The latest Pokémon revealed in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet strongly resembles the mimic monsters from Dungeons & Dragons. In DnD, the mimic is a creature that polymorphs into a shape that will cause people to investigate them, so that they can surprise and eat their prey. Mimics most commonly impersonate treasure chests in dungeons. Creatures that are similar to the mimic have appeared in many fantasy video games, including the Dark Souls and Dragon Quest series.

One of the recent Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailers introduced Gimmighoul, a new Ghost-type Pokémon that has multiple forms. In Pokémon GO, Gimmighoul has its Roaming Form, where it resembles an insect carrying a coin, while in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it has a Chest Form, which resembles a treasure chest with coins. It's clear that Gimmighoul has a lot in common with DnD's mimics and their derivatives in fantasy media.

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Gimmighoul Is A DnD Mimic In Pokémon Form

Gimmighoul in its chest in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Gimmighoul's Chest Form looks just like the kind of treasure chest that a player would run to in a game like The Legend of Zelda. These kinds of chests usually hold money or special items, and even the fearsome long-legged mimics of Dark Souls aren't enough to dissuade players from checking them out. DnD players have advice for dealing with mimics, but it's often ignored by the overeager, who just run to the treasure straight away.

In a sense, Gimmighoul's Chest Form is intended to play on someone's gaming expectations. In the Pokémon video games, the equivalent to treasure chests in other video games are abandoned Poké Balls, which are found on the overworld and contain all kinds of items. This almost makes Gimmighoul function like an evil version of Mimikyu, as that creature dresses like a Pikachu in the hopes of being caught, whereas Gimmighoul attempts to lure greedy humans, who come rushing to a chest in search of loot, and soon become its prey.

Unlike the mimics in DnD (and some of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's deadlier creatures, like Greavard), Gimmighoul doesn't actually hurt the people who approach it. It uses its supernatural powers to control humans and make them bring it coins, which it adds to its chest, but the people themselves are no worse for wear. The Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are still being announced, but Gimmighoul has one of the most striking designs of the current crop, both in how it evokes a recurring video game and Dungeons & Dragons monster, and in how it plays on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet players' expectations.

Next: D&D's Clerics Create A Dragonlance Timeline Problem

Source: The Official Pokémon YouTube Channel/YouTube

  • Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Game Poster
    Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
    Released:
    2022-11-18
    Developer(s):
    Game Freak
    Franchise:
    Pokemon
    Genre(s):
    RPG, Adventure, Action
    Platform(s):
    Nintendo Switch
    Publisher(s):
    Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
    ESRB:
    E
    Summary:
    Pokémon returns in its next installment series: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Set in a fictional town near Mediterranean Spain, gamers will explore Paldea, catching new and classic Pokémon. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the first ever open-world game in the series and features new Pokémon that can transform into vehicles. Pokémon staples like gym battles are still present, but co-op exploration and Terastallize battles are also introduced.
    Multiplayer:
    Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
    Prequel:
    Pokémon Sword and Shield
    Mode:
    Single Player, Multiplayer
    How Long To Beat:
    31 Hours