Tips and tricks to master Pokémon Scarlet and Purple

Pokémon Scarlet and Purple are here to stay, bringing with them a vast region to explore, countless details to discover, and a host of new mechanics that can be overwhelming at first. If you want to get the most out of Paldea and leave nothing untouched, this guide brings together everything you need to know. tricks, secrets and key tips to master the ninth generation without going crazy.

Throughout the article you will find everything from basic recommendations to get off to a good start to Advanced strategies, recommended routes, "broken" tricks, and DLC detailsEverything is explained in a friendly, straightforward way, and based on what works best in other guides, but rewritten and expanded so you have it all in one place.

What makes Pokémon Scarlet and Purple special

The Paldea region is the first truly large open world in the main series, meaning that You can go almost anywhere you want from minute one.You'll encounter Pokémon of vastly different levels and choose your own path. This open approach is great, but it also means that if you lose your way, you can end up struggling more than you need to.

In addition to free-roaming exploration, this generation introduces mechanics such as the legendary mounts Koraidon and Miraidon to get around, the Teracrystallization phenomenon, cooperative TeraRaids, a TM Machine for crafting moves, and a snack system that grants essential bonuses for farming, finding shinies, and much more.

All of this is combined with a story structure divided into three main routes (gyms, Totem Pokémon, and Team Star) that ultimately converge in a spectacular final stretch. To avoid getting lost or overwhelmed, it's well worth it. follow a recommended order when progressing through Paldea, which we will talk about a little later.

Paldea Pokédex, Exclusive and Legendary Pokémon

One of the main goals of any game is to complete the Pokédex, and this one is no exception: In Paldea you have 400 Pokémon to registerAmong familiar faces from other generations and new species designed for this region inspired by Spain, capturing everything you see is not only fun, it also has its rewards.

The Pokédex in Scarlet and Purple functions almost like a "reward pass": as you As you surpass certain milestones with registered Pokémon, the game rewards you with items. These are very useful (special Poké Balls, breeding items, TMs, etc.). It's a good idea to get into the habit of opening your Pokédex from time to time and claiming all those gifts to strengthen your team without spending so much money.

As always in the saga, each edition includes Exclusive Pokémon that only appear in Scarlet or PurpleIf your goal is to complete the Pokédex, sooner or later you'll need to trade or play cooperatively with someone who has the other version. The great thing is that if a friend with the opposite version joins your game, their exclusive Pokémon will start appearing in the wild in your game, so don't hesitate to take advantage of it.

In the realm of legendary Pokémon, things get serious: in addition to Koraidon (Scarlet) and Miraidon (Purple), which serve as mounts and are key to the story, the region hides Four legendary items sealed behind 32 stakes scattered across the mapWo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, and Chi-Yu. To access them, you must explore Paldea carefully, find all the stakes of each color, and liberate the corresponding shrines.

Finding all these Pokémon, from the most common to the hidden legendary ones, is one of the tasks that most lengthens the game, so It combines mass capture with online features to make the process less burdensome and more social.

Differences between versions and exclusive Pokémon

Scarlet and Purple differ not only in cover and uniform color. In terms of content, there are Changes to available Pokémon, characters, and visual detailsSome teachers at the academy change depending on the edition, as do certain elements of the game's background.

The most important aspect in terms of gameplay is the list of exclusive creatures. If you don't intend to trade, you'll be interested in this. Look in advance to see which Pokémon only appear in each game to decide which edition suits you best. Even if you play "solo," you can always use local or online trading if you ever want to close your Pokédex.

Also note that Some forms or paradoxes are linked to a specific editionTherefore, your choice significantly influences the type of "ultimate" team you can assemble without resorting to trading. If you're someone who thinks about competitive play or post-game content from the start, it's worth doing your research before starting a match.

Recommended order to complete the story

After the prologue at the academy and the first contact with Koraidon or Miraidon, the game suddenly throws three major storylines at you: Victory Journey (gyms), Legendary Path (Totem Pokémon) and Stardust Road (Team Star)Technically you can do them in any order you want, but the levels of the rivals don't adjust to you, so there are areas that may be too big for you if you get ahead.

Following a reasonable order ensures more balanced encounters and a progression of mount skills that gradually unlocks new paths. Generally speaking, it's advisable alternate gyms, dominants, and Team Star basesYou progress in a spiral pattern from the central area of ​​the map towards the furthest reaches. This way, your team levels up naturally and you avoid both easy sections and steep learning curves.

Along this path, you'll unlock the central part of the story and the section known as "The Road Home," a final adventure that takes place in Area Zero and explains many of Paldea's mysteries. Once you complete the main storyline, a post-game content area opens up. Rematches against Gym Leaders, new Team Star challenges, the Grand Academic Showdown Tournament, and more optional content for those who want to use up the cartridge.

In addition, within the academy routine you will have classes and exams on different subjectsAlthough they may seem like filler, passing them gives rewards and clues about advanced mechanics (types, breeding, economy, etc.), so it doesn't hurt to go through them as you feel like it.

Gym Leaders and the Use of Teracrystallization

The eight Gym Leaders remain the backbone of the classic route. Each one specializes in a type, and, as a new feature, They use Teracrystallization in their latest PokémonThe trick is that the teratype matches the gym type, so if the leader is Grass type, their last Pokémon will end up being Grass when it teracrystallizes, no matter how mixed its entry types are.

Use this information to take a Pokémon with a clear advantage against the gym type And don't forget to level up your team a bit before entering. As you defeat leaders, the levels of Pokémon that obey you increase, both those that level up with you and those you catch, so don't neglect this route or you'll end up with creatures that completely ignore you.

Legendary Path and Totem Pokémon

The Legendary Path revolves around Damian and his investigation of the Hidden spices guarded by gigantic dominant PokémonBeyond the story, defeating these bosses has a huge gameplay reward: each victory unlocks a new ability for your legendary mount.

Thanks to them, your Koraidon or Miraidon will learn to swim, climb, glide, accelerate, or jump higherThis is what truly allows you to reach high areas, distant islands, or challenging caves, so it's worth prioritizing this route alongside the gyms. The feeling of freedom multiplies each time you unlock a new upgrade.

Via Stardust and Team Star

Team Star functions as the third element of the main story. Each base specializes in a specific type and culminates in a boss battle against a team that, in addition to its own team, utilizes various abilities. a huge, customized Revavroom whose style matches the theme of the baseKnowing this allows you to anticipate what to pack in your bag. Tricks.

The bases blend sections where you use the "Send Pokémon" function to wipe out waves of rivals with a traditional final battle. Clearing these lairs not only provides plot context and monetary rewards; it also Paldea reduces Team Star's presence and unlocks new events after the game ends.

General tips for training and exploring Paldea

The combat system remains the same as always, but Pokémon Scarlet and Purple add tools that you should master as soon as possible if you want to progress quickly. The Send Pokémon feature, shared experience, and the new rapid healing system They make training less tedious, as long as you know how to use them wisely.

The "Let's go" option allows the Pokémon you have in first place Automatically fight hordes of wild Pokémon and collect nearby itemsIt doesn't grant as much experience as in a normal battle, but it eliminates many trivial encounters and is perfect for clearing areas full of creatures weak to your type. However, before sending your partner in recklessly, make sure they have an advantage or are a sufficient level, because they can also get burned.

When it comes to healing, the equipment menu has a quick function that It automatically uses items from your backpack to get your Pokémon in top shapeIt's a very convenient way to avoid having to use potions one by one, especially when you're farming experience or preparing a difficult area.

Pokémon Centers, with their gas station-like aesthetic, remain your best friend. Besides healing Pokémon and allowing you to fly between unlocked locations, they house the TM Machine and the online counter. Whenever you have doubts about where to go, talk to the nurse.It will point out recommended objectives based on your team's levels and where you are in the storyline.

Finally, get into the habit of picking up absolutely everything you see on the floor: the Red objects are usually consumables like potions, golden sparkles are usually TMs, and glowing spots indicate materials or berries.At first it may seem tedious, but that "trash" on the ground is turned into money and key materials for manufacturing MT.

Table of types, equipment construction and movements

If your goal is to be truly great, brute force alone isn't enough. In this generation (and in every generation, really), it's vital to internalize the table of types and the interactions between themKnowing what is super-effective, what resists, and what is immune makes all the difference against leaders, dominants, and difficult Terainbursts.

Beyond knowing the types, your team should be as varied as possible. Ideally, you should have at least one Pokémon that has a clear advantage against each important typeCombining offensive creatures, tanks, and support units with status moves. Choosing based on aesthetics is very tempting, but if you only prioritize "the ones you like," you might find yourself at a disadvantage in certain gyms or raids.

It's also a common mistake to focus solely on damaging moves. Attacks that cause paralysis, burns, sleep, drops in statistics or rises of one's own They are invaluable in long or complicated battles. Sometimes it's better to lose a turn setting up an advantage than to rush in and attack without thinking.

When a Pokémon wants to learn a new move, take a moment to decide. Consider the power, accuracy, type, secondary effects, and PP value. Try to ensure each creature has a balanced combination of STAB (same type) attacks, coverage against its weaknesses, and some utility or support moves.

Of course, avoid focusing all your experience on the starting character. It's very common to level them up twenty levels above everyone else and end up with a team consisting of "him and five extras." Try to... all your Pokémon are at roughly the same level so as not to depend on a single "carry" that will sink if it encounters a bad combination of types.

Teracrystallization and Teraincursions

The star mechanic of this generation is Teracrystallization. When activated, your Pokémon takes on a crystalline form and changes its type to the assigned teratypeThis grants a significant power boost to Water-type moves. It allows for some crazy plays, like turning a Water-type Pokémon into an Electric-type to surprise opponents in battle.

Mastering teracrystallization is not just about activating it "just because," but about plan when and with whom to use itThese are usually key encounters against leaders, dominant teams, or tough raids. Sometimes it's best to use TeraCrystallize to boost your original STAB move, and other times, to switch to a type that better withstands the opponent.

Tera-Raids, on the other hand, are cooperative battles (or solo battles with AI-controlled allies) against a particularly strong Tera-Crystallized Pokémon. Overcoming them grants access to Pokémon with curious teratypes, tons of TM materials, experience candies, and high-value items like nuggets or pearls.

Whenever you see a glowing crystal on the map, consider going in. Even if you start with low-level raids, they're a fantastic source of resources. As you improve your gear, you'll be able to tackle bigger ones. High-star teraincursionswhere you'll find Pokémon and teratypes ideal for building competitive teams or simply having a lot of fun.

MT machine, materials and money management

One of the major new gameplay features is the TM Machine in Pokémon Centers. Thanks to it you can Craft almost all TMs in the game in exchange for League Points (LP) and Pokémon materials (hair, feathers, claws, dust, etc.). However, TMs are once again single-use, so don't waste them.

By checking a MT on the machine, you will see what materials you need and which Pokémon you must fight to obtain themBecause each material is associated with a specific species. This makes farming much easier: you just have to locate that Pokémon on the map, defeat a few, and collect the necessary components.

When it comes to money, TeraRaids are one of your best friends. Many rewards include valuable objects intended for sale in shops (pearls, nuggets, etc.). Don't hesitate to get rid of them: they have no other use. With that money, equip yourself well in places like Plateau City, where they sell very useful combat items like Quick Claw, Leftovers, and other strategic power-ups.

Also, remember that the Pokédex gives you regular rewards for catching new Pokémon, some of which are sellable or simply useful for saving money in shops. Catching Pokémon for the sake of catching them makes a lot of sense here, both for the Pokédex and for the ingredients you get from defeating creatures.

Snacks, picnics, aging and shinies

The picnic mechanics combine several classic systems with interesting new features. In any permitted area of ​​the map, you can set up the table, unfold the basket, and Spend some time with your team washing them, playing games, and preparing snacksIt's not just an aesthetic detail: the recipes grant powerful temporary bonuses.

In total there are more than 150 different recipes, many of them focused on powers such as increasing the appearance of a specific type of Pokémon, improving the chances of finding shinies, boosting experience gained, or facilitating eggsIt's worth unlocking recipes, trying out ingredient combinations, and memorizing which ones work best depending on what you want to do at that moment.

Raising eggs has changed compared to previous generations. There's no longer a traditional nursery: now the eggs appear in the picnic basket if you place them there. two compatible Pokémon (or a Pokémon and a Ditto) Bring some Eggs to your party and spend a good amount of time at the picnic. Foods with Egg powers greatly accelerate this process, so if you're serious about raising eggs, prepare a good, appropriate snack beforehand.

Shiny Pokémon continue to delight collectors. The game offers several methods to improve the odds of finding them, such as the Shiny Charm (obtained by completing the Pokédex) or snacks with the Shiny Boost powerCombining farming routes with specific snacks, and if you want to take it a step further, Teraraids or Masuda while breeding, will make you see the distinct flash more often.

If you're going to be serious about finding shinies or breeding competitive fish, consider organizing long sessions with picnics, optimized snacks, and a comfortable round-trip route where you can reset appearances quicklyIt's a more methodical style of play, but incredibly addictive when you see results.

Multiplayer, online features and shared world

In Scarlet and Purple, the multiplayer It's taken a leap. Now you can share the open world with up to three other people, see how they move around you, have picnics together, fight, trade and participate in cooperative TeraRaids without that blocking each other's individual progress.

The important thing is that Your progress in the story is independent. From your friends' perspective: even if they're at a different stage of the story, each of you can follow your own path, trigger your own events, and complete your own objectives at your own pace. The presence of other players makes exploration more enjoyable, facilitates exclusive captures, and allows you to tackle difficult raids with humans instead of the... IA.

In addition to all this, there are classic features like Mystery Gift, which offers occasional Special Pokémon, items, or temporary distributionsIt's worth checking back from time to time in case any juicy details pop up that you don't want to miss, especially during event periods.

If you're interested in the social aspect, dedicate time to building a small network of friends with whom you can exchange exclusives, help each other in multi-star raids, or share farming routes and shiniesThe game is very well designed to be enjoyed this way.

Specific tricks, glitches, and details to keep in mind

The launch of Scarlet and Purple was not without technical problems, and some players have taken advantage of those glitches to find curious shortcuts that allow you to climb or sneak into areas ahead of scheduleOne of the most talked about is using Koraidon or Miraidon to "climb backwards" up slopes that are impossible to climb facing forwards.

The technique is simple: you bring your mount close to a very steep slope, turn it about 90 degrees relative to the incline, and begin to jump backwards repeatedlySurprisingly, the Pokémon stops slipping as it would if you were falling face-first, and you gradually gain altitude until you reach the top. It's a perfect trick for accessing high places before unlocking the official climbing ability.

While it's very tempting to use these shortcuts or bugs to "break" the progression, keep in mind that The game's design is intended to allow you to upgrade your equipment before tackling certain areas.Skipping entire sections can mean encountering overly strong opponents or missing out on content that would make your life easier later on.

Beyond the glitches, there are small habits worth acquiring: Always talk to visible coaches to challenge themTake advantage of the map radar to find out which Pokémon live nearby (it doesn't mark the exact spot, but it does mark the general area), use fast flying to Pokémon Centers and TeraRaid crystals to save time, and frequently check the academy classes to discover details that the game doesn't explain as clearly in the normal adventure.

And whenever you see that your team is starting to run low on health or PP, don't be stingy: Return to a Pokémon Center without fearIf a Pokémon faints during a long farming session, it doesn't gain experience, so it's much more efficient to heal it often than to wait until it's down to its last health point.

DLC: The Turquoise Mask and The Indigo Disc

The experience doesn't end with the base story. The expansion pass adds two paid content packs that significantly expand the game: The Turquoise Mask and The Indigo DiscEach one introduces a new area, additional Pokémon, new characters, and plenty of substance for those who were left wanting more.

The turquoise mask takes you on a trip to the Noroteo regionA rural area with its own history, local legends, and a good number of Pokémon, including regional forms and new creatures to add to your Pokédex. In addition to the main DLC storyline, you'll find special gifts like a Sinnoh starter Egg, a Hisui Growlithe, or even a Shiny Munchlax, along with gestures, clothing, and post-game activities to keep you entertained when you finish the main adventure of the expansion.

The Indigo disc, meanwhile, focuses more on an “advanced coach” experience. Here you travel to the Blueberry Academy, located in the Unova region, and its gigantic BiodomeAn artificial habitat where Pokémon of all types and levels coexist. This DLC places a strong emphasis on battles and the exploration of diverse biomes within an enclosed space, in addition to offering new features, customizations (such as Levi's tracksuit), and secrets like Brie's book and its hidden ending.

Among the most striking aspects of this latest content is the possibility of Capture Pecharunt, a new Mythical Pokémon with its own small story arc. Once you finish the story of this DLC, you'll also have post-game activities designed to extend the game's lifespan even further, with additional challenges and new reasons to keep improving your team.

With everything the base game offers, its story routes, cooking, breeding, and Teraraid systems, plus the two DLCs and their extra regions, Pokémon Scarlet and Purple become a veritable time sink in which The key is to combine progression tricks well, take advantage of every mechanic, and take time to explore without rushing.Because Paldea and its surroundings hide more than meets the eye.