Generation VI

The subject of this article has no official name.
The name currently in use is a fan designator; see below for more information.

Generation VI

Title screen of Pokémon Omega Ruby

Debut	EN	October 12, 2013
Debut	JA	October 12, 2013
Pokémon		721 (72 new)
Main games		X and Y
Region(s) introduced		Kalos
Other RPGs		Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Contains remakes of		Generation III
Storage games		Bank
End	EN	November 18, 2016 (1133 days)
End	JA	November 18, 2016 (1133 days)

The sixth generation^[1] (Japanese: 第６世代 sixth generation,^[2] rendered as 第六世代 among fans) of Pokémon is the sixth installment of the Pokémon video game series, starting with Pokémon X and Y in 2013 and concluding with Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire in 2014. This generation saw the debut of 72 new Pokémon species (for a total of 721), as well as the introduction of the Kalos region and the return of the Hoenn region. The games of the sixth generation are in full 3D and are presented on the Nintendo 3DS, a first for the core series.

History

The sixth generation of Pokémon was announced with the reveal of Pokémon X and Y on January 8, 2013. These games were released internationally in October of the same year; the tie-in anime series began airing one week later. Pokémon X and Y continued the established tradition of two paired games with slight variations between the two versions. Between them, these games introduced 72 new Pokémon species, 57 new moves, and 26 new Abilities. New gameplay advances were added, including a new battle mechanic called Mega Evolution. Among other changes, the games' type chart was modified for the first time since Generation II, some twelve years earlier: Ghost- and Dark-type moves now have normal effectiveness against Steel-types and a new Fairy type has been introduced.

The second pairing of games in Generation VI was announced on May 7, 2014. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, which are remakes of the third-generation Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, were released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS in November 2014.

The Generation VI games are not isolated from previous iterations and can communicate with the fifth-generation games Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 through an online application known as Pokémon Bank. This feature, which is available for download from the Nintendo eShop, acts primarily as online storage for Pokémon species. It was first launched in Japan on December 25, 2013, although unexpectedly high demand forced it to close and relaunch the following January. International markets received the Pokémon Bank in February 2014. An extension of the Pokémon Bank called the Poké Transporter allows players to send Pokémon from their fifth-generation games to their X and Y cartridges via the cloud. Combining the Poké Transporter with the earlier Pal Park (from Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver) and Poké Transfer (from Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2) allows players to transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen to their sixth-generation games.

In-game continuity

X and Y occur two years after Black and White, thus being contemporaneous with Black 2 and White 2. Looker, who has made appearances in the Generation IV and Generation V games, is found in Kalos.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire take place at least some years before Black and White and X and Y, as the Royal Unova is stated to be currently under construction and scheduled to be complete in an unspecified number of years and Mr. Bonding is born. Further, if they are contemporaneous with the events of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire it follows that they are also contemporaneous with Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

However, the overall continuity between the sixth generation games and those that precede them is not especially clear. In-game dialogue in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire suggests that the sixth generation games might take place in an alternate universe parallel to the universe in which the earlier games are contained. During the Delta Episode at Mossdeep Space Center, Zinnia hints that there might be another version of Hoenn that has not discovered Mega Evolution:

"My people know it. From generation to generation, we pass along the lore about the distortions in the world borne by the Mega Evolution mechanism. And about the existence of another world, which we have long observed to be just like this one and yet not the same... That's right. A Hoenn region that's almost exactly like this one we live in. Filled with Pokémon and people like us. A world where maybe the evolution of Pokémon took a slightly different path, where Mega Evolution is unknown... A world where that war 3,000 years ago...never happened. A world where the ultimate weapon was never even built. And in that Hoenn of that world... What would happen if one day, out of the blue, a meteoroid appeared? What would happen to the people of that world, without the technology to destroy the meteoroid or the power to warp it away? ... Looks like it's beyond the power of your imagination."

Zinnia's comments describe the world of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. The possibility of alternate universes gives some ambiguity to any perceived inter-generational continuity between the first five generations and the sixth; it is worth noting that the existence of alternate dimensions in the Pokémon universe has been explored in previous games, notably the Distortion World of Pokémon Platinum, as well as in the anime and spinoff games. Generation VII later confirms the existence of alternate universes with the introduction of Ultra Wormholes, wormholes which allow for interdimensional travel, and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon's Episode RR.

Advances in gameplay

The advancements introduced in Generation VI include:

The addition of 72 new Pokémon, bringing the total to 721. Only one evolution from a Pokémon featured in a previous generation is found: Sylveon, a new Eevee evolution.
The introduction of the Fairy type (the first such introduction since Generation II) to balance out the Dragon, Poison, and Steel types.
The addition of 62 new moves, bringing the total to 621.
The addition of 27 new Abilities, bringing the total to 191.
The games now feature a completely three dimensional environment, as well as a new 3D battle system with 3D models for Pokémon as opposed to 2D sprites.
A new battle mechanic, Mega Evolution, which can only happen during a battle and will wear off once the battle ends. This is only available for certain Pokémon.
Another region to explore, the Kalos region, far away from the previous five and based on France.
A new villainous team, Team Flare, whose goal is to make money and create a beautiful world for themselves and eliminate all who don't meet their standards.
The ability for the player to walk in an eight directional grid as opposed to the four directional grid that has been common in all the preceding games.
Three new battle modes:
- A new battle mode called Sky Battles, where only certain Flying-type Pokémon, or those whose Ability is Levitate can participate.
- Another battle mode called Horde Encounters, where multiple wild Pokémon will engage in a battle against one of the player's Pokémon.
- The third format is known as an Inverse Battle, which completely reverses type matchups.
The introduction of ambush encounters, occurrences where wild Pokémon chase the player or jumping at them from a hiding place to initiate a Pokémon battle, somewhat similar to the phenomena mechanic.
The addition of Super Training, a way to increase a Pokémon's EVs.
The addition of customization for the player, with the ability to choose a variety of outfits to wear at any time.
The new Pokémon Bank, an online Nintendo 3DS application that will allow the storage of up to 3,000 Pokémon through the payment of an annual fee.
TMs have been expanded from 95 to 100.

Alterations from Generation V

Badges are once again needed in order to use HM field moves.
Dark grass is no longer found.
The abandonment of the Pokémon Musical and the Pokémon World Tournament.
The abandonment of seasons.
The abandonment of Pokémon outbreaks and phenomena.
The abandonment of mail and <player name>'s PC.
The abandonment of the footprints in the Pokédex.
A change in the types of three moves (Charm, Moonlight and Sweet Kiss). All formerly Normal-type, they are now Fairy-type.
The addition of Fairy as a pure type for Clefairy, Clefable, Cleffa, Togepi, Snubbull and Granbull, primary type for Togetic and Togekiss and secondary type for Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Mr. Mime, Igglybuff, Marill, Azumarill, Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir, Azurill, Mawile, Mime Jr., Cottonee and Whimsicott.
Twenty-eight Pokémon from earlier generations receive a 10-point increase in one of their base stats. They are Butterfree, Beedrill, Pidgeot, Raichu, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Clefable, Wigglytuff, Vileplume, Poliwrath, Alakazam, Victreebel, Golem, Ampharos, Bellossom, Azumarill, Jumpluff, Beautifly, Exploud, Staraptor, Roserade, Stoutland, Unfezant, Gigalith, Seismitoad, Leavanny, Scolipede, and Krookodile.
- Pikachu receives a 10-point increase each in two of its base stats.
Pokémon can now evolve after a battle even if they are knocked out or if the player lost.
Pokémon obtained in Generation VI have a blue pentagon on their summary screen.
The player can no longer register screens, such as Pokédex entries.
Various changes were made to the experience system:
- When multiple Pokémon participate in battle, each now gets full experience instead of a fraction of the experience.
- The experience formula no longer takes in account difference between Pokémon's levels.
- The Exp. Share is now a Key Item and gives experience to all Pokémon in the party that did not participate in battle.
- Experience is now gained after catching a wild Pokémon.
Some Pokémon's classification via body styles is changed, such as Wurmple's.
When a named character speaks, the message box no longer starts with their name and a colon, except Double Battle trainers and in the Battle Chateau.
Significant Trainers no longer speak in the middle of a battle.
The battle music no longer changes at low HP or when a Gym Leader sends out their last Pokémon.
The type chart has slightly changed from Generation V:

Attacking type	Defending type	Old effectiveness	New effectiveness
Ghost	Steel	Not very effective	Normal effectiveness
Dark	Steel	Not very effective	Normal effectiveness

Further additions in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

New Mega Evolutions and the addition of Primal Reversion, a related mechanic.
Trainer horde battles are introduced.
The addition of Mirage spots.
The implementation of Soaring, a new mode of transportation.
Four new moves are introduced: Precipice Blades, Origin Pulse, Dragon Ascent, and Hyperspace Fury, belonging to Groudon, Kyogre, Rayquaza, and Hoopa Unbound, respectively, bringing the total to 621.
Three new Abilities are introduced: Desolate Land, Primordial Sea, and Delta Stream for Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Mega Rayquaza respectively, bringing the total to 191.
The reintroduction of Pokémon Contests, under the name of Pokémon Contest Spectacular.
The reintroduction of Secret Bases, now referred as Super-Secret Bases.

Region

Kalos

Main article: Kalos

The Kalos region was introduced in Pokémon X and Y. This region is geographically isolated and has no close ties with any other region introduced prior to Generation VI.

Starter Pokémon

The starters of the sixth Generation follow the traditional Grass/Fire/Water trio setup. At the beginning of the game, the player must choose between the Grass-type Chespin, the Fire-type Fennekin and the Water-type Froakie.

Chespin		Fennekin		Froakie
Grass		Fire		Water
	Quilladin		Braixen		Frogadier
Grass		Fire		Water
	Chesnaught		Delphox		Greninja
Grass	Fighting	Fire	Psychic	Water	Dark

Gym Leaders

Like the other five regions, Kalos has its own set of eight Gym Leaders who give out unique Badges and TMs after being defeated. Defeating all eight Gym Leaders grants access to the Pokémon League.

Kalos League
Generation VI		Region: Kalos
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Viola ビオラ Viola	Santalune City ハクダンシティ Hakudan City	Bug	Bug Badge
Grant ザクロ Zakuro	Cyllage City ショウヨウシティ Shouyou City	Rock	Cliff Badge
Korrina コルニ Koruni	Shalour City シャラシティ Shara City	Fighting	Rumble Badge
Ramos フクジ Fukuji	Coumarine City ヒヨクシティ Hiyoku City	Grass	Plant Badge
Clemont シトロン Citron	Lumiose City ミアレシティ Miare City	Electric	Voltage Badge
Valerie マーシュ Mache	Laverre City クノエシティ Kunoe City	Fairy	Fairy Badge
Olympia ゴジカ Gojika	Anistar City ヒャッコクシティ Hyakkoku City	Psychic	Psychic Badge
Wulfric ウルップ Urup	Snowbelle City エイセツシティ Eisetsu City	Ice	Iceberg Badge

Hoenn

Main article: Hoenn

Hoenn was featured in Generation VI in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, a pair of remakes of the Generation III games Ruby and Sapphire.

Starter Pokémon

As in other remakes, the starters of Hoenn remain the same as they did in Generation III. Professor Birch gives Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip to the player as thanks for using it to save him from a wild Poochyena.

Treecko		Torchic		Mudkip
Grass		Fire		Water
	Grovyle		Combusken		Marshtomp
Grass		Fire	Fighting	Water	Ground
	Sceptile		Blaziken		Swampert
Grass		Fire	Fighting	Water	Ground
	Mega Sceptile		Mega Blaziken		Mega Swampert
Grass	Dragon	Fire	Fighting	Water	Ground

Gym Leaders

Hoenn's Gym Leaders are the same as they were in Ruby and Sapphire, but with some giving out different TMs than they gave out in Generation III.

Hoenn League
Generation VI			Region: Hoenn
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Roxanne ツツジ Tsutsuji	Rustboro City カナズミシティ Kanazumi City	Rock	Stone Badge
Brawly トウキ Tōki	Dewford Town ムロタウン Muro Town	Fighting	Knuckle Badge
Wattson テッセン Tessen	Mauville City キンセツシティ Kinsetsu City	Electric	Dynamo Badge
Flannery アスナ Asuna	Lavaridge Town フエンタウン Huen Town	Fire	Heat Badge
Norman センリ Senri	Petalburg City トウカシティ Touka City	Normal	Balance Badge
Winona ナギ Nagi	Fortree City ヒワマキシティ Hiwamaki City	Flying	Feather Badge
Tate and Liza フウとラン Fū and Lan	Mossdeep City トクサネシティ Tokusane City	Psychic	Mind Badge
Wallace ミクリ Mikuri	Sootopolis City ルネシティ Rune City	Water	Rain Badge

Discussion of Generation VI

Kalos thematic motif

The sixth generation focuses on the concept of beauty and different aspects related to it, such as balance and harmony. Fashion and different forms of art are featured considerably in the newly introduced region, whose name comes from the Greek word for beauty.^[3] The mascots of the primary versions, Xerneas and Yveltal, reflect the concepts of harmony and balance, being the "Life" and "Destruction" Pokémon, respectively. The villainous team's actions and motives also reflect the beauty theme, as they strive to create "a beautiful world" by any means necessary.

English title screens

Pokémon X	Pokémon Y

Pokémon Omega Ruby	Pokémon Alpha Sapphire

Japanese title screens

Pokémon X	Pokémon Y

Pokémon Omega Ruby	Pokémon Alpha Sapphire

Trivia

Generation VI introduced the fewest new:
- Pokémon, with 72.
  - Legendary Pokémon, with three.
- Moves, with 62.
- Abilities, with 27.
Generation VI is the only generation in which:
- Gym Leaders in games that are not remakes hand out TMs containing moves from older generations.
- It is possible to import Pokémon from previous generations, but is not required in order to complete the National Pokédex (excluding Mythical Pokémon).
- No region is featured in more than two games.
- Red, Blue, the Kanto Gym Leaders, and Lance do not appear.
Generation VI is also the only generation that did not introduce:
- A pure Ground-type and Electric-type Pokémon.
- A pseudo-legendary Pokémon with two types.
- A new Gym Leader or Elite Four member specializing in Ghost-type Pokémon.
- A new type of Poké Ball.
- A numbered water route.
- A new Dragon-type move.
- A new move for every type that existed during that generation.
- A Pokemon that evolves by Friendship after its introduction.
Generation VI is the first generation to introduce:
- New moves between games. Of the 62 moves introduced, four of them were introduced in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire and are not programmed into Pokémon X and Y. As a result, Pokémon in the former that know these moves cannot be traded to the latter.
- A Pokémon with Normal as its secondary type.
- A dual-type evolution line with Flying as primary type.
- A Fire/Water Pokémon, with all types now having been paired with Water.
- A Fighting/Flying Pokémon, with all types now having been paired with Flying.
Generation VI relieved restrictions on formatting that were evident in previous generations:
- The nickname character limit has been increased from 5 to 6 in Japanese and Korean, and from 10 to 12 in Western languages.
- The player name character limit has been increased from 5 to 6 in Japanese and Korean, and from 7 to 12 in Western languages.
- The names of all moves, items and Abilities introduced before Generation VI are no longer limited to 12 characters, including any spaces. Some of these names were re-formatted; for example, Selfdestruct was renamed Self-Destruct.
Generation VI leaves the most extra room in the PC if one captures exactly one of each species of Pokémon, with there being 930 spaces and 721 Pokémon.
Generation VI is the only completed generation not to revisit its new region after the original paired games.
Generation VI contains the core series games with the shortest English titles: X and Y have one letter each.
Generation VI is the first generation in which games were released on the same date worldwide.