Benefits:
* More accessible areas: You could access more hidden areas early on, finding rare Pokémon, items, and even trainers you might not have otherwise encountered.
* Easier item collection: Certain items are hidden behind rocks, such as Rare Candies, TMs, or even evolution stones. Rock Smash would make gathering these much simpler.
* New strategic options: Rock Smash could change your battle strategy. You might be able to access areas to ambush your opponent or use the terrain to your advantage.
Potential Issues:
* Game Balance: Allowing Rock Smash early on might make the game too easy, especially if you can access areas meant for later levels.
* Story Impact: The game's narrative might be affected. Rock Smash is often tied to a specific character or event in the story, and changing its availability could alter the pacing or flow of events.
* Reduced Difficulty: Some players might find the challenge of the game diminished if they can overcome obstacles much earlier.
Interesting Possibilities:
* New story elements: The game could be rewritten to include a new character or event that grants you Rock Smash earlier.
* Alternative methods: Instead of outright granting it, maybe the game could introduce a way to learn Rock Smash earlier, perhaps through a side quest or special event.
* More hidden secrets: If the game were designed with Rock Smash available from the start, we could see a greater variety of hidden areas and secrets to discover.
Ultimately, the impact of Rock Smash in Pokémon White would depend on how the game was balanced and how it was incorporated into the narrative. It could open up a whole new world of possibilities, or it could create unforeseen problems. But either way, it would definitely be an interesting change.