Just after E3 2013, The Pokemon Company International released a huge data blast of information for the much anticipated release of Pokemon X and Pokemon Y – the first games in the long running RPG series to make the jump onto the Nintendo 3DS platforms.
Remember these two familiar faces? Xerneas (Pictured to the left) and Yveltal (Pictured to the right) will be serving as the games main legendary Pokemon and will be adorning the covers of the X and Y editions respectively. As with most legendary Pokemon, both of them are considerably different in terms of type and the moves available to them.
Xerneas is a Fairy-type — which as you may recall is a brand-new type being introduced in Pokemon X and Pokemon Y. Watch the awe-inspiring beauty of Xerneas’ exclusive move, Geomancy, which features rainbow-colored light that erupts from the earth around it. Xerneas has the special Ability Fairy Aura, which naturally takes effect in battle, strengthening Fairy-type moves for all Pokemon in battle. Be careful, because Fairy Aura also has a positive effect on opposing Pokemon that know Fairy-type moves.
On the other hand, the Dark- and Flying-type Yveltal is the only Pokemon that can learn the move Oblivion Wing, which sends Yveltal flying high into the sky to release a powerful beam of red light that scorches the ground below. The Destruction Pokemon’s special Ability, Dark Aura, is a counterpoint to Fairy Aura, raising the strength of Dark-type moves for all Pokemon in battle. This Ability is powerfully effective in Double and Triple Battles when facing multiple opponents simultaneously. So, when Yveltal is in battle, it’s smart for players to fill their team with Pokemon that can use Dark-type moves.
The details did not end with just information on the two legendaries. In addition, The Pokemon Company International unveiled a grand total of five new Pokemon with additional information on two previously announced ones. Information of them are below:
Players will encounter Inkay in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. This Dark- and Psychic-type Pokémon has the ability to drain other Pokémon’s will to fight by flashing the transmitters above its eyes—giving Inkay the opportunity either to attack its foes or to hide from them. It’s said that the flashing emitted from Inkay’s transmitters can also be used to communicate with its friends. Inkay can learn a new Dark-type move, Topsy-Turvy, a tricky move that will reverse all of the stat changes that are affecting a target. For instance, if opponents increase their Attack and Defense stats during battle, it will suddenly come back to bite them when Topsy-Turvy is used.
It is now known that Fighting- and Dark-type Pangoro evolves from spunky little Pancham. This evolved Pokémon has a violent temperament, but it also believes in fairness and does not forgive those who pick on the weak. The leaf Pangoro carries in its mouth can predict its opponent’s moves. By waving its strong, heavy arms, Pangoro uses the Fighting-type move Hammer Arm to inflict great damage on opponents. It does lower the user’s Speed, but Hammer Arm’s power is tremendous.
The Dark- and Psychic-type Pokémon Malamar is the evolved form of Inkay and may have the strongest hypnotic force of any known Pokémon, helping it to bend opponents to its will. As a result, humans with ill intentions try to use Malamar to aid in their devious plots. Malamar can learn the Psychic-type move Hypnosis, which leaves opponents asleep and for the most part unable to take any actions during battle.
The Fairy-type Pokémon Swirlix, which can only be captured in Pokémon X, comes with the new Ability Sweet Veil that keeps Pokémon on the same team from being left asleep in battle. Use Swirlix when facing Double and Triple Battles featuring Pokémon that know moves like Hypnosis. Swirlix can learn the new Fairy-type move Draining Kiss, which does damage to a target while also restoring some HP to the user. Battles will be much easier when you can attack an opponent with Draining Kiss and restore your Pokémon’s health at the same time. Swirlix only eats sweets, causing its body to be sweet and sticky, like cotton candy.
Only available for capture in Pokémon Y, the new Fairy-type Pokémon Spritzee emits a unique fragrance that causes anyone who smells it to fall under its spell. Spritzee can learn the Grass-type move Aromatherapy, which causes a Pokémon to exude a relaxing fragrance that heals its allies’ status conditions, such as sleep and poison.
It is now also known that the previously announced Water-type Pokémon Clauncher can only be captured in Pokémon X, and the Poison- and Water-type Pokémon Skrelp can only be captured in Pokémon Y.
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Previously we have only been introduced to the first Gym Leader Viola who has a focus on bug Pokemon. Today we have been introduced to two new Gym Leaders who you will be up against to obtain your well deserved Gym Badge. These are Clemont whom accompanied by his sister, Bonnie, is a young Gym Leader who loves science and gets extremely excited by the many devices he invents. The other announced gym leader is Grant who excels at bike racing, mountain climbing and many other sports.
Other people of interest in the Kalos region are Professor Augustine Sycamore who will entrust you and your friends with starter Pokemon and send you all out on a Pokedex-filling adventure throughout the region – even if filling a Pokedex is seemingly becoming more and more impossible by the generation. Along the way, players will encounter a mysterious organization called Team Flare. This strange and fashionable group shows up in cities around the Kalos region… but what could their motive be?
Two new gameplay features have also been announced:
O-Powers
Allows players the ability to easily power up Pokémon in their party and provides other benefits in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. O-Powers are special powers that come in various forms and can be shared between players via the new Player Search System, or PSS. Sharing O-Powers with someone you’ve connected with locally or through the Internet is accomplished by tapping a player on the Touch Screen. Some O-Powers will temporarily increase a Pokémon’s stats, while others make it easier to catch wild Pokémon or increase the Experience Points gained in battle.
Wonder Trade
For players of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y who want to add a little thrill to their Pokémon trades, Wonder Trade allows players to instantly trade a Pokémon for one offered by someone else in the world. The catch? Players will make the trade without knowing which Pokémon they’ll get in return. You might receive an unexpected rare Pokémon or one that will add strength to your Pokémon party!
Of course…. unless there are restrictions in place there might be nothing but the X/Y equivalent of a Zubat making its way through the system.
