Why doesn't Erika use her signature Pokemon, Vileplume, in HGSS?

Question

Why does she use the opposite evolution, Bellossom, instead? Is there any particular reason why, or is it GameFreak just sayin' 'screw the continuity'?

Answer 1

The only reason I can think of is because she had one in the manga.
Maybe they wanted to change it up a little bit, since thats what they did with every kanto gym leader in (Heart)gold and (Soul)silver :)

Answer 2

>Erika uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles, and all six in Triple Battles. Erika will always lead with her signature Pokémon, Vileplume.

-Bulbapedia

It is indeed mentioned that Erika's signature Pokemon is Vileplume. However, I believe it is actually Gloom. This is because, in Pokemon Yellow as well as G/S/C, she uses a Bellossom. Maybe she mistook a Sun Stone for a Leaf Stone, or maybe GameFreak wanted trainers to encounter more number of Pokemon.

The exact reason, I admit, is evasive, but the fact as to why it is is HG/SS, is simply because that is how it was in the original Gold/ Silver/ Crystal.

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