PSA: Don't Forget About Deoxys When Deciding to Buy Pokemon…

Neither Game Freak nor The Pokemon Company has confirmed or otherwise hinted that Deoxys would be obtainable in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen on Switch, despite the Mythical Pokemon being available in the original Game Boy Advance releases via limited-time Event Distributions. However, assuming Game Freak eventually gives fans a way to complete the Pokedex, Deoxys is a major factor in choosing whether to play Pokemon FireRed or Pokemon LeafGreen.

Historically, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are among the most faithful remakes in the franchise. Unlike later paired versions that featured bigger changes between the two, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen's version differences are almost entirely about Pokemon availability. FireRed has fan-favorites like Arcanine, Scizor, and Electabuzz, while LeafGreen has Ninetales, Slowbro/Slowking, and Starmie, among many others. For most players, the choice came down to team composition or childhood nostalgia. However, Deoxys adds a wrinkle that few casual fans remember.

Deoxys' Differences in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

pokemon go deoxys attack defence speed normal forme — pokemon-go-deoxys-forme

In Generation 3, Deoxys’ form is not freely interchangeable but instead determined by the specific game cartridge being used. In FireRed, Deoxys is permanently locked to its Attack Forme. In LeafGreen, it is permanently locked to its Defense Forme. Attack Forme boasts powerful offensive stats at the expense of durability, while Defense Forme flips that dynamic entirely.

As of this writing, it is unclear how Game Freak intends to handle Event Pokemon for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. One might presume that Game Freak will just ignore these Pokemon, while others hope that the Events are now part of the base games or that it will at least roll out these events in the future. If players somehow receive an AuroraTicket, the key item that unlocks Birth Island, they would be able to encounter Deoxys and complete its now-iconic triangle puzzle. But if that happens, version choice suddenly matters beyond Arcanine versus Ninetales. FireRed players would have access to Attack Forme Deoxys; LeafGreen players would have Defense Forme. Without connectivity to other Generation 3 titles, that form would be locked indefinitely.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

Of course, if titles like Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald were also added to Switch libraries, cross-game trading could allow Deoxys to recalculate its form again. Emerald, in particular, features Speed Forme. But without that trading ecosystem in place yet, FireRed and LeafGreen would each offer only one variation of one of the franchise’s most popular Mythical Pokemon, so players should be wise to consider this when selecting which version to play. That said, whether Deoxys IS actually in the game someday or not is unclear.

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Leave Other Pokemon in Limbo Too

Deoxy is, of course, not the only Pokemon currently locked in limbo. P okemon FireRed and LeafGreen's marketing boasts the original 151 Pokemon, but Mew was an event Pokemon that needed the Old Sea Map—which was never distributed outside Japan. To acquire Lugia or Ho-Oh, players have to get an event MysticTicket to reach Naval Rock and proceed down for Lugia and up for Ho-Oh. And of course, Deoxys has a special puzzle awaiting players on Birth Island.

Locked Event Pokemon in FireRed and LeafGreen

Mew (Requires Old Sea Map)
Deoxys (Requires AuroraTicket)
Lugia (Requires MysticTicket)
Ho-Oh (Requires MysticTicket)

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Turn the Celebration Up with Event Pokemon

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen release after the 30th Anniversary Pokemon Presents, which takes place on February 27 at 6 am PT/9 am ET, so fans will presumably know in a few days how Event Pokemon are being treated. It's also possible that Game Freak or The Pokemon Company reveal ways to get Event Pokemon in FR/LG during the showcase, amping up the celebration even more, but for now, fans will just have to wait and see.