Changing Types of Past Pokémon

[Jake♫]

Do you think it would be possible for any past Pokémon to have their types changed? Why or why not? Is there any Pokémon you think just SCREAM that its type needs a change? Is there anything that you would absolutely want left untouched?

For me, I severely doubt (and hope!) that Game Freak would go and change Pokémon that have established types. The only instance I can even think of this happening was Magnemite/Magneton gaining the Steel type when added in Generation 2, but that made sense with the introduction of the new types. It just wouldn't make sense to change something for fan service (For example, many people wanting Gyarados and a Water/Dragon type instead of Water/Flying).

[Twilight Sky]

I have an interesting theory, and so far it hasn't been incorrect as of yet, and I'll go into more detail in a moment if I haven't ranted on about it too much.

Usually a Pokemon's coloring and/or design matches their typing. You take the obvious Dragon Pokemon, name any of them: Dragonite(by design and name, obviously), Hydreigon(design and name), Kingdra(name, and color), Druddigon(name and color). I could go on and on and on, but basically what I mean is that they based their types usually off the design of the Pokemon, and I really sincerely doubt that any type changes would occur to any existing Pokemon, lest their design has to change, which is heavily unlikely.

Now I know this theory might not be true for ALL Pokemon, but doing a bit of research on current existing types(such as Dark, Dragon, Normal, etc), means that GF might be following some sort of pattern here on creating Pokemon for a specific type. I think that it's pretty doubtful that they're going to break that pattern anytime soon, but who knows, really? I just don't think it'll happen.

[Archeops12354]

I've wrote this before, and I'll write it again. GameFreak, change Gyarados to a Water/Dragon!!!!!!!!!!

[.Aero]

If anything I can imagine pokemon maybe picking up another type, but not like the Magnemite / Magneton gaining Steel-typing. I figure they'll introduce a dual-type to some pokemon by creating an evolution. I'm personally really set on Chimecho getting an evolution and a Psychic- / Dark- or Psychic- / Ghost-type would be pretty neat I think.

Also on the topic of Gyarados, I feel like Gyarados being changed to Water- / Dragon-type would make him...not as good. His fighting resistance and ground immunity are key to his bulkiness.

[SaniOKh]

I know I'm indulging into something self-respecting Pokémon fans shouldn't do: searching and analyzing patterns where there's none, but here goes:

From what we can see with the whole Magnemite/Magneton situation, Pokémon can (maybe) only gain a new type under two conditions: this new type was just recently introduced, and the Pokémon in question doesn't already have a second type. I can maybe see it happen to a few Pokémon, but certainly not Gyarados, who already has two types.

[Narnia]

I can hardly see such a thing happening honestly :x. I mean it would be a bit frustrating figuring out the Pokemon's new weaknesses and strengths along with so many people have gotten use to its current typing. I think the only time this would happen like previous posters have mentioned is that they'd add a new type that has been introduced in the generation. Although if possible honestly I think Lugia is more of a Water/Flying type while Gyarados deserves to be a Dragon/Water.

[Hikari10]

I don't really think they'll retcon another old Pokemon's type, the only exceptions were making Magnemite line part-Steel and also changing the secondary type of the alternate Rotom forms.

Given I think it'll be unlikely a new type is getting introduced, and I'm used to all the current Pokemon's type combinations I don't really want another retcon.

[Forever]

It might happen! I mean I wouldn't be opposed to Black/White Kyurem becoming Electric/Ice and Fire/Ice, losing their dragon typings. :3; Maybe there might be something that force changes it in these games??

[Sabrewulf238]

It's only ever happened once before with Magnemite/Magneton and only because they were obviously part steel.

Unless they introduce new types I don't see a type change happening for any of the current pokemon....and even if there is a new type it'll have to obviously look like it's partly that type. I don't see it as that likely.

[Pinkie-Dawn]

Type changes for older gen Pokemon seem to happen only when it's one game after its debut appearance. Magnemite first appeared in Gen 1, and it gained a Steel typing one game later. Rotom first appeared in Gen 4, and its alternate formes gained new typings one game later. Gyarados had his chance to get a type change in Gen 2 with Magnemite, but Kingdra's presence prevented him from gaining a Dragon typing in fear of outclassing it.

[Dark Leader Adam]

I have said it since the release of D/P and that is why Staraptor wasn't a Flying/Fighting type, It had no reason at all being a normal type! but in terms of any other pokemon I don't feel a type change would be in order, I know they did it with Rotom and depending on the Appliance it goes in depends it type which was alot better than how they had it before but I think if they change pokemon types now especially those from gen 1-3 would ruin the legacy alot of pokemon have already left.

The Magnemite incident people keep reffering to can't really be used as an example because we all steel was a recognised type/thing at the time gen 1 was released so that's why in gen 2 we saw a rise more defensive pokemon as well as the introduction of steel pokemon like Steelix and Scizor but I think Magnemite gaining a type wasn't something that was never going to happen it was something that was massively necessary at the time of the release of steel pokemon you have to consider that at the time steel pokemon were released they also introduced dark pokemon to the game.

For me what I fount strange was that Karen a gen 2 elite four member was supposed to be a specialist in dark pokemon but despite she uses two pokemon which are not dark pokemon and they're Vileplume and Gengar which made me think were both these pokemon originally supposed to be dark types? I would understand Vileplume becoming a Dark/Poison or Dark/Grass as the early artwork for Vileplume made it look dark and devious whereas with Gengar as it was in Gen 1 it made me think were they going to redo it's typing then decided at the last minute to keep it as a ghost? Who knows but if you look at the newer artwork for the Gengar line you will see that they don't look alot like ghost's they look quite solid and could be seen more as dark and devious rather than ghosts and scary.

[jellicentfan1]

This could happen however I am mostly against it. To me it just doesn't make sense to change a Pokemon's type after all of these years, and this especially applies to the older Pokemon. I would not be opposed to some of the gen 5 Pokemon having a type change like Nica suggested with the Kyurems, but that is about it.

[Arlo]

I would comfortably bet that GF will NEVER again retcon an existing pokemon's type. They did it once, as regularly noted, and that was it. They haven't done it since, nor, I'm absolutely positive, will they. Ever. If, at any future point, they choose to offer an existing line with a different type, it'll be through a new evolution or alternate forme(s). The existing pokemon will not change.

[Scarf]

I don't see any Pokemon getting their types changed now. However, like the Rotom example I can see them creating alternate forms for Pokemon that could have different types. I know that alternate forms are always (almost always?) introduced alongside their normal forms and not in later generations, but I don't think it would ruin anything to add new forms to old Pokemon because you'd still have the old Pokemon if that's how you liked them. You'd just also get something new if that's what you'd prefer. Maybe it's not likely to happen, but if it did it would be less drastic a change and I think that makes it more likely (if still unlikely).

[Miss Doronjo]

I'd be pretty weird for GF to have type changes to pokemon now, unless they were thinking about creating a new type. But keep in mind, that's a big change for their metagame, so, while it can be possible, it'd still be a stretch, imo. I wouldn't be against it myself, since it'd be just a matter of catching up on the new changes and new playstyles.

[Aerilyn]

Unless alternate forms were given, a new type were to be introduced, or there were an assistance like in the case of Arceus and the plates, I don't see them retconning any of the old Pokémon's type now. It seems a little bit late to do that now after all this time. If they did, then I can see it likely happening for the Gen V Pokémon more so than any of the ones from Gen I - IV.

[Archeops12354]

When I first saw Dunsparce, I thought it was going to be a Bug/Ground just like Nincada, until I found out it was a normal type, I was like "What?". It would make sense if it was a bug ground because it can learn a lot of ground moves, so what if learns no bug moves at all? It's still a better typing than friggin' normal type!!!!!!!

[Magmaruby and Aquasapphire]

Thus far only Magnemite, it's evolutions, and Rotom's possessed formes have been the only one's who have had type changes in the following generation of it's introduction. Magnemite was to give it a new type which matched it's already establish appearance, and Rotom's formes case was proably because it made little sense to still be ghost while having a physical body (being in possession of machines with unique moves). The only pokémon I see who may get a type change are Kyurem's formes for a similar reason as Rotom however, looking like it should be Electric and Fire due to having an appearance with those types.

[Meloetta24]

Tentacruel into Water/Dark. LOL!!

[Cerberus87]

This will never happen. The only reason Magnemite became Steel is because it wasn't a type change, but an addition. It was also very helpful to Magnemite since with Steel comes a lot of resistances.

Water/Dragon Gyarados would be very nearly broken IMO. It gains STAB Outrage and that would seriously hurt. Also its only weakness would be Dragon and a lot of stuff that threatened it would become useless against it. The only thing holding it back is Speed. People already banned Drizzle + Swift Swim because of Kingdra, which becomes unstoppable in the rain, and a Water/Dragon Gyarados would be pretty much a stronger, bulkier Kingdra. It wouldn't have the boost in Speed, but Gyarados has a better movepool and depends less on rain to sweep.

Originally Posted by Dark Leader Adam

I have said it since the release of D/P and that is why Staraptor wasn't a Flying/Fighting type, It had no reason at all being a normal type! but in terms of any other pokemon I don't feel a type change would be in order, I know they did it with Rotom and depending on the Appliance it goes in depends it type which was alot better than how they had it before but I think if they change pokemon types now especially those from gen 1-3 would ruin the legacy alot of pokemon have already left.

The Magnemite incident people keep reffering to can't really be used as an example because we all steel was a recognised type/thing at the time gen 1 was released so that's why in gen 2 we saw a rise more defensive pokemon as well as the introduction of steel pokemon like Steelix and Scizor but I think Magnemite gaining a type wasn't something that was never going to happen it was something that was massively necessary at the time of the release of steel pokemon you have to consider that at the time steel pokemon were released they also introduced dark pokemon to the game.

For me what I fount strange was that Karen a gen 2 elite four member was supposed to be a specialist in dark pokemon but despite she uses two pokemon which are not dark pokemon and they're Vileplume and Gengar which made me think were both these pokemon originally supposed to be dark types? I would understand Vileplume becoming a Dark/Poison or Dark/Grass as the early artwork for Vileplume made it look dark and devious whereas with Gengar as it was in Gen 1 it made me think were they going to redo it's typing then decided at the last minute to keep it as a ghost? Who knows but if you look at the newer artwork for the Gengar line you will see that they don't look alot like ghost's they look quite solid and could be seen more as dark and devious rather than ghosts and scary.

Staraptor learns a single Fighting-type move. That's it. Meanwhile there are things like Pinsir which learn tons of Fighting moves (and since 1st gen even! Pinsir got Submission by level-up) and still aren't Fighting-type. It's the same as saying Fearow should become a Ground-type because of Drill Run. If Braviary, which is as the Pokédex states "the soldiers of the sky", didn't receive a Fighting-type, Staraptor has no reason to become Fighting-type at all. Might be what it needs to rise to OU, but instead of boosting Staraptor, GF should think about giving some tools to the other bird Pokémon like Dodrio, Pidgeot, Swellow and even Braviary, which nobody uses because they think it's "too slow for the metagame" but is a beast and should actually be the strongest of them all.

Karen got Vileplume and Gengar because they're nocturnal Pokémon and obviously to round up her team. Koga is the Poison trainer and has lots of Bug Pokémon, including Forretress which is Bug/Steel and is there in his team due to his ability to lay down Spikes.

[piefara]

blastoise just screams water-steel to me

[Forever]

Originally Posted by Meloetta24

Tentacruel into Water/Dark. LOL!!

Makes sense but it'd be less relevant in OU and wouldn't learn Toxic Spikes - that's basically the point of it, to be a poison jellyfish!

[Jake♫]

Originally Posted by Forever

Makes sense but it'd be less relevant in OU and wouldn't learn Toxic Spikes - that's basically the point of it, to be a poison jellyfish!

It being a poison jellyfish makes no sense for it to be turned Water/Dark, that's just more of a reason to stay a Water/Poison type (like it should be)!

[WishCookie]

I want every type to stay untouched, I mean sure, some types in the game might get a bit stronger who are currently weak but I dont want GF to change any of the types. The types that we currently have are good enough in my opinion but there is just one pokemon they should change the type on and thats Gyarados! Sure it looks like a dragon but shouldn't be counted as one since its type is water/flying which doesnt make any sense to me how it can be a flying type when it neither have wings or the abillity Levitate (I think)

[Mac]

I highly doubt that they'd change any types of past Pokemon. They're balanced and it's quite good. We haven't seen a new type in a long time either, so adding another would be quite strange. If some Pokemon do gain a type, I'm with the crowd that it'd be through an evolution.