Trainers!
Pokémon Day 2023 had an exciting Pokémon Presents that brought to us several bits of info on various Pokémon games, including Scarlet and Violet. Not only did we get to have a sneak peak into the upcoming DLC but we also got introduced to 2 new Paradox mons: Walking Wave (Paradox Suicune) that is exclusive to Scarlet, and Iron Leaves (Paradox Virizion) that is exclusive to Violet.
One of the most unique aspects of these games (apart from the Terastallization gimmick) is the introduction of Paradox Pokémon, past and future forms that look similar to certain existing Pokémon, but are entirely different Pokémon altogether. They are similar in essence to Ultra Beasts, except for the fact that Paradox mons are not from another dimension… rather, they are from different timelines.
At the time of writing this article, these two mysterious Pokémon are the most recent catchable mons in the MSG. So like I’d done for Roaring Moon (Paradox Salamence) and Iron Valiant (Paradox Gardevoir/Gallade), I reckoned I should do the same for Walking Wake as well!
Introduction to Walking Wake
Walking Wake is a Water and Dragon type Paradox Pokémon that is exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet.
It has a very raptor-like design, complemented with a feral and draconic outlook. It literally looks like ‘Suicune but a dinosaur’.
Main Series Stats
Walking Wake has the following stats in the MSG:
| HP | 99 |
| ATK | 83 |
| DEF | 91 |
| SpA | 125 |
| SpD | 83 |
| Spe | 109 |
Stats in Pokémon GO
The following article explains how one can obtain a Pokémon’s stats in GO from its MSG stats. Based on the mathematical formulae for the same, we obtain the following values for Walking Wake:
ATK: 256
DEF: 188
HP: 223
Max CP (lvl 50): 4206
Walking Wake’s stats are extremely similar another Dragon type: Hydreigon, which has 256 ATK, 188 DEF, and 211 HP. Their stats are so strikingly similar that they have to be compared to each other!
Comparison with Hydreigon in Pokémon GO
Walking Wake is a bulkier Hydreigon (not by much) and a Water sub-typing instead of Dark. Straight off the bat, Walking Wake gains a huge advantage in terms of typing. Hydreigon’s slew of weakness (including the confounded double weakness to Fairy has served as a bane to Hydreigon since time immemorial. However, the dual typing of Water and Dragon is not only a good typing per se, it is one of the best type combos for a dragon. As such, Walking Wake loses its weakness to Ice, and gains exceptional resistances to the Fire, Water and Steel types. It ends up being weak to only the Dragon and Fairy types; being able to counter dragons. And if it gets a good Water type move, it can have something to deal with fairies as well.
Now, as a Dragon type, Hydreigon doesn’t make any noise in either PvP or PvE. With the right moveset, Walking Wake can actually be a red alert Dragon type that could fit into the Master League meta like a glove and even have a positive outing in PvE.
Comparison with Palkia in Pokémon GO
It is easy to interpret that Palkia takes the cake as a better Pokémon overall. But then Palkia has some limitations that Walking Wake can take advantage of, and as such, carve a niche for itself (particularly in the Master League).
The reasoning for this is two-fold as both Pokémon share :
- See, Palkia lacks a Water type fast move in GO. So if Walking Wake can get a good pair of fast and charged Water moves, it could be an amazing addition to the ML meta, behind the likes of Kyogre and a better option than Gyarados. Yes, the prospects are exciting!
- Even as a Dragon type, Palkia is only able to make use of the expensive and self-debuffing Draco Meteor. So if Walking Wake gets something draconic to swipe with, it can be breaking news in the meta!
In a nutshell, giving viable Water and/or Dragon type moves to Walking Wake can actually help it become more usable than Palkia in ML!
Viable Moveset Options
It is pretty obvious that Walking Wake will work very well in Pokémon GO if it is blessed with the right moveset. So instead of putting across its entire movepool, I shall present moves that would make Walking Wake meta relevant, and a worthy monster to compete with Hydreigon and Palkia in terms of usability. So here are the moves that would matter:
| Fast Moves | Charged Moves |
|---|---|
|
|
For PvP
Walking Wake can do great stuff here. What it really, really needs is any or both of its Dragon fast moves AND Breaking Swipe. The latter is an exemplary charged move that works well in both PvP and PvE for that matter. Yes, Mud Shot is nice but I’ll rather focus on STAB here and give the spotlight on things that would help it stand out as a dragon.
Dragon Breath/Tail + Breaking Swipe would directly make it a better Hydreigon and be worthy of being chosen over Palkia. This is undoubtedly the best it could get! In addition, Waterfall would also be handy but at the end of the day, it is going to benefit a lot more with Dragon Breath/Tail.
And plug in Surf as a second charged move, and Walking Wake would walk with utter dominance. This mon has limited moves that can be applied to Pokémon GO, so it is a pretty easy job for Niantic to give it these moves. See it be a threat to even Dragon and Fairy types that are technically more powerful in ML!
To sum it up, Walking Wake can become a formidable Pokémon in the ML meta if it gets Dragon Breath/Dragon Tail/Waterfall paired with Breaking Swipe and Surf.
For PvE
As a Dragon type
Dragon Tail and Outrage is any Dragon type’s bread and butter for max DPS. Unfortunately for Walking Wake… Rayquaza, Salamence, Garchomp, and Dragonite… all learn this combo. But Walking Wake would still be a very viable Dragon type to use in raids.
As a Water type
With Waterfall and Surf, it would be a welcome addition to the Water type PvE meta. It goes without saying that with the respective ideal moveset, Walking Wake would be a better Water type than a Dragon type in PvE.
The Overall Best Moveset Scenario
Fast moves: Dragon Breath, Dragon Tail, Waterfall
Charged moves: Breaking Swipe, Outrage, Surf
Type-matchups
Walking Wake has a very impressive defensive profile. A Dragon type that resists Steel? Yes please! Its ideal Dragon PvP moveset will be a thorn in the stride of every other Dragon type while STAB Surf does neat damage to both Fairy and Steel types. Bring it on!
Parting words…
A new Dragon type is always a thrilling addition to the meta, especially when it has the potential to be of use. And Walking Wake is no ordinary Dragon type! It’s a meaner avatar of the elegant Suicune that most of us have adored for years.
This is one of those rare instances where the said Pokémon has everything right going for it… stats, movepool, typing, viability, lore, and design (yo it looks fabulous!).
Walking Wake already has WW as its initials. Niantic can add another W to its profile if they treat this dragon right!
Dracarys
