Towards the end of 2023, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet will be getting their two hotly-anticipated DLC drops, following in the footsteps of their predecessors, the Gen VIII games Sword & Shield. Scarlet & Violet's two DLC releases within The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, will be The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk, both of which embrace obvious inspirations and bring exciting new prospects to the franchise.
The Teal Mask looks to be embracing Japanese folklore in Momotaro, the tale of a boy born in a peach, who sets off to fight oni, while befriending a monkey, pheasant and dog along the way. These will all be represented through Munkidori, Fezandipiti and Okidogi, as well as Ogerpon, the Legendary Pokémon and game mascot for The Teal Mask. On the other hand, The Indigo Disk presents a brand-new school in the Blueberry Academy, and the intriguing Terarium that looks like it could be a new twist on the Safari Zone. Both DLC releases have new Pokémon of their own and confirmed returns for various species. Yet there are still many Pokémon being overlooked that would certainly fit into The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero.
10 Sawk & Throh
Sawk and Throh are Gen V Fighting-type Pokémon that are so-often dismissed for just having one type, or for their "ugly" designs with little meaning behind them. However, early design ideas for the pair make their origins clearer, as they were initially based on oni, the ogre-demons of Japanese folklore. They were both initially slated to have horns, but these were taken away, as they already represented the classic red and blue colors of oni, without having to take on a fully demonic visage.
Both Sawk and Throh could easily fit into The Teal Mask's aesthetic if it is indeed based on Momotaro, but with Ogerpon representing the oni presence, Sawk and Throh's inclusions may well be considered overkill. Regardless, they would fit and be welcome additions to Gen IX's DLC.
9 Lotad
Japanese folklore seems to be a major theme in The Teal Mask DLC, not just for the obvious Momotaro references, but also with some of the returning Pokémon. Vulpix and Shiftry will be arriving into Gen IX, representing the Kitsune and Tengu respectively. However, this apparent area of focus makes the lack of Lotad feel like a missed opportunity.
The Gen III Water Weed Pokémon resembles a mix between a lily pad and the Kappa, a river-dwelling monster from Japanese folklore. Lombre and Ludicolo also represent the Kappa's characteristics, and this evolution line would have slotted seamlessly into the themes and aesthetic of The Teal Mask.
8 Togekiss
Togepi has been a fan-favorite Pokémon ever since it was introduced in the original anime series and in an official capacity through Gen II. The Spike Ball's popularity was always centered around its cuteness, as it represented Baby and Egg Pokémon, but in Gen IV, it received a competitive edge that nobody really expected. The third evolution, Togekiss, is a beacon of joy and serenity, but the Fairy/Flying type is tanky and formidable in battle.
Togekiss was a staple on the competitive circuit in Gen VIII, but has been left out of Gen IX entirely. Fans were expecting it to return in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, but may be left disappointed once again.
7 Kanto Tauros
Whatever the overall aim and focus is for the Terarium in The Indigo Disk, it appears to be an easy excuse to welcome back numerous Pokémon of various types. The Johto form of Wooper looks set to return in The Teal Mask, despite its new Paldean form proving popular, and the same treatment would work for Tauros.
Paldean Tauros was a much-needed twist on one of the original Normal-type Pokémon, but with the Terarium arriving in The Indigo Disk, the original Tauros seems like an obvious inclusion. The Terarium appears to be a twist on the Safari Zone, and the original Tauros would feel at home in such a location.
6 Alakazam
Alakazam is arguably one of the most iconic Psychic-type Pokémon of all time, and yet it hasn't been featured at all in the Paldea Pokédex. There are various returning Psychic types already confirmed for The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, from Chimecho and Exeggutor to Metagross, Reuniclus and Meowstic. Yet Abra, Kadabra and Alakazam remain absent from Gen IX.
Alakazam doesn't necessarily fit seamlessly into the wilds of Pokémon, but this iconic Pokémon can easily be used as a tough Trainer's ace. The Gen IX Psychic roster is already stacked, but it doesn't change the fact that fans love the Alakazam line and would welcome its return.
5 Mamoswine
Ever since Mamoswine's introduction in Gen IV, it has appeared a natural inclusion for any snowy or mountainous biome. The wooly mammoth-boar hybrid proved as much in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but has since been absent from the Paldea Pokédex.
Mamoswine would have been a perfect for Glaseado Mountain, but also for the mountainous segment of the Terarium that will be arriving in The Indigo Disk. The Ice/Ground typing has always hampered Swinub, Piloswine and Mamoswine's competitive viability with its five type weaknesses, but it would still be a natural inclusion – especially as Dewgong appears to be the only returning Ice type.
4 Lapras
Lapras was introduced as the majestic Water/Ice Transport Pokémon back in Gen I, and shot up in popularity alongside Ash Ketchum during his Orange Island travels. It has since appeared in every single mainline game to some degree, until Pokémon Legends: Arceus and most recently, Scarlet & Violet.
Pokémon fans have been deprived of seeing one of the most popular water-dwelling species in these new breathtaking open-world environments. The Indigo Disk has been promoted by showing off open ocean surrounding the Blueberry Academy, and fans have been left wondering why the Transport Pokémon Lapras has not been included here as one of the returning species.
3 Absol
Absol has been a popular Pokémon ever since its introduction back in Gen III, mainly because of its cool design. In-universe however, Absol is misunderstood as a bringer of destruction and disaster, with the Dark-type Pokémon actually detecting such disasters instead.
Absol is just a Pokémon that bolsters the Dark-type roster of any game it is included in, yet has been left out of Legends: Arceus and Scarlet & Violet. Mega Absol never quite hit the desired popularity levels, but bringing the Disaster Pokémon back in Gen IX through the DLC would allow players to experiment with the Terastal phenomenon, and get the best out of Absol.
2 Aegislash
When the Paldea region was shown to have clear similarities to Spain and Portugal, Pokémon fans were hoping and expecting any DLC to include the France-inspired Kalos region, due to their real-world geographic locations. However, Sword & Shield DLC made it clear that entirely new locations are generally more exciting than playing on the nostalgia of a portion of the fan-base, and Scarlet & Violet are following suit with The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero.
However, just because Kalos won't be returning in Gen IX, it doesn't mean that some beloved Gen VI Pokémon can't make a triumphant return. Aegislash is a prime example of a unique Gen VI species that has been unjustly overlooked for the Paldea Pokédex. The Royal Sword Pokémon would be a valuable addition to the Ghost and Steel rosters, and would add some warrior-like ferocity to battles in the various DLC storylines.
1 Steelix
The Steel typing is looking the best it ever has in Gen IX, with a stacked roster that was ultimately started by a mere handful back in Gen II. Steelix is seen as the founding Steel type, which makes its absence from any game feel bizarre. Scarlet & Violet sought to rectify this with the introduction of Orthworm, but it still doesn't fix Steelix's omission.
The Indigo Disk's Terarium presents an opportunity to bring back many fan-favorite Pokémon of old, given its varied biomes, and Steelix would fit seamlessly into anywhere with rocky terrain. Steelix will forever be an imposing presence wherever it goes, and that is something that the new DLC could benefit from.