What happened to Mega Evolution?

Mega Evolution is such a beloved mechanic. But as games came out it almost became something evil and twisted. Why did it take this turn?

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End Credit assets from: @Fusiond3

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[karenbonds]

I have a theory that the reason the Sun/Moon Mega Dex entries are so dark is because the Alola Region lost a war against Kalos due to Mega Evolution. All the dex entries about the Pokemon being merciless to its opponents could be first-hand accounts of Alolans seeing them in battle.

The ones about the mons being in pain, or killing its trainer, could either be myths (hard to tell when you’re busy running for your life), or they may be Alola’s botched attempts to recreate Mega Evolution.

This leads to Alola’s defeat, and the demonization of Mega Evolution in the Dex.


Or it could just be the Rotom in your dex messing with you. It is part ghost, after all.

[Roman-Noodlez]

Rotom made propaganda to make mega evolution look bad. The Kanto Pokédex is perfectly fine when describing the Megas though

[amandagallentine]

Fun fact: Pinsir loves his mega evo because of its sick wings

[d.gersby]

There's actually evidence to back up the False-True Mega Evolution. In the anime, when Korrina first mega evolves her Lucario, it went rampant. It took a while for them to get used to it. That's where it became a True Mega Evolution.

[lasercraft]

My personal headcanon is that the Pokemon only feel pain when _forced_ into Mega Evolving. That would explain how you're able to Mega Evolve Pokemon you just got from trading, who you have no bond with. It would also explain why Lysandre is able to Mega Evolve his Gyrados.

This is also partially supported by the anime, where Korrina's Lucario goes out of control when it Mega Evolves, because Korrina didn't bond/train with Lucario properly. Another example, in the Volcanion movie the villains use a device to force multiple Pokemon into Mega Evolving, and that also depicts them feeling pain from it.

The Mega Stone and Keystone are required to _use_ Mega Evolution, but the bond between trainer and Pokemon is required to _master_ it.

EDIT: Okay so yeah, basically EXACTLY the "True Mega Evolution" theory.

[TheRedSmarty]

10:23 Mega Evolution last appeared in the main series in the Let's Go games, a little after Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. It was also mentioned in Scarlet and Violet (though not by name).

[lasercraft]

I like the theory that the Rotom Dex is letting its ghost-type tendencies creep in for the Pokedex entries... Because Mega forms aren't the only ones with creepy dex entries. The whole regional dex is like that, and all the games following it are significantly _less_ dark. So yeah, I blame the Rotom (as in that _specific_ Rotom... The Rotom Phones are much more chill).

[kinggalaxyskulls]

Personally, I think it’s just a Alola propaganda or misunderstanding of mega evolutions, either intentionally or not intentionally trying to make them look bad

[jazzenycatten]

I believe the sun/moon mega dex entries being dark because the Rotom Pokedex itself likes being dark with their entries.

[lasercraft]

Okay okay... Here me out... What if those "meteorites" that rained down from Hoenn were actually miss-shots from the ultimate weapon? Like excess energy that split off from the main beam and got launched across nearby regions?

[Nagatem]

I totally believe that they intentionally made mega evolution seem bad next generation aka gen 7, because they had no desire to ever really use it again because it wasn’t fun and exciting anymore or a surprise which is what they like to prioritize ., mega evolution was so popular that they had no choice but to use it in non-mainline titles, as well as bring it back for legends ZA

[RaptinDinon-mnps]

I hope Mega Evolution become a staple. It was the best added mechanic; new life to old pokémon was phenomenal. Wouldn't mind if the pokémon get different abilities based on which abilty the user had. Let's say for example, Charizard Y blaze becomes drought the hidden abilty turns into something else maybe Aerilate or a fire type version. More options would be great.

[smudge]

My head Canon is that the Pokedex entries for mega Pokemon we're written during a series of unethical experiments forcing Pokemon to mega evolve. And that when a trainer with a strong bond with their Pokemon mega evolution Pokemon that Bond allows the Pokemon to withstand the pain. Kind of, that it's willing to sacrifice itself in an act of friendship.

[unbannablebanjo]

I'll die on the hill that ORAS and XY don't conflict at all. XY requires you to have a strong bond and use keystones and the energy comes from the crystals in Annistar. That crystal most likely fell from space. The only thing ORAS has different is them specifying that mega stones are from space, but that can easily be handwaved as meteorites just having the energy required

[amandagallentine]

Ash-greninja: hah i have your guys strength without the weakness

[Brain_Dead_Luis]

I saw a theory that megas are very painful and thats why they require a strong bond to be able to endure the pain like how your pokemon just refuses to die because of your friendship even though the move should have caused it to faint

[luka]

Doesnt matter how much you love your pokemon, your love isnt going to fix a dislocated jaw.

[BurstFlare]

1:48~1:55 ORAS is in the *same* generation that Megas were introduced in.

[applekoi]

I always liked the idea that Pokédex entries are what is believed by the people in the area, common legends, misconceptions, which makes it easier for people when their fav Mon has some messed up unbelievable stuff going on! It can also be used to explain away some of the inconsistencies in games, what with driftloon being around kids so much

[adriajohnson]

ngl i feel like the "pushing z crystal" theory is probably the most accurate.
if we get more edgy dex entries in legends Z then id be convinced its gamefreak spiting us