One of the new Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Veluza, looks a lot like a new regional form.
While Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has introduced a wide variety of new Pokemon, many of which have quickly become fan favorites, others, such as Veluza, have not become as popular, and one possible explanation is that a new regional form or evolution was missed. As a single-stage Water/Psychic type based on a fish with an unsettling appearance, it has been difficult for players not to compare Veluza to Bruxish, another unpopular Pokemon. It is now clear that Veluza could have been utilized more creatively in order to attract players’ attention.
The Pokemon Scarlet and Violet newcomer has been compared to more than Bruxish, with differing opinions on how to improve Veluza’s appearance. After noting the striking similarities between Veluza and the Arrokuda line from Sword and Shield, many players began to theorize that Veluza was not a Gen 9 Pokémon, but rather a Gen 8 holdover. This would not be the first time Game Freak has saved ideas for future generations, leading some fans to believe that Veluza was either a cut final evolution or should have been a regional evolution of the Arrokuda line.
Arrokuda, Barraskewda, and Veluza
Despite the fact that Veluza’s influence appears to come from hake as opposed to Arrokuda and Barraskewda’s combination of barracuda and pike, the three share an uncanny resemblance. However, this similarity is not conclusive proof of a connection, especially when considering the fact that numerous Pokemon over the years have shared appearances, such as every Pikachu clone or Luvdisc and Alomomola appearing to be related. In addition, it would be unusual to create a regional variant for a Pokemon line that was introduced just one generation ago, but players believe it’s unlikely that these similar Pokemon would debut so close together without a connection.
This lends credence to the theory that Veluza was either a planned evolution for Arrokuda or Barraskewda that was ultimately scrapped, or that it was initially intended to be a regional variant before the concept became part of Pokemon’s cut content. The fact that all three are featured in Scarlet and Violet complicates this theory, so it’s unlikely that Veluza was originally an evolution or regional variant. However, while the Arrokuda line is a useful early-stage Water-type Pokémon, Veluza still feels incomplete to fans, which could explain why this theory has gained traction as it attempts to explain the Pokemon’s shortcomings.
Veluza Needed To Be A Regional Variant
Even if it’s just a fan theory, reimagining Veluza as a regional variant would give it the interest it lacks at present. Veluza is a late-game Pokémon with no evolutions and a type combination that players have encountered numerous times before, so there is little reason to capture and use it beyond completing the Pokedex. The players will already have encountered more intriguing Water-types or the much-discussed regional fake Wiglett line. If Veluza was a regional variant, however, not only would players have encountered it sooner by evolving Arrokuda, they would also have a reason to do so.
In addition, Scarlet and Violet already have an unusual lack of regional variants, so Game Freak has dropped the Pokeball on both the Pokemon and the games it debuted in by omitting a regional variant for Veluza. There are many ways Game Freak could have added new regional forms, such as a Vanillite line to match the many ice cream stands in the games or a Smeargle variant to compete with Grafaiai. However, it seems like Game Freak missed a chance when they didn’t take advantage of Veluza’s similarity to the Arrokuda line. With the canon establishing that these Pokemon are not related, there is little that can be done to rectify this.