Pokémon Winds & Waves Leaked Combat Confirms What We All Hoped For

The reveal of Pokémon Winds & Waves confirmed a few key aspects of the game, but it was pretty light on details. While we now know the starters for the Gen 10 games and the overall vibe of the setting, there’s still no word on most of the key gameplay mechanics. Luckily, rumors and leaks have picked up some of the slack, including providing an alleged answer to what to expect from the games’ combat.

According to an X post from Pokémon leaker BallGuy last November, the battle system in Pokémon Winds & Waves will be comparable to a “more seamless version of [Pokémon Legends: Arceus]‘s combat.” The core of the system will remain turn-based, but free roam movement and Z-A revisions like AOE effects will appear. BallGuy sums it up as “the best possible implementation.”

Will Pokémon Winds & Waves Feature Turn-Based Combat?

All Signs Point To Yes

Pokemon Winds and Waves Starters from the back

Although we don’t have any official confirmation yet of BallGuy’s explanation, it makes sense as the next step for the Pokémon series. The Switch 2 provides an opportunity for the games to embrace new approaches, but moving too far from traditional series staples would likely upset many long-time fans.

Pokémon combat is at an interesting juncture right now, as Pokémon Legends: Z-A pivoted to a real-time combat system. As spin-offs, the Legends games don’t have a direct bearing on the mainline series, but it’s nonetheless a major departure from the approach taken by any similar Pokémon games of the past. While the real-time approach reinvigorated some fans’ interest in the series, plenty of veterans are attached to the traditional turn-based model.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Real-Time Combat Was A Departure

That Might Just Be A One-Off Thing

A terrified Trainer runs away from a Crobat and two Golbats in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Based on BallGuy’s explanation, it looks like the Pokémon Legends: Z-A approach might remain a one-off for now, although it could always return in future Legends games. Even so, the use of Z-A-inspired AOE effects means it could have some impact on Pokémon Winds & Waves, which might be the best of both worlds.

In the meantime, Pokémon Pokopia and Pokémon Champions are two 2026 releases that will also provide distinct experiences from the mainline series. Pokémon Pokopia has been a smash success so far, proving that a Pokémon game doesn’t even need combat to win over fans and setting a high standard for Switch 2 releases.

Hopefully, Pokémon Winds & Waves can rise above other recent mainline games to live up to the hopes for the franchise on the Switch 2. If the rumored combat system pans out, it should be off to a good start.