ZA's Mega Baxcalibur confirms a sad pseudo-legendary trend

With the release of Pokemon Legends: ZAmany series fans were excited to have a game dedicated to Mega Evolution as a gimmick, as it is arguably the most beloved ever. Not only that, but the game came with a slew of new Mega Evolutions as well, so fans still have access to most of the old ones from Gen 6 games, and then a list of 26 new ones. In addition, Pokemon Legends: ZAs DLC adds 19 new Mega Evolutions, which has basically been confirmed by the latest trailer due to the presence of both Chimecho and Baxcalibur, which were leaked at the launch of the base game.

Just the fact that Mega Baxcalibur is in Pokemon Legends: ZA is great news for those who loved the powerful Gen 9 pseudo-legendary, but it cements another sad trend regarding one of the remaining pseudo-legendaries. This group of Pokemon is an exclusive club made of 10 animals whose BST is 600, and they are usually some of the best pocket monsters to use in their respective generation. These are:

Dragonite (Dragon/Flying, Gen 1)
Tyranitar (Rock/Dark, Gen 2)
Salamence (Dragon/Flying, Gen 3)
Metagross (Steel/Psychic, Gen 3)
Garchomp (Dragon/Ground, Gen 4)
Hydreigon (Dark/Dragon, Gen 5)
Goodra (Dragon, Gen 6)
Kommo-o (Dragon/Fighting, Gen 7)
Dragapult (Dragon/Ghost, Gen 8)
Baxcalibur (Dragon/Ice, Gen 9)

Although these are all some of the best Pokemon to use in Pokemon Legends: ZA and every mainline game they are not exactly born equal. Every pseudo-legendary in the series has gotten some love in their debut generation or future games, and with Mega Baxcalibur confirmed, this doesn't just apply to Dragapult.

Pokemon Legends: ZA officially makes Dragapult the worst pseudo-legendary

Not only are pseudo-legendary Pokemon very powerful, but they usually receive additional gimmicks to follow up on fan reception or simply to make them even more outstanding. So far the list includes:

Dragonite: Mega Evolution i Pokemon Legends: ZA
Tyrants: Mega Evolution in Gen 6, Paradox Pokemon in Gen 9 (Iron Thorns)
Salamence: Mega Evolution in Gen 6, Paradox Pokemon in Gen 9 (Roaring Moon)
Metagross: Mega Evolution in Gen 6
Garchomp: Mega Evolution in Gen 6, other Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: ZAs DLC (based on leaks)
Hydreigon: Paradox Pokémon in Gen 9 (Iron Jugulis)
Goodness: Regional form i Pokemon Legends: Arceus (Hisuian Goodra)
Come on: Z-Move in Gen 7 (Clangorous Soulblaze)
Pull desk: N/A
Baxcalibur: Mega Evolution i Pokemon Legends: ZAs DLC

One could argue that signature moves are also kind of a gimmick, and while Dragapult gets Dragon Darts, other pseudo-legendaries also have signature moves: Meteor Mash for Metagross, Shelter for Hisuian Goodra, Clangorous Soul and Clanging Scales for Kommo-o, and Glaive Rush for Baxcalibur.

This stings even more considering that Garchomp is getting a second Mega Evolution in Mega Dimension, while Dragapult is allegedly not even in the game after the leaked returning Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: ZAs DLC. The silver lining is that Dragapult is the penultimate animal on the list, so it may still get some love in future releases.

The Leaked Pokemon Legends: Galar is Dragapult's best hope

Especially, Pokemon Legends: ZA confirms the leak Pokemon Legends: Galar in several ways, or at least teases this possibility. If that happens to be the case, given that Galar is the home region of the Dragapult line, it would make perfect sense to get a regional form or even a Gigantamax form. Hisuianen forms for several Pokemon Legends: Arceus Critters have been used to great effect in competitive play in Gen 9, and one could argue that there is more permanence with a regional form than there ever could be with a Mega Evolution.

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Interestingly, Pokemon Sword's Pokedex entry for Dreepy states that it roamed prehistoric seas when it was alive, and Pokemon Violet's Pokedex entry states that it has a habit of biting Clauncher from when it was alive. A Dragon/Water regional form of Dragapult in Pokemon Legends: Galar seems almost confirmed now.