Summary
- Pokemon Scarlet and Violet rumors suggest that Tera Forms will be added in The Indigo Disk DLC, along with the 19th Tera type.
- These Tera Forms might work similarly to how Dynamax phenomenon was handled in Gen 8 games.
- There could be similarities between Terastallization and Gigantamaxing, with some Pokemon potentially gaining new appearances and moves when Terastallized.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet rumors and leaks have been piling up since the games were first announced, ranging from fan-make "fakemons" for the starters' evolutions to the entire actual Pokedex of Paldea leaking with images before launch. The same happened for The Teal Mask DLC, and now that it's out, a lot of alleged leaks are surfacing online about what exactly The Indigo Disk will entail in terms of new Pokemon, trainer battles, story, and even unique new forms. Tera Forms in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet haven't been a thing so far, but multiple leaks point to them being added in The Indigo Disk alongside the 19th Tera type.
With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Terapagos being the actual "indigo disk," and with the most recent trailer for the expansion officially revealing it has two different forms, Tera Forms seem all but confirmed even by official sources. It's unclear how they will work exactly, but recent leaks from renowned Pokemon insider called Riddler Khu reveal that this gimmick coming with the second DLC for Gen 9 might be more similar to how Gen 8 games handled the Dynamax phenomenon than anything else. If this is true, which most likely is, considering Khu's proven track record of leaks, there are a few distinctions to make.
How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Leaked Tera Forms Relate to Gen 8's Gimmick
Recently, Khu shared a post asking fans "Terastallized state or Terastal Form?", adding that these would be each the counterpart of one term from Gen 8 games, thus linking them with Dynamax, Gigantamax, and Eternamax. Dynamax would be Gen 9's equivalent of Terastallization in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, meaning that every pocket monster can use it, and it has different effects based on the Dynamax Level for the former or the Tera type for the latter.
Gigantamax in Pokemon Sword and Shield is a very different phenomenon, though, as it allows a select few Pokemon to have their special Dynamax form where their appearance changes, and they obtain new, unique moves to use in battle. Nothing similar is currently in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, but assuming Khu's post is exactly what The Indigo Disk will add, there will be similarities between Gigantamaxing and Terastallization for some critters. For example, some Pokemon could change their appearance and/or be able to use different moves if Terastallized into a given type, or at any time Terastallization is active, depending on what Game Freak's approach is.
This is an interesting option because it would mean that some Pokemon can gain something new when they are Terastallized, and it's likely that this list will include Legendaries like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Koraidon and Miraidon, as well as Ogerpon, Terapagos, and more. However, it seems that there will also be a sort of Eternamax equivalent in Gen 9. Originally, there was only one Eternamax form in Gen 8, and it was given to Eternatus, but this form was only shown in the actual battle against this Pokemon and never to be replicated by players after it was caught.
In Gen 9, Khu hints at the possibility of Gigantamax forms and Eternamax forms' equivalents in terms of Terastallization to be stackable - essentially giving some Pokemon a "third stage" appearance that goes even beyond the changed Tera Form. This is allegedly where the picture of Terapagos from the Scarlet Book and Violet Book from the story comes into play, with it being the equivalent of an Eternamax form for the turtle-like Pokemon. Overall, this is an interesting concept in terms of gameplay experience, as the series could breathe new life into existing species by giving them one or even two new different transformations, possibly alongside new powers.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for the Nintendo Switch.