Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
The upcoming Pokémon adventure is what fans have wanted for over a decade now, and the games released on the 18th of November. You will be thrown into the new Paldea region, filled with innovations, new Pokémon, and an entirely new way to play the game. With the game upon us, here’s what you need to know to get yourself started for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Now Read: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starters and Evolution Leaks (2022)
The Region
BUY NOW: Check Out All The Hot Deals At Green Man Gaming – 15% OFF Selected PC Games
Paldea
The games are now based in the new Paldea region, loosely based on Spain and Portugal. The large open cities, paved pathways, and giant lakes are giveaways for how the Pokémon Company planned the region. The vast open spaces are fantastic for an open-world experience. At the center of the Paldea region is where you, the player, will be; Mesagoza city. The city is home to a vibrant culture with beautiful environments and a school from where you will start your journey. The school can either be the Naranja Academy or the Uva Academy, based on the game you will choose to play.
Now Read: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starters and Evolution Leaks (2022)
Open World Adventure
This will be the first mainline open-world game in the Pokémon series (Legends Arceus doesn’t count). The Pokémon Company has revealed the open wild areas will seamlessly merge with the towns and you will be free to go on your Pokémon journey as you please. There isn’t any set way to play this game, and you will be able to see Pokémon out in the wild. The random encounters aren’t anything to worry about anymore, and you can see the new deserts, seas, forests, and cities for yourself.
BUY NOW: Monster Hunter Rise is currently half price on Green Man Gaming – get your copy now!
The New Features
Terrastalization
Pokémon during X and Y have been experimenting with new ways to add something to the game. It started with Mega Evolutions, then Gigantimaxing, and now the latest phenomenon you witness in the Paldea region is Terrastalization. Pokémon in the area can transform into sparking and glittering crystalized versions of themselves with large jewels on top of their heads. The ornament that the gem is on, on top of the Pokémon’s head, changes according to the type of the Pokémon. Every Pokémon has a specific Tera type, and similar Pokémon, based on their stats, can have a different Tera type.
How To Terrastalize a Pokémon
To terrastalize a Pokémon, you need a Tera Orb, and you can only use it once, then it runs out of energy. You can recharge the Orb from a Pokémon center or find crystals in the wild. You can get a Pokémon out of its Tera form by giving it enough damage. This is a unique twist to the Pokémon formula and, in my opinion, much better than Gigantimaxing, which ruined a lot of set mechanics for the Pokémon battling system. You can even encounter Terrastalized Pokémon in the wild; not as good as a shiny Pokémon, but it’s still fun.
Photo Mode
The game is expected to be very beautiful. With the success of Pokémon snap, it seems necessary to include a photo mode in the game. You can explore the open world, encounter incredible scenery and observe how the Pokémon in the wild are interacting.
Picnics
One of the most popular newest additions to the upcoming Pokémon game would be the inclusion of Picnics. You are creating food with your Pokémon by setting up a small table to have a pleasant time with your Pokémon and friends. It’s a cute and fun interaction that would allow trainers to connect with their Pokémon and helps restore HP and increase stats. You can even come across a cool Pokémon egg while on a picnic, which gives this feature a nice touch.
Now Read: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starters and Evolution Leaks (2022)
The Battling System
Trainer Battles
The games are changing from their age-old “if they see you, you have to battle” mentality to a more open approach. To engage in Pokémon battles against trainers, you will have to approach other players.
Auto Battles
There is a new command for the first Pokémon in your party called “Let’s Go!”. This would let your Pokémon go off and challenge the nearest wild Pokémon or trainer for a battle without you engaging in it. This command is one of the most needed things added to the game that would help to reduce the endless grinding that the Pokémon games used to have. You can also use this method to pick up random items from the field.
Tera Raid Battles
Pokémon always worked along the angle with multiplayer, but it was never entirely focused on until Pokémon Sword and Shield. This time around, they’ve improved upon the Dynamax battles, and now for Scarlet and Violet, we will experience Terastallized battles. These battles will have to be fought within a specific time limit, and you can get your friends to join in to help during them. Unlike the Dynamax battles, there is less focus on it being a turn-based system; you can select your move and fight whenever you want.
Battle Stadium
One of the newest additions to Pokémon was the battle stadium introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield. There was the battle tower and other variations in previous games. Still, none were so fleshed out, and the Battle Stadium is making a comeback in Scarlet and Violet. It will allow you to play Casual, Ranked, Rental Teams and Online Competition. This would increase the game’s playability and works wonders for battling enthusiasts. Game Freak will also hold online competitions, which everyone will use to see who the Pokémon master is.
Now Read: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starters and Evolution Leaks (2022)
Moves and Items
New Moves
Some new moves are coming to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and these are the ones we know of so far.
Tera Blast
This changes a Pokémon’s Tera Type once it has Terastallized, and the damage type is determined by checking the higher one of the two; Physical and Special stat.
Armor Cannon
Armarouge’s special move; it’s a Fire Type move that blasts projectiles but lowers both the Special and normal Defense stat of the user.
Shed Tail
It works like the move Substitute, and the user loses some Hp; it also swaps the Pokémon with the Pokémon next in line in the party.
Bitter Blade
A Fire-type move that takes HP from the opponent and gives it to the user. It works like Mega Drain.
The TM Machine
TMs are a way in Pokémon games to teach your Pokémon certain moves if they can learn them. TMs are returning to their roots and becoming single-use again, but not really. You will be able to craft new TMs at any Pokémon Center by using the TM Machine. You will need materials and league points to get them. The only way to get League Points is to either progress the story or trade materials you would gather on your journey.
New Items
There are a few new items you can find in the Paldea region. The ones we know of so far are:
Clover Cloak
Pokémon holding this item will be immune to other Pokémon’s attack’s additional effects.
Mirror Herb
The best item introduced, in my opinion, and might even break some battles. The Pokémon holding this item mirrors all of the opposing Pokémon’s stat increases.
Loaded Dice
If the move you make is multi-hit, it will allow it to hit a higher number of times. This would be good for moves like Bullet Seed but they are still relatively weak in comparison.
Now Read: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starters and Evolution Leaks (2022)
New Abilities
The new abilities we know of so far being introduced to Pokémon are:
Anger Shell
It only works for Pokémon with shells. The only Pokémon we know of having this ability is Klawf. When the Pokémon’s health drops below half, its special defense and defense are lowered, and its attack and special attack are boosted.
Armor Tail
It prevents Pokémon from using priority moves.
Cud Chew
When you let a Pokémon having this ability hold a berry, it allows it to eat it again in the next turn.
Electromprphisis
This ability allows the Pokémon’s next Electric-type move to get a boost after it connects.
The Pokémons in Scarlet and Violet
The Starters and New Pokémons
Three new starters are being introduced in the game:
· Sprigatito (Grass)
· Quaxly (Water)
· Fuecoco(Fire)
These Pokémon have been lauded to be the best-designed ones; many argue that since Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, there are high expectations of the starting roster. The trailers and the provided information show that new designs and fun Pokémon have been introduced with exciting Pokedex entries. Bellibolt and Greavard are two interesting Pokémon; the former resembles a large frog whose eyes aren’t its eyes. The latter is one of the friendliest Pokémon in Paldea, but if you hang around it for too long, you will slowly lose your life force. Every fan craves these dark yet interesting Pokedex entries, and we will get to know more when the game releases.
The Pokedex
Likely, the National Dex will not be available at the start, mainly because it wouldn’t make sense to have Pokémon of different types and areas in the wild disturbing the natural wildlife and habitat. It will most likely be similar Pokémon Sword and Shield and include another DLC area where they will add more Pokémon in the wild.
Shiny Pokémon
Shiny Pokémon has become a staple of the Pokémon franchise that many cherish; this time, it’s made even more interesting. The world of shiny hunting will most likely change; as reported by Seribii, you will be able to spot shiny Pokémon in the overworld, which will be exciting and very fun to watch.
Regional Forms
Keeping up with the tradition of Pokémon Sun and Moon, the Pokémon Company will introduce regional forms again. These Pokémon have adapted to specific regions, and the process of evolution has changed their typing and even behavior. Pladean Wooper is the perfect example, and his face looks like a happy skull and crossbones.
Titan Pokémon
Titan Pokémon must be one of the most exciting things added to the roster this time because there are regular Pokémon, but their size is enormous. We first saw an example in the Pokémon episode where Ash and the gang saw the shadow of a huge Dragonite from a lighthouse. They will be part of the mainline story, so be excited.
Convergent Evolution
In the process of Convergent Evolution, two entirely separate species evolve into very similar-looking but unrelated forms. Pokémon introduced Wiglett in a webinar and talked about how it seems like a variant of diglet. Still, it isn’t the same Pokémon at all. The official Pokémon site says
“It’s said that Wiglett’s resemblance to Diglett might be a mere coincidence due to its adaptation to its environment. It may look like Diglett, but it’s actually a completely different species of Pokémon. Wiglett pokes a part of its body out of the sand to feed in the ocean. It’s still unclear what the rest of its body hidden in the sand is like or how long it might be.”
This new phenomenon will introduce many Pokémon that feel similar but would be entirely different.
Now Read: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Starters and Evolution Leaks (2022)
Legendries
The Pokémon Company and Game Freak went with a very unique take where the legendries will be used to traverse the lands of Paldea.
The Multiplayer
The multiplayer is seemingly one of the most fun aspects of the game that has been introduced. According to the Webpage of the game, you will be able to explore the open world with up to four players. This will include Pokémon trading and battling while you’re exploring the region.
The Story Mode
This wont feature a linear path but it is broken down to 3 routes that you can change and take at any time.
Victory Road
This is the classic Pokémon path where you travel to different towns to fight gyms and gather gym badges to be able to challenge the elite four and then try your best to become the Pokémon champion. The twist this time is that there is no set way to go to the gyms; you can go to any gym at any time and then take on the league.
Path of Legends
The second path is the exciting mysteries of the region. Where you can search for rare Herba Mystica, ingredients that would restore your Pokémon’s health immediately. But beware, these are being guarded by the Titan Pokémon, that would be a challenge.
Starfall Street
Like every Pokémon storyline, this time, we have Starfall Street that are the villainous team with nefarious motives. We don’t know much about their motives and aspirations, but it would be fun to have a challenge, go through a gauntlet, and face the evil leader.
Characters in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Customization
First, we should talk about our character; Pokémon Scarlet and Violet feature a full-fledged character creator where you can choose everything from your hairstyle to your eyelashes. If you get bored with your character’s appearance, you can always go to a Salon to change your style again. You will also be able to change your attire which, by default, would be a school uniform.
Friends and Rivals
The game features NPC’s who might become your friends and a new rival, each with personalities and characteristics, which is very uncommon for a Pokémon game.
Nemona
Seemingly, she will be the rival, but her happy and bubbly personality hides the fact that she cannot throw pokeballs the right way.
Arven
A senior in school who loves cooking and would accompany you on one of the story paths.
Penny
A shy girl who loves her cute fluffy Evee backpack, but for some reason, you don’t find her in classes. It seems that every one of these characters would have a proper role to play in the three-story paths
Ms Geeta
The woman to watch out for, she is the chairwoman of the Pokémon League and said to the most skilled trainer of all.
Gym Leaders
Only three have been introduced until now and these are:
Grusha
An ice type gym leader who used to be a professional snow boarder. His go to Pokémon is Cetitan.
Brassius
A grass type gym leader who is an accomplished artist. To challenge him, you would have to find all the Sunflora in the city.
Iono
A social media personality who streams her battles and is an electric type trainer. She’s famous for playing games with her viewers.
Team Star
The evil organization that looks like rebellious students acting out by engaging in gang like activities Team Star is the evil team of the region, who have bases all over the region.
Final Thoughts
That’s everything we know so far about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the release is looming and its likely more information will be released in the days to come.