The highly anticipated Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, coming Nov. 18, 2022, are flooding the internet with excited fans and their theories. And sparking much of the discussion around the games are the leaks that have been popping up here and there. According to some recent leaks on the subject, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set to feature a plethora of new Pokémon, including new starters and Legendaries hailing from the franchise's ninth generation. While many of the leaks have not been confirmed by Game Freak, fans can't help but speculate what the games will be like if they are true.

One of the leaks that's captured the attention of the internet comes in the form of a chart that shows some of the new Pokémon that will reportedly populate the games. They're organized under five categories: regional forms, new evolutions, paradox Pokémon (past/Scarlet), paradox Pokémon (future/Violet), and convergent species. While there is a lot to unpack in this leaked table (including its reliability, since Game Freak has not officially confirmed anything on it), a category that has especially caught the attention and concern of fans is the convergent Pokémon.

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Pokemon Scarlet & Violet's ride mode legendaries

The topic of what convergent Pokémon are has confused some, but sources claim that this category of new Pokémon is essentially just the design of an old Pokémon with a new name, move set, and type. For example, the only two "confirmed" convergent species so far are a water version of Diglett and, according to the newest leak on the subject via Centro Leaks on Twitter, a grass version of Tentacool. While this definition of convergent Pokémon technically means they are entirely new species, unlike the aforementioned regional Pokémon, controversy may arise once the games are released if they are made official.

Since the franchise's conception, Pokémon games have had to rely on producing hundreds of unique creatures to populate their new games. Each generation brings as many as 120 new Pokémon, sometimes even more, which is where the potential problem with convergent Pokémon comes into play. If they are included in the games, some fans may see this as a lazy move on the studio's part. Instead of creating a massive cast of new never-before-seen Pokémon, the idea of convergent Pokémon is essentially a recycling of old material, even if the Pokémon are given new labels.

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trainer in action

Given how the new design of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is seemingly geared toward a new generation of players, with its first-ever open-world gameplay and gimmicks such as crystalline forms of Pokémon and ridable Legendaries, the idea of convergent Pokémon may not bother many players. However, there may also be some long-time fans who find the change just a cheap shortcut to put out enough "new" Pokémon to populate the games by the time of their release.

As the release date comes closer, fans can only remain hopeful that the changes that will set apart Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will be valuable to make the games unique while still feeling like Pokémon games. And while there will always be fans who will be divided on certain elements of new games, the Pokémon community can be reassured that while there will be ways that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will look different from the classic games, the creators are looking to make them an experience for all to enjoy, one that will open a new chapter in Pokémon's history.