Here you can discuss Pokémon that got screwed by Game Freak. But screwed does not necessarily mean weak - Luvdisc was clearly intended to be a symbol of love terrible in combat, and a source of Heart Scales. I'll start with some examples.
Lumineon is an oft forgotten Pokémon. It has very little viability in competitive play and is even located off the beaten path in its Diamond and Pearl debut. Despite this, the Pokémon has a clear identity - it is a butterfly fish, and has unusual access to U-Turn and Silver Wind by level up. Bug moves on a fish, how unique!
Game Freak's first offense was Quiver Dance. Quiver Dance is the staple move of all butterfly and moth-like Pokémon, and retroactively given to them when the move came out. Surely, this well-themed BUTTERFLY fish deserves it! But no - not even when Quiver Dance was given to select non-Bugs like Liligant and Bellossom.
But finally, to seal the deal, in Gen VIII Game Freak gave Flip Turn to all the fishes, crushing Lumineon's remaining identity as the Fish who Could Pivot (with U-Turn). Every other fish maintains a strong identity, even Seaking with Lightningrod, Drill Run, and Megahorn. Lumineon, you deserve better.
Game Freak's first offense was Quiver Dance. Quiver Dance is the staple move of all butterfly and moth-like Pokémon, and retroactively given to them when the move came out. Surely, this well-themed BUTTERFLY fish deserves it! But no - not even when Quiver Dance was given to select non-Bugs like Liligant and Bellossom.
But finally, to seal the deal, in Gen VIII Game Freak gave Flip Turn to all the fishes, crushing Lumineon's remaining identity as the Fish who Could Pivot (with U-Turn). Every other fish maintains a strong identity, even Seaking with Lightningrod, Drill Run, and Megahorn. Lumineon, you deserve better.
Dustox and Beautifly are two sides of the same coin. Both evolve from Wurmple, and their stats are mirrors of each other; Dustox is defensive while Beautifly is offensive.
That is, they were mirrors of each other... until Game Freak buffed the stats of several Pokémon in Generation VI. This included Butterfree, Butterfree's counterpart Beedrill, Beautifly, and Beautifly's counterpart
NOT Dustox! Nope! Since that day Beautifly has had 10 BST higher than Dustox. If you are actually reading this, let me know if you think that was by design, or because the developers forgot because they are not TRUE DUSTOX FANS.
TRUE DUSTOX FANS had their dreams crushed when Klara had a white Dustox-themed ribbon, but neither Galarian Wurmple was added nor stat fixes occurred. Wurmple wasn't even put in the game. But we still respect them acknowledging Dustox's existence. #JusticeForDustox
That is, they were mirrors of each other... until Game Freak buffed the stats of several Pokémon in Generation VI. This included Butterfree, Butterfree's counterpart Beedrill, Beautifly, and Beautifly's counterpart
NOT Dustox! Nope! Since that day Beautifly has had 10 BST higher than Dustox. If you are actually reading this, let me know if you think that was by design, or because the developers forgot because they are not TRUE DUSTOX FANS.
TRUE DUSTOX FANS had their dreams crushed when Klara had a white Dustox-themed ribbon, but neither Galarian Wurmple was added nor stat fixes occurred. Wurmple wasn't even put in the game. But we still respect them acknowledging Dustox's existence. #JusticeForDustox
They had one job. Golisopod's Emergency Exit could have activated at the end of the turn, as opposed to Wimpod's Wimp Out which activates immediately. But they both activate immediately, making it a potential liability. Even if it was the initial design, the thematic mark was missed on such an epic Pokemon.
Unless this is a statement for the wimpy Wimpod and terrifying Golisopod sharing the same underlying fears, but masking it in a cooler name and appearance when grown up, in which case it may be a brilliant reflection of adult Guzma. But let's not think about that too hard shall we?
Unless this is a statement for the wimpy Wimpod and terrifying Golisopod sharing the same underlying fears, but masking it in a cooler name and appearance when grown up, in which case it may be a brilliant reflection of adult Guzma. But let's not think about that too hard shall we?
Ok boomer
this is not an actual commentary on game balance
This goes out to all the Pokémon had part of their OG identity as moves removed from the game. Some of them remain screwed, while others are not in SwSh and hope that they will get thematic replacements like Hi Jump Kick in the next game they're in. I'm sure there are more.
Jump Kick:
Tail Glow:
Jump Kick:
Tail Glow:
EVERYONE IN SWSH THAT DIDN'T GET ESSENTIALS LIKE TOXIC, KNOCK OFF, AND ROOST
It would be interesting if they kept the Redacted Metagame where Toxic, Knock, and Roost were exclusive to you things that could thematically poison you and the like. And you could TELL Game Freak cared! They carefully granted Toxic to Ferrothorn, Mandibuzz, and Seismitoad as egg moves in SwSh, some of the few non-poison types to learn it, because defensive bastions were needed in the metagame. But it was thrown to waste when the moves were allowed on all transfers.... and SwSh bred pokemon still can't fairly get them.
It would be interesting if they kept the Redacted Metagame where Toxic, Knock, and Roost were exclusive to you things that could thematically poison you and the like. And you could TELL Game Freak cared! They carefully granted Toxic to Ferrothorn, Mandibuzz, and Seismitoad as egg moves in SwSh, some of the few non-poison types to learn it, because defensive bastions were needed in the metagame. But it was thrown to waste when the moves were allowed on all transfers.... and SwSh bred pokemon still can't fairly get them.
Like, aw yes, the "immovable object" mon. Let's give it no recovery, two quad weaknesses, one of which to Dugtrio, and no offensive capability. Good wall.
