Summary
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s The Indigo Disk DLC is the big expansion of the pack, bringing back more pocket monsters than The Teal Mask as well as adding a bunch of highly anticipated creatures, like Paradox Legendary Beasts and Swords of Justice as well as Dipplin’s evolution. One of the biggest hype-inducing features of the DLC was that every paststarter Pokemon came back in The Indigo Disk, which not only meant fans could get some of their favorite critters in Gen 9, but they could also shiny hunt them. Among the many returning Pokemon are also several regional forms, ranging from more obvious ones post-Teal Mask like Alolan Ninetales to unexpected ones like Hisuian Qwilfish. And yet, Alolan Raichu is still missing, but there’s a major reason why.
It could seem unfair for The Indigo Disk to drop Alolan Raichu like that, but it’s not the only regional formPokemon missing from Gen 9, with another notable absentee being Hisuian Sneasel and its evolution Sneasler, the pair only being obtainable throughPokemon Hometransfer. More importantly, Alolan Raichu’s absence could be an easter egg in and of itself, considering it’s most likely tied to the Blueberry Academy’s setting and how the Pikachu line is treated in Unova.
Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk Dropping Alolan Raichu Makes Sense
Why Alolan Raichu May be Missing From Gen 9
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Blueberry Academyis found in the Unova region, and while it is not mentioned in Gen 5 games nor do Gen 9 titles allow further exploration of the region, this is still a big factor in the school’s features and how its Terarium appears. The Terarium is where every returning Pokemon in The Indigo Disk can be caught, barring Legendaries appearing elsewhere. This unique place is also filled to the brim with Gen 5 references, ranging from character traits or backstories for the BB League members to physical locations like Chargestone Cavern and Unova’s Nature Preserve.
With such a strong influence from Unova, it only seems natural that the Pikachu evolutionary line and also Alolan Raichu are completely absent from the Terarium. In fact, Pichu, Pikachu, and Raichu are entirely unavailable inPokemon Black and Whiteas well asBlack 2 and White 2, with the only means of getting them being via trade, PokeTransfer, or Dream World. It seems that these Pokemon are simply not native to Unova, which would explain whyPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk makes them unobtainable and drops the ball by not including Alolan Raichu.
Alolan Raichu’s Absence is a Unova Easter Egg in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Alolan Raichu is still available inPokemon Scarlet and Violetwith aPokemon Homelink, much like other critters that can be transferred to Gen 9 without them being available as wild encounters or via Tera Raids. Yet, including this Alolan Pokemon alongside others would have been a nice addition to the roster of The Indigo Disk, especially considering Alolan Raichu has been available in every game since its debut.
Pikachu and its evolutionary line are among the few Pokemon that have been in every mainline game so far.
In the case of Alolan Raichu, as much as it can be sad to not be able to find one in the Coastal Biome in The Indigo Disk, which is a lot like a small-scale Alola, it does make a lot of sense to pay homage to Unova and Gen 5 by not featuring the Pikachu line at all in the Terarium. It may be strange to refer to the absence of a Pokemon as an easter egg, but in this case, it makes the utmost sense - much like having aStellar Tera type Haxorus in the Nature Preserve-like area of the Terarium, further paying homage to Unova. For this reason,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetkeep a Gen 5 tradition alive, and fans may see it in Unova remakes as well.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
