The latest news about Pokémon Champions has got us all talking, and not everyone’s happy about it. The upcoming game will only include fully evolved Pokémon at launch, which means some of our favorite pocket monsters won’t make the cut. We’re talking about beloved Pokémon like Porygon2, Clefairy, and other fan favorites that happen to be middle evolutions or single-stage Pokémon.

The news broke earlier today from CentroLeaks, one of the most reliable sources for Pokémon information:

“For now Pokémon Champions will only be compatible with fully evolved Pokémon. Developers have confirmed that non fully evolved Pokémon like Porygon2 and Clefairy won’t exist in the game, but could be added in the future.” — @CentroLeaks

This decision has split our community right down the middle. On one hand, some trainers are excited about a game that focuses purely on the strongest forms of each evolutionary line. It could make battles more intense and strategic since we’d all be working with maxed-out teams from the start.

But here’s where it gets controversial. Many of us have deep connections to Pokémon that aren’t fully evolved. Porygon2 has been a competitive staple for years thanks to its incredible bulk with an Eviolite. Clefairy might not be as strong as Clefable, but it’s got that nostalgic charm that many of us grew up with. And let’s not forget about Pokémon like Chansey, which some trainers actually prefer over Blissey in certain situations.

The competitive scene is already buzzing with questions. How will this change team building? Will the meta become more aggressive since everyone’s running fully evolved powerhouses? Some of us who love using unexpected picks like Dusclops or Pikachu are feeling pretty left out right now.

What makes this even more frustrating is that it feels like an arbitrary limitation. We’ve always been able to choose whether to evolve our Pokémon or keep them in their earlier forms. That choice has been part of what makes Pokémon special. Now we’re being told that choice doesn’t matter in Champions.

From a development standpoint, this decision probably makes sense. Focusing on fully evolved Pokémon means fewer models to create, fewer movesets to balance, and a more streamlined experience. The developers are likely trying to create a specific vision for Champions that emphasizes end-game power levels.

But here’s the thing – Pokémon has never been just about having the strongest team. It’s about the bond between trainer and Pokémon, regardless of evolution stage. Some of us have been using the same Pikachu or Eevee for years because they mean something to us. Champions feels like it’s missing that emotional connection.

The good news is that developers haven’t completely shut the door on non-evolved Pokémon. They’ve confirmed that these Pokémon “could be added in the future,” which suggests we might see them in updates or DLC. That gives us hope that our favorites might eventually join the roster.

This also raises questions about how Champions fits into the larger Pokémon ecosystem. Is this meant to be a more competitive-focused experience? A showcase for fully realized Pokémon designs? Or just a different way to experience the franchise we love?

Looking ahead, we’ll probably learn more about Champions and its roster decisions in the coming weeks. The developers clearly have a specific vision for this game, and while it might not include everyone’s favorites at launch, there’s still potential for the roster to grow.

For now, we’ll have to wait and see how this plays out. Maybe Champions will surprise us with how fun it is to battle with only fully evolved teams. Or maybe the community feedback will convince developers to expand the roster sooner than planned. Either way, we’ll be keeping a close eye on any updates about our missing favorites making their way into the game.