It's a new month, so the Silph Arena individual competition turns over with a new theme. This month is all about spring - the season - so the environment is spackled and spotted with signs of life. That includes the hatching of eggs and the mating of insects like the ladybug (Ledyba in Pokémon parlance), of which the two also have spackles and spots of their own. It's a greatly inspirational picture, and that has inspired the Arena to create a theme based on that, called "Polkadot".
Like the theme for the previous month, the theme for the current month is limited in the total number of usable species, but not as strictly in number or configuration; there are 100 species in all, and any of them may be freely selected (though no duplicates as always). Interestingly, all of the available species are those that belong in the Bug, Fairy, Field, and Flying Egg groups that are found in the main series of Pokémon games. Additionally, no Shadow or Mega Evolution forms may be used.
As expected, since three of the four Egg groups represent types, some Pokémon of those types would rise as top contenders. Flying goes up against Bug, and Bug has a chance to counter Fairy. For that remaining Egg group, its top contenders are of the Electric type, which counters the Flying type. The pivotal link here is Dedenne, which is both Fairy and Electric, and therefore may demand a place on a team. Then there are a handful of Pokémon that are within these groups but are not of the types above, and they have the potential to support and formidably challenge those representative types.
Further insights can be taken from the development notes. Evidently, the intent for this theme is to break free of some of the restrictions from the previous theme. The selection of Pokémon by Egg groups, something that has absolutely no bearing in Pokémon Go, along with the limited list is to prevent certain dominant species and to include some elements of interest. To that end, a few strong species were still included and a number of outward types were also excluded. It was admitted that while this theme (and the previous theme for that matter) is less diverse, any uniformity would be indicative of skill and not duplicity.
Spring is all about life, whether starting anew (from eggs) or becoming all that it can be wherever it is present. The choice for Egg groups as a limiter for this theme is unusual for Pokémon Go but whimsically appropriate for its spirit. And it's a free spirit too, or at least as free as free can be with the other restrictions of the theme. The battles that feature this theme ought to be as inspirational as the theme itself - seasonally vivacious, and as always, bringing out the best out of every Trainer.
One year ago: Language Bridging Songs
Two years ago: Getting Collective and Connective with Pokémon
Three years ago: Quizzes and Knowledge
Four years ago: Going For New Competitions
Five years ago: Artistic License
Six years ago: I Found You, Black and White
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