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Gen 9 Pokedex - Discussion/Speculation Thread

NeoDude-5000

Well-Known Member
Got a lot of ideas for returning Pokémon. So here are my guesses along some comments. With so many Pokémon now I placed them in spoiler tabs. Pokémon that we already know that are returning won't be included.
  • Bulbasaur/Charmander/Squirtle: Look they're gonna be here ok. They came back to Kalos with Mega's. Charizard was a ride Pokemon in Alola. And they returned in Galar, well at first Charizard, so it's going to happen again
  • Weedle line: It hasn't showed in a regional dex for a while
  • Sandshrew line: There are shrews in Spain
  • Nidos: There are royals in Spain
  • Cleffa line: Just fine here
  • Vulpix line: Also fine
  • Zubat line: Moving on...
  • Oddish line: Fits well
  • Paras line: Noticed that fruits seem to be a easter egg in trailer. I know mushrooms are not fruit but I think mushrooms will do nicely
  • Venonat line: Someone suggested Venonat and I think its a valid choice
  • Diglett line: I can work in a open-world game just nicely
  • Tentacool line: Almost got stunned by a jellyfish while on holiday in Mallorca (one of the Spanish islands) so
  • Growlithe line: Hisuian Growlithe should be here too
  • Poliwag line: Suitable for Spain
  • Gastly line: Hope you don't hate encountering Gastly at night in Legends Arceus
  • Staryu line: Just fits well with Spain
  • Scyther line: Kleavor should be in too
  • Tauros: Bulls are the national animal of Spain so this is a no-brainer
  • Magikarp: Every game except Unova, I think
  • Lapras: I just want to ride on Lapras again
  • Ditto: Breeding machine
  • Eevee line: Secondary mascot of course its here
  • Dratini line: I know there was a Dratini fountain in the trailer but there have been instances were Pokémon shaped objects appeared but the Pokémon itself didn't. I'm looking at you Fletchling weather vane
  • Sentret line: I get boy and girl scout vibes from the games protagonists so why not have the Scout Pokémon
  • Hoothoot line: Can we please have a regional variant of this line already Game Freak?
  • Ledyba and Spinarak lines: Fit well with Spain. Probably
  • Mareep line: I just see it returning after seeing the windmills
  • Azurill line: Marill is another perfectly fine Pokemon for the region
  • Sunkern line: In a warm country such as Spain Sunkern would be a good fit
  • Murkow and Misdreavus lines: Another good set of nighttime Pokémon for the game
  • Pineco line: Apparently pinecones are a thing in Spain
  • Qwilfish: Another Legends Arceus import
  • Heracross: Appeared in every region since its debut
  • Sneasel line(s): Same as Qwilfish
  • Teddiursa line: Spain have brown bears
  • Stantler: Same as Qwilfish and Sneasel
  • Smeargle: Fits well
  • Miltank: Tauros' counterpart
  • Raikou/Entei/Suicune: I can see these guys getting regional variants this time around
  • Poochyena line: Wildcard nothing special
  • Shroomish line: Similar to what I said about Paras
  • Makuhita line: Another wildcard
  • Volbeat and Illumise: Perfect nighttime Pokemon for the game
  • Budew line: Fits well with Spain
  • Wailmer line: In many ways this is essentially Wingull's bud
  • Torkoal: I can see it work
  • Spoink line: Fits well
  • Trapinch line: Call that desert your home Trapinch
  • Zangoose: When there's a Seviper there's bound to be a Zangoose
  • Corphish line: I know we have Clauncher but still
  • Feebas line: Milotic would look even more beautiful in this game
  • Keckleon: Chameleon's are in Spain
  • Tropius: Fruit themed Pokemon
  • Beldum line: If I had to pick one Hoenn pseudo-legendary I would go with this one
  • Bidoof line: Beaver's are in Spain. Could get a regional variant
  • Kicketot: Wildcard
  • Shinx line: Lynx's live in the Iberian Peninsula (were Spain is)
  • Cherubi line: Fruit Pokémon and please be easy to find!
  • Shellos line: I can see the 2 forms representing Spain and Portugal
  • Croagunk line: Wildcard
  • Carnivine: I can see fit in well here
  • Finneon line: Should be good in the water
  • Rotom: This Pokémon is going to be a staple going forward
  • Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott: Oshawott came back in Legends Arceus but the other 2 still need to. Serperior also has European inspriation
  • Elemental monkeys: Wrong about them in Galar, this time for sure here
  • Muuna: Wildcard
  • Roggenrola: Suitable for Spain I guess
  • Drilburr line: Moles live in Spain. Maybe a regional variant with a alternate evolution (sorry Excadrill)
  • Audino: Give us some EXP
  • Timburr line: Wildcard
  • Cottonee line: Petilil and Lilligant are in the game so this line should too. Also possible Whimsicott variant perhaps?
  • Basculin: Maybe we can encounter all 3 colours of Basculin
  • Sandile line: Desert area, perfect for this Pokémon
  • Darumaka line: Suitable for the region
  • Maractus: Spanish cactus
  • Dwebble line: Wildcard
  • Scraggy line: Another wildcard
  • Vanilite line: That line can work well
  • Deerling line: Inspired by the idea of the seasonal lizard of Spain. Except replace the lizard with a deer.
  • Karrrablast and Shelmet lines: Wildcards
  • Frillish line: Jellyfish
  • Joltik line: Can work in Spain
  • Ferroseed line: Alternative to Pineco
  • Klink line: Definitely see it work
  • Pawniard line: Wildcard
  • Forces of Nature: We now have 4 members of the group. Bring in Enamorus into present day please
  • Chespin/Fennekin/Froakie: Still have yet to be playable in a Switch game
  • Bunnelby line: Had them in France, England, now Spain/Portugal should have it. European countries after all. A bit like the European rabbit.
  • Scattebug line: Vivillon will fit well here
  • Litleo line: Should've been in Galar hopefully this time for sure
  • Skiddo line: Based of the Iberian Ibex
  • Furfou: Suitable for the region
  • Honedge line: Wildcard
  • Helioptile line: Spain's really sunny so sure why not
  • Hawlucha: Mexican wrestler, Spanish American country. Or Latin America I don't know.
  • Goomy line: I just want Hisuian Goodra in the game. Can we keep our Alpha's Alpha's please?
  • Klefki: Fine
  • Phantump line: Wildcard
  • Bergmite line: Legends Arceus import
  • Noibat line: Wildcard
  • Pikipek line: I can see the Spanish Islands as a DLC location and Pikipek could be perfect there
  • Grubbin line: Wildcard
  • Crabbrawler: Might work here
  • Oricorio: Could definitely work here
  • Cutiefly: Just about works anywhere
  • Rockruff: Wolves live in Spain
  • Wishiwashi: Perfectly fine for the region. Imagine encountering its school form in the overworld
  • Mudbray line: Fine
  • Comfey: Good fit
  • Sandygast line: Fine
  • Mimikyu: Popular Pokemon that isn't going anywhere anytime soon
  • Bruxish: Someone said it can work
  • Dhelmise: Can we have a Spanish Armada reference in the game with this Pokémon?
  • Cosmog line and Necrozma: Sort of see it happen
  • Skwovet line: Red squirrels live in Spain. Guess who's going to be hiding in trees then
  • Nicket line: Foxes live in Spain
  • Gossifleur line: Wildcard
  • Chewtle line: I think Chewtle cameoed somewhere in the trailer
  • Applin lines: Fruit themed Pokémon
  • Cramorant: Suitable for the region
  • Arrokuda line: Watch out for Cramorant!
  • Hattena line: Wildcard
  • Impidimp line: Wildcard
  • Perrserker: Meowth's here so hopefully regional variants don't get restricted
  • Milcery: Wildcard
  • Falinks: Wearing the Spanish colours
  • Pinchurchin: Wildcard
  • Eiscue: Stonjouner's counterpart. Obviously not going to be found in the desert
  • Indeedee: Another wildcard
  • Morpeko: Since Black and White 2 the Pikachu clone from the last generation appears in that games regional dex. Morpeko should continue that trend
  • Dreepy line: Random prior pseudo-legendary line
  • And finally every new form and Pokémon from Legends Arceus
Phew... I need a cup of tea
 

Beloberto

Bug Catcher
Knowing GF, Gen 1 Pokemon will surely get another special treatment. So I'm really curious which "untouched" Gen 1 Pokemon will be the beneficiaries this time. By "untouched", I mean those that don't have cross-gen evos, regional variants, Mega evos, and Dynamax forms. So far we have:

Nidoran line
Paras line
Venonat line
Psyduck line
Mankey line
Bellsprout line
Tentacool line
Doduo line
Seel line
Shellder line
Drowzee line
Goldeen line
Staryu line
Tauros
Omanyte line
Kabuto line
Dratini line

In Legends, they've began to branch out to Gen 2 Pokemon. So I'm really looking forward for Girafarig, Dunsparce, Shuckle, Delibird, Skarmory, Smeargle, and Miltank. I know some of these are gimmick Pokemon, but GF can be unpredictable.
Also got the impression on PLA they started to move on to Gen 2 lines as well, so I'm really hoping a lot of Johto mon can get a share on whatever gimmick and variants and evos are planned for SV.
Looking at that list, there are a lot more Gen 1 lines still waiting for their "revamp" than I thought, though, so it might take a while before Gen 2 is really focused on.

Aside from the Gen 2 focus, the thing I am hoping for SV dex is that every Pokémon/variant introduced in Hisui is available here. I have a rule of only using newly introduced Pokémon in my team, but I would allow Hisui on my SV team since I skipped PLA.
 

Det. Viper

That’s Detective Viper to you
I want to point out that even though Pokémon might not be in the regional Pokédex doesn’t mean that they’ll be stopped by border patrol. The Hoenn and Alola starters in Galar come to mind here.
 

Kangaflora

Well-Known Member
Got a lot of ideas for returning Pokémon. So here are my guesses along some comments. With so many Pokémon now I placed them in spoiler tabs. Pokémon that we already know that are returning won't be included.
  • Bulbasaur/Charmander/Squirtle: Look they're gonna be here ok. They came back to Kalos with Mega's. Charizard was a ride Pokemon in Alola. And they returned in Galar, well at first Charizard, so it's going to happen again
  • Weedle line: It hasn't showed in a regional dex for a while
  • Sandshrew line: There are shrews in Spain
  • Nidos: There are royals in Spain
  • Cleffa line: Just fine here
  • Vulpix line: Also fine
  • Zubat line: Moving on...
  • Oddish line: Fits well
  • Paras line: Noticed that fruits seem to be a easter egg in trailer. I know mushrooms are not fruit but I think mushrooms will do nicely
  • Venonat line: Someone suggested Venonat and I think its a valid choice
  • Diglett line: I can work in a open-world game just nicely
  • Tentacool line: Almost got stunned by a jellyfish while on holiday in Mallorca (one of the Spanish islands) so
  • Growlithe line: Hisuian Growlithe should be here too
  • Poliwag line: Suitable for Spain
  • Gastly line: Hope you don't hate encountering Gastly at night in Legends Arceus
  • Staryu line: Just fits well with Spain
  • Scyther line: Kleavor should be in too
  • Tauros: Bulls are the national animal of Spain so this is a no-brainer
  • Magikarp: Every game except Unova, I think
  • Lapras: I just want to ride on Lapras again
  • Ditto: Breeding machine
  • Eevee line: Secondary mascot of course its here
  • Dratini line: I know there was a Dratini fountain in the trailer but there have been instances were Pokémon shaped objects appeared but the Pokémon itself didn't. I'm looking at you Fletchling weather vane
  • Sentret line: I get boy and girl scout vibes from the games protagonists so why not have the Scout Pokémon
  • Hoothoot line: Can we please have a regional variant of this line already Game Freak?
  • Ledyba and Spinarak lines: Fit well with Spain. Probably
  • Mareep line: I just see it returning after seeing the windmills
  • Azurill line: Marill is another perfectly fine Pokemon for the region
  • Sunkern line: In a warm country such as Spain Sunkern would be a good fit
  • Murkow and Misdreavus lines: Another good set of nighttime Pokémon for the game
  • Pineco line: Apparently pinecones are a thing in Spain
  • Qwilfish: Another Legends Arceus import
  • Heracross: Appeared in every region since its debut
  • Sneasel line(s): Same as Qwilfish
  • Teddiursa line: Spain have brown bears
  • Stantler: Same as Qwilfish and Sneasel
  • Smeargle: Fits well
  • Miltank: Tauros' counterpart
  • Raikou/Entei/Suicune: I can see these guys getting regional variants this time around
  • Poochyena line: Wildcard nothing special
  • Shroomish line: Similar to what I said about Paras
  • Makuhita line: Another wildcard
  • Volbeat and Illumise: Perfect nighttime Pokemon for the game
  • Budew line: Fits well with Spain
  • Wailmer line: In many ways this is essentially Wingull's bud
  • Torkoal: I can see it work
  • Spoink line: Fits well
  • Trapinch line: Call that desert your home Trapinch
  • Zangoose: When there's a Seviper there's bound to be a Zangoose
  • Corphish line: I know we have Clauncher but still
  • Feebas line: Milotic would look even more beautiful in this game
  • Keckleon: Chameleon's are in Spain
  • Tropius: Fruit themed Pokemon
  • Beldum line: If I had to pick one Hoenn pseudo-legendary I would go with this one
  • Bidoof line: Beaver's are in Spain. Could get a regional variant
  • Kicketot: Wildcard
  • Shinx line: Lynx's live in the Iberian Peninsula (were Spain is)
  • Cherubi line: Fruit Pokémon and please be easy to find!
  • Shellos line: I can see the 2 forms representing Spain and Portugal
  • Croagunk line: Wildcard
  • Carnivine: I can see fit in well here
  • Finneon line: Should be good in the water
  • Rotom: This Pokémon is going to be a staple going forward
  • Snivy/Tepig/Oshawott: Oshawott came back in Legends Arceus but the other 2 still need to. Serperior also has European inspriation
  • Elemental monkeys: Wrong about them in Galar, this time for sure here
  • Muuna: Wildcard
  • Roggenrola: Suitable for Spain I guess
  • Drilburr line: Moles live in Spain. Maybe a regional variant with a alternate evolution (sorry Excadrill)
  • Audino: Give us some EXP
  • Timburr line: Wildcard
  • Cottonee line: Petilil and Lilligant are in the game so this line should too. Also possible Whimsicott variant perhaps?
  • Basculin: Maybe we can encounter all 3 colours of Basculin
  • Sandile line: Desert area, perfect for this Pokémon
  • Darumaka line: Suitable for the region
  • Maractus: Spanish cactus
  • Dwebble line: Wildcard
  • Scraggy line: Another wildcard
  • Vanilite line: That line can work well
  • Deerling line: Inspired by the idea of the seasonal lizard of Spain. Except replace the lizard with a deer.
  • Karrrablast and Shelmet lines: Wildcards
  • Frillish line: Jellyfish
  • Joltik line: Can work in Spain
  • Ferroseed line: Alternative to Pineco
  • Klink line: Definitely see it work
  • Pawniard line: Wildcard
  • Forces of Nature: We now have 4 members of the group. Bring in Enamorus into present day please
  • Chespin/Fennekin/Froakie: Still have yet to be playable in a Switch game
  • Bunnelby line: Had them in France, England, now Spain/Portugal should have it. European countries after all. A bit like the European rabbit.
  • Scattebug line: Vivillon will fit well here
  • Litleo line: Should've been in Galar hopefully this time for sure
  • Skiddo line: Based of the Iberian Ibex
  • Furfou: Suitable for the region
  • Honedge line: Wildcard
  • Helioptile line: Spain's really sunny so sure why not
  • Hawlucha: Mexican wrestler, Spanish American country. Or Latin America I don't know.
  • Goomy line: I just want Hisuian Goodra in the game. Can we keep our Alpha's Alpha's please?
  • Klefki: Fine
  • Phantump line: Wildcard
  • Bergmite line: Legends Arceus import
  • Noibat line: Wildcard
  • Pikipek line: I can see the Spanish Islands as a DLC location and Pikipek could be perfect there
  • Grubbin line: Wildcard
  • Crabbrawler: Might work here
  • Oricorio: Could definitely work here
  • Cutiefly: Just about works anywhere
  • Rockruff: Wolves live in Spain
  • Wishiwashi: Perfectly fine for the region. Imagine encountering its school form in the overworld
  • Mudbray line: Fine
  • Comfey: Good fit
  • Sandygast line: Fine
  • Mimikyu: Popular Pokemon that isn't going anywhere anytime soon
  • Bruxish: Someone said it can work
  • Dhelmise: Can we have a Spanish Armada reference in the game with this Pokémon?
  • Cosmog line and Necrozma: Sort of see it happen
  • Skwovet line: Red squirrels live in Spain. Guess who's going to be hiding in trees then
  • Nicket line: Foxes live in Spain
  • Gossifleur line: Wildcard
  • Chewtle line: I think Chewtle cameoed somewhere in the trailer
  • Applin lines: Fruit themed Pokémon
  • Cramorant: Suitable for the region
  • Arrokuda line: Watch out for Cramorant!
  • Hattena line: Wildcard
  • Impidimp line: Wildcard
  • Perrserker: Meowth's here so hopefully regional variants don't get restricted
  • Milcery: Wildcard
  • Falinks: Wearing the Spanish colours
  • Pinchurchin: Wildcard
  • Eiscue: Stonjouner's counterpart. Obviously not going to be found in the desert
  • Indeedee: Another wildcard
  • Morpeko: Since Black and White 2 the Pikachu clone from the last generation appears in that games regional dex. Morpeko should continue that trend
  • Dreepy line: Random prior pseudo-legendary line
  • And finally every new form and Pokémon from Legends Arceus
Phew... I need a cup of tea
Very interesting. Personally, I can see the Abra line being in it as well as that Pokémon has been in every single regional Dex except for Unova.
 

ShadowForce720

Well-Known Member
Interesting thing to note is that Tauros, and Ditto are currently the only stand-alone Pokémon in gen 1 that haven’t received a cross-gen prevolution/evolution, Mega Evolution, Gigantamax, and/or Signature Z-Move.
 

RileyXY1

Young Battle Trainer
I think that every Pokemon that has a Hisuian Form/Evo will be included in these games so that players can use the Hisuian Pokemon in a more traditional setting, meaning that the dex here will include the Growlithe, Voltorb, Scyther, Sneasel, Teddiursa, Petilil (already confirmed), Zorua (already confirmed), Rufflet, Goomy, and Bergmite lines, along with Quilfish, Stantler, Basculin, the Johto, Unova, and Alola starters, and the Genies of Unova.
 

MrJechgo

Well-Known Member
I think that every Pokemon that has a Hisuian Form/Evo will be included in these games so that players can use the Hisuian Pokemon in a more traditional setting, meaning that the dex here will include the Growlithe, Voltorb, Scyther, Sneasel, Teddiursa, Petilil (already confirmed), Zorua (already confirmed), Rufflet, Goomy, and Bergmite lines, along with Quilfish, Stantler, Basculin, the Johto, Unova, and Alola starters, and the Genies of Unova.
They should consider adding them, for sure.
 

Rockymin

Member
I just hope Mawile will be one of the returning Pokemon. And I don't think it was really confirmed that the Nat'l Dex wouldn't be returning. The announcement said something to the effect that Pokemon MAY not be available, so they could still do put the Nat Dex back.
 

Captain Jigglypuff

Leader of Jigglypuff Army
I think that the counterparts of previous version exclusives shown in the trailers will be in the Dex. Very rarely do only one half of a counterpart duo make it in a regional Dex not counting Legends as it is a different situation. I think the Cottonee line is the only one that is in both versions of a main line game without its counterpart at launch and without DLC or get a new one.
 

Pokemon Power

Well-Known Member
I think that the counterparts of previous version exclusives shown in the trailers will be in the Dex. Very rarely do only one half of a counterpart duo make it in a regional Dex not counting Legends as it is a different situation. I think the Cottonee line is the only one that is in both versions of a main line game without its counterpart at launch and without DLC or get a new one.
The Sinnoh Dex had Heracross but not Pinsir. The Kalos Dex had the Teddiursa and Lotad families but not the Phanpy and Seedot families. Heck, the Galar Dex had the Stunky family, but not the Glameow family.
 

Smeargle-Sketch

Sketcher of Smeargles
I just hope Mawile will be one of the returning Pokemon. And I don't think it was really confirmed that the Nat'l Dex wouldn't be returning. The announcement said something to the effect that Pokemon MAY not be available, so they could still do put the Nat Dex back.

On the Japanese site where Home compatibility is listed for gen 9, it says that Pokemon can only be transferred in if said Pokemon is already in the game.

So no, same thing as SwSh.
 

Captain Jigglypuff

Leader of Jigglypuff Army
The Sinnoh Dex had Heracross but not Pinsir. The Kalos Dex had the Teddiursa and Lotad families but not the Phanpy and Seedot families. Heck, the Galar Dex had the Stunky family, but not the Glameow family.
Honestly Heracross is a really weird case as sometimes it’s Pinsir’s other counterpart if Scyther isn’t in the game or is not the counterpart and other times it is in both versions with Pinsir and sometimes Scyther. I thought there were other missing counterparts in both versions of a game but I couldn’t remember which ones they were. I forgot about the Stunky line being in two Dexes outside of Sinnoh.
 

Bolt the Cat

Bringing the Thunder
Honestly Heracross is a really weird case as sometimes it’s Pinsir’s other counterpart if Scyther isn’t in the game or is not the counterpart and other times it is in both versions with Pinsir and sometimes Scyther. I thought there were other missing counterparts in both versions of a game but I couldn’t remember which ones they were. I forgot about the Stunky line being in two Dexes outside of Sinnoh.

The weirdness generally has more to do with whether Scizor is in the game. If it's not, they usually pair Scyther with Pinsir (although there are some exceptions, such as DP/BDSP). If it is, they've started to pair Pinsir with Heracross. So pretty much any non-remake from this point onwards will probably pair Pinsir with Heracross.
 

ShadowForce720

Well-Known Member
The weirdness generally has more to do with whether Scizor is in the game. If it's not, they usually pair Scyther with Pinsir (although there are some exceptions, such as DP/BDSP). If it is, they've started to pair Pinsir with Heracross. So pretty much any non-remake from this point onwards will probably pair Pinsir with Heracross.
I think originally they had planned on Pinsir being the counterpart to Scyther as if you look at the Beta for Gold & Silver they were both supposed to get evolutions.

However looking at Pinsir’s scrapped evolution it seems like they reworked it into Heracross and made it a separate Pokémon entirely. Why they did this I’m not exactly sure.

However I think the situation now is that Pinsir’s counterpart is Heracross while Scyther’s counterpart is Onix.

I do wonder now if since Scyther got a new alternative evolution in the form of Kleavor if something similar will eventually happen to Onix.
 

Beloberto

Bug Catcher
However looking at Pinsir’s scrapped evolution it seems like they reworked it into Heracross and made it a separate Pokémon entirely. Why they did this I’m not exactly sure
They probably realized it made no sense for the kuwagata evolve into the kabuto instead of both being rivals/counterparts. Those are the "kings" of the beetle collecting world, which is admittedly where Satoshi Tajiri got the inspiration for Pokémon. In any kind of anime/manga/game, those two are paired up, so it wouldn't make sense for Pokémon to have one be hierarchically above the other.

But, yeah, Heracross definitely replaced Scyther as Pinsir's counterpart starting from Gen 2.

Not sure if Scyther became Onyx's counterpart, though, it always looked to me like Scyther/Scizor were sort of counterparts of each other since Scyther is the only pokémon that keeps the same BST after evolving (so technically Scyther and Scizor - and now Kleavor - are equally strong. Maybe that was what they also had in mind with kabuto Pokémon evolving from Pinsir, before they branched into two different lines).
 
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ShadowForce720

Well-Known Member
They probably realized it made no sense for the kuwagata evolve into the kabuto instead of both being rivals/counterparts. Those are the "kings" of the beetle collecting world, which is admittedly where Satoshi Tajiri got the inspiration for Pokémon. In any kind of anime/manga/game, those two are paired up, so it wouldn't make sense for Pokémon to have one be hierarchically above the other.

But, yeah, Heracross definitely replaced Scyther as Pinsir's counterpart starting from Gen 2.

Not sure if Scyther became Onyx's counterpart, though, it always looked to me like Scyther/Scizor were sort of counterparts of each other since Scyther is the only pokémon that keeps the same BST after evolving (so technically Scyther and Scizor - and now Kleavor - are equally strong. Maybe that was what they also had in mind with kabuto Pokémon evolving from Pinsir, before they branched into two different lines).
The reason I sathat Scyther and Onix are counterparts is because both of the amount of similarities which breaks down like this:

- Both are gen 1 Pokémon that were originally standalone dual type Pokémon that gained a evolution in gen 2.

- Both evolve when traded with the Metal Coat and are currently the only Pokémon that use the Metal Coat to evolve.

- Both gain the Steel typing when they evolve which replaces one of the their typings.

- Both of them had their evolutions gain the ability to Mega Evolve.

Also just pointing this out but Scyther and Scizor are not counterparts do to the fact that Scizor evolves from Scyther. However Scizor and Kleavor can be considered counterparts.
 

Bolt the Cat

Bringing the Thunder
The reason I sathat Scyther and Onix are counterparts is because both of the amount of similarities which breaks down like this:

- Both are gen 1 Pokémon that were originally standalone dual type Pokémon that gained a evolution in gen 2.

- Both evolve when traded with the Metal Coat and are currently the only Pokémon that use the Metal Coat to evolve.

- Both gain the Steel typing when they evolve which replaces one of the their typings.

- Both of them had their evolutions gain the ability to Mega Evolve.

Also just pointing this out but Scyther and Scizor are not counterparts do to the fact that Scizor evolves from Scyther. However Scizor and Kleavor can be considered counterparts.

Usually counterparts are defined by exclusivity pairings of some sort (usually version exclusivity). Onix/Steelix and Scyther/Scizor have never been counterparts in that way and it's unlikely they'll ever be. Version exclusive pairings tend to inhabit the same environments so that Game Freak can just swap one out for the other on encounter tables (this isn't always the case, especially for some of the earlier games' pairs like Electabuzz/Magmar and Mantine/Delibird, but often), and you'd be hard pressed to pull that off for Onix/Scyther. So I wouldn't really call them "counterparts". They have some connections, but they haven't really been a direct pair.

If there are any new version exclusive pairs they should try, I'm thinking more along the lines of Clefairy/Jigglypuff, Pineco/Ferroseed, Wingull/Ducklett, or several 1st/5th gen pairs (Geodude/Roggenrola, Diglett/Drillbur, Machop/Timburr, Tentacool/Frillish, Magnemite/Klink, Drowzee/Munna). Really a lot of 5th gen Pokemon are good for exclusive pairs because they feel like knock offs of older Pokemon in the first place.
 
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