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Nintendo Highlights Pokemon X & Y Battle Scenarios & Communication Feature

GAME FREAK Inc. director Junichi Masuda revealed new battle scenarios and the communication feature for Pokémon X & Y during a roundtable discussion at E3 on Tuesday. The discussion included Masuda and president and CEO of The Pokémon Company Tsunekazu Ishihara.

Pokémon X & Y will introduce Horde Encounters and Sky Battles to the Pokémon franchise. Horde Encounters occur when large numbers of Pokémon such as Houndour, Axew, Tauros, and Miltank appear in the wild. Players will have to fight off a group with only a single Pokémon at their disposal using multi-target attacks.

Select trainers will challenge players to Sky Battles that players can only participate in if they have a Flying-type Pokémon in their party.

The also includes a brand-new communication feature known as the Player Search System or PSS. PSS allows players to connect, battle, and trade with other players nearby and around the world. When PSS is on, it alerts players when someone nearby is playing Pokémon X/Y and gives you the option to battle or trade with them wirelessly. Players with a wireless Internet connection can also connect with Pokémon X/Y players anywhere in the world.

The discussion also introduced three new Pokémon with detailed descriptions:

Talonflame, the evolved form of Fletchling, is a Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon that gains a whole new level of speed and firepower. Reaching speeds of up to 310 mph when diving for its prey, Talonflame can attack its foes with devastating kicks while embers spew from its body as it zooms through the sky. Talonflame knows Brave Bird, one of the strongest Flying-type moves. Use Brave Bird carefully, though, because the incredible strength of this move also does damage to the user.

Clauncher, the Water Gun Pokémon, uses its one oversized claw not only to seize prey but also to shoot condensed water at others as a projectile. This capability is so intense that it can crack a boulder! A Water-type Pokémon, Clauncher can also use its giant claw to crush opponents with the powerful Water-type move Crabhammer, which is more likely to land a critical hit. Critical hits against opposing Pokémon will do twice the usual damage.

Skrelp, a Poison- and Water-type Pokémon appears to be nothing more than a rotting piece of kelp, but don't let its appearance fool you. Using its unique look to its benefit, Skrelp pretends to be a piece of seaweed, and when prey wander past it, Skrelp bathes them in poison so they can't struggle when it attacks. Skrelp uses the Poison-type move Sludge Bomb, a move that can leave opposing Pokémon poisoned. A poisoned Pokémon will slowly take damage over the length of a battle.

The new features were previewed in a gameplay trailer on Tuesday. Pokémon X & Y will be available at launch in seven languages including English, Japanese, French, Italian, German, Korean, or Spanish.

Pokémon X & Pokémon Y will be released worldwide on October 12 for US$39.99.