Hiponyta- They coil their legs tightly to form makeshift hooves. This allows them to travel onto land to graze on grasses if kelp forests are unavailable for food.
Rapisplash- Throughout history, taming these have been a gargantuan challenge. They have telepathic abilities and can sense intent from would be captors. They can fire psychic bubbles from their horn, that when popped, causes immense debilitating migraines in humans.
Reapor- Unlike its symmetrical pre-evolution, Scyther, the act of evolving has absorbed one scythe arm and moved it to where the other is much larger. This single scythe is heavy, so Reapor uses its free hand to provide leverage to swing it. Despite wielding such a heavy weapon, Reapor is extremely agile and can even outrun some cars.
Team Spur Inspirations- Verdes will be an Italian region and Team Rocket and Flare already have different flavors of mafia aesthetics down pretty tight. So the idea of a mafia themed team just didn't feel fresh. One fun fact is that many old Western films had Italian directors which is where the term "Spaghetti Western" came from. Italy also has a pretty good railway system so the idea for a Western cowboy outlaw themed team with train heists being a staple just felt right. Also wanted to make an evil team where the grunts aren't jokes. Can still have goofy moments but make it so that you're aware they're a tangible threat and are bad people.
The gimmick for the region is called Battle Family, where a Pokemon in battle can summon another party member like a stand, to have one of their moves stack on top of their own. Valuoro is given to you after your first scripted battle with your chosen starter. After seeing you battle the route 1 rodent of the region, the normally timid Valuoro wants to join you so you immediately get a second starter. Your rival is going to be an entitled rich jerk, so after choosing the disadvantage starter to you, they complain how it's unfair you get two, so they demand to get the remaining advantage starter. Meant to be a fun twist where you let your guard down at them choosing the starter weak to you and now suddenly, they now get the second one. This will introduce the Battle Family mechanic in your second battle. You'll automatically lead with your starter and the professor will explain the phenomenon and encourage you to try it out as your rival will open by stacking their attacking move with the status move of the Pokemon in the back.
After the prologue, your initially reluctant mom who runs the daycare, agrees you have what it takes and says she'll teach you how to catch wild Pokemon the following morning. In the middle of the night you hear a crash and when you go downstairs, you see Team Spur kidnapping all the baby Pokemon at the nursery. Your mom goes full Mama Bear and faces off against the stronger looking admin with her Kangaskhan whilst you chase after the grunts that have the baby Pokemon outside. After a few scripted battles, you're in a double battle where upon finishing it, a cutscene will play where a Verdesian Drapion (they are ground/fighting, look like a gladiator, and their tail has a net gun) snatches Valuoro from afar and drags it away. Another grunt has a Weezing let out a smokescreen and they all ride away with all the nursery Pokemon in tow.
You pretty much start the game at rock bottom and must locate and recue all the baby Pokemon plus Valuoro and Kangaskhan's baby. The only clue you have is one grunt dropped a gym badge meaning they either work for the league or was a challenger. So, you're encouraged to do the gym challenge on top of your investigations.
by RynnHamHam