Summary
- Evolutions are a key part of any Pokémon game, though players of the smash-hit Pokémon TCG Pocket have noticed that not every Pokémon has their “baby” version.
- Cards like Roselia don’t need a Budew first, while Lucario does need Riolu.
- There’s a variety of reasons why this might be the case, including the separate generations some of these cards were released in, plus how Pokémon has traditionally classified its line of “baby” creatures.
As a franchise, Pokémon is just as much about completing the Pokédex and taking down Gym Leaders as it is evolving Pokémon from one form to another. After all, you don’t get to Charizard without first having a Charmeleon and, before that, having Charmander.
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That much is true for the official Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as the smash-hit mobile iteration, Pokémon TCG Pocket. In other words, you can’t just up and play Blastoise willy-nilly after you pull him. Yet, somehow you’re able to play Roselia without first having a Budew or Pikachu without Pichu, leaving TCG Pocket fans wondering one simple question: “What the heck happened to all the baby forms?”
Put Some Respect On Munchlax
Taking to Reddit’s TCG Pocket subreddit, fans discussed the various “baby” forms of Pokémon that simply aren’t necessary in the mobile game or don’t exist altogether.
For example, in the current Space-Time Smackdown set, Budew isn’t a necessary requirement for playing Roselia. Similarly, in Genetic Apex, it isn’t required to play a Pichu before using Pikachu EX. Meanwhile, you need a Riolu before playing Lucario.
“Yeah, it blows!” one user wrote. “Elekid and Munchlax (are) two of my faves, and they get shafted all the time.”
As much as it sucks not seeing the likes of Magby and Munchlax in the game, there could be a reason for that. One user noted how traditionally “baby” Pokémon are considered their own class that can evolve into traditional Pokémon, but also aren’t necessarily a requirement.
Another user noted that some of these “baby” versions were established after the original Pokémon had already debuted. For instance, Budew is a Gen IV creature, coming one generation after Roselia debuted in Ruby and Sapphire. Cheekily, one user noted that you don’t want to see Budew in the game, as it has an attack that needs no energy to execute.
Whatever the reason may be, it’s clear their absence is being felt by hardcore fans. Still, given that TCG Pocket isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, it’s likely that it won’t be long before all those “baby” versions get their due in the spotlight.
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