The recent Pokemon Presents event in August 2023 has divided fans of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, as an upcoming Paradox form for the Gen 2 Legendary Raikou has sparked intrigue and confusion within the community.
During the presentation, which unveiled exciting updates, including the Teal Mask DLC and the introduction of Dipplin and Archaludon, an unexpected twist came with the introduction of Paradox forms for two Legendary Pokemon. Among these was the Paradox form of Raikou, known as “Raging Bolt,” which immediately grabbed the attention of fans.
However, Raging Bolt’s unique design appears to haven’t resonated positively with everyone. Comparisons have flooded social media and forums, with players likening the new form to a Brachiosaurus and even humorously suggesting a resemblance to a hybrid of a giraffe and other creatures.
Reactions on Reddit have been particularly passionate, with players expressing various emotions. One Redditor went so far as to describe the transformation of Raikou as “completely butchered,” humorously using SpongeBob SquarePants to illustrate their point. Another player simply exclaimed, “I’m sorry, but that thing is straight-up hideous.”
On the other side of the spectrum, some players have offered a different perspective. One user explained that Raging Bolt’s appearance could be seen as a deliberate parallel to Suicune’s Paradox form, creating a thematic connection within the trio.
They speculated that the trend might continue with Entei’s Paradox form, hypothesizing an ornithischian dinosaur like a triceratops or a stegosaurus could inspire it.
Interestingly, a fan-made design of the Raikou Paradox form had previously predicted some of the creature’s dinosaur-like qualities. This has fueled discussions about what Paradox Entei might look like, with fans speculating whether it will follow suit with a similar dinosaur-inspired makeover.
While some players have voiced concerns over the Paradox forms’ direction, others have embraced the creative departure from the norm. One enthusiastic fan commented, “This right here is one of the only good parts of Presents. Awesome to see they’re doing something different!”
As the Teal Mask DLC release date approaches on September 13, 2023, the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet community remains engaged in lively debates about the design choices and potential directions for these new Paradox forms [1]. Only time will tell how these alterations will be received once players experience them firsthand.
