After nearly 12 years, players will finally return to the region of Kalos in the upcoming gamePokemon Legends: Z-A. Set after the events of 2013’sPokemon XandY,Pokemon Legends: Z-Awill give gamers control of a tourist in Kalos’s famous Lumiose City as they meet new and familiar characters and battle Pokemon in the city’s Z-A Royale. Here, players will be able to utilize the powerful transformations of Mega Evolution once more as they encounter the mysterious Legendary Pokemon Zygarde throughout the city. WhileZ-Awill finally bring Zygarde into the spotlight, there’s one other Generation 6 Pokemon thatZ-Ashould also highlight: the Mythical Pokemon Volcanion.
The Steam Pokemon Volcanion, Explained
In the mainlinePokemongames, rare and powerful Pokemon can typically be divided up into two groups: Legendary and Mythical. Both are heavily revered in the lore of various regions as Pokemon who have helped shape or made significant impacts on the world. However, while Legendary Pokemon are typically large, god-like figures who serve as mascots for the games,Mythical Pokemon are typically smalland can only be caught under specific circumstances. For example, the Mythical Gen 3 Pokemon Jirachi could only be obtained inPokemon RubyorSapphireby transferring it from thePokemon Colosseumbonus disc. Subsequent Mythical Pokemon, including Volcanion, could only be obtained by participating in limited-time events.
ThroughoutPokemon XandY’s early years, many features and new Pokemon were leaked prior to their official debut. This was the case with Volcanion, a Mythical Pokemon that was leaked on Serebii.net in 2013 before being further leaked in an issue of CoroCoro magazine in December 2015. This second leak came just two days before Volcanion was officially revealed and 10 months before it could be obtained through a limited-time event in October 2016. The only Pokemon to have adual Fire/Water typing, Volcanion sparked much debate about how it would show up in Gen 6, with many fans suspecting it would appear in the Kalos Power Plant. Volcanion is, after all, the Steam Pokemon, and the Power Plant had a locked door behind which it could have been hidden.
Volcanion’s History Beyond Pokemon X and Y
Despite these theories, Volcanion never became naturally obtainable inXandY, and it could only be procured through its event. Volcanion’s event also allowed players to acquire the Mythical Pokemon inPokemon Omega RubyandAlpha Sapphire. This revealed thatVolcanion had been sighted in the Kalos, Johto, and Sinnoh regions, though it’s unknown if these were all the same Volcanion or if multiple Volcanion exist. The Steam Pokemon even headlined its very own anime film with 2016,Pokémon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel. While Volcanion is depicted with the power to telepathically speak to people, and has a close relationship with the Gen 7 Mythical Pokemon Magearna, in the film, these characteristics have never been referenced in aPokemongame.
Beyond the Gen 6Pokemongames, Volcanion can be used, or at least appears, in several mainline and spin-off titles, including:
The Potential Significance of Volcanion in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
It’s currently unknown if Volcanion, or its fellowGen 6 Mythical Pokemon Diancie and Hoopa, will appear inPokemon Legends: Z-A. However, given thatZ-Awill feature the return of most, if not all, of the Mega Evolutions, it would make sense for Game Freak to feature all of Gen 6’s Mythical Pokemon in the game, allowingZ-Ato feel like a proper return to Kalos. Game Freak could have these Pokemon appear in events, as has been done in prior games, or they could be located in secluded, or hard-to-reach, areas of Lumiose City. For example, Diancie could be found deep underground, while Hoopa could be found at the top of one of Lumiose’s many skyscrapers or buildings.
Volcanion, meanwhile, could play a more significant role inPokemon Legends: Z-A’s story. WithZ-Ahaving a focus on redeveloping Lumiose City, the campaign could lead to the player having to travel to the nearby Power Plant to stop an antagonist from using Volcanion to halt the project. This could convey the theme of nature versus industry, with Lumiose attempting to balance its relationship with wild Pokemon, and Volcanion being used as a steam-powered tool to destroy this balance. Consequently, this could catch the attention ofZygarde as the Order Pokemon. Alternatively, Volcanion could appear in a separate part of Lumiose, in an area where people are working with Pokemon to power the city using their natural abilities.
