Pokémon Violet and Pokémon Scarlet are massive open world adventures filled with many quests to complete, hundreds of Pokémon to catch, and a dense plot of mystery and intrigue. Unlike other mainline Pokemon titles, the action isn’t as linear as you might think – you can approach your journey any way you want. That being said, new games allow for a sense of freedom that can complicate your adventure.
Should you tackle the aquatic gym first? The grass gym? Should you go after the terrifying titans in the lower levels? Pokémon Violet and Pokémon Scarlet allow you to choose your destiny, and as a result, it can be difficult to know where to start your journey and what are the best ways to succeed.
If you are looking to start your journey in Paledea on a sure foot, then read on. In this tips and tricks guide, we’ll bring you a variety of tips that will keep you playing the latest Pokemon adventure. And if you’re curious about how long it takes to beat Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, we’ve got you covered, too.
Here’s what you need to know.
Read: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet review: A brilliant, terastalized gem
1. There is an imprecise order for the Pokémon gyms
Screenshot: GamesHub
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet encourage a real sense of freedom in your exploration of Paldea, but it’s important to note that the areas are segmented by levels. If you venture into a region you shouldn’t be in yet, you’ll often run into Pokémon that are too difficult to defeat.
Likewise, some gyms are filled with impossible battles, until you are at a higher level. To start your adventure, you need to take note of the clues from your rival Nemona and stick to the regions around your Academy. Then, once you have a few gym badges under your belt, head further afield.
2. Watch out for evolved Pokémon on your route
You’ll know you’re heading in the wrong direction when the Pokémon in your field of vision are of higher range. For example, in the first areas of exploration, you will find Pokémon in their first stage of evolution: they tend to be smaller, cuter and less damaging.
If you’re roaming an area where second or third evolution Pokémon roam, be careful. This is when the road becomes more difficult. You may need to level up in another area before tackling these paths.
3. Cortondo has an excellent gym for beginners
Screenshot: GamesHub
Your rival Nemona will point you in the direction of cortondo first. Here you will find the first gym in the game, which is a bug type challenge. After this prompt, the game will largely leave you to your own devices, but if you need help on where to go next, read on.
Our path in Pokémon Violet took us from cortondo a shell (Grass), then to Levincia (Electric). Among these gyms, we also address the Open sky Y Rocky Cliff Titansand defeated two Team Star brigades: Dark Y Fire.
These missions are among the lowest ranked in the game and are easy to tackle. From there, it’s up to you to explore Paldea at your leisure.
5. Have a Bug Pokemon on your team
Bug Pokémon are the most useful addition to your fighting squad in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, as they seem to have fewer weaknesses in the game’s numerous matchups. It’s a good idea to choose one and take it with you on your trip. We choose lokix because it looked cool, but you can take any kind of mistake, really.
They have rarer weaknesses than the ‘big three’ (water, fire, grass) and are very useful in a pinch. Importantly, they will also give you some time to revive your other Pokemon if they go down in battle.
6. As always, the best thing is a balanced party
Screenshot: GamesHub
If this is your first Pokemon game, let us give you this sage advice: always have a balanced Pokemon party. On your journey, you will face a variety of gyms, each one more powerful than the last. But even if you have the higher-powered Fire-Type team, you’ll still struggle with the Water gym. Similarly, if you prefer Water-type Pokemon, you’ll have trouble with the Grass-type gym.
While you can stack your Pokemon team with beauties and Pokemon you like, you should also consider assembling a diverse group of different Pokemon, from a variety of disciplines. A Fire-type and a Water-type are essential, but consider upping your abilities with Electric-type, Bug-type, or Fighting-type Pokémon as well. Each Pokemon has strengths and weaknesses, and you’ll need balance to succeed.
7. Don’t be afraid of full restores or max potions
Oddly enough, the Paldea trainers don’t seem very interested in using potions in battle. Throughout our time with the game, we didn’t have a single-opponent Pokemon save by a potion at the last minute, a major change from previous games.
While fighting, you shouldn’t be afraid of using Full Restore or Ultimate Potion items. Cut the health of each Pokémon without fear.
8. Be at least 3-5 levels above the Pokémon in your area
Screenshot: GamesHub
You’ll face a variety of difficult Pokémon on your journey to conquer Paldea, so it’s best to come prepared. As mentioned, it’s good to keep an eye out for evolved Pokemon in the areas you explore, but as an added tip, you should also keep an eye on their level. At all times, try to be 3-4 levels above the nearby Pokémon. This ensures that you have an advantage in battle and that you will continue to gain experience points along the way.
The same goes for Gyms – you’ll want to be a few levels up on your opponent’s Pokémon to ensure victory is in your sights. If you want a more difficult challenge, you can go for harder battles early on, but a balanced approach is best.
9. Let Pokémon loose to gain experience points
An entirely new feature for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet is the ability to let Pokémon out of their Poke Ball to take on battles on their own. This ‘auto battle’ feature allows your Pokémon to take on enemies in the wild, racking up experience points on its own. It saves you a lot of time and energy, and can help them advance multiple levels with minimal input.
To improve farm experience points with auto fighting, head to a high powered area where your Pokemon is strong. For example, if you have a fire-type leader, it’s best to head to the Glazed Mountain region, which is full of ice-type Pokémon. Press the R button to unleash your Pokémon head and reap the benefits, while you sit back and relax.
10. You can also farm Tera Raid Battles experience
Screenshot: GamesHub
As you travel through Paldea, you will come across a variety of terastalized crystal lairs. Inside, you’ll find a special Terastallized Pokemon and take part in a major raid battle (similar to Max Raid Battles of Sword/Shield). When you finally save these Pokemon, you’ll get a variety of rewards, including Sweet Exp. This can be fed to your Pokemon for a massive increase in levels.
It’s extremely useful for pushing your entire party Pokémon forward, particularly stragglers of any level.
That being said, if you find a Terrastalled Pokemon in the wild that glows a bright light, head in the opposite direction. They tend to be 10-20 levels above other Pokemon in the local area and usually present quite a challenge. Early in our match, we ran into a level 56 Terastallized Dragonair, with a level 20 gear, and as many fainted. Don’t be like us.
11. Turn off manual sort and nickname in Options
This is a minor tip, but very useful. In Pokémon Violet and Pokémon Scarlet, you can turn off dialogs that constantly ask you to nickname a Pokémon or put it in your party. Just head over to the Options menu and uncheck these options. As a result, your time in the game will be much calmer.
12. You must prioritize defeating gyms
Speaking of catching the right Pokemon, there’s one essential tip that Pokemon Violet and Pokemon Scarlet miss out on in the narrative: You need to defeat Gyms to catch and command Pokemon above a certain level.
Each gym will give you Pokemon mastery at a certain level, and each badge will add five levels to that total. It makes catching Pokemon easier, and more importantly, it means you can actually command them. There’s no use traveling far and assembling a team of level 50 Pokémon if you can’t get them to obey you. This level cap means that you will need to prioritize defeating gyms throughout your journey.
13. It’s a good idea to conquer at least two Titans first.
Screenshot: GamesHub
However, more important than beating every gym in the game is taking on at least the first two Titans as a priority: Open Sky and Stony Cliff Titans. Depending on your Pokémon team, both should be doable in the early stages of the game, between gyms two and three.
Titans may seem like a minor side quest, but they unlock essential traversal abilities that will make your time in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet that much more enjoyable. The later Titans are less essential, but the first two should be a priority.
No matter which way you approach the challenges ahead, there’s a lot of brightness along the way.
Pokémon Violet and Pokémon Scarlet are now available, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
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