JFrombaugh
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At one point it was mentioned that there are 18 Gyms across Galar, with some being in the Major League and the others in the Minor League, which explains the version differences in the Gyms you fight. However, it was since clarified by GameFreak that there are in fact only 8 Gyms, and now that SwSh are out, lo and behold - there's no real reference to a Major League or Minor League in the games.
However, the badge icons for all 18 types can be seen in the end credits, Gym uniforms for all 18 types are purchasable in the boutiques, and judging by what the League Cards say about the rivalry between Melony & Gordie, both are in fact Gym Leaders in-universe, which is how we got that soccer rivalry style split between Circhester. So is it possible we could see the other 8 types return as Gyms in a third version or sequel that takes place in a different year?
In any case, here are some of my predictions about the Minor League (until proven otherwise by GameFreak):
-There are 10 Gyms total instead of the usual 8 (reflecting the 18 types of Pokemon).
-The Minor League badges are silver instead of gold.
-Instead of Stadiums, the Minor League Gyms are private buildings which function much more like traditional Gyms from other regions - and therefore, they can't use Dynamax. They still have Gym Missions & corresponding uniforms for their Leaders & Gym Trainers to wear though - the same ones you can buy in the uniform shops.
-Despite the fact that their facilities are not suited to it, some of the Gigantamax Pokémon we don't see used by any NPCs in-game are in fact the aces of the Minor League Gym Leaders. For example, a Snorlax that can Gigantamax is the Normal-type Leader's ace Pokémon, while the Psychic-type Leader owns a Gigantamax Orbeetle.
-There are a number of factors that determine whether or not a Gym Leader makes the Major League. The most important factor is their record in official ranked battles or off-season exhibition matches. Basically the officials want to make sure that the matches that people go to the Stadiums to watch are as "good" as possible. If a Gym Leader has the right kind of personality as well (i.e charismatic, would show devotion to any fanbase they might get) they also have a better chance of being offered a position at one of Galar's stadiums. And finally, seniority - judging by how much older the Gym Leaders seem to be on average compared to past Gens, I think that the Leaders who have been in the Galar League longer are first up to be promoted as long as they meet the other requirements.
-Spikemuth has been a Minor League Gym city for most of its existence and when they made the Major League Rose wanted to move them to a typical League Stadium but was met with heavy resistance by Piers and his supporters (his dialogue in game strongly alludes to this)
-Bea and Melony are the favorites in their hometowns from last year, but in this year’s League, the lineup has changed a bit. In Sword for example, Allister decided he was content with being in the Minor League due to his shyness & dislike of having to make public appearances, while Gordie has finally "made it" into the Major League by proving himself in battle.
-Trainers who get all 10 Minor League badges are eligible to enter the Champion’s Cup in Wyndon; however, because the Major League Gym Leaders are more well-known in Galar and tend to have more experience under their belts, the Gym Challengers who qualify by defeating the Minor League are generally seen more as the "Wild Cards" who are less likely to actually become Champion.
However, the badge icons for all 18 types can be seen in the end credits, Gym uniforms for all 18 types are purchasable in the boutiques, and judging by what the League Cards say about the rivalry between Melony & Gordie, both are in fact Gym Leaders in-universe, which is how we got that soccer rivalry style split between Circhester. So is it possible we could see the other 8 types return as Gyms in a third version or sequel that takes place in a different year?
In any case, here are some of my predictions about the Minor League (until proven otherwise by GameFreak):
-There are 10 Gyms total instead of the usual 8 (reflecting the 18 types of Pokemon).
-The Minor League badges are silver instead of gold.
-Instead of Stadiums, the Minor League Gyms are private buildings which function much more like traditional Gyms from other regions - and therefore, they can't use Dynamax. They still have Gym Missions & corresponding uniforms for their Leaders & Gym Trainers to wear though - the same ones you can buy in the uniform shops.
-Despite the fact that their facilities are not suited to it, some of the Gigantamax Pokémon we don't see used by any NPCs in-game are in fact the aces of the Minor League Gym Leaders. For example, a Snorlax that can Gigantamax is the Normal-type Leader's ace Pokémon, while the Psychic-type Leader owns a Gigantamax Orbeetle.
-There are a number of factors that determine whether or not a Gym Leader makes the Major League. The most important factor is their record in official ranked battles or off-season exhibition matches. Basically the officials want to make sure that the matches that people go to the Stadiums to watch are as "good" as possible. If a Gym Leader has the right kind of personality as well (i.e charismatic, would show devotion to any fanbase they might get) they also have a better chance of being offered a position at one of Galar's stadiums. And finally, seniority - judging by how much older the Gym Leaders seem to be on average compared to past Gens, I think that the Leaders who have been in the Galar League longer are first up to be promoted as long as they meet the other requirements.
-Spikemuth has been a Minor League Gym city for most of its existence and when they made the Major League Rose wanted to move them to a typical League Stadium but was met with heavy resistance by Piers and his supporters (his dialogue in game strongly alludes to this)
-Bea and Melony are the favorites in their hometowns from last year, but in this year’s League, the lineup has changed a bit. In Sword for example, Allister decided he was content with being in the Minor League due to his shyness & dislike of having to make public appearances, while Gordie has finally "made it" into the Major League by proving himself in battle.
-Trainers who get all 10 Minor League badges are eligible to enter the Champion’s Cup in Wyndon; however, because the Major League Gym Leaders are more well-known in Galar and tend to have more experience under their belts, the Gym Challengers who qualify by defeating the Minor League are generally seen more as the "Wild Cards" who are less likely to actually become Champion.
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