Summary
Despite two trios of Legendary Pokemon receiving Paradox forms inPokemon ScarletandVioletas part of its DLC expansions, another overlooked Mythical Pokemon could have benefited from the same treatment due to its hidden potential. Technically introduced inPokemon’s seventh generation, both Meltan and Melmetal continue to be outliers due to their debut inPokemon GO, making them the first and so far only Pokemon to be exclusively available outside the core series. As a result, even despiteMelmetal receiving a Gigantamax forminSwordandShieldto celebratePokemon GO’s transfer compatibility, the Mythical Pokemon has an interesting albeit estranged status.
Arguably then, one ofScarletandViolet’s central gimmicks would have had the perfect potential for these already alienated Pokemon, as Melmetal in particular should have been considered for a Paradox form alongside the Legendary Beasts and the Swords of Justice. Much like Keldeo, the fourthLegendary Pokemon missing its own Paradox form, could have provided Game Freak the opportunity to balance both it and Melmetal, especially when Melmetal’s Pokedex entries outline a prospective Ancient form. Yet withScarletandViolet’s DLC now seemingly completed, Meltan and Melmetal have missed their chance to make a bigger impact in mainlinePokemongames this time around.
Pokemon and the Untapped Potential of Meltan and Melmetal
Meltan and Melmetal have the strangest position within thePokemonseries than otherMythical Pokemon introduced so far, even compared to those like Carbink and Diancie or Manaphy and Phione. Given thatPokemon GOcontinues to be the only game where Meltan can be found, caught, and evolved, the pair’s role in the core series has been limited. However, while the mainline games seem unsure of what to do with them, this hasn’t stopped the anime from adding and even evolving Meltan as part of Ash’s Pokemon party during itsSunandMoonseries, demonstrating thatPokemonat least remains committed to the two Mythical Pokemon.
Between Gen 7 and Gen 8, Pokemon Set Melmetal Up For More
Though it debuted inPokemon GO, it wasn’t long until the Mythical Pokemon would be available in mainline games, starting withPokemon Let’s GoPikachuandEeveewhich gave the pair their first in-game Pokedex entries. It would then takePokemon SwordandShieldto expand on Meltanand Melmetal further by giving the latter a Gigantamax form, something that also provided additional entries about the Pokemon. Based on some of Melmetal’s Pokedex entries listed below have revealed so far, it seems that Melmetal has a more storied and far-reaching history within the world ofPokemonthan what players have seen so far.
Pokedex Entry
Let’s Go PikachuandEevee
Revered long ago for its capacity to create iron from nothing, for some reason it has come back to life after 3,000 years.
Sword(standard form)
At the end of its lifespan, Melmetal will rust and fall apart. The small shards left behind will eventually be reborn as Meltan.
Sword(Giganatamax form)
In a distant land, there are legends about a cyclopean giant. In fact, the giant was a Melmetal that was flooded with Gigantamax energy.
Moreover, it appeared thatPokemon GOwas setting itself up for a closer relationship when it featured Jacq andrevealed Gimmighoul ahead ofScarletandViolet’s release. With the similarities between this reveal and Meltan’s own, it seemed that Game Freak might capitalize onPokemon GO’s symbiotic relationship with the mainline games, and perhaps with Meltan and Melmetal bridging the gap. But despite these Pokedex entries aligning perfectly withScarletandViolet’s narrative of time travel and setting up a Paradox form for Melmetal, both it and Meltan remain unobtainable in these games.
Pokemon Scarlet Should Have Introduced Paradox Melmetal
It seems almost too convenient that Melmetal’s “modern” design of liquid metal and hex nuts is countered by its Pokedex entries alluding to its three-millennia-old existence with its kind populating other regions. In doing so, Melmetal had everything it needed for an Ancient form that would have been ideal forScarletand could have been similar to Magneton’s Paradox counterpart, Sandy Shocks. Inspiration for Paradox Melmetal could have utilized ancient history, like the invention of the wheel to replace its hex nuts, or the Bronze Age to hint at howPokemon’s civilizations developed, ultimately allowing this Mythical Pokemon to live up to its potential inPokemon Scarlet and Violet.
