When it does, fans will once again go through the motions of fake leaks, news, trailers, new gimmicks, and more. There will be debate over the gen 9 starters, any new Pokemon, the legendaries, which to buy, and so on. But many players may be hoping for a new Eeveelution in Pokemon Gen 9, especially given how Sylveon was added in Gen 6, but that feels very unlikely.

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Pokemon Pattern Could Suggest No Eeveelution in Gen 9

There’s an easily identifiable pattern when it comes to how Game Freak adds new Eeveelutions. Obviously, there was the first gen that began with Eevee and its first trio of evolutions: Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. The second generation of Pokemon games would add Espeon and Umbreon, fan-favorites to this day, but then the third generation did not add a new Eeveelution. It was shocking for the time, but not in hindsight.

In Generation 4, Leafeon and Glaceon would join the line-up—bringing the total number of Eeveelutions to 7. But then, generation 5 would not add a new Eeveelution. Gen 6 did though, with the new Fairy-type Sylveon bringing that total to 8. At this point, it’s pretty clear that every other generation, or more specifically every even-numbered generation beyond the first gen, would add an Eeveelution. Game Freak still threw a curveball with Gen 8 though.

Pokemon Gens Beyond Gen 1 That Added Eeveelution: 2, 4, 6 Pokemon Gens Beyond Gen 1 That DID NOT Add Eeveelutions: 3, 5, 7, 8

Pokemon Sword and Shield Disrupts and Confuses the Eeveelution Pattern

The problem with this pattern is Pokemon Sword and Shield. Many expected something like a Steel-type evolution of Eevee to join the roster because of the overall theme but also because this was Generation 8. Every even-numbered gen, to this point, had added an Eeveelution, meaning this would probably add one, but it did not. So, with this in mind, it’s not impossible Gen 9 adds a new Eeveelution in place of Gen 8, but there is one potential problem with this.

Technically speaking, Eeveelutions are new forms of Eevee’s evolutions, a small but important distinction to consider because Gen 8 did have a special Gigantamax form for Eevee, something not every Pokemon received. Technically speaking, Gen 8 did add a new form for Eevee, just one through the gimmick and one that’s not technically an Eeveelution but very similar.

Assuming Game Freak is counting Gigantamax Eevee as a new form, somewhat filling that Eeveelution hole, Gen 9 is not likely to add a new one. It’s not impossible, but it doesn’t seem likely. So, as it stands, Pokemon fans may very well be waiting for Gen 10—sometime around 2025 or 2026.

Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now.

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