SMASH 150 - 157 - TYPE:NULL

Pokémon is the only franchise to have a newcomer in every single Smash game. So by this point one has to wonder whether they'll continue that trend or give it a break this time - after all, bringing back Squirtle, Ivysaur and Pichu already feel like 'new' characters to a degree and by classifying the three Pokémon Trainer monsters as separate characters it gives this franchise a whopping NINE representatives!

But let's assume there will be another Pokémon character. Who should it be?

I foresee three possibilities:

- Zeraora. The most recent monster we know of is the downloadable electric cat-person and is quite special for being introduced in 'extra' games (Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, as opposed to the original Sun and Moon.) I don't like this guy's design at all and I think a case can be made for not introducing another electric creature when we already have two but it is the most modern monster they have access to and it is at least unique.

- But maybe that's NOT the most modern monster. We know there will be a new core game in the series next year. When will we find out any information about this? Maybe a January Nintendo Direct, which has become a bit of a tradition? If so it would only be a month after Ultimate's release so it is quite plausible that they might feature a brand new Pokémon from the new games, making an excellent cross-promotion in the process! In that case I can't really comment without seeing who it is!

- Or maybe just somebody from this generation. Still pretty new and pretty relevant.* Even then we have a couple of options. An Ultra Beast would be an interesting choice, and something a little bit unusual in the process. In that case I think Buzzwole or Pheremosa would be the most likely (maybe even Xurkitree) but if you want my opinion (and have already looked at the picture) I'd have to go with Type:Null.

This guy very nearly confused me when it was revealed. I thought they were introducing a new elemental type: Null, which would have absolutely no strengths or weaknesses (not a bed idea, eh?) but instead it was a monster! I actually really like it. The mish-mash chimera design I dig and the mask makes it intriguing and mysterious (and sinister.) Sadly I can't say the same about Silvally, the unmasked form was a bit of a letdown to me. I would have preferred (and would recommend for a Final Smash) making Silvally a Mega Evolution or a temporary form in some capacity, but I appreciate that for the sake of the narrative this beast needed to be permanently liberated.

Still, I think it would be great to see it playable in Smash and would bolster the ever-growing 'quadruped' category of fighters.


*Speaking of Sun and Moon monsters, I hope my absolute favourite, Alolan Exeggutor shows up somehow! I'm thinking either a Poké Ball monster, perhaps one that simply serves as an impassable barrier like Helerin, or maybe in a stage and it could function as a ladder! I think its utility might be more interesting than simply having it perform an attack.