Summary
Pokemon Scarlet and Violethave been sparking multiple conversations online about what thePokemonformula could truly look like in the future when each modern game changes it and breaks multiple rules regarding what the series can do. Each new release for the past few years has come with incredibly ground-breaking new features, or at least has dramatically changed how some key elements of the franchise operate, such asPokemon Legends: Arceusmaking the player character take damage orPokemon Scarlet and Violeteliminating tall grass encountersin mainline titles. Gen 9’s The Indigo Disk is no different, and it keeps experimenting with thePokemonformula in various ways, but in doing so it broke a big tradition for Fossil Pokemon.
Fossil Pokemon as a concept has been around ever since the very first generation of games, introducing a choice-only item that players could bring back to a laboratory or museum in order for scientists to revive it as new pocket monsters. Notall Fossil Pokemon in the gameshave been treated equally, and the gimmick as a whole has seen some odd changes in behavior throughout the series. For example, while Gen 1 added two Fossil Pokemon (each with its own evolution), Gen 2 completely scrapped the mechanic and not only it didn’t add new Fossils, but it also didn’t allow players to get the old ones.
Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Approach to Fossil Pokemon Makes No Sense
Ever since Gen 2, however, therepresentation of Fossil Pokemonin the series has been better. Every set of games up toPokemon Sword and Shield, excluding Gen 7, has added new Fossil pocket monsters for players to catch and collect. Even in the case of Gen 7, although no new Fossil Pokemon were available, players could at least get their hands on most of the previous Fossils in various ways.
Fossil Pokemon in Gen 3 Through 9
However, Gen 9 shook things up once more, and this time in a strange way that makes one wonder where the series is going with Fossil Pokemon as a mechanic. Not only didPokemon Scarlet and Violetintroduce no new Fossils, but none of the previous ones were available - much like Gen 2. However, with the release of The Indigo Disk DLC, players are now able to catch overworld forms of two Fossil Pokemon species, namely Cranidos and Shieldon.
On top of that, Fossils as items are nowhere to be found in the game, and Cranidos and Shieldon arePokemon Scarlet and Violetversion exclusives. This approach is wildly inconsistent when compared to past titles, where players could either find Fossils of new Pokemon or at least returning ones, and this has been the case sincePokemon Ruby and Sapphire.
Some Fossils were version exclusives, some were given as Pokemon and not found as actual fossils (such as Aerodactyl in Gen 7), but it has never been the case that a game has scrapped Fossil Pokemon completely only to make them overworld spawns and also version-exclusive content while at it. WithThe Indigo Disk’s version-exclusive Pokemonbeing very few, Cranidos' and Shieldon’s status is even more apparent.
Root Fossil (Lileep), Claw Fossil (Anorith)
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Helix Fossil, Dome Fossil, Old Amber, Root Fossil, Claw Fossil, Skull Fossil (Cranidos), Armor Fossil (Shieldon)
Black, White
Helix Fossil, Dome Fossil, Old Amber, Root Fossil, Claw Fossil, Skull Fossil, Armor Fossil, Cover Fossil (Tirtouga), Plume Fossil (Archen)
X, Y
Helix Fossil, Dome Fossil, Old Amber, Root Fossil, Claw Fossil, Skull Fossil, Armor Fossil, Cover Fossil, Plume Fossil, Jaw Fossil (Tyrunt), Sail Fossil (Amaura)
Skull Fossil, Armor Fossil, Cover Fossil, Plume Fossil
Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon
Helix Fossil, Dome Fossil, Old Amber, Root Fossil, Claw Fossil, Skull Fossil, Armor Fossil, Cover Fossil, Plume Fossil, Jaw Fossil, Sail Fossil
Sword, Shield
Bird Fossil, Fish Fossil, Drake Fossil, Dino Fossil - New Pokemon: Dracozolt (Bird + Drake), Dracovish (Fish + Drake), Arctozolt (Bird + Dino), Arctovish (Fish + Dino)
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
