Scarlet and Purple Didn't Solve Pokémon's Gym Leader Problem

Pokémon Crimson and Violet could have made gym builders more challenging by giving them stronger teams or increasing the difficulty of the game.

Gym masters were a problem in the series, and Pokémon Crimson and Violet didn't fix that. Gym leaders get weaker and weaker with each generation, and while the series is partially aimed at a younger audience, some level of challenge with older gym leaders like Whitney or Norman is welcome. It's a nice touch that players can challenge gyms in the order they like, but it doesn't really make a difference while the level restrictions are still in place.

Scarlet and Violet introduce eight new colorful Gym Leaders to the series, and from a character standpoint, they're great additions - from the feisty Electric Gym Leader Iono to the unassuming, drab Normal Gym Leader Larry, to the confident Ghost Gym Leader Ryme. Most, if not all, Pokémon Crimson and Violet Gym Leaders are creative characters who help breathe narrative life into the game, which also Bringing creative gym challenges.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Have Easy Gyms

Generation 9's gym is too easy and predictable. Before the player reaches the Ghost Gym, all Gym Master Pokémon are low-level evolutions and pose little threat, assuming they follow the optimal order. Terastallize The mechanic used on each Gym Master's final Pokémon is an interesting variation, but becomes predictable since no Pokémon takes advantage of the gimmick. Even later gyms, which include more menacing Pokémon, feel lighthearted thanks to the team setup and the natural power of the players at this point.

How Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Could Have Fixed Gyms

The first two or three gyms should be easier so can be ignored to some extent, but maybe more mid-game evolutions will make them feel less tedious. Gym 4 and higher is where the difficulty should increase, which comes from Pokémon choices. Kafu and Larry, who turned out to be part of the elite foursome of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, are relatively weaker aggressive Pokémon. Game Freak seemed to want to show off new Pokémon in the gym, but other options, like Kofu's Palafin or Larry's Cyclizar, would have strengthened their underdogs.

Another option to fix Gym Masters is to add difficulty settings to Pokémon. In this way, the gym master team of different gyms will face different difficulties. Move sets can be made more competitive, and Battle Items can be added to some or all Pokémon. This solution allows those People wanting a more laid-back experience or a more challenging experience get what they want from the game.

The Scarlet and Violet series were successful with co-op and gameplay changes, but they failed with Gym Leaders. Even though challenging content isn't on Game Freak's priority list, making the game too easy will only hurt the franchise as a whole. Hopefully the Gen 10 games will take some action, as Pokémon Crimson and Violet won't be known for their gym master difficulty.

More: What the next game in the Pokémon Scarlet & Violet franchise can teach