>>36701426This is also how to retcon megas. Tyrogue and the sHitmons set the precedent for stat based branching evolution and they can add in some happiness and/or affection requirements to keep in line with the recent "power of love and friendship brings out their true potential" bullshit. Make new baby forms for Mawile, Sableye, Kangaskhan, Absol, and the other single stages that have megas (or make the megas a regular evolution entirely- not giving Sableye an evo called Gemineye is a missed opportunity), leave Fug as is, and give Mewtwo a short laboratory experiment side quest that ends with choosing between forms at will. While they're at it they could explore negative happiness evolutions to old happiness evo lines since the Frustration mechanic already uses it:
Happiny - Chansey - Blissey/Angrey
Igglybuff - Jigglypuff/Meanypuff - Wigglytuff/Pistuff
Cleffa - Clefairy/Clefae - Clefable/Clef(h)aunt
Riolu - Lucario/Darkora since it's the aura pokemon
etc
They'll never do it since they can slap the Pokemon logo on a pile of dog shit and it would sell millions, but there's potential to make the series great again with the slightest amount of effort.
