10 Powerful Video Game Bosses That Became Weak Playable Characters

Pokémon Sword and Shield’s climactic battle against Eternamax Eternatus is perhaps the most cinematic in series history. The music swells, both Zacian and Zamazenta team up with the player, and Eternatus breaks the rules of the game’s mechanics themselves.

It’s a hard-fought match against a towering beast as imposing as it is a little ridiculous, a souped-up take on Max Raid battles that exists only for this one encounter and can’t be recreated. When the beast with its absurdly bloated stats is defeated, the protagonist gets a chance to catch Eternatus itself. Sadly, that’s all they get: no Eternamaxing capabilities included, no refunds.

Eternatus certainly isn’t a bad Pokémon, boasting excellent base stats in HP, Special Attack and Speed. It also has the brilliant exclusive move Dynamax Cannon, which deals double damage to Dynamax/Gigantamax foes. The issue is, it’s a gargantuan step down from its now-inaccessible Eternamax form –which exchanged those offenses for ludicrous defenses—in sheer intimidation factor, and when permitted in standard play, other Uber Pokémon (including Zacian itself) will often be prioritized in teams.