An extended gameplay video has just dropped for the much-awaited Pokémon Legends Arceus, set for release by end-January. The video previews lots of nifty new mechanics that the upcoming Sinnoh origin title is introducing to the Pokémon world, including how battles and wild encounters work. But something has caught players' eye—the animation for Stealth Rock. Fans are now speculating about how this move and other entry hazard mechanics might change as trainers explore the Hisui region.

Pokémon Legends Arceus: Extended Gameplay Video

When fans first caught wind that Pokémon Legends Arceus was introducing a new battle system, we might not have guessed that it would mean several more changes on the way—with even specific moves getting reworked. Then again, it may make sense given that the upcoming game is an open-world RPG, which may mean some mechanics have to change to align better with the one-on-ones that players have with Pokémon of different strengths and styles, including noble Pokémon who can attack trainers directly, rather than the typical trainer battles.

Members of the community have already spotted several alterations to the game's mechanics, including changes to leveling up and evolving as well as one of Lucario's moves potentially getting a nerf. Now with the new gameplay preview, fans have also spotted that Stealth Rock's animation has changed. At around the 12:37 timestamp, the video showcases Kleavor using Stealth Rock, but instead of layering rocks around the opponents' feet, several sharp rocks instead fly towards the trainer's Psyduck—suggesting that how the move works could also be getting an overhaul.

How Stealth Rock mechanics might change in PLA

In a Reddit post, user Alexanderhyperbeam expressed shock over the new explosive animation for Stealth Rock. In past Pokémon titles, Stealth Rock has always served as an entry hazard. Rocks are tossed and scattered around the opponent's area. As such, whenever a Pokémon switches in, it will take some amount of damage upon entering the battle.

Based on the video, however, Stealth Rock now straight up deals damage right away. In fact, it looks more similar to a high-power attacking move called Stone Edge. Not to mention, the Psyduck sustains a ton of damage from Kleavor's attack. That said, we could also attribute it to the level difference plus the fact that the trainer is fighting a Noble Pokémon, similar to a boss battle.

Fans are theorizing that this could mean that entry hazard moves have undergone a redesign for Pokémon Legends Arceus. Since the open-world game doesn't often pit players against other trainers, moves like Stealth Rock would be essentially useless. After all, players won't have to deal with any switching in and out of Pokémon. Instead, these entry hazards could work as a damage-over-time attack, similar to Fire Spin that traps opponents in a vortex and deals a little damage each turn for several rounds.

Others have also suggested that it might be a bonus effect that comes with the Strong Style mechanic, which allows players to attack with higher power at the expense of speed or turn priority. (In contrast, using moves in Agile Style can boost your speed and give you turn priority but lower the power or damage dealt from the move.) The video did show differences between the Agile and Strong Styles of status moves like Thunder Wave, so maybe we can expect some versatility with attacks when Pokémon Legends Arceus arrives.