Recent leaks circulating online suggest that the forthcoming Pokémon titles, tentatively titled Pokémon Winds and Waves, may feature a new battle gimmick centered around weather-based forms for existing monsters. This rumor has ignited discussion and brought renewed attention to Castform, a Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire that possesses a similar unique ability.
According to a claim made by X user @kurwashibamaste, Pokémon Winds and Waves could introduce 300 new monsters, including regional variants. While the authenticity of such leaks is often debated, the specific mention of weather forms for Pokémon has resonated due to Castform's established mechanic. Castform, created by researchers at Hoenn's Weather Institute, is a sentient droplet whose type and appearance change dynamically based on the prevailing weather conditions.
Despite its unique concept, Castform has historically been considered a novelty Pokémon. Its base stats across all forms remain a modest 70, placing it in the ZU (ZeroUsed) tier according to competitive battling communities like Smogon, indicating limited competitive viability. The anime adaptation saw Castform feature in an episode titled "Unfair Weather Friends," where its trainer was named Bart.
However, the potential for new Pokémon titles to explore weather-based transformations acknowledges Castform's pioneering role. As the series' first attempt at a form-changing Pokémon, Castform can be seen as a precursor to later mechanics like Arceus's type changes, Silvally's memory drives, regional variants, and now, potentially, these rumored weather forms in Pokémon Winds and Waves. The leaks, therefore, indirectly give Castform a form of appreciation by highlighting the evolution of its experimental gimmick within the franchise.