"Pokémon Winds and Waves" is at the center of a new rumor that details the new Pokémon forms, as well as the Legendaries of the Generation 10 region.
The leak also hints at a new battle mechanic at the heart of the game.
'Pokémon Winds and Waves': New Forms Are Coming
According to a post by a leaker on X named Light_88_, it is being suggested that "Pokémon Winds and Waves" will introduce new forms to a large number of existing Pokémon through a previously leaked battle gimmick called Netsu.
The leak does not include any images of these forms, so the exact visual changes remain unknown.
🚨 Pokémon Winds & Waves – Potential Leak (Rumor)
— Light (@Light_88_) July 4, 2026
• The box legendaries are reportedly getting new gimmick forms and are expected to play a much bigger role in both the story and gameplay than in recent mainline titles.
• Unlike Pokémon X & Y, Sword & Shield, and Scarlet &… pic.twitter.com/ZAmVpHQ1nr
What the leak does claim is that some of these new forms will be tied directly to DLC, meaning not all of them will be accessible in the base game.
Previous generations have taken different approaches to how much their battle gimmick changes a Pokémon's appearance. Mega Evolution gave select Pokémon dramatically different designs, while Terastallization in "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet" applied to every Pokémon but with minimal visual distinction.
Based on the DLC angle in this leak, at least some of the new forms in "Winds and Waves" appear to be more substantial visual redesigns rather than minor overlays.
Legendaries Also Getting New Forms on 'Winds and Waves'
According to GameRant, the most significant part of the leak concerns the box art Legendary Pokémon.
Per Light_88_, the two flagship Legendaries for "Winds" and "Waves" will play a larger role in both the story and gameplay than any previous generation's box art Legendaries have. They will also receive unique forms connected specifically to the new battle gimmick.
Previous leaks had already described the "Pokémon Winds" Legendary as a Garuda-like creature and the "Pokémon Waves" Legendary as a Naga-like mermaid figure. The Gen 9 box art Legendaries, Koraidon and Miraidon, were deeply integrated into both the story and the traversal mechanics of "Scarlet and Violet."
If this new leak is accurate, "Winds and Waves" is aiming for something even more tightly woven between the Legendaries, the world, and how battles actually play out.
'Pokémon Winds and Waves' New Gen 10 Battle Experience
The Netsu mechanic, which was referenced in an earlier separate leak, is now gaining more context through this latest report. It appears to be a form-changing system tied to the Legendary Pokémon in a meaningful way, with additional Pokémon receiving their own Netsu forms on top of that.
The inclusion of DLC-locked forms suggests Game Freak is planning a longer post-launch content cycle, similar to what "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet" received through its two expansion packs.
That said, fans are torn between the different battle mechanics presented by the franchise, especially as 2025's "Pokémon Legends: Z-A" introduced the real-time battling experience while older games centered on turn-based combat.
Starter type leaks have also been circulating separately, suggesting the final evolutions for Browt, Pombon, and Gecqua will be Grass/Ground, Fire/Fairy, and Water/Psychic-type, respectively.
"Pokémon Winds and Waves" is expected to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 in Fall 2027, and official reveals beyond the three starters are likely still several months away.
