In November, the latest installments of the Pokémon series, Scarlet and Violet, will be released. The titles are set to introduce the 9th generation of pocket monsters, and the community is already hotly debating what new mechanics and Pokémon could be introduced. The possibility of a new Pokémon type is also up for discussion.
What is the background of the discussion? With the introduction of a new generation, the popular franchise surrounding the little monsters occasionally receives new types that determine a Pokémon’s element.
In the second generation, which brought us the games Gold, Silver, and Crystal, the Steel and Dark types were added. New monsters like Umbreon and Tyranitar (Dark) as well as Steelix and Scizor (Steel) embodied these introduced types.
With the sixth generation and the release of the 2013 games X and Y, the Fairy type followed, which served as a direct counter to the strong Dragon Pokémon. However, with generations 7 and 8, there were no further innovations.
Fans of the franchise have been waiting for 9 years for an additional type – or are resisting its introduction. Especially now, with the release of the 9th generation approaching, the debate is back in focus. Central to the discussion is a Pokémon type that the community conceived several years ago: the Sound type. The question arose whether a new type will be among the new pocket monsters of the upcoming games, including the Internet’s hero Lechonk.
If you want to get a first impression of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet before discussing the Sound type, here’s the trailer:
Deafening noise: Sound type uses sound and screams
What distinguishes the Sound type? The Sound type targets Pokémon whose strength lies in producing (loud) sounds or using sound to weaken their opponents.
In the German variant, the type could be translated as “Sound” with “Sound” being more suitable.
Which moves would belong to the Sound type? Just like with the already existing Pokémon, there would also be a selection of moves that would fit the Sound type.
Currently, these moves are generally of the Normal type, but produce a sound or a sound wave during execution, making them ideal for the Sound type. The following moves could be suitable for the Sound type:
- Howl
- Yowl
- Chalk Scream
- Sing
- Roar
- Canon
- Uproar
- Supersonic
- Sound Wave
- Echo
- Supersonic Boom
Against which Pokémon types these moves would be very effective would probably only be revealed in a possible release. It is also unclear which pocket monsters would be particularly strong or resilient or weak and susceptible against the Sound type.
Sound in the Pokémon World: from Flurmel to Riffex
Pokémon that already received a new type: With the introduction of a new type, new Pokémon are usually created that embody this type. We have already seen this approach with examples like Umbreon and the Dark type, Steelix as a Steel Pokémon, and Feelinara as a representative of the Fairy type.
But besides the introduction of new monsters, there are also already known Pokémon that receive the respective new type. Examples of this include:
- Meowth and Persian received the Dark type in the Alola version.
- Magneton and Magneton were originally only Electric-type in generation 1 and received the Steel type upon the release of generation 2.
- Pii, Piepi, and Pixi were Normal-type from generations 1 to 5 and swapped this for the Fairy type starting from the sixth generation.
- Fluffeluff, Pummeluff, and Knuddeluff additionally adopted the Fairy type from generation 6 besides the Normal type.
Which Pokémon could receive the Sound type? The chubby pink monster Jigglypuff is also one of the examples of Pokémon that could receive the Sound type. It has had the move “Sing” since generation 1 and learns it already at level 1.
Additionally, it has been seen in the anime for years with a microphone in hand, singing everyone to sleep. Fluffeluff, Jigglypuff, and Knuddeluff could thus lose the Normal type. However, there are further Pokémon that would be well-suited for the Sound type.
The German YouTuber PokéBazi has made some thoughts and presented in a video a series of well-known Pokémon that, in his opinion, could receive the Sound type. Below is a small selection of the pocket monsters he considers sensible.
- Flurmel, Krakeelo and especially Krawumms: The three evolutions possess moves like Uproar, Yowl, Howl, Supersonic, Chalk Scream, and Sound Wave, which produce sounds or sound waves. Furthermore, the syllable “Kra” in the name hints at the term “noise” and Krawumms’ appearance suggests an organ.
- Plaudergei: The name of Plaudergei combines the terms “chatting” and “parrot”. It has moves like Sing, Canon, Echo, Uproar, and Sound Wave. Additionally, there are music notes integrated into the design of the bird Pokémon.
- Schallquap, Mebrana and Branawarz: The water Pokémon have a kind of bulge on their body that allows them to create vibrations and sounds. The creation of tones or sounds is also reflected in their names. Schallquap combines “sound” and “tadpole”. Branawarz means Gamageroge in the original Japanese. The term “gerogero” is the Japanese onomatopoeia for the croaking of a frog.
- Meloetta: The hair of Meloetta represents a sheet music and the body shape resembles a microphone. The name includes the term “melody” and the moves of the Pokémon also reflect the generation of tones (Sing, Echo, Wake-Up Call, Sound Wave).
- Riffex: According to speculation, Riffex’s design is based on a salamander and a punk rocker. This is also reflected in one of Riffex’s abilities, which is named “Punk Rock” (via pokemon.com). Riffex can create sounds reminiscent of an electric guitar by vibrating its fingers on the “lamellae” on its upper body.
Below, we embed the video from PokéBazi, in which he lists Pokémon that he believes deserve the Sound type:
Divided opinion: “No one needs it”
What do players think of the Sound type? Under the video from PokéBazi, some YouTube users express their opinions about the Sound type and whether they find it sensible. Many like the idea but have concerns about effectiveness and balancing.
- Tenryu: “My problem with a sound type has always been that I lack the imagination to logically integrate it into the type chart and simultaneously provide value in balancing.”
- DennisBIH: “I find it difficult to integrate new types.”
- iD0uble4UstrUble: “Sound type is nice and all, but I’m really interested in how it interacts with other types and vice versa. It’s hard for me to imagine.”
- deadlui_: “I really don’t find a new type necessary, but I can already imagine that the Sound type will occur in Pokémon.”
- Rufjetkin: “No one needs the Sound type.”
A YouTube user Manu takes it a step further in his comment and directly responds to the question posed by the YouTuber during the video regarding whether viewers are wishing for other types: “Sound fits so well with so many Pokémon. I could also imagine an Ancient type really well. That would also fit Pokémon Scarlet. I could also imagine a Technology type, for example with the new Legendary Pokémon from Violet.”
What do you think of the idea of the Sound type? Do you find the idea sensible, or do you think Pokémon should stick to the current types? Feel free to let us know your comments here on MeinMMO!
Another important question that Pokémon fans are asking before the release of Scarlet and Violet is: Which starter will you choose in the new games?
