The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk DLC expansions forPokemon Scarlet and Violetare set to take players on new adventures outside the Paldea Region and feature a handful of new and returning monsters for players to collect. While these DLCs were not unexpected afterPokemon Sword and Shieldreceived two expansions – The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra – there are higher expectations for these new expansions than for Gen 8’s DLCs. The Teal Mask has the greatest expectations placed on it, and it could set the tone for the expansion as a whole.
Although it wasn’t the return to Kalos many fans were expecting, the DLC forPokemon Scarlet and Violetstill gives players a chance to explore the world outside the Paldea Region on a school trip to the land of Kitakami in The Teal Mask and as part of an exchange program with Blueberry Academy in The Indigo Disk. Much like howPokemon Sword and Shield’s DLC opened up new areas within the Galar Region for players to explore, this DLC will likely do the same for the latest games. However, there are few things The Teal Mask needs to get right beyond just being a new area to explore to live up to the expectations put upon it.
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The Teal Mask Can’t Repeat the Mistakes of The Isle of Armor
Pokemon Sword and Shieldbroke the typical formula for the series by being the first mainline entries to receive DLC rather than alternate versions or sequels. As such, there were not a lot of expectations forThe Isle of Armor and Crown Tundraexpansions since this was an unprecedented move for the franchise at that point. Even so, The Isle of Armor was met with somewhat underwhelmed reactions, as its titular area felt limited, and the new mechanics it introduced didn’t feel like true endgame content.
Although The Isle of Armor soured fans perceptions of the DLC forPokemon Sword and Shield, the whole of the expansion was redeemed with the exciting additions found in the second wave, The Crown Tundra. This DLC not only had an exciting new area to explore, but a handful of new Legendaries to capture and a fantastic endgame experience in the form ofDynamax Adventures. With the release of The Crown Tundra, the expansion forPokemon Sword and Shieldfinally felt complete, but expectations have changed forPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s DLC now that fans know what to expect from mainlinePokemongame expansions.
The Teal Mask has the chance to right the wrongs of The Isle of Armor and establish itself as a necessary piece of add-on content before The Indigo Disk releases and completes the expansion. ForThe Teal Maskto meet expectations, it needs to offer players a robust area to explore given how open the world of Paldea is in the base game. Beyond the world and new creatures, players need a reason to keep coming back to this DLC with its own unique endgame farm that can build upon the Tera Raids for Herba Mystica that comprise the current endgame farm of the base game.
With The Teal Mask planned to release in Fall 2023 andThe Indigo Diskin Winter 2023, there won’t be a lot of room for these two expansions to stand on their own. This could indicate that The Teal Mask is more limited in scope and requires The Indigo Disk for the full DLC experience. However, it could also be the perfect amount of time for players to complete one DLC and immediately jump into the next if The Teal Mask’s content is robust enough.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare available now for Nintendo Switch.
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