On August 28, 2019, mobile programmer DeNA released Pokemon Masters in collaboration with The Pokemon Company. For its kickoff anniversary, the game became Pokemon Masters EX aslope the release of six-star EX Sync Pairs that let players upgrade some of their favorite characters to a more than powerful tier with unique alternating colors. The 2nd anniversary is post-obit suit with the addition of a Dynamax mechanic based on Pokemon Sword and Shield, the first mainline titles to release subsequently Masters hit the market.

The mobile game's showtime Dynamax-capable Pokemon is Eternatus, paired with Galar Champion Leon wearing his "Sygna Adjust" - a costume designed after the Legendary Pokemon. Eternatus plays an integral role in the express-time story outcome "Howling Shield of Eternity," which was developed specifically to explain why Pokemon in the game's setting of Pasio accept been unable to Dynamax (or Gigantamax) until now. Yet, the most interesting part of the story doesn't center around Sword and Shield's Dynamax phenomenon. It also presents an interesting possibility for the render of a fan-favorite mechanic from the 3DS era: Mega Evolution.

Pokemon Masters' Dubious Canonicity

pokemon masters

Any discussion of Pokemon Masters with regards to the series at large should exist prefaced by saying it'south questionable how canon the game is. The gatcha game is similar to Fire Emblem Heroes in that it serves as a celebration of the franchise, letting fans try their luck at collecting an increasing catalogue of characters from beyond Pokemon'due south 25-year history. Most accept dialogue suggesting the events of their individual games happened prior to them appearing on Pasio, simply hardcore fans may option up discrepancies.

For examplePokemon Crystal female protagonist Kris appears alongside her replacement Lyra from the Gen 2 remakes Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Characters from Pokemon Lord's day and Moon also appear aslope classic versions of Cherry and Blue, even though the duo appear equally older versions of themselves in Sun and Moon's Boxing Tree facility. It doesn't help that Gen vi Mythical Pokemon Hoopa plays a office in Masters' main story, and seems to pull in characters and monsters from unlike dimensions.

However, these crossovers make Pokemon Mastersfeel similar one large fanfiction, where disparate characters can interact and expose unique aspects of themselves in spite of the game'south basic presentation. 1 standout instance was seeing Cherry talk despite traditionally being a silent character.

Mega Development in Pokemon

Several Pokemon's Mega Evolutions

1 matter Pokemon Masters expands upon in a largely positive way is Mega Evolution. The mechanic was added in Pokemon X and Y, allowing some monsters to reach a temporary, often more than powerful grade for the rest of a battle if they were equipped with a Mega Rock. Those original games suggest Mega Evolution is the result of energy from Xerneas or Yveltal having been released by the ultimate weapon in Geosenge Town thousands of years prior to the primary story, though in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire information technology also appears to have a unique connectedness with Rayquaza - the one Pokemon that does not require a Mega Stone.

Mega Development and Pokemon Sun and Moon's subsequent boxing gimmick Z-Moves were removed in Sword and Shield, and the prior was a particular sore spot for many fans who appreciated the way Megas gave new life to often underutilized Pokemon. However, Pokemon Masters retained both mechanics given the fourth dimension of its release, and even suggests Mega Evolution is more widespread than simply Kalos and Hoenn in its continuity. Johto Elite Four member Karen tin can utilize Mega Houndoom, for example. New Megas are also even so existence introduced, with Hoenn Elite Four member Sidney beingness added alongside Mega Absol just before the Dynamax mechanic.

Pokemon Masters: Howling Shield of Eternity

eternatus event mobile game

"Howling Shield of Eternity" centers effectually Eternatus appearing on Pasio effectually the same time equally Sword and Shield rival character Hop (who can exist recruited alongside Zamazenta past anyone who completes the event). Multiple characters suggest Eternatus seems to be in pain, unable to absorb the energy it uses to sustain its life, and as a result information technology begins releasing the Galar Particles that allow the Dynamax phenomenon to occur.

An interesting discussion takes place midway through the event when players go to Pokemon Masters' Professor Bellis with Hop, his brother Leon, and others. Information technology turns out Bellis has joined up with Kalos' Professor Sycamore to enquiry the game'southward Sync Stones, an detail that facilitates the bail betwixt each trainer and their Pokemon to let for more powerful Sync Moves during a boxing. Sycamore is interested in Sync Stones because they create the kind of energy needed for Mega Evolution, as well as Z-Moves and - as it turns out - Dynamaxing.

This leads to the climax of the issue, in which Leon realizes he can utilise a Sync Motility to convert his stone'south nebulous energy into something Eternatus can eat, pacifying the Legendary and encouraging it to squad upward with the nearly-unbeatable Champion. When Sycamore talks about his Mega Evolution energy hypothesis, Hop remarks that he's read about the phenomenon in books at Professor Sonia's lab in Wedgehurst, where he'southward training to get a professor. Again, Pokemon Masters may not be the most reliable source, merely this has big implications assuming anything the characters discuss prior to joining the mobile game is legitimate.

There have been rumors that Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl might bring Mega Development dorsum, which would exist fitting with Champion Cynthia's lead Pokemon Garchomp and Sinnoh being the domicile region of Mega-capable affiche child Lucario. Sword and Shield removing the mechanic made this possibility questionable, especially going with theories posited past Omega Reddish and Alpha Sapphire that some games (namely the original Carmine and Sapphire) can't have Megas because they be in a different universe.

Nonetheless, if DeNA presumably got Game Freak and The Pokemon Company to sign off on the idea that Mega Evolution does be in Sword and Shield's universe, even if it doesn't appear in-game, that could hateful big things going forrard. Niantic has also added Mega Evolution in Pokemon GO, so Mega Evolution'southward decease may take been greatly exaggerated. This ways future titles could still plausibly bring the mechanic back into the fold, rectifying what some fans feel was a big mistake.

Pokemon Masters EXis available now on Android and iOS devices.

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Jason Rochlin (1571 Articles Published)

Jason learned to read playing Pokemon Crystal on the Game Male child Color, and hasn't looked back. He received a Journalism degree at California Land University, Fullerton while working on news coverage and investigative content for its paper, and came to Game Rant soon after graduating. Nintendo games are his chief wheelhouse, but he'll effort nigh anything once.

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