Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is set to drop this week, prompting a lot of anticipation and excitement from fans. However, it's also drawn the ire of others, specifically with the starting pokemon. How can the evolved cat starter, Meowscarada, be bipedal? These final evolutions are so uninspiring!
The backlash has been potent enough that fans are vowing to never evolve their starters. What kind of lunacy is that? Such a concept has never been spoken of in past Pokemon generations until now.
Via @Kevolution
However, I'm a big fan of the starter's final evolutions. For starters, I'm a bit OCD when it comes to typing. Between the countless Fire/Fighting starters (with Grass/Fighting starting to become a trend as well), it's refreshing to see a Water/Fighting final evolution in Quaquaval.
Also, look at Quaquaval's design! It's beyond awesome! I bet you this fiery duck is slaying every Pokemon battle with his amazing dance moves. Yes, I'm Team Quaxly (especially because that duck is adorable). Quaquaval's design is also a throwback to Latin American dance culture, specifically in his animations. You can see how the duck moves, which is a tribute to dances like salsa, tango, and rumba. Plus, that duck's got some junk in the trunk, which is cool.
But back to the typing. Every starter type has gotten a Dark sub-type since Generation Six. Greninja got it as a Water/Dark type and Incineroar got it as a Fire/Dark type. Maybe it's time that the Grass type got something to this effect. Meowscarada looks like an adorable Grass/Dark type, even if it's standing on two legs.
Meowscarada would also make a great starter for your party, considering it would probably have great speed and coverage. I'm a fan of the magical cat and will make it my starter in the other version I play.
Also, Greninja and Incineroar were in the latest Smash Bros. game. Who knows? Maybe you'll see everyone's favorite magical cat squaring up against Mario and Link? That would be awesome to see.
As for Skeledirge, I don't mind this evolution at all. Fuecoco was bipedal and got down on all fours for its final evolution. Where's the commentary on that? While people cry about Meowscarada being bipedal, the final evolution for the Fire starter is no longer standing on his legs.
Plus, Skeldirge hints at the ghost pepper, which is one of the hottest peppers in existence. Latin American culture (and Spanish) places a good emphasis on the fruit. It goes hand-in-hand to make a Fire/"Ghost" type as the final evolution for the Fuecoco line. I understand a lot of people are upset over the final starters being underwhelming. That's generally the case when a new Pokemon game comes out. However, I'm stoked to try out the new starters and see them make their marks (and moves) on the Pokemon universe. November 18th can't come soon enough!!