New Scarlet and Violet Pokémon may have been leaked in Pokémon Go data mine

Leak season is upon us for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet leading up to its Nov. 18 release. But instead of the games getting dumped online super early, the first leaks for SV actually dropped in Pokémon Go. 

Niantic’s mobile game is notorious for pushing assets into the backend of the app ahead of special events and content launches. This time, a new Pokémon that has never been seen before was discovered during a data mine for the latest version. 

Thanks to data-mining group PokeMiners, this new Pokémon’s 3D assets are being shared online, showcasing what appears to be a small creature carrying a coin around with a set wire-like antennae and matching “tail.”

No actual information about this new Pokémon was included in the data mine other than its basic 3D model and animation, along with its rumored Pokédex number—1080. That number doesn’t really coincide with some of the other data mines we have regarding SV’s Pokédex but Pokémon Go is known to store some data differently compared to other Pokémon games, which would make this Pokédex entry 978 using previous examples. 

As for the Pokémon itself, we don’t have a name, but we do know from previous data mines that it has a gimmick revolving around the coin on its back. Specifically, players will apparently need to collect coins during their travels to evolve it or its pre-evolution. 

Based on those previous leaks, we also know that this coin-themed Pokémon will be Ghost/Steel-type, though that is basically everything we have learned pre-launch. 

With these assets being found in Pokémon Go, it is very likely a special tie-in event or promotion will be going live around the time SV releases. Adding one or two Pokémon from new generations has become standard in Niantic’s cross-promotion for the main series of games, but we won’t know more about this event or the new Pokémon until they are revealed fully.

Update Nov. 4 9pm CT: Additional data dealing with the mysterious coin Pokémon and Scarlet and Violet content within Pokémon Go has been discovered.

A “mystery coin evolution item” was pulled from some of the datamined code. This very likely deals with how players will gather special coins to evolve or change the form of the new Pokémon, as the description reads: “A coin with a mysterious air. It seems to have originated in the Paldea region.”

A second set of text mentioning Jacq, a professor from the academy players will attend in SV, appearing in the game and dealing with “a very old coin” for some Special Research was also pulled. The text points to the player needing to collect coins for the research and also mentions that Jacq and Professor Willow were originally going to discuss Diglett, likely a hint at Wiglett being added to Go in the not-to-distant future.