Here’s an ask I’ve thought of after re-reading some of your past Pokemon reviews… If you had to design an evolved form for one single-stage Pokemon (not counting the ones for whom you’ve already discussed ideas for evolutions, e.g. Pachirisu in your Top 10 Worst Pokemon list), which one would you choose and how would you pull it off in a meaningful fashion? Conversely, which single-stage would you give a PRE-evolution?

Hmm… well, outside of the ones I already talked about in that series, the one I most want to see evolved is easily Dunsparce; the problem is that Dunsparce is such a weird and unique creature that it’s difficult to know what to do with him, stylistically.  I feel like he should have the head of a Chinese dragon with the whiskers and antler-like horns, a feathery body, still small wings but multiple pairs (which he uses to ‘swim’ through the ground; yes I know that doesn’t make sense), a larger, more vicious-looking drill, and his existing yellow/black/white colour scheme.  Normal/Dragon type, Levitate in place of Run Away, keeping Serene Grace.  It’s said that if you catch a wild one with your bare hands and hold onto it while it tunnels through the earth to escape, this Pokémon will grant you a wish.

I often have difficulty with pre-evolutions; I don’t always see the point of them.  Manktyke I get, because I like how the unique evolution method ties him to Remoraid.  Tyrogue I get because they wanted to link Himonchan and Hitmonlee.  Munchlax I get because he actually makes an interesting contrast with Snorlax’s inactivity.  In many cases, though, they’re just smaller, cuter versions of Pokémon that were small and cute to begin with; I don’t see why that’s necessary.  I guess if I had to do one, I’d go with a baby form of Druddigon – soft and cute on the outside, but just as bad-tempered on the inside, with a conniving streak that it uses to trick prey into its cave.