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The only thing that makes me think it could be used/expanded on in gen 9 is that this generation’s gimmick isn’t a complete abandonment of previous gimmicks, but instead it appears to be an attempt to combine the previous two generations’ gimmicks into one.
Mega evolutions increase stats and gave new designs to select pokemon, but since they only made a handful of mega evolutions, it over-centralized the usage of a handful of pokemon while the other 98% got no advantage from the mechanic whatsoever. The custom stat distributions and ability changes even created a tier list among the small pool of mega choices, resulting in everyone running the same 2-3 megas and ignoring the rest. Dynamax/gigantimax still allows custom designs for certain pokemon (great for merchandising), but now even the most autistic choice for your favorite pokemon can take advantage of the mechanic, and the benefit of the mechanic is more evenly distributed among your party.
Z-moves are obviously the basis for Max moves, you just aren’t limited to one element/move per pokemon now. It also had the issue where some evolution lines benefited more than others with custom Z-moves for a select few, whereas Max moves give benefit to every pokemon in your party more evenly.
Dynamax/gigantimax also makes these mechanics more accessible without needing to use up valuable item slots, especially if you want to give yourself options. Now you can have 6 viable options for your mega mechanic and 24 viable moves for your z-move mechanic for 0 item slots instead of needing to use 2 item slots just to have the option between two megas or two Z-moves.
NOW, whether you think dynamax/gigantimax itself is balanced or not isn’t something I’m passing judgement on; it just seems that the gimmicks have been combined and made more accessible, and I can see them balancing/tuning this mechanic more instead of abandoning it wholesale for something different.
