With the debut of Regional variants in Pokémon Sun and Moon, these alternate takes on old designs have been greatly received by players. From the chilly Alolan Vulpix to the punk-rock Galarian Zigzagoon, the Regional form idea has allowed for new concepts on original Pokémon as well as expanding on concepts within a Pokémon line. In Scarlet and Violet, between all the new Pokémon added, this gimmick returns, but with a twist on top of that twist -- the addition of Convergent Pokémon.

Convergent Pokémon appear similar, if not the same, as Regional Variants, except that the Convergent species is completely unrelated to the Pokémon it's based on. Founded on the real-life phenomenon of convergent evolution, these certain Pokémon have evolved, in the biological sense, coincidentally to look like other Pokémon to best succeed in their environment. Only two lines have been introduced so far, totaling four Convergent Pokémon, but the idea has far more potential than it's initially shown.

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Convergence Gives the Pokédex Even More Variety

Wugtrio's Pokedex entry with Wiglett in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

The core strength of Convergent Pokémon is that of the Regional variants, allowing new life to be breathed into old designs, but with the addition of these Convergent additions coexisting with the Pokémon they inadvertently mimic. In the Paldea region especially, which has several Regional Pokémon as well, these numerous repeating ideas create a sense of ecosystem previously unseen.

Having Tentacool and Tentacruel in the seas and Toedscool and Toedscruel in the forests feels organic and familiar, even with the latter two being completely new to the series. The same is true for Diglett and Dugtrio popping up around the desert, and Wiglett and Wugtrio dotting the beaches. The Shiny forms even evoke a certain classic feel with the bright, familiar colors both lines offer. Because these Convergent Pokémon are classified as their own entirely separate species, they aren't lumped into the same Pokédex entry in the way that Regional variants are treated. They offer a lot more diversity in a similar design, while the older design of the "original" Pokémon can remain in the same game.

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There's Not Enough Convergent Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet - Toedscruel is one of the latest additions in the Gen IX games

While the Convergent Pokémon aren't the only gimmick in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and certainly not the main one with the emphasis being on the Terastal phenomenon, the overall lack of Pokémon that fall into this category is surprisingly limiting for its debut. Regional variants were introduced in Sun and Moon with 18 total Pokémon, followed up with similar numbers in Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Paldea's Pokédex only features four Convergent species so far, which is an almost absurdly small amount for a concept with such potential.

Given the other amount of variants in the game, including four Regional variants and all the Paradox Pokémon, the limited number of more mimicking species makes some sense. Unless the upcoming DLC includes additions to the number, this introduction feels like a trial run for the idea. With how well the Pokémon have been received by players, between their designs and their stats in Scarlet and Violet, the Convergent concept has the potential staying power of the Regional forms.

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The Possible Evolution of Convergence

Wiglett in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

With Convergent Pokémon providing the same twist and appeal as Regional forms but still enabling the "original" Pokémon to coexist in the same game, the potential for the gimmick is high. Since the Converging species design motifs can be completely removed from the original version while keeping the same overall design (like how Toedscool is a strange, fast-running mushroom monster that just so happens to look identical to Tentacool), the possibilities are truly endless for new iterations on old Pokémon designs.

After variants like Galarian Zigzagoon and Alolan Exeggutor, the new Convergent Pokémon seem to follow suit in being somewhere between cool and goofy. With so many other Pokémon being fan-favorites, especially those from Generation I and II, the Convergent phenomenon is the perfect in-between for having the original Pokémon along with new approaches to the design.