Pokemon Scarlet/Violet Complete Guide

1. Introduction
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet represent the ninth generation of the Pokémon series and mark a fundamental shift for the franchise by introducing a truly open-world adventure. Set in the Paldea region, inspired by the Iberian Peninsula, the games allow you to explore freely, tackle storylines in any order, and team up with friends for cooperative gameplay.
You play as a student from Naranja Academy (Scarlet) or Uva Academy (Violet) and embark on three main story routes before unlocking the final chapter in Area Zero.
This guide provides a full overview of story progression, region exploration, team-building systems, competitive preparation, and post-game content, alongside the latest updates from the Expansion Pass: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero.
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2. Game Overview
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Developer / Publisher: Game Freak / Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
- Release: November 2022
- Versions: Pokémon Scarlet (features Koraidon) and Pokémon Violet (features Miraidon)
- Genre: Role-Playing Game (RPG), Open-World Adventure
Core Features
- Open World Freedom: You can challenge gyms, explore, or advance stories in any sequence.
- Three Main Storylines: Complete Victory Road, Path of Legends, and Starfall Street in any order.
- Tera Type Mechanic: Pokémon gain access to special crystalized forms that alter types and strategies.
- Co-op Play: Up to four players can explore the world together through the Poké Portal.
- Let’s Go Auto Battles: Pokémon can fight automatically for materials and EXP.
3. Main Storylines
3.1 Victory Road – Gym Challenge
This is the traditional league path. You aim to defeat eight Gym Leaders around Paldea to qualify for the Pokémon League and challenge Champion Nemona.
Recommended Gym Order (based on level scaling and travel convenience):
Cortondo (Bug-type Gym Leader Katy)
Artazon (Grass-type Gym Leader Brassius)
Levincia (Electric-type Gym Leader Iono)
Cascarrafa (Water-type Gym Leader Kofu)
Medali (Normal-type Gym Leader Larry)
Montenevera (Ghost-type Gym Leader Ryme)
Alfornada (Psychic-type Gym Leader Tulip)
Glaseado (Ice-type Gym Leader Grusha)
After all badges are earned, proceed to the Pokémon League and defeat the Elite Four (Rika, Poppy, Larry, Hassel) and Champion Geeta. The final Rival Battle against Nemona concludes this route.
3.2 Path of Legends – Arven’s Quest
You assist Arven in discovering the five types of Herba Mystica guarded by Titan Pokémon. Each Titan enhances your Ride Pokémon (Koraidon or Miraidon) with new traversal skills:
Titan
Type
Region
New Ability
Stony Cliff Titan (Klawf)
Rock
South Area One
Dash
Open Sky Titan (Bombirdier)
Flying/Dark
West Area One
Swim
Lurking Steel Titan (Orthworm)
Steel
East Area Three
Jump Boost
Quaking Earth Titan (Great Tusk / Iron Treads)
Ground / Fighting / Steel
Asado Desert
Glide
False Dragon Titan (Dondozo & Tatsugiri)
Water / Dragon
Casseroya Lake
Climb
Completing this path restores Koraidon/Miraidon’s full capabilities and unlocks deeper lore about Area Zero.
3.3 Starfall Street – Team Star Bases
Led by Director Clavell (in disguise as “Clive”), you infiltrate Team Star Bases across Paldea. Each base is themed around a specific type and protected by a leader known as a “Boss.”
Base Leaders and Types:
Giacomo (Dark) – West Province (Area One)
Mela (Fire) – East Province (Area One)
Atticus (Poison) – Tagtree Thicket
Ortega (Fairy) – North Province (Area Three)
Eri (Fighting) – North Province (Area Two)
Each battle consists of defeating 30 Pokémon with Auto Battles, followed by a Starmobile boss battle. Completing all bases reveals Team Star’s origin and connects the storylines together.
3.4 The Way Home – Final Chapter
When all three story routes are completed, a final quest, “The Way Home,” unlocks. You, Arven, Penny, and Nemona enter Area Zero, the mysterious crater at the center of Paldea.
This chapter reveals the truth behind Koraidon/Miraidon and the AI Professors Sada (Scarlet) or Turo (Violet), introducing time paradox Pokémon from the ancient or future eras.
4. Exploration and Region Overview
Paldea is divided into multiple provinces, each featuring diverse biomes, weather conditions, and regional species. Gyms, bases, and Titans are scattered throughout for non-linear exploration.
Exploration Tips
- Use Poké Centers for fast travel; they double as Tera Raid posting hubs and TM crafting stations.
- Mass Outbreaks reset daily and are vital for shiny hunting.
- Sandwich Recipes grant special buffs (Encounter Power, Sparkling Power, Egg Power).
- Collect dropped Pokémon Materials for TM construction via TM Machines.
- Utilize Photo Mode and picnic functions to boost friendship and egg breeding efficiency.
5. Battle Mechanics and Team Building
- Tera Type Changes: 50 Tera Shards of one type can change a Pokémon’s Tera Type at the Treasure Eatery in Medali.
- Effort Values (EVs): Train using Power Items, vitamins, or wild Pokémon matches.
- Individual Values (IVs): After reaching Level 50, use Bottle Caps and Hyper Training to perfect IVs.
- Competitive Builds: Focus on coverage moves, nature optimization, and synergizing Tera Types.
- Nature Modifiers: Use Mint items from the Chansey Supply shops.
6. Tera Raid Battles
These cooperative battles feature Pokémon with unique Tera Types and superior stats.
Raid Star Levels
- 1–4 Stars: Accessible early on; ideal for leveling and item farming.
- 5 Stars: Appear after the main story completion.
- 6 Stars: Unlock after winning the Academy Ace Tournament.
- 7 Stars: Limited-time event raids with special Pokémon (e.g., Charizard, Greninja, Mewtwo).
Recommended Pokémon for Raids
- Azumarill (Fairy/Water, Belly Drum + Play Rough strategy)
- Iron Hands (Fighting/Electric, Belly Drum + Drain Punch)
- Gholdengo (Ghost/Steel, Make It Rain + Nasty Plot)
- Flutter Mane (Ghost/Fairy, Calm Mind builds)
Rewards: Herba Mystica, Tera Shards, Exp. Candy, Bottle Caps, rare held items.
7. Post-Game Content
After the credits:
Rematch all Gym Leaders with stronger teams.
Participate in the Academy Ace Tournament.
Unlock and complete 6-Star Tera Raids.
Hunt The Treasures of Ruin (Four Ruinous Legends):
- Wo-Chien (Grass/Dark) – Southeastern Paldea
- Chien-Pao (Dark/Ice) – Southwestern Paldea
- Ting-Lu (Dark/Ground) – Northwestern Paldea
- Chi-Yu (Dark/Fire) – Northeastern Paldea
Complete the Pokédex to obtain the Shiny Charm.
Join Online Battles via Poké Portal for Ranked Matches.
8. The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero (DLC)
This Expansion Pass adds two major chapters:
Part 1: The Teal Mask
- Location: Kitakami region (based on Japanese countryside).
- Storyline revolves around the Loyal Three and Ogerpon.
- Adds regional Pokémon and new species.
Part 2: The Indigo Disk
- Location: Blueberry Academy.
- Introduces new battle-focused facilities and the return of classic Pokémon.
- Expands the lore of Area Zero and ancient/future Pokémon.
9. Tips for Completionists
- Always save before shiny or legendary encounters.
- Use sandwiches with Sparkling Power Lv. 3 for shiny hunting.
- Breed with a foreign Ditto for higher shiny hatch rates (Masuda Method).
- Regularly check the Poké Portal News for event Raids and Mystery Gifts.
