Yesterday, when we asked why some people don't want to see a new type, one person asked us "What types could they add?" Well, consider the following....
One thing that I think has to be considered in any new type debate is how they're going to balance the type. I'm not talking in terms of balancing what's super effective or not however. I'm talking about the numbers of Pokémon which would belong to that type. When Gen II was released, Magnemite & Magneton were given the Steel type, when they were previously pure Electric. Part of that of course was just because it made a hell of a lot of sense, their bodies being metal. But it would also have been done because it was important that they had sufficient numbers of Pokémon with the new types. So here's the problem. We have significantly more Pokémon today than we did in the Gen II era. Steel and Dark types were only a very small proportion of the number of Pokémon available back in Gen II, but even if a new type or new types are introduced in similar proportions, the actual number of Pokémon they'd need with that type would be a lot higher. Doing that, while still adding new Pokémon from the existing types, would be very limiting, to the point where you might not be able to have many Pokémon at all from the existing types. So, if they were to introduce a new type or new types, they would need to add them to a bunch of previously single-typed Pokémon. Depending on the circumstances involved, they may even need to outright change the type of some existing Pokémon.
That sounds like it might make a new type next to impossible. And indeed, it will be very difficult to add new types with those sort of constraints. However, that's not necessarily an argument against new types being added. In fact, the argument could be made that it'd be better for them to add new types now. After all, the issue of numbers isn't going to go away. Unless they're willing to take fairly drastic measures like having all new Pokémon be of the same type, or retyping dual types, it's only going to get harder and harder for them to introduce new types as each generation of game passes.
So, having said all this, I'm going to go out on a massive limb here. Taking a look at the Pokémon we already have, there are existing themes already present amongst some single typed Pokémon evolution lines. If indeed they do make new types, then I can see the potential for them to create two new types in Generation VI, based on those recurring themes which don't yet have a formal type. These types are Love, and Sound. If I'm on the money with this speculation, then I believe Sylveon and Xerneas would both be Love type, while Yveltal would be Sound type.
Here's how I see things, and why I think it's possible.
1. A significant amount of moves already exist for both of these themes. These moves are primarily a part of the move rich Normal type (167 total moves currently). Generation II set the precedent for this, with Bite being moved to Dark from Normal.
Possible Moves include (but are not necessarily limited to)...
Love type: After You, Attract, Bestow, Captivate, Charm, Covet, Entrainment, Helping Hand, Lovely Kiss, Return, Sweet Kiss
Sound type: Most of the moves listed here -
http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Category:Sound_moves
2. There are a number of single type Pokémon that exist currently which would make thematic sense as either a Love or Sound type, meaning that they would not be forced to make too many of the new Pokémon into these types to maintain proper type distribution. Some Normal types would stand to be outright re-typed. This makes sense in particular with some part-Normal Dual types, such as the Togepi/Togetic/Togekiss line, Chatot and Meloetta.
Some of the (currently single-typed) Pokémon which would be suitable for this include (but are not necessarily limited to)...
Love type: Happiny/Chansey/Blissey, Gardevoir, Skitty/Delcarry, Plusle, Minun, Volbeat, Illumise, Feebas/Milotic, Gorebyss, Luvdisc, Pachirisu, Buneary/Lopunny, Audino, Petilil/Lilligant, Minccino/Cinccino, Alomomola
Sound type: Igglybuff/Jigglypuff/Wigglytuff, Whismur/Loudred/Exploud, Chingling/Chimecho, Kricketot/Kricketune, Audino, Maractus, Minccino/Cinccino
(As a side note, it's interesting how the only Gen I & II Pokémon on this list are those who had Baby Pokémon added later. This would be consistent with these themes not being developed into possible future types before Gen III.)
3. Initial speculation about Xerneas and Yveltal suggested they were inspired by Greco-Roman mythology. I believe this to be correct. Specifically, I believe that Xerneas is inspired by Artemis/Diana, and that Yveltal is inspired by Apollo.
In Greek mythology, Artemis (or Diana, as she was known to the Romans) is described as the twin sister of Apollo. She was considered the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and the wilderness, and her sacred animal was the Deer. She was also considered the protector of young girls, and the goddess of childbirth and virginity, linking her directly to both the genetic theme of X/Y, and to a possible Love type.
It's a similar story for Apollo. Animals sacred to him included Hawk, Ravens and the mythological Griffon. He was considered the patron god of arts, music, and poetry, giving us a link to a possible Sound type. He was also considered the God of Manly Beauty and of Medicine, giving us a link to the X/Y theme as well.
4. Continuing on the Greco-Roman mythology theme, it must also be noted that Artemis's handmaidens were Nymphs. The Male counterparts of Nymphs were known as Satyr's, and they are well known for their association with music (as well as their debauchery). Though more associated with Pan and Dionysus than with Apollo, there is at least one important tale about Apollo and a Satyr called Marsyas, where they competed with their music.
5. There are a number of abilities which give Pokémon immunity to damage taken from a specific type of attack. Flash Fire, Levitate, Lightning Rod, Sap Sipper, Storm Drain, Volt Absorb, Water Absorb. And then...there's Soundproof and Oblivious. In the context of everything else, having abilities like these already present in the game seems rather convenient, don't you think?
6. Sylveon was formally revealed to the world on Valentine's Day (as can be seen in this tweet by the official Pokémon account -
https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/302050247679557633). We would hope there's at least 100 new Pokémon in this generation, yes? So their choice was not announce Sylveon vs. announce nothing. They could have chosen practically any of the new Pokémon. And yet, out of all those Pokémon that they could have chosen to reveal on that specific day, the date of the announcement having been known to them well in advance (seeing as the date of the announcement is fixed by the CoroCoro release date), they picked Sylveon. A Pokémon whose Japanese name is a direct reference to the mythical nymphs (the first 3 characters ニンフ are exactly how they spell Nymph according to every translation dictionary I've consulted, and the official romanization on the stickers clearly says Nymphia), and all the imagery of beauty and sexuality that evokes. A Pokémon whose colour scheme is primarily white and pink, highly appropriate for Valentine's (particularly in the context of Japan, where Valentine's is paired with White Day). It would seem a pretty massive coincidence that they just happened to have a new Pokémon clearly referencing the themes of love that they could announce on Valentine's Day, would it not? Taken alone, it still doesn't mean much, but taken in the context of everything else I've said? It becomes pretty compelling evidence, I think.
So, what do you think of this bit of speculation? I'm not saying that they absolutely must introduce a new type in X & Y, but does the idea seem perhaps a bit more plausible to you now? Are there any other possible types which you think are more likely? Let us know your thoughts. If you want, you can also join us in the speculation thread for this topic on the Bulbagarden Forums.
http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/f693/new-type-alterations-type-chart-146643/
