After nine generations and roughly 30 years of Pokémon adventures, the series has still not used every one of its 18 elemental types for an Elite Four speciality. A reported detail about Pokémon Winds and Waves suggests the next games could address some of those omissions.
The Elite Four traditionally serves as one of the final tests in a Pokémon adventure. Trainers must defeat four powerful opponents in succession before challenging the regional champion, using the same team throughout and relying only on the items they brought with them.
Starter types could define the Elite Four
According to a recent post by leaker BallGuy, the reported Elite Four in Winds and Waves is designed to represent the broader Pokémon formula. Its specialists allegedly cover fire, grass, water, electric and normal types.
Fire, grass and water would reflect the three traditional starter categories. Grass and electric would also be notable choices, as neither type has previously headlined an Elite Four member. BallGuy reportedly adds that the champion will not specialise in normal-type Pokémon, avoiding what some players might consider an overly straightforward final battle.
Which types have the games overlooked?
Normal and fairy are also candidates for types that have not previously received a conventional Elite Four speciality. Pokémon of both types have appeared in earlier teams, but that is different from an Elite Four trainer being built around the type.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet complicate the picture. The Indigo Disk DLC introduced Lacey as a fairy-type Elite Four member, although she is absent from the main campaign and belongs to a separate DLC Elite Four group. Larry first challenges the player as a normal-type Gym Leader, but later returns to the Elite Four with a flying-type team.
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Leaked gyms raise bigger questions
Earlier reports about these open-world monster-catching games have allegedly revealed the map and the types used by its Gym Leaders. The reported line-up includes grass, poison, flying, fighting, dark, normal, steel and fairy.
Those details remain unconfirmed, and plans may have changed since the so-called Terraleak several years ago. Even if the type list is accurate, it does not explain how players will move through the adventure or tackle its major battles.
- Will the Gyms be available in any order?
- Could the Elite Four introduce a puzzle or another special challenge before each battle?
- Will certain Gyms or Elite Four members require access to flying or diving abilities?
These questions could have a major effect on how freely players explore the world and prepare their teams. They may also determine whether the Elite Four remains a fixed endgame sequence or becomes a more flexible part of the journey.
No release date has been confirmed
Game Freak has not announced a release date for Pokémon Winds and Waves, leaving these Elite Four details firmly in the realm of speculation until the next official update.
For players looking for something available now, the alternative is to explore the new underwater DLC for Pokémon Pokopia. Meanwhile, fans can keep an eye on the arcade machine collection while waiting for more news.
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