Ever since it was revealed forPokemon ScarletandVioletfans have been anticipating Fuecoco’s final form, and Skeledirge seems to be a stark contrast to not just the other Gen 9 starters but even to all the fire starters that came before it. The only quadruped of not justPokemon Scarlet and Violet’strio, but the whole final Fire starter lines - not to mention a dual Fire/Ghost type so soon afterPokemon Legends: Arceusintroduced Hisuian Typhlosion - Skeledirge has become a focal point of fans' attention. Some even believe its distinctiveness could make it a new fan favorite.
But besides being the first to walk on all fours, many fans are wondering how else Skeledirge compares to the other final evolutions of Fire starters. From the differences in types to the various inspirations behind their designs, Skeledirge has plenty to contrast with those that came before it. With longstanding favorites such as Charizard tothe recent Typhlosion variant, it seems Skeledirge will have a lot of work ahead of it to make its mark amongScarletandViolet’sfinal evolutions, so time will tell if it can hold its own and prove popular.
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Charizard
Immediately, Skeledirge already has fierce competition with Charizard. Not only isCharizard still among the most popular Pokemonto date, but it’s also received a breadth of different forms from not one but two Mega evolutions and its own Gigantamax form in the recentSwordandShieldgames. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem Charizard will be directly in the spotlight forScarletandViolet,so Skeledirge might have a chance to shine. As a fellow reptilian-inspired Pokemon, perhaps Skeledirge could satisfy fans' obsession with the Gen 1 Fire starter for just one generation.
Typhlosion
While the original Johtonian Typhlosion seems less inspired compared to Skeledirge, it’s impossible for fans to not be acutely aware of the fact thatPokemon Legends: Arceushad just introduced a new final evolution for the Cyndaquil line that had Fire/Ghost types. With the Fire starter lines plagued by thecontroversy of Fire/Fighting combosdominating Gens 3, 4, and 5, it seems Skeledirge already has a mark against it for coming hot on the heels of Hisuian Typhlosion. Still, fans hope that Skeledirge’s “Day of the Dead” Spanish design can bring a different flavor to its Ghost typing.
Blaziken
With yet another fan favorite to contend with, Skeledirge has a high bar to clear again when compared to Blaziken. Though the type match-up would give Skeledirge the competitive advantage, it may be hard to overcome players' love for the Gen 3 Fire starter final evolution. With Mega evolutions being distanced fromPokemongames, including Blaziken’s own Mega evolution, it seems the comparison will be reduced down to function or form.Blaziken might be a well-liked Pokemon, but players might need to choose which they’d prefer, and Skeledirge might just be a step ahead.
Infernape
The second Fire/Fighting final evolution, Infernape was at the time accepted even in spite of the repetition of type combos, so there’s hope yet that Skeledirge and Hisuian Typhlosion could share the stage for the time being. Again, however, as with Blaziken this means Infernape has the same type of disadvantage when compared to Skeledirge. In this light, it seems the comparison is more between Blaziken or Infernape than Skeledirge. Without strong popularity or a Mega evolution backing it, even with theGen 4 remakesalready released, it seems that Infernape might not be the winning fighter in this comparison.
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Emboar
The third and final Fire/Fighting contender, Emboar at least seems to be a better proof of concept compared to Blaziken and Infernape, especially when acknowledging its design is influenced by Chinese culture and wrestling inspiration.Gen 5’s starter designsrepresent a change in designs that embraces its regional or cultural influences, so while Emboar bears the same disadvantage as the other Fire/Fighting types, its design still holds strong against Skeledirge. It seems the comparison burns down to comparing Chinese mythos about pig demons to Mexican traditions around the celebration of the dead.
Delphox
Despite a more unique switch-up of typing to Fire/Psychic andDelphox’s addition toPokemon Unite, Skeledirge appears to be four for four in having a type advantage over the Gen 6 Pokemon. However, thanks to the overlap that Psychic and Ghost Pokemon often have with their move pools, Delphox can naturally learn moves to deal with Skeledirge’s Ghost-type such as Shadow Ball without the need for a TM. This does help to cancel out the advantage, but while Delphox has a higher Special Attack, Skeledirge is physically defensive, meaning it could all come down to Delphox’s speed competitively or if players just prefer Skeledirge overall.
Incineroar
Though Skeledirge might have been on a type match-up streak, it would lose compared to Incineroar. The Gen 7 Pokemon not only has the Dark type that makes it resistant against Skeledirge’s Ghost-type, but its signature move Darkest Lariat is also a super effective Dark type. But Skeledirge faces an even greater struggle as Litten was an immediate favorite amongSunandMoonstarters, andIncineroar itself joinedSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatealongside other iconic Pokemon such as Pikachu and Mewtwo, meaning the Gen 9 newcomer still has that same high bar to clear.
Cinderace
Skeledirge still has a chance, however, asSwordandShield’sCinderace has its downsides that the new Gen 9 Pokemon could make ground on. Despite all the final forms of the Fire starters being dual types - except for Typhlosion until its Hisuian form - Cinderace alongside the otherGen 8 startersis just a single type. Worse still, though Cinderace and the others of the starter trio received Gigantamax forms that expanded their designs, it seems Dynamaxing could soon be joining Mega evolutions as a distant memory. This just leaves Cinderace’s British soccer influences and Skeledirge’s “Day of the Dead” aesthetic, which can help fans to choose a favorite.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare available now for Nintendo Switch.
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