The data mining of Pokémon Sun and Moon continues, this time bringing us a new look at the in-game descriptions for all of the monsters. While every generation has a few twisted Pokedex entries, this time around, there seem to be more bleak entries than ever before.
(SPOILERS!)
Over at Project Pokémon, there’s an enormous text file containing all of the in-game text from Sun and Moon—meaning, even though the games aren’t out yet, we know exactly what the Pokedex entries say. You can read through the entire file here, but I’ve excerpted some of the noteworthy ones below.
Psyduck
“As a result of headaches so fierce they cause it to cry, it sometimes uses psychokinesis without meaning to.”
Everyone knew that Psyduck has constant headaches, but most Pokedex entries say it is what enables it to have mysterious powers.It was easier to gloss over the implied pain.
Golduck
“It is said that the red part of its forehead grants supernatural powers to those who possess one, so it was over-hunted in the past.”
Older entries mostly make note of Golduck’s swimming abilities, and the only other mention I could find of its jewel was that it granted Golduck extra power. Turns out, there’s more to the story than that.
Mankey
“It can spontaneously become enraged. Everyone near it clears out as it rampages, and the resulting loneliness makes it angrier still.”
Damn, same tho. Speaking seriously: all Pokedex entries leading up to this one mention Mankey’s anger issues, but not how it affects Mankey’s personal life.
Primeape
“It has been known to become so angry that it dies as a result. Its face looks peaceful in death, however.”
What the fuck.
Gengar
“Should you feel yourself attacked by a sudden chill, it is evidence of an approaching Gengar. There is no escaping it. Give up.”
Cubone
“When it thinks of its deceased mother, it weeps loudly. Mandibuzz that hear its cries will attack it from the air.”
Obligatory.
Luvdisc
“If a Luvdisc is left on its own, it becomes despondent, leaving itself open to attack. That is when Pelipper snatch them up.”
Frosslass
“When it finds humans or Pokémon it likes, it freezes them and takes them to its chilly den, where they become decorations.”
Anyone surprised? Frosslass LOOKS evil.
Sharpedo
“It has a sad history. In the past, its dorsal fin was a treasured foodstuff, so this Pokémon became a victim of overfishing.”
Mimikyu
“A lonely Pokémon, it conceals its terrifying appearance beneath an old rag so it can get closer to people and other Pokémon.”
We already knew this, but still.
What really strikes me about the new Pokedex entries is that they highlight a completely new aspect of Mega Evolution. As far as the player was concerned in X & Y, Mega Evolutions were just a cool new mechanic used to boost your favorite monsters. According to Sun and Moon, however, Mega Evolution actively harms your Pokémon. I feel cruel just reading these descriptions:
The excess energy from Mega Evolution spilled over from its mouth, breaking its jaw. It spews endless blizzards.
Mega Evolution also affects its brain, leaving no other function except its destructive instinct to burn everything to cinders.
The excess energy that bathes this Pokémon keeps it in constant danger of overflow. It can’t sustain a battle over long periods of time.
Thanks to Mega Evolution, its child grows. But as the child is good only at fighting and nothing else, its mother feels uneasy about its future.
When it Mega Evolves, it becomes more vicious than ever before. Some say that’s because its excess of power is causing it pain.
Mega Evolution fuels its brutality, and it may even turn on the Trainer who raised it. It’s been dubbed “the blood-soaked crescent.”
Then again, this could just be a clever way for Game Freak to explain why there won’t be new Mega Evolutions in the future.