#magmacle

For this update, I'd like to highlight a really unique pokemon family that I came up with for the game. It has some of my favorite character design work I've ever done, and I'm really happy with the way its members are related.

Let me start by sharing their pokedex entries:

Limpacle, the water-type barnacle pokemon. Magmacle, the fire-type barnacle pokemon. And finally, the mighty Terrisla, the ground/dragon-type island pokemon.

The idea for these pokemon had been developing in my mind for a long time. I wanted to do something with the idea of island formation. When underwater volcanoes release molten lava into the cold ocean, the material solidifies into solid rock. Poetically, the combination of water and fire creates earth.

I tried for a long time to figure out how I could capture this idea with a unique type of pokemon evolution: perhaps two pokemon can combine into one? I also had to take into account the limitations of what I could mechanically accomplish in my rom hack. In theory any modification is possible, but it would be easiest to stick with what the game engine can already handle. My solution ended up being a good compromise between unique and easy to implement, and I'm quite proud of it.

The Limpacle, Magmacle, and Terrisla family is an example of convergent evolution, something unseen in any official pokemon game. Either Limpacle or Magmacle can evolve into Terrisla. They evolve using evolutionary stones, the opposite of what you might expect: the water-type Limpacle evolves with a Fire Stone, and the fire-type Magmacle evolves with a Water Stone. This is how I was able to preserve my idea of Terrisla evolving from the combination of water and fire.

There is another very unique aspect of this evolutionary family: Terrisla gets a different ability depending on its pre-evolved form. These two abilities are also brand new, and I invented them so that Terrisla could carry an elemental "fingerprint" from its pre-evolution.

Terrisla that evolved from Limpacle will acquire Cistern, which boosts the power of all water-type attacks by 50%.

Terrisla that evolved from Magmacle will acquire Caldera, which boosts the power of all fire-type attacks by 50%.

That's not all that Terrisla will carry over from its earlier life. As a ground/dragon pokemon, Terrisla can learn some powerful moves, but it does not naturally get any water or fire attacks. However, its pre-evolutions do! A Terrisla that evolved from a Limpacle, for example, might still have some of its pre-evolved form's water-type moves, like whirlpool or water spout. A Terrisla that evolved from a Magmacle, on the other hand, might retain some fire-type moves like fire spin and eruption.

Do you see what this means for Terrisla? Essentially, despite no visual difference, Terrisla has two forms! One of which is water-aspected, and one that is fire-aspected. Your Terrisla can be offensively considered a water- or fire-type pokemon, depending on what it evolved from. Crucially, it cannot be both at once! If you wish to train this magnificent beast, you'll have to decide which moves you want it to have, and train your Limpacle or Magmacle to learn them.

Pictured: an early sketch of Limpacle from 2017, demonstrating its cowardly disposition.

Training this family is no easy feat. Limpacle can be found on the ocean floor, and Magmacle can be found in volcanic areas, but neither of them are particularly common. Furthermore, their stats are a bit underwhelming. But treat them with lots of care, and they will eventually learn powerful moves. When you're ready, evolve into the massive Terrisla, a beastly pokemon with pseudo-legendary stats. Very few will be able to oppose you!

Designing these pokemon was a delight, and I'm very happy with the results. Making them functional in a modified pokemon emerald rom took some extra work to accommodate their unique characteristics (such as ensuring Terrisla gets the right ability upon evolution, and making Terrisla only produce eggs of its pre-evolved form). I hope Terrisla will offer a suitable challenge for players to face in battle, and an even more rewarding challenge to raise for yourself. I'm looking forward to getting one during my playtesting, but the rest of you will have to wait!