Pikachu Might Be Benched On Day One
Pikachu is splashed across the key art for Pokémon Champions, but it might not make the starting lineup. Producer Masaaki Hoshino says the launch roster will only include final evolutions, which could leave series mascots and fan favorites on the sidelines.
Speaking during a media roundtable, as reported by Hypebeast, Hoshino said, "At launch, only final evolutions will be available... After we introduce a lot of the final evolutions, we might consider earlier evolutions as well. For now, this approach is more accessible for new players." If taken literally, that policy sidelines Pikachu in favor of Raichu. That’s a wild thought for a game that’s about to anchor official competitions.
What’s Changing At Launch
The restriction is straightforward: if a Pokémon can evolve, it won’t be selectable at launch. Expect to see Garchomp, not Gabite; Tyranitar, not Pupitar. Hoshino positioned the move as a way to protect new players from accidental mismatches, where bringing an unevolved pick into a high-level match is a quick route to a lopsided loss.
Accessibility is a fair goal. New players often latch onto early-route or cute picks, only to discover the stat gap later. Locking the roster to final forms narrows the power spread and reduces traps for the uninitiated. Still, the change trims a surprising amount of tactical flavor right out of the gate.
Competitive Impact: Eviolite And Niche Picks
Cutting earlier evolutions also cuts a cornerstone of niche team-building: Eviolite. The held item boosts Defense and Special Defense for Pokémon that can still evolve. Over the years, it turned otherwise fragile or middling choices into walls or utility anchors. Teams built around Dusclops, Chansey, Clefairy, or Porygon2 found real footing thanks to Eviolite’s stat bump.
With no eligible users on day one, that entire strategy disappears. Competitive players lose a defensive pivot option; casual players lose a way to bring their favorites into fights without getting steamrolled. It also means fewer offbeat formats at launch—forget “baby-only” lobbies or goofy little cup throwdowns until (and unless) earlier evolutions arrive later.
Will Pikachu And Eevee Get Exceptions?
Here’s the elephant in the stadium: by the stated rule, Pikachu shouldn’t be legal at launch because it evolves into Raichu. Yet Pikachu stars in the official Champions artwork, and the franchise has made mascot exceptions before. The original Japanese release of Pokémon Stadium limited the roster to fully evolved Pokémon—and Pikachu. The international version later expanded to include the full set available at the time.
Eevee is another wrinkle. The game’s opening movie reportedly features it, and Eevee’s popularity makes it a prime candidate for a carve-out. If The Pokémon Company follows the Stadium precedent, Champions could launch with final evolutions plus a small set of exceptions for brand icons. As of now, there’s no formal confirmation either way.
Release Timing And Esports Stakes
Pokémon Champions launches April 8 on Nintendo Switch, with a mobile version coming later this year. Once live, it becomes the main battleground for official events, including the Pokémon World Championships. That raises the stakes for the day-one ruleset. Locking early evolutions means early metas will likely lean toward straightforward power picks and established closers.
Roster growth seems inevitable, and Hoshino left the door open: earlier evolutions are “under consideration” after the team introduces “a lot of the final evolutions.” A staggered rollout could help onboard newcomers first, then gradually fold in complexity. The question is timing. Competitive players will want clarity on exceptions for Pikachu and Eevee before building teams, and casual players will want to know when they can queue with their favorites.
If Champions wants to be both a clean starting point and a playground for creativity, the next update needs to say the quiet part out loud. Confirm the mascot carve-outs, share a window for Eviolite’s return, and outline any fun side formats that spotlight earlier evolutions. Until then, expect Raichu to steal the spotlight—and for day-one roster decisions to define Champions’ identity more than anyone expected.
