Sayanora, Fairy-type!

Biggest change for Pokémon has been announced in January 9th, 2020, and it is not the new DLC. It is the fact that alongside Poison-type being integrated into Darkness, Fairy-type will cease to be in TCG and become integrated to Psychic-type.

This is a gigantic change to the franchise, as this confirms Fairy-type has failed to differentiate itself from other types, but it also confirms that DLC additions throughout the generations will be standard. Since each modern TCG expansion in the west contain around 185 Pokémon, this means there can be only 2220 monster cards per generation (185* 12 sets). For 890 Pokémon and around 200 forms this might not seem much, but with introduction new DLC, the amount of new Pokémon introduced per gen will likely re-increase to around 130-150 range, making the current situation unsustainable, unless dual-types become a metagame staple and not just a gimmick.

This also means there won't any other type that will get the same treatment as Dragon-type in Gen 9, but there will likely be another type reshuffling. Either Dragon and Steel being removed, or Rock and Ground becoming part of Metal.

Removal of Fairy-type from the TCG also means there will no longer be major Fairy-type Legendaries and Mythicals, as TCG will not be able to sell their cards as unique things.Any possible new Fairy-type Legendary and Mythical will now have to avoid Psychic and Ghost-types as part of their type combinations.

In that same vein, there likely no longer major Fairy-type introductions in subsequent generations. As Fairy-type is still lacking three unused type combos, this is a serious issue. This was already the case in Generation 8, as the absolute numbers of Fairy-types introduced in Gen 8 were considerably lower than Gen 7, even though bulk of them were fully-evolved Pokémon or Legendaries in the case of Zacian. This too will mostly end, with further emphasis put on Ice-types as the Dragon-busters in the video games.

For the new types in Generation 10:

This change also has for the new types in Gen 10. While they will still obviously come to be (as the amount of unused type combos are shrinking and may shrink further with the new DLC), instead of diversifying the lore of the franchise, the new types introduced will be derivatives of older existing types, and if Dragon and Metal remain until Gen 10, they will be showcased with the existing TCG types.

In this case, the long theorized Light and Sound-types are far more likely to occur, as Fairy-type failed to be the antithesis of Dark-type, with Sound-type likely being introduced to nerf Steel-types. If Dragon and Metal are still around, Light will likely be part of Lightning and Sound will likely be part of Colorless. If they are not, then they will be showcased with their own types and then reintegrated into other types two gens later.

How things will go will depend what TCG type changes will or won't occur next generation

Aloha, Expansion Pass!

As of January 9th 2020, paid DLCs are now a thing in Pocket Monsters. Hallelujah!

I'm geniunely hyped for this, because alongside my associate Bolt the Cat from Serebiiforums, I've been waiting for DLC packs to replace the traditional third versions since Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon. Even though I know he and frankly I would too prefer a direct sequel instead, it was obvious GameFreak is unwilling to show that much effort. We also know DLCs were ultimately going to be introduced in Pokémon since Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon's director Kazumaso Iwao's statement regarding DLCs.

So, we need to establish a few ground rules here:
*This is likely going to the only Expansion Pass. BotW only had one Expansion Pass with VR compatibility being a free update, and Star Allies' had three waves of free DLC that only lasted a year. Nintendo does not like expanding the lifecycle of the game beyond that.

*Even though all 490 remaining Pokémon will likely be transferrable, they are unlikely going to be all catchable, besides Mythicals you won't be able to catch besides events. There will be a few missing transfer-only Pokémon, which should give us an idea about what will be the next games.

*It is extremely unlikely that this will be the only Gen 8 game, and it is rather unlikely it will be the only non-Let's GO mainline game.

*We know that Switch Pro is coming mid-2020, most likely around September-November 2020, which would tie in with Crown Tundra, BUT there is generally a new game shortly after or before a physical console release. Unless Switch Pro releases in Summer, which is unlikely as the Japanese fiscal year starts in April 2020, there should be a new physical game before April 2021.

*Mystery Dungeon remakes will utilize Mega Evolution, and since Kalos is coming later this year in Pokémon GO, it is probably safe to assume Megas will be coming for Pokémon GO as well, meaning the next game and/or next generation will have to reintroduce them. Since base Switch cannot render them alongside Gigantamax and Dynamax Pokémon, next games will likely be Switch Pro exclusive, like how Crystal was Color exclusive, whereas Gold and Silver were available in Game Boy.

With these ground rules established, there are few routes the cookie can crumble:

Scenario I: (most likely scenario, nightmarish)
2020: Expansion Pass
December 2020-March 2021: DPPt remakes (Pro exclusive)
March-June 2021: DPPt remake DLC
November 2021: Let's GO Crystal (Pro exclusive)

Scenario II: (unrealistic, but likely according to current standards)
2020: Expansion Pass
January-June 2021: Expansion Pass 2
November 2021: Let's GO Crystal (Pro exclusive)

Scenario III: (realistic, but unlikely according to current standards)
2020: Expansion Pass
September 2021: DPPt Remakes (Pro exclusive)
January-June 2021: DPPt Remake DLC
November 2022: Gen 9 (Pro exclusive)

Scenario IV: (extremely unlikely)
2020: Expansion Pass
January-June 2021: Expansion Pass 2
November 2021: Gen 9 (Pro exclusive)

Regardless how things go, Gen 9 will be more than likely Pro exclusive.

Stuff regarding how Gen 9 will be discussed after DLC is fully released and datamined

Shitposting about release schedules for Pokémon

I've been thinking about the release schedule of Pokémon due to my older discussions with peeps here, and I seem to have found some interesting stuff:

*Assuming 3 years of generations for generations after Gen 11, the first ten generations (1-10) would have lasted 32 years in total, while the next 10(11-20) would have lasted.

*Since all generations have had a gap year, this means the smallest possible generation is two years.

*Though there has been cases where the same year had a game release, such cases did not occur in the same fiscal year(RGB, FRLGE).

In this manner: 

*If there are only two years per generations, a ten generation period would last 20 years, more than half of the current period.

*If there are half of the current duration for ten generation period, half of the generations would be three years-span. Alternatively, each gen would last one and a half year, though that would be difficult.

*If the generations only lasted a year, each generation would last 10 years.

On continuation to this:

*A two year cycle can have three major DLCs, one for each six months period.

*A three year cycle can have a DLC expansion for the gap year.

notes on stat retcons

So far, two of the recent generations have buffed stats of existing Pokémon.

Gen 6 buffed stats of Pokémon that evolve at third stage by +10, except for Pikachu who got +20. About 29 Pokémon were buffed this way.

Gen 7 buffed stats of Pokémon that evolve at second stage and some single stage Pokémon and Woobat in a range of 10 to 40. HP was also buffed. About 26 Pokémon were buffed this way.

If this continues, assuming 20 buffs for each generation, by Gen 15, all Pokémon introduced since Gen 1 to 7 will have become buffed, in theory anyways(in practice, there will be stuff that remain).

Nonetheless a scenario like this one can be presented:

Gen 8: Buffing single stage Pokémon and some others.
Gen 9: Buffing middle stage Pokémon and some others.
Gen 10: Buffing first stage Pokémon and some others.
Gen 11: Buffing babies and some others.
Gen 12: Buffing weakest ones and some others.
Gen 13: Buffing some mascot legendaries and some others.
Gen 14: Buffing some minor legendaries and some others.
Gen 15: Buffing some Mega Evolving Pokémon and some others.
Gen 16: Buffing some Pokémon that have special gimmicks and others.
Gen 17: Buffing some former fully evolved Pokémon and others.
Gen 19: Return to third stages with higher BST upgrade.
Gen 20: Return to second stages with higher BST upgrade.
Gen 21: Repeat Gen 8 onwards with higher BST upgrade.

Some ideas on future triangles

So far, all the mascot legendaries have been partially related to a previous group:

Gen II: Ho-Oh and Lugia, their secondary types were gained from Winged Mirages, whereas Lugia's primary type is unrelated to their theme.

Gen III: Unrelated. Suicune shares Kyogre's type, however.

Gen IV: Dialga, Palkia and Giratina have Latias/Latios' primary typing as their secondary one.

Gen V: Tao Trio does the same as above, but also has Legendary Birds' typing.

Gen VI: Unrelated.

Gen VII: Nebula trio largely shares Creaton Trio's types and Pixies' Psychic.

My personal guess is:

Gen 8: Fire/Psychic, Water/Psychic and Electric/Psychic

Gen 9: Fairy, Steel/Flying, Dragon/Fighting

Gen 10: Fighting/Ground, Fighting/Water & Fighting//Flying

Gen 11: Ice/Fighting, Rock/Fighting & Steel/Fighting

Gen 14: Fighting/Flying, Psychic, Dragon/Dark

Gen 15: Ghost/Dark, Ghost/Fairy, Ghost/Dragon

Gen 16: Grass/Ghost, Rock/Ghost, Steel/Ghost

Gen 17: Ground, Fire, Rock/Dragon

Notes on item index count:

Generation IV: 536
Generation V: 638(+102)
Generation VI: 775 (+137)
Generation VII: 920 (+145)

Overall average: 131

Average of introduction: 128

Previous generations:

Gen I: 255
Gen II: 255
Gen III: 376
Colosseum: 547
XD: 593

Notes on types:

http://www.serebiiforums.com/showthread.php?511782-The-Official-Pokemon-Discussion-Thread!/page482

Some notes on evolutionary levels

Unused levels for evolution:

List:

1. 2
2. 3
3. 4
4. 5
5. 6
6. 8
7. 11
8. 13
9. 46
10. 51
11. 56
12. 57
13. 58
14. 61
15. 62
16. 63

Some notes on BSTs of starters, and others

Shared BSTs:

1. 528: Gen V
2. 530: Gen VII

Others:

1. 535: Swampert
2. 534: Charizard, Typhlosion, Infernape, Delphox
3. 530: Remaining
4. 525: Venusaur, Meganium, Torterra

 The last generation to have lower than 530 BSTs was Gen V. While 528 hasn't be reused extensively like 530 was, it is unlikely to see a return to that.

Looking at this, it seems we won't see anything around or below 530 after this generation. Reaching to 535 will likely take about 4 generations, and 540 will likely take 10 generations. So until 30 years we will remain in the 540 barrier.

Neat.

For higher than 540 BSTs:

Gen I: 555
Gen II: N/A, 540 with Kingdra and Blissey
Gen III: 670
Gen IV: 545
Gen V: 567, 550
Gen VI: 552, 551, Megas
Gen VII: 570, 620

Next generation might see another 555 BST species, and something like this can be seen:

1. Gen 8: 555
2. Gen 9: 575
3. Gen 10: 560
4. Gen 11: 580
5. Gen 12: 565
6. Gen 13: 585
7. Gen 14: 570
8. Gen 15: 590
9. Gen 16: 575
10. Gen 17: 595
11. Gen 18: 580
12. Gen 20: 600
13. Gen 21: 585
14. Gen 22: 605
15. Gen 23: 590
16. Gen 24: 610
17. Gen 25: 595
18. Gen 26: 615
19. Gen 27: 600
20. Gen 28: 620

Edit (03.06.2017): It seems that starters, like most of the third stage Pokémon, cannot go beyond 129. Currently the highest single stat is 126, Primarina's Special Attack. After that comes Emboar's Attack(123), Greninja's Speed (122), Chesnaught's Defense (122). Lowest possible stat belongs to Torterra's Speed, 56. The second lowest stat is 60, which is the Speed of Primarina, Incineroar, Swampert and Empoleon.

Some notes on future second stage Pokémon

Some notes on future single stage Pokémon.

First and foremost, due to increasing emphasis on single stage Pokémon, these species have seen a massive power creep. Traditionally, single stage Pokémon existed primarily as fodder for future evolutions, but since Mega Evolutions that idea has been put into bus. Recent single stagers have higher BSTs and powerful forms. In addition, many of the weaker ones have now retconned BSTs that make them more powerful. This makes them indistinguishable from second stage Pokémon(Wishiwashi is the most egregious example of this. Its school form is essentially a Level-Up evolution.)

Secondly, is how the power creep progresses. The power creep is around 20-30 BST for every even generation. This means that within three generations, single stage Pokémon will have an alternate form that will reach to Uber level, while common high end ones will reach to the level of starters and Haxorus. That's terrifying.

This gives us some weird ideas:

-Pikaclones: Looking at BSTs of Pikaclones:

-Gen III: 405, Gen IV: 405
-Gen V: 428, Gen VI: 431
-Gen VII: 435
-Gen VIII: 436

If we continue with this;

Gen VIII: 435
Gen IX: 458, Gen X: 461
Gen XI: 465, Gen XII: 465
Gen XIII: 488, Gen XIV: 491
Gen XV: 495, Gen XVI: 495

So, within six generations(18 years) we will have a Pikaclone that is just as powerful as Raichu. Neat.

Edit: Due to Morpeko changing things, the current situation looks more like this:

Gen 9: 440, Gen 10: 441
Gen 11: 445, Gen 12: 446
Gen 13: 450, Gen 14: 441
Gen 15: 455, Gen 16: 456

-Joke Pokémon: Looking at the current stats, the most powerful of them is Chatot with 411(technically Stunfisk with 471 but it has high stats due to its unique typing). However, both Pyukumuku and Corsola now reside at 410. While much improvement cannot be expected, we can see that this section is rather, dying. So we will not care for it, until it is revitalized.

-Low end species: With Qwilfish buffed to 440, this group's new borderline seems to be 440-460, as opposed to 430-460. It is likely that this group will take over the conventional weak 455 BST two stagers in the coming generations.

-Medium end species: With Lunatone and Solrock buffed to 460, it seems that borders of this group now start at 460 rather than 440. In the coming generations, this group should take over conventional second stagers.

-High end species: With Cryogonal buffed to 515, this group no longer ends at 490. While the gap still needs to be filled in, within next generations, this group will take over high end dual stage Pokémon.

-Alternate forms:
The maximum limits for generations are:

Gen IV: 520, Rotom forms.
Gen VI: 615, Mega Aerodactyl
Gen VII: 620, Wishiwashi School Form

Looking at this, within three generations it might be reasonable to expect an Uber-like form.

-Fishes: Looking at them:

Gen II: 430, Qwilfish
Gen V: 460, Basculin
Gen VII: 475, Bruxish

Looking at this, we can guess that;

Gen IX: 490
Gen XI: 505
Gen XIII: 520
Gen XV: 535

Within eight generations(24 years) we can expect a fish around Lapras' level.

-What else:

• It is unlikely that there will be single stager around the level of a legendary in the foreseeable future. There can be a Silvally situation, however.
• While single stagers have started to drive out two stagers to higher levels, they have not started to drive out three stagers yet. That will take time.
• Due to their currently limited amount, it is unlikely that single stagers will see significant boosts in the upcoming generations, though stat retcons will continue.
• Single stagers can take more archetypes. They have currently took over traditional fish archetypes, it shouldn't be unreasonable to expect them to take over other early route Pokémon, such as rodents, birds etc.

Edit (18.12.2019): Changed Pikaclone segment.

Some ideas on future third stage Pokémon

-Additional starter Pokémon: Similar to Simis, these secondary starters can work as replacements for species that are not obtained as starters. This idea would be good, because currently the only major third stagers are sadly starters.

These species can be at the lower end of starters, around 525 BST. They can be obtained in wild, or given after a specific period.

-Additional trade Pokémon: Not an idea I personally like, but trade Pokémon have been the primary drivers of three stage Pokémon for a long while. As trade evolutions have been declining in the last generations, this can bring them back to life.

-Additional three stage Electric-types: Another major third stage presenter, these can be expanded to make Electric-type more viable.

More specifically, Electric-type can have a honorary starter archetype, as an expansion to what we currently have.

-Additional three stage Psychic-types: More successors to Abra can be given. Psychic-types are missing powerful common species recently, so this can be a good way to bring back life.

-Additional three stage Steel-types: More successors to Magnemite can be given. Steel-types need more representatives, so this will be helpful.

-Additional three stage Ghost-types: More successors to Gastly can be given.

-Additional three stage Fighting-types: More successors to Machop can be given.

-Additional three stage Water-types: More successors to Poliwag would be... bad, but better than endless fishes.

-Other ideas:

1. New archetypes: Rather than expanding upon existing archetypes, completely new archetypes would be better. These can be utilized on underutilized types, such as Flying, Bug etc.
2. New tiers in-between standard Pokémon and legendaries: Currently common Pokémon can go up to 540 BST, while legendaries can go down to 570. More varied archetypes in this 30 BST gap can be created, similar to Archeops or Togekiss.
3. Pseudo-ubers: Similar to pseudo-legends, these will be Pokémon who have stats around 601-680 range, working similar to Ubers. These Pokémon will appear as post-game challenges, and be banned in initial tournaments, becoming legal after the second year.
4. Pseudo-sub-legendaries: These Pokémon will cover the 570-599 range, mimicking sub-legendaries. These Pokémon will be semi-final bosses, appearing before the showdown with the pseudo, around 7th badge or so.
5. Pseudo-Megas: Similar to the conventional trade evolutions, these would be species who have highly powered middle stages that can work competitively and in-game, but will have upgraded third stages that can be more varied. These species would go around pseudo-legendary level at max. The idea behind them would be to abuse Eviolite without creating cross-generational evolutions.
6. Psuedo-Mythicals: Similar to above, but a bit different, these species would have certain event-exclusive items and methods that would allow them to evolve to their true form, but would remain usable in their current situation.
7. Terrain bosses: Using the lore of Haxorus and Aggron, these would be powerful third stage Pokémon that would work similar to Totem Pokémon and act as mid-bosses. Their middle stages would be around conventional pseudo-legendary/starter middle stage level, while themselves would be around 525-540 range. They would be found in wild through special means.

Shitposting about economic development and Pokeymanz

A lot of developing regions will become significant in the future. Nonetheless:

1. It's unlikely that any Muslim state/country will be used, due to Islam's history with Pokémon. So countries like Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. are unlikely. Malaysia and Brunei (?) might be the exception, however(Singapore has an Islamic population, but they are not the dominant majority, far from it.)
2. Few Latin America countries have direct connections with Japan, though Japan is fascinated by Native American culture(North, Central and South) largely due to proposed connection between the two cultures.
3. Middle Eastern and African countries are unlikely to appear in Pokémon, due to rampant racism in Japan against those populations. Especially Israel, hilariously enough(remember, Japan was a fascist country and retains some of that to this day).
4. On the other hand, a Chinese region or regions are more than likely because of GameFreak's historical fascination with China, and Nintendo's intended expansion to mainland China.
5. One of the main hurdles however is the expansion of Nintendo to more territories. As Nintendo is far too focused on China and Russia instead of rest of Europe, it might take time for Nintendo to expand to further.
6. Former socialist countries will also have to wait for a while, especially Yugoslav countries, even after they all enter the EU and NATO.

Let's talk about (wild) Two Stage Evolutions and Middle Stage Evolutions and their erasure.

Warning, there are spoilers for games post Gen II including ORAS and XY. SuMo temporarily fixed the issues here, but I doubt it will be preserved:

The Next Best Thing: Part II.Half: The Reconsideration

So, this is a review of the people's suggestions for future gimmicks. Most of these have been from /vp/.

These suggestions have largely come from people's observations of the evolution of Pokémon's mechanics. These are:

Gen I: Start.
Gen II: Held Items, new types
Gen III: Abilities.
Gen IV: (Cross-gen evos), Physical/special split
Gen V: (Elemental gems), Abilities->Hidden abilities.
Gen VI: Cross-gen evos->Mega Evolution, new type.
Gen VII: Elemental gems->Z-Crystals

This gives us some roadmap as to what might be next:

1. Abilities: Currently biggest advancements to abilities have been HAs and Mega Evolutions, as well as form based ability differences within a species(Basculin, Meowstic). However, as of now, HAs are on the road to becoming obsolete, which means the road to "Ultimate Abilities" is now open.
2. Types: Biggest advancements to types have been physical-special split and recent type-based immunities, such as Prankster immunity or Spore moves immunity. While regional variants have created the idea of alternate types alongside Megas, a full on change in mechanics have not come. Most certainly there is no "Ultimate" form of types.
3. Held items: Held items have gained and continue to gain subgroups, but no major change for items have happened, besides form changer items and Z-crystals, which are key items that can work as held items.

 Looking at these, we can talk about these:

Abilities: An Ultimate variation of Abilities can work with a single item, an Ability Booster or a similar mechanic to Z-Crystals. Abilities themselves do not have their canonical subgroups, similar to how Moves and species have, so there is not much means of making this incredibly marketable. This will likely happen in the future, but it will likely take some time.

Types: An "Ultimate" variation of types can occur in several different methods, and individual species and subgroups can have their own subgroups. Such a mechanic will likely be introduced in order to replace type enhancing items, which are now obsolete.

Other mechanics such as type changers and type adders can also work with or without fleshing out.

Held items: An "Ultimate" version of items can only occur through an item upgrader of sorts, which cannot be held by individual Pokémon, but used as a mechanic or key item. This will be largely relevant to signature items, however.

Other proposed items include a full on body armor, similar to those in Insurgence.

Long term tentative projection for Pokémon franchise

Notes:

1. All generations that a remake happens is tentatively considered another timeline reboot.
2. Remakes are considered to occur within the year gap the last remake occurred from its original, but plus two years. So, 8(FR/LG),10(HGSS), 12(ORAS), 14(DPPt), 16(BW), 18(XY), 20(SM)... 
3. Each generation is expected to last only three years.
4. Every two generations is tentatively considered another console upgrade.
5. Non-remake games are expected to happen two years after, whereas remakes are expected to happen the year after a new generation is release, unless they are expected to happen due to rule 2.

Generation VII:
2018: Next Alolan game

Generation 8: --console upgrade--
2019: New generation
2020: DPPt remakes

Generation 9:
2022: New generation
2024: New generation's next game.

Generation 10: --console upgrade--
2025: New generation
2026: Gen V remakes (30th anniversary)

Generation 11:
2028: New generation
2030: New generation's next game.

Generation 12: --console upgrade--
2031: New generation
2032: XY remakes (Normally overlaps with the new generation, shifted by one year to get here.)

Generation 13:
2034: New generation
2036: SM remakes. (40th anniversary)

Generation 14: --console upgrade--
2037: New generation
2039: New generation's next game.

Generation 15:
2040: New generation
2041: Gen 9 remakes.

Generation 16: --console upgrade--
2043: New generation
2045: New generation's next game.

Generation 17:
2046: New generation (50th anniversary)
2047: Gen 10 remakes

Additional notes:

1. It seems these rules create the pattern of "remake and standalone" generations.
2. This pattern, if we follow the rule 2, seems unbreakable, as the gap between remakes never exceed 5 years. The only time this doesn't occur is Gen 12-13, which should be considered suspect, as a delay in this period can shift the entire schedule by a few years.
3. "Next game" is widely considered to be a sequel of sorts, but it doesn't have to be that way. It can also be an out of order remake, or a standalone mini-generation. Sadly, the only frameworks we have now are third versions and sequels.

 Other major anniversaries, for VC rereleases/GO generations:

1. 2019: 20th anniversary of Gold and Silver.Edit (16.12.2017): As of this date, GSC Pokémon has been released on GO, and Crystal will have been released on VC in January 2018.
2. 2022: 20th anniversary of Ruby and Sapphire.
3. 2026: 20th anniversary of Diamond and Pearl.
4. 2030: 20th anniversary of Black and White.
5. 2033: 20th anniversary of X and Y. (expected to delay)
6. 2036: 20th anniversary of Sun and Moon.

Other important benchmarks:

1. Generation 10: Hypothetical point for 1000 species, and 1000 indexed moves(different versions of Z-moves are considered separate moves)
2. Generation 14: Hypothetical point for 500 abilities.
3. Generation 11: Hypothetical point when one can make a team composed of gimmicks of generation(Mega Stones, Z-Crystals and their future successors.) 
4. Generation 14: Rough hypothetical point where Nintendo consoles are expected to reach current generation (mid-low end) computers.

Discussion about Pokémon Bank game ID datamine.

https://twitter.com/SciresM/status/823912536349229056
"Game IDs summary: 24/25 - XY. 26/27 - ORAS. 28/29 - unused pentagon. 30/31 - SM. 32/33 - unused alola. 34 - mystery horohoro. 35-41 - GB VC."

This little list might be confusing, but let me explain.

In the Pokémon data, each game a Pokémon originates from is marked with a game ID, including spin-off games such as XD. In Gen VI, the Pokémon originating from Gen VI games had a blue pentagon, alluding to the Kalos' star shape. In Sun and Moon, GO Pokémon and VC Pokémon have similar markers.

In the original release of Bank, people found out there was six games that would generate the pentagon marker, two which were XY, and we later found out that the two other were ORAS. The remaining two, likely alluding to Z, were never used, but remain in the code, as you can see on top.

Similarly, for Alola eligibility, we have four IDs, two for SM, and two for futureproofing. And for VC, we have a similar thing, 4 for the VC titles, Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and 3 for future proofing.

So what are these futureproofs? Well,

-The three remaining GB titles are obviously GSC games. Original GS were released to be compatible for the original GB, while Crystal was exclusive to Color. As 20th anniversary of GS is 2019, which will be at the tail end of Gen VII, it makes sense to futureproof their VC releases here.

-As for Alola titles, we have something fishier. Traditionally, even generations produce remakes, while odd ones don't, minus Gen III. As SM were alluding to GSC and DPPt, and because it would be their 10th anniversary, many people expected DPPt remakes to come in this generation. But remake generations generally go for a third version in addition the remakes, or in XY's case, have placeholders for such an event. But this generation only has two placeholders, meaning they are not going to follow that formula.

Similarly, since the games are supposed to be eligible with SM, that means they won't release into another console.

Or, in laymen's terms, there is not going to be a DPPt remake set or Switch game in this generation.

What we will likely have is a non-traditional third version, similar to B2/W2, for 3DS, in 2018. Or, perhaps even more likely, no future games for Gen VII.

Moves obtained by mythicals that are not obtained by cover legendaries or Mewtwo

 XY legends were based off Hyper Beam/Giga Impact, and S/M legendaries were based off Cosmic Power, so,,

Notes on future Pokémon pairs after Sun and Moon

While it is likely that the next pair will have an unrelated title duo to previous stuff but assuming we don't: