a "mental" side effect like Taunt, Torment, Encore, Disable, or just confusion; G-MAX MIND WARP!
Codraroll
I have a sneaking suspicion that Gigantamax Orbeetle was designed before its base forme. It's a nice, clean UFO design with what seems like an alien in a spacesuit embedded in one end. Regular Orbeetle looks like a less exaggerated version of this alien. Likewise, Dottler and Blipbug appear to be attempts to scale that design backwards towards a larval stage. All in all, the coherence of G-Max Orbeetle is pretty good. I also think it plays nicely with the color scheme of the base forme, with the black spots on its back opening up to reveal the same type of hypnotic patterns that are exhibited in its eyes, and the landing knobs matching Orbeetle's feet. And lastly, I like how the ray of light shining from its core to the ground makes the whole design resemble a giant spotted mushroom. That's quite clever!
The design doesn't make that much sense when you think of it a bit more, though. What is Orbeetle supposed to reach with those arms, for instance? Why are the hypnotic patterns on its top side where nobody can see them? How incredibly helpless would it be on the ground? Its field of vision also seems really limited with its eyes positioned so it can't see where its light ray is hitting. Overall, though, I consider Gigantamax Orbeetle to be a quite solid design.
Clorodulce
This sprite reminds me of an episode in Unova where Meowth was controlled by Beheeyem; Orbeetle looks like the UFO those Pokémon use to travel around the universe, and that's where it uses its G-Max Gravitas, provide Beheeyem and controlled Pokémon a better accuracy for targeting Trainers. Examples are Gengar using Hypnosis, Beheeyem using Charge Beam in order to increase its Special Attack and cause more destruction, and Rhyperior using Earthquake to hit every Pokémon or Trainers that doesn't have enough IQ to be hypnotized very hard; with the effects of Gravity, even Flying-types like Swoobat, and Pidgeot and Levitate users like Rotom can't be saved from the sheer power of Earthquake.
Apart from that, the sprite looks good, but to me, G-Max Orbeetle doesn't look like an insect anymore; base Orbeetle looks like a ladybug because of its back, but while people might tell you that G-Max Orbeetle's sprite looks like a UFO or something that humans can build, an insect… I think nobody can tell you that, or maybe yes because that's what its sprite was before.
Maybe its yellow parts look like hives where Combee and Vespiquen live; and I mean, if you want to take that position, ok, but it's impossible to be sure about that, and if that's what it is, it could stand being emphasized. G-Max Orbeetle doesn't look like an insect anyway, and if you think "look at its face, it's ugly", I'll say that it doesn't matter, because Butterfree has a cute face and is a bug. The face has those blue lines that makes me think that it's something artificial, and therefore, not a bug.
Ryota Mitarai
As someone that likes to study history, I couldn't help but notice that Gigantamax Coalossal's official art reminds me of two historical events: the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (more specifically the 79 AD one, because this particular volcano has erupted over 50 times) and the Industrial Revolution. The volcano reference should be obvious, because it literally has a volcano above its head with lava coming off it. The Industrial Revolution reference is likely the more interesting one. There are two elements in its design that remind me of this historical event: the legs, which look a lot like gears, and the holes with lava in its body, which give the feeling of a firebox in a steam engine in a train. I highly doubt Game Freak designed Gigantamax Coalossal with historical events in mind, but I certainly enjoyed looking at its design and thinking of those events.
In terms of its G-Max move, I find it interesting that G-Max Volcalith is a variation of the Kanto starter G-Max moves, given G-Max Volcalith also inflicts damage after each turn for four turns. "Volcalith" also sounds pretty cool as a name. I will admit that a rock falling on the target as a wall isn't the most original move animation that exists, although I personally like the explosion that is created afterwards.
zeefable
Gigantamax Coalossal is everything G-Max formes should be: cranking up its base forme concept to 11. I really like how it forms into a full-blown volcano, complete with its upper body being surrounded in magma.
But the main thing I want to highlight with Gigantamax Coalossal is G-Max Volcalith. The 1/6 chip damage per turn is the closest thing to entry hazards VGC has seen at high-level play, and it's very, very effective. G-Max Coalossal has been at the forefront of the competitive metagame since its introduction, and it will likely stay for the foreseeable future.
Blitz
Coalossal is just not a pretty Pokémon to look at, and the G-Max forme doesn't do it many favors. Still, a giant kaiju furnace is cool in theory, and it actually makes it an ideal poster child for the concept of Dynamaxing, and heck, just think of this thing back in an original series anime episode: it'd fit pretty well! G-Max Volcalith is also one of the coolest G-Max moves out there, and anyone who's played against Weakness Policy G-Max Coalossal knows how utterly infuriating it can be to face!
Max. Optimizer
I cannot help but think that Coalossal's Gigantamax forme is one of the most boring ones. While the "stagnation" of designs between a Pokémon's standard forme and its Gigantamax forme is a grievance that I also mention when discussing Corviknight's Gigantamax forme, I still have to say that, in the latter case, the Gigantamax forme at least tried to differentiate itself a little from the standard forme. Gigantamax Coalossal, unfortunately, does not bring anything new to the table, and the only thing that sets it apart from the Dynamax forme is its signature move G-Max Volcalith. However, please do not get me wrong. I do in fact not mean to blow off some steam and rake James Turner over the coals for this, since I think that the main problem is that some Pokémon, in terms of designs, are just simply unfit to receive Gigantamax formes to begin with. Honestly, I have to admit that I do not think that I could come up with any better alternatives myself. This might be an unpopular opinion, but, despite the admittedly uninspired Gigantamax forme we ended up getting for Coalossal, I am at least glad that it did not turn into a train, as some people had originally speculated. Then again, I suppose that we should not forget that Pokémon is ultimately just a game of numbers and a Pokémon's overall competitive utility is what matters most. In addition to this, the forme only lasts for maximum three turns anyway, so, in conclusion, it does indeed make sense to me that not as much creativity went into the design of the Gigantamax formes as into the Mega Evolutions from previous generations, which would technically last throughout an entire game, for example.
Pikachu315111
*GIGANTIC SIGH* Call it unfair, but I blame this Pokémon for Carkol not evolving into a train. Game Freak wanted a volcano Gigantamax (Charizard doesn't count), and they didn't want to make a new Pokémon or give Camerupt a Gigantamax, so they instead hijacked Carkol into evolving into Coal Aggron so it can become the volcano Gigantamax (and, since it's part Rock type, were then able to make it Gordie's signature Pokémon). Putting my fan theory rant aside and just basing my opinion on its design alone, I will admit it's a pretty cool design (insert joke about me saying "cool" instead of "hot" here). To be fair, it's also not exactly a "volcano"; it's also a furnace, and instead of lava it's erupting hot coals. With that observation its design does start to look a bit of a mishmash—as if they took a Pokémon, changed it into something it wasn't projected to be to fit another concept, and melted it together hoping no one would notice.
I think whether Coalossal can take advantage of the double HP depends on its foe: if they aren't Water or Ground type, then it's bulky enough to make full use of its three turns. Its G-Max Volcalith effect is essentially a Fire Spin that doesn't harm Rock-types, similar to the G-Max Kanto starters' G-Max moves. You know, Game Freak, there isn't a G-Max move that inflicts burn, and I would imagine a lava-hot piece of coal would leave a nasty burn. Feels like they gave it a Rock-type Fire Spin effect because they decided to make it Gordie's signature Pokémon, thus it had to be a Rock-type move (not that they still couldn't have given it a burning effect).
Clorodulce
G-Max Coalossal looks like a menacing spirit that would be dangerous for every region, especially in Alola, where it would be an Ultra Beast. Tapu Fini would be an important key to deal with that Pokémon, but what if Tapu Fini has a minimum roll? 0 SpA Tapu Fini Surf vs. 228 HP / 0 SpD Coalossal-Gmax: 408-484 (97.6 - 115.7%) -- 87.5% chance to OHKO. It'll be a nasty accident, because Coalossal can be faster than Tapu Fini due to its ability, Steam Engine, which boosts its Speed to +6, and while Tapu Koko won't be faster either, maybe it can still help with beating Coalossal. If more Ultra Beasts appear in Alola, like in the case where Lusamine called a Nihilego, and then... another species appears, well, in that context, Buzzwole can do a lot of destruction in Melemele Island, and the poor Kahuna, Hala, will be defeated because Tapu Koko is helping Tapu Fini in Poni Island. We don't mention Guzzlord because it will be removed, and I think that it wouldn't be fair for Tapu Fini to deal with two Ultra Beasts; otherwise it will be a disaster, and the Ultra Beasts can walk safely, but they have to be careful with the effects of G-Max Volcalith, where the path is so warm that it burns and hurts.
The sprite is incredible. I really like how the orange complements the design—it looks like a living volcano—but to be honest, I would like to have another signature move for Coalossal: if it's Gigantamaxed and does a Fire-type attack, it can be called something like G-Max Lavalith, where Coalossal can burn and do chip damage like G-Max Volcalith.
Codraroll
Well... this looks nothing like Rolycoly, that's for sure. It's a giant volcano furnace monster, and it looks a lot like a giant volcano furnace monster, so I guess it achieved that design objective. However, while the idea "giant volcano furnace monster" sounds cool in practice, it's not easy to pull off, and I don't think Gigantamax Coalossal quite does it. In the attempt to make a giant volcano furnace, they failed to make a believable monster, and it takes more to fix that than sticking on a couple of arms and legs and a head. Let's start with the legs: how is this Pokémon supposed to walk without falling over? Limbs without articulation makes it kind of hard to move, and they are too far from the center of gravity to enable Coalossal to stand on one foot while moving the other. The arms serve no purpose; they are too short to even touch its face or to hit enemies with, unless they are flying in the air somewhere between Coalossal's chest and shoulder. And, as Gigantamax Coalossal appears to lack a neck, it handily beats Gigantamax Orbeetle off the "worst peripheral vision" throne. The eyes are even set so deeply into the head that half of Coalossal's field of vision is obstructed by its own upper jaw. It's a good thing that the rules of Pokémon battle require the Pokémon to face each other at all times, because otherwise Gigantamax Coalossal could handily be defeated by walking behind it.
{Pokemon_Vigilante}
So this mountain of a Pokémon looks ready to blow a stack or two... No? Tough crowd. I feel like I'm a little bit under pressure to write something you haven't read at least once already, so here goes: Gigantamax Coalossal is a true diamond in the rough. With access to Fire-type moves, I'm sure it puts on a light show like none other. While everyone else is stat based in their analysis, I'm the pumice stone of this group, here to scrape away the callus of seriousness and smooth your perceptions with humor. I do wish there were more color variations used in the overall scheme, both in normal state and Gigantamax. Maybe a nice orange smoke cloud to kind of highlight the sense of burning coal, or maybe a random blue flame streak when it goes from normal forme to G-Max. No matter where you stand on the Gigantamax Coalossal discussion, though, I advise you get off the tracks when the when the train hauling this Coalossal comes rolling into Battle Stadium.
Bandkrook
Hatterene is creepy enough as is. If you speak too loud it will literally claw out your eyes with its long and scary tentacle. Now imagine a huge version of it with three tentacles and capable of shooting beams of lightning at you. Yeah, I think I'll pass on this one. I don't mind G-Max Hatterene's design, really. I like the tower motif, like Hatterene is trapped inside it, waiting for someone to save it, except you're gonna be the one in need of saving if you go against its G-Max forme.
GatoDelFuego
Boy, have trouble choosing a design motif? Looking for changes... Looking... Three head ribbons instead of a hand? That barely counts! This is a big knock against Hatterene. It definitely feels like they really were searching for another G-Max to throw in, or just to use as a companion to Grimmsnarl. But, I feel like the point of G-Max is to take risks in the design. Why back off at this point? I don't necessarily feel that Hatterene's evolution line continued improving the whole way, either. I get that they wanted to have Hatterene stand on its own, but by making it and the G-Max forme so similar to each other, the latter detracts from them both. I really wish I DIDN'T see this, since it leaves me with a bit of longing for what could have been. At least the one positive is the competitive scene doesn't mess around with G-Max much, so I can forget this rather easily...
Blitz
Our beloved witch has her own G-Max, and it's one that I find to be... fairly boring in design. All it really is is a larger Hatterene with an extra set of tentacles. However, its lore makes it a bit more appealing: it can shoot beams from all of its tentacles, all while it spams G-Max Smite to confuse its enemies... it enhances what I consider Hatterene's vengeful and jealous personality, which I'm sure some people would even find charming.
Max. Optimizer
Hatterene's Gigantamax forme unfortunately also falls within the category of the Gigantamax formes that barely look different when compared to their standard formes. I do, however, acknowledge the little details that were implemented here and there in order to make the forme stand out nonetheless. I mean, technically speaking, it already stands out thanks to its notable height, but you know what I mean. Then again, it has become obvious that, ever since the reveal of Lady Dimitrescu in the trailers for Resident Evil 8, tall fictional ladies have been garnering a lot attention. Incidentally, both also happen to wear notably large hats on their heads and can make use of sharp claws in order to attack. Yes, "you risk being torn apart by the claws on its tentacle if you're too loud around it". Since we are already on the topic of the tentacles, Hatterene's Gigantamax forme is now sporting three prolonged versions of them, granting it a notable eldritch demeanor that some of our readers may also associate with H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu or Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos from FromSoftware's game Bloodborne. As an aficionado of the Lovecraftian horror genre, I can definitely get a lot of enjoyment of Gigantamax Hatterene, and, in conclusion, I am glad that this forme was reserved for a Pokémon that is part Psychic type. Humans tend to succumb to madness when making contact with the Lovecraftian Great Ones and their vast, forbidden knowledge, just like how Hatterene sends out psychic beams "strong enough to cause headaches". Since Gigantamax Hatterene resembles and functions even more like a broadcasting tower now, "it can read the emotions of creatures as far away as 30 miles and more", similar to the Brain of Mensis in the Nightmare of Mensis.
Pikachu315111
G-Max Hatterene doesn't change drastically from its base forme, but I feel it changes enough where it counts that you can still tell it's different. The increase in height also helps emphasize the tower motif by making it into an actual tower, and, combined with the three tentacles, gives it a more looming appearance; this ain't a helpless princess stuck in a tower.
Hatterene's defense stats are good enough that, though it doesn't have a lot of HP, doubling its HP would let it soak enough hits to last at least three turns. Its G-Max Smite has an awesome name... but a confusing effect, as in it inflicts confusion. Not a bad effect, but when I hear the word "smite", I would imagine the effect would be something to do more damage or directly set up the target for the kill, er, knock-out. And no, its Japanese name is also Smite, so it's not a lost in translation thing. A chance to OHKO would probably be too powerful of an effect, so maybe an increased critical hit ratio? Lowering the target's Defense and Special Defense? Do a semi-KO by forcing the target to switch out? Or, if they want to keep the effect so it can parallel Grimmsnarl, change the name to something more fitting: G-Max Bewitch.
Codraroll
Hatterene's design basis is the fairy tale princess Rapunzel in her tower... and the tower itself. The base forme of Hatterene has a relatively small creature inside the long, flowing hair that makes up the tower she's sheltered in. It is slightly disappointing to see that Gigantamax Hatterene does little more with the concept. While there are two more tentacles than before, nothing else is changed. However, I appreciate the fact that, compared to the base forme, the "tower" is a lot larger relative to the "princess" inside. It's as if the core creature of Hatterene hasn't changed much, but the tower is much more powerful. This is a similar idea to Gigantamax Alcremie and the Galarian starter Gigantamax formes, where the creature itself does not change very much but its "pedestal" grows and changes massively. Hatterene itself has grown a little too, but I think this is mostly to make it easier to spot in the middle of the new giant design.
Oh, and as usual for Gigantamax formes, the lighting of this artwork is all out of wack. It is impossible to place a spotlight that would illuminate the design in this way. But that's half the charm, isn't it?
Clorodulce
Hatterene has an incredible sprite, but look... G-Max Hatterene doesn't change at all, in fact just its height does, and therefore its weight. But, did Game Freak have to do that? I mean like, what about giving it a broom or making it leitate? Nah, I don't think so... as I said, Hatterene has an incredible sprite, and its color palette and hat are fabulous. G-Max Smite has a 100% chance to confuse threats, which is always useful in battles, hmmm... I think that maybe I'm under the effect of G-Max Smite, since I saw yesterday the Pokémon that JAPE is bringing in this section, and almost every Pokémon changes drastically in something; Hatterene is why I say almost, and I don't understand why it is there.
I like to make theories a lot; maybe the author brought in Hatterene because it is the representation of some sprites of Pokémon that can't change, due to them looking good like they are, and also having a black sheep is something excellent to have, because we can describe it better than the other Pokémon. In this scenario, we can say Hatterene is not like the other Pokémon that can Gigantamax.
Or, maybe it's the representation of cuteness in Galar, to share with us that this region has its good traits, and not just its bad ones, like the game being expensive. Or having to wait for Regieleki to be beside the trainer, since it's the fastest Pokémon of Galar, and of all the regions. It looks like Speed forme Deoxys doesn't prove true to its title at all.
GatoDelFuego
A lot of G-Max transformations focus on one aspect of a Pokémon's design and heighten that aspect—for example, Inteleon's tail or Orbeetle's UFO motif. For Grimmsnarl, it's not really present here, more just that every motif present in Grimmsnarl has been (minorly) enhanced. Does that make me like it? I'm... not sure. It certainly looks slicker than base Grimmsnarl, but that trades a bit of the dopey factor. I think it succeeds at doing what a G-Max design should, at least, and it doesn't have anything particularly BAD about the design. One big plus is the feet. I just really like the elvish curly ribbons on G-Max Grimmsnarl. Though, they can't be good for your support. Perhaps Grimmsnarl now floats instead of plodding? It's hard to be intimidating when you walk on tiptoe. Some of the dope factor still remains, it seems. It's hard to judge this relatively plain design when original Grimmsnarl is one of my favorite designs of the generation. But, I guess I still do like it!
Blitz
Some of you reading this might remember the days of leaks, but when the blurry guidebook image of this design first came out, many speculated it to be tied to Eternatus or some important Dynamax Pokémon in the story. And man, Grimmsnarl is straight out of a JRPG, looking like a Level 99 extra boss you find in the pits of some cave you first went into when you were starting the story and didn't think much of. This is my favorite G-Max forme, and it is simply epic and one that I find to fit the goblin increasingly well due to its imposing and scary appearance!
Max. Optimizer
Right off the bat, Gigantamax Grimmsnarl is by far my absolute favorite Gigantamax forme of them all. On that day, when James Turner designed Gigantamax Grimmsnarl, the people of the Galar region received a grim reminder. They lived in fear and were disgraced to live in these walled cages they called Motostoke and Hammerlocke. In all seriousness though, I absolutely love how terrifying and intimidating the design looks. I cannot think of many other Pokémon and formes that come even remotely close to that level, and we currently have 898 Pokémon in total ever since the release of the Crown Tundra DLC expansion. In addition to this, I love G-Max Snooze, its G-Max Move, which greatly complements the fantastic design choice. The reason behind that is that makes a clever reference to the Erlkönig from German Romanticism, a long-haired, beardy psychopomp that is often described as goblin-like, known for putting its victims into a trance before guiding their souls to the land of death. Furthermore, G-Max Snooze, in conjunction with Gigantamax Grimmsnarl's design, also makes a clever reference to Ymir, the primeval titan from Norse mythology (and also Attack on Titan). The name translates to "cry" or "scream", which is reminiscent of how Gigantamax Grimmsnarl uses G-Max Snooze by letting out a loud yawn for everyone to hear. It makes you wonder if James Turner designed it according to his sleep paralysis demon. I do, however, admit that the design is not flawless by any means. I do, for example, not like the way in which the feet developed from the standard forme to the Gigantamax forme. Something is indeed afoot, since the oddly shaped feet do not look even remotely sturdy enough in order to carry the gigantic body. It is honestly a bit of a downgrade from the standard forme.
Codraroll
Something is a little strange with Grimmsnarl's Gigantamax forme: it is a less cluttered and over-the-top design than that of its base forme! Or at least, it has a more consistent color scheme while the head full of pointy bits is hidden in the far back; it could just be that. Its tall and imposing stature makes Gigantamax Grimmsnarl look very powerful, arrogant, and menacing. As if it doesn't really consider its enemy worthy of its full attention, but merely stretches out a hand to remove them from its sight.
However, this doesn't make for a very engaging design. In battle, Gigantamax Grimmsnarl will retain that up-itself pose at all times, even as it launches a powerful attack or gets one-shot before it can move. It's a design built for one pose, and I think it would quickly look goofy if it tried to do anything else. That being said, the one thing it does, it does very well.
Pikachu315111
For most Gigantamax formes, I get what they're supposed to be, but G-Max Grimmsnarl I still have trouble pinning down. I've seen several suggestions both plausible and stretching, trying to use its odd G-Max Move as potential proof. In the end all I can really say for sure is that it's a hairy giant that you would expect Bayonetta to summon. Even judging the design on its own, it's strange, having this sort of uncanny valley humanoid appearance (the major difference between it and its base forme, which is more bulky like a gorilla) and the mother of all cowlicks.
Grimmsnarl certainly has the HP to look like a good Gigantamax candidate but is then held back by its low defensive stats. Maybe that's why it has G-Max Snooze, which has a 50% chance of putting all opposing Pokémon to sleep. G-Max Snooze is described as a loud yawn G-Max Grimmsnarl gives out that puts opposing Pokémon to sleep, though I think they could have combined that effect with its Pokédex description of delivering powerful kicks: G-Max Roundhouse!
Codraroll
Well, those were the "fourth stages" of the Galar Pokémon and the end of our three-stage evolution family series. I think this in-depth look gave me a new perspective on many of the Gigantamax formes, and I hope you got some as well. All the designs have something to like and something to dislike, and they may even be the same things. I hope to see you again next time, whatever we do then! Hopefully, it won't take as long this time, so we may be back sooner than you think with a new JAPE panel. I have a few ideas for what we can discuss already...
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