Pokemon Legends: Z-Ahas thrown a wrench in many fans' starter predictions by announcing that Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile will be the trio players can choose from. Despite the mixed reactions to these starter choices,Pokemon Legends: Z-Acould be just what these less popular mons need to finally stand out. However, in doing so, thePokemon Legendsseries has left out one starter that deserves the same glow-up in the nextPokemon Legendsgame afterZ-A.
Not many fans could have predicted two starters from the same generation afterPokemon Legends: Arceusset a precedent of pulling starters from three different generations. The benefit of bringing back starters from previous generations is that these mons get a second chance to impress with new forms, like theHisuian regional variants the starters forPokemon Legends: Arceusreceived, whichPokemon Legends: Z-Ais likely to repeat. With these three mons likely getting new forms inLegends: Z-A, Gen 5’s Snivy feels like it’s being left out of the fun after the otherPokemon Black and Whitestarters have been featured in theLegendsseries.
Snivy Would Be the Odd Mon Out if it Isn’t a Starter for the Next Pokemon Legends Game
Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Legends: Z-A Have Covered Nearly All Gen 2 and 5 Starters
Now thatPokemon Legends: Z-Ais adopting two Gen 2 mons as its starters, Chikorita and Totodile, all three original Gen 2 starters will have been featured in aPokemon Legendsgame after Cyndaquil was the Fire-type starter forPokemon Legends: Arceus. Gen 5 will now have two of its three starters featured in theLegendsseries—Oshawott inPokemon Legends: Arceusand Tepig inPokemon Legends: Z-A. Snivy is the only remaining Gen 5 starter to not be featured in aLegendsgame yet, making it a top candidate for the starter trio of a thirdPokemon Legendsgame.
Snivy has never been one of the more controversial starters—neither beloved nor forgotten by fans—which could be why it hasn’t received the same attention as other starters like those in thePokemon Legendsseries. However, that doesn’t mean Snivy lacks the potential to be a standout critter, especially with thecompetitive potential its evolution Serperior holds. With its fellow Gen 5 starters getting their time in the spotlight once again, it seems inevitable that Snivy would be afforded that same opportunity.
Pokemon Rarely Leaves One Member of a Starter Trio Hanging
It’s a common trend for thePokemonseries that if one member of a starter trio gains a new form, the others in that trio also gain new forms. Although exceptions exist, likeCharizard receiving two version-exclusive Mega Evolutions, any imbalance in attention is usually swiftly rectified, like when Swampert and Sceptile gained Mega Evolutions inOmega Ruby and Alpha Sapphireafter Blaziken received a Mega inX and Y. As such, if Oshawott and now Tepig are to gain new forms, it’s unlikely that Snivy would go without one for long, especially since now Chikorita and Totodile will likely receive new forms to go along with Cyndaquil’s Hisuian evolution.
By this same logic, Litten and Popplio would be in line for new forms as well after Rowlet’s Hisuian evolution inLegends: Arceus, potentially opening the door for a trio of Snivy, Litten, and Popplio in a thirdPokemon Legendsgame.
While it’s unclear if thestarters forPokemon Legends: Z-Awill get new Mega Evolutionsor simply regional variants likeLegends: Arceus, it would upset the starter trio balance if Snivy is left out of the equation completely. As thePokemonfranchise continues to develop theLegendsformula, it may become clearer what to expect from the future of this subseries. Whatever that future may be, the franchise would be wise to find a place for Snivy within it.
