Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced trainers to the colorful Paldea region—a setting drawn from Spain, teeming with new Pokémon and ingenious reinterpretations of old friends. Among them is Paldean Tauros, which brings fresh energy to an old favorite with a distinctly Iberian flavor. Let’s examine each of its regional forms in turn, what they contribute to the mix, and how well they work in practice and design.
Combat Breed: A Pure Fighting Powerhouse
The Combat Breed Tauros is the form you’ll see most often roaming the fields of Paldea. Unlike the original Normal-type, this version is a pure Fighting-type—a clear nod to Spain’s cultural history with bullfighting. On paper, this makes perfect sense, and it adds a fierce twist to an old favorite. In reality, however, it’s a black, meaner-looking Tauros with minor design adjustments. Its greatest claim to fame is the new Raging Bull signature move, which types depending on the form and can blast through defensive moves—a good gameplay twist that makes it stand out, even if the visual refresh feels safe.
Blaze Breed: A Fiery Homage to Tradition
Unique to Pokémon Scarlet, the Blaze Breed Tauros takes its cue from the showy, if notorious, Toro embolado festival, where bulls charge with horns on fire. The resulting Fire/Fighting-type variant captures that motif with barely more ominous horns, a tail that suggests a burning fuse, and muted red stripes in the mane. In theory, it’s one of the most outrageous concepts of the three breeds—but in appearance, the differences are minimal. The horns are slightly luminescent, and the silhouette changes slightly, but generally, it doesn’t quite look as visually appealing as the real-world tradition it draws from. A more energetic or animated fire effect would have taken this shape to the next level.
Aqua Breed: Tradition and Water Merged
Pokémon Violet players receive the Aqua Breed Tauros, which is a Water/Fighting-type based on the Bous a la Mar festival, during which bulls are herded into the sea. This one takes the cake as the most original reinterpretation. Its horns act as high-pressure water cannons, and its build feels more bulky and suited for an aquatic habitat. The tail pattern is boat propeller-esque, and the very best part is that the Aqua Breed swims when set free in water—a small but wonderful touch that creates personality. Where differences remain subdued overall, the Aqua Breed demonstrates how combining cultural references with lighthearted Pokémon design can work.
Clever Ideas, Modest Execution
Paldean Tauros is a wonderful example of how local variants can link a Pokémon to the culture of the real world in compelling ways. Each breed borrows from legendary Spanish customs, and the varying typings introduce welcome diversity on the battlefield. Yet, it almost seems that Game Freak did not utilize as much as they could have, particularly considering how overt the inspirations are. In the wild, it’s difficult to tell what breed is what at first glance, and the nuance of the visual differences allows the thrill of finding a more rare form to fall short of other concealed variants in the series.
More emotive animations, special battle effects, or even the alteration of mane details while battling might have made each form feel unique. Even then, to trainers who enjoy collecting every form and trying out new moves such as Raging Bull, Paldean Tauros is a great and satisfying addition to the Paldea journey—testament that even the smallest regional spin is enough to give an old friend a fresh new feel.