>>54530479>Zoroark is a failed shillmon and was extremely hard to catch.Just because it was a "failure" that doesn't dismiss the notion that it was furbait. It had the exact same formula as Lucario where it's a non-legendary Pokemon used as a mascot for a movie to promote the upcoming generation.
>that were given early in the gamesRiolu is only obtained from an egg in an optional area accessible when you're about halfway through the game.
Gen 5 is not exempt from the anthropomorphic "shill" designs whether you want to accept it or not