Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Complete Guide
Scarlet & Violet Pokédex →Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are the ninth-generation mainline games, released for Nintendo Switch in November 2022. They drop the linear route-by-route structure of earlier entries and set you loose in Paldea, a single connected landmass you can cross in almost any direction from the first hour.
The headline additions were Terastallization, a once-per-battle transformation that changes a Pokémon's type, and four-player Tera Raid Battles that can be played with friends or with computer-controlled partners. Underneath those sit new Pokémon, ride Pokémon that carry you over the map, and a picnic system that turns healing and cooking into a core part of travel.
The games suit three kinds of player: newcomers who want a forgiving, exploration-first entry point, returning fans who have been waiting for an open-ended adventure, and competitive players who care about Tera types. Scarlet and Violet are two versions of the same game, so the choice between them is mostly about which legendary Pokémon and which exclusive Pokémon you want.
Scarlet & Violet quick facts
| Release date | November 18, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Region | Paldea |
| Generation | Generation IX |
| Versions | Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet |
| New Pokémon | 103 new species |
| Starters | Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly |
| Legendary and Mythical | Koraidon, Miraidon, Wo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, Chi-Yu, Ogerpon, Terapagos and Pecharunt |
Story and structure
This section is spoiler-light: it names the three storylines and their themes but not their outcomes.
You play a new student at a Paldean academy whose curriculum is a treasure hunt: instead of a fixed route, you are told to find your own answer to what treasure means. That premise is the game's structure. You pick where to go, which challenges to chase, and in what order.
Three storylines run in parallel, and you can progress in each of them whenever you like. They all feed the same ending sequence, so none of them is optional if you want to see everything.
Victory Road
The traditional path. You collect Gym Badges from eight Gym Leaders across Paldea, then take on the Elite Four and the Champion. Each Gym starts with a themed test before the battle itself. The leaders' teams have fixed levels, so the order you choose directly changes how hard the route feels.
Path of Legends
A series of larger-than-life battles against oversized Pokémon called Titans. Each one has a distinct arena and a distinct reward, and clearing them upgrades what your ride Pokémon can do, which opens up parts of the map that were out of reach before.
Starfall Street
A confrontation with Team Star, a group of students who run rival camps around the map. Their bases are cleared with a quick auto-battle mechanic rather than a long dungeon, so this storyline is the fastest of the three and works well as a break between longer stretches.
After the three storylines converge there is a final chapter, then a post-game that leans on Tera Raids and a rotating set of events. We keep story details out of this guide on purpose, so you can read it at any point of your playthrough.
New mechanics explained
Terastallization
Every Pokémon has a Tera Type, shown as a crystal crown when it transforms. Once the Tera Orb is charged you can Terastallize one Pokémon per battle, and it becomes that type in battle. The move Tera Blast changes to match.
Tip: Use Terastallization defensively as well as offensively: switching a Pokémon's type mid-battle can erase a weakness that would otherwise cost you the match.
Tera Raid Battles
Glowing crystals scattered over the map hold a single, powerful Terastallized Pokémon. Up to four trainers fight it together, and winning gives you the chance to catch it, plus rewards like materials and Tera Shards.
Tip: Bring a Pokémon that can support the group, such as one that can lower the boss's defenses or remove its shield, rather than four attackers racing each other.
Picnics and sandwiches
You can set up a picnic nearly anywhere, which heals your team, lets you cook, and invites wild Pokémon to wander over. Sandwiches grant temporary Meal Powers, such as better odds of meeting a certain type or a shiny Pokémon.
Tip: Before a long exploration session, make a sandwich that matches what you are hunting. It is the cheapest way to improve your odds of finding a particular type.
For the full breakdown, read Scarlet & Violet new mechanics explained.
Starter Pokémon
You choose one of three starters at the very start, and each evolves twice, at levels 16 and 36. All three are decent at every stage, so the decision is about the type you want to lean on more than about raw power.
| Starter | Final form | Final typing | Evolves at | Signature move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprigatito | Meowscarada | GrassDark | Levels 16 and 36 | Flower Trick |
| Fuecoco | Skeledirge | FireGhost | Levels 16 and 36 | Torch Song |
| Quaxly | Quaquaval | WaterFighting | Levels 16 and 36 | Aqua Step |
Sprigatito line
Meowscarada is quick and hits hard on the physical side. Its signature move Flower Trick always lands a critical hit and ignores accuracy checks.
Watch out: Grass and Dark together leave it weak to six types and doubly weak to Bug. Early Bug-type Pokémon are common, so it can be fragile in the opening hours.
Fuecoco line
Skeledirge is the sturdiest of the three. Its signature move Torch Song raises its own Special Attack each time it hits, so it gets stronger the longer a battle goes.
Watch out: It is slower than the others and weak to Water, Ground, Rock, Ghost and Dark. Plenty of the early wild Pokémon exploit at least one of those.
Quaxly line
Quaquaval is mobile and flexible. Its signature move Aqua Step raises its Speed with every use, and the Water/Fighting pairing covers a wide range of opponents.
Watch out: Both of its types are vulnerable to Fairy and Flying attacks, and its early stages hit softer than the other two.
Our recommendation
For a first playthrough, we recommend Fuecoco. Fire attacks are effective against the Bug, Grass and Ice leaders (Katy, Brassius and Grusha), and Skeledirge's bulk forgives mistakes. If you would rather hit first and ask questions later, Sprigatito is the best pick for speed. Quaxly sits in the middle and rewards players who like to mix move types.
Version differences
Scarlet and Violet share the same map, story and gym lineup. The differences are the legendary on the cover, the flavor of the Paradox Pokémon, and a block of exclusive Pokémon.
- Scarlet stars Koraidon and Violet stars Miraidon. Each is your ride Pokémon in its own version once unlocked.
- The prehistoric-style Paradox Pokémon such as Great Tusk and Flutter Mane belong to Scarlet; the futuristic ones such as Iron Treads and Iron Valiant belong to Violet.
- Scarlet also has the Larvitar line, while Violet has the Bagon line, and each version carries a handful of other single-version Pokémon.
Exclusive Pokémon by version
Version-exclusive Pokémon can be obtained by trading with a friend who owns the other version. The table below lists the ones recorded for each version.
If you have no preference, pick the cover legendary you like more. None of the differences change the main story.
More Scarlet & Violet guides
Tips for new players
- Do not feel tied to the first area you reach. Gym levels are fixed, so if a Gym feels too tough, leave and come back later.
- Use the picnic system whenever your team is hurt. It is faster than hunting down a Pokémon Center and doubles as a way to craft sandwiches.
- Let your Pokémon fight for you with the auto-battle command when you are farming experience. It saves a lot of time on weak wild Pokémon.
- Bring a wide spread of types. With the world open, you will meet opponents from many types long before you meet the Gym that favors them.
- Save your Terastallization for the key moment. Only one Pokémon per battle can use it, so spend it where it changes the outcome.
- Chase the Titan battles early. Each one upgrades your ride Pokémon and makes travel noticeably smoother.
- Catch a few extra Pokémon of each new type you meet. They make useful Tera Raid partners and are good trade material.
- Unlock fast travel points as you pass them, so a long trip back to a Gym or a town never costs more than a menu tap.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
The core game is the same. Scarlet features Koraidon and a set of past-style Paradox Pokémon, while Violet features Miraidon and the futuristic Paradox Pokémon. Each version also has some exclusive regular Pokémon.
Which starter is best in Scarlet and Violet?
There is no wrong choice. Fuecoco and its evolutions are the most forgiving for new players, Sprigatito suits fast, aggressive teams, and Quaxly is the most flexible. See the starter comparison above for details.
Is there a post-game in Scarlet and Violet?
Yes. After the storylines are complete, the game continues with a final chapter and then repeatable Tera Raid events and other activities. The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk expansions add further content.
Do I need the DLC to enjoy the game?
No. The base game is complete on its own. The two expansions are optional extras for players who want more areas and Pokémon after the main adventure.
Can I move Pokémon from older games into Scarlet and Violet?
Scarlet and Violet connect to Pokémon HOME, but only Pokémon that the game supports can enter, and it has no direct transfer from older Switch or handheld games.