Pokémon breeding mechanics have been one of the largest changes in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Breeding is now much less of a waiting game than the previous method of dropping Pokémon off at the Daycare. Although breeding methods have had a drastic overhaul, the basis of hatching is still based on “steps,” the number of steps players take in-game. For those wanting their Pokémon to learn Egg Moves, breeding is no longer the only option.
Egg Moves are different in that they are not learned naturally through leveling. Egg moves are passed from a parent to a child that has it listed as an Egg Move. Breeding Pokémon has always been a way to craft the ideal competitive Pokémon, but before Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, breeding Pokémon was an endeavor. Egg Moves in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet can still be learned through breeding and egg hatching, but it now happens during Picnics. Also, a new method for learning Egg Moves has also been introduced, the Mirror Herb.
How to Learn Egg Moves Through Breeding and the Mirror Herb
Other than breeding with the Pokémon Ditto, they can only breed with other Pokémon sharing an Egg Group. Serebii gives lists of Egg Groups to make finding Pokémon partners easier. Moves are passed through the male parent, and species are passed through the female parent. A breeding pair needs to share at least one egg class and must be opposite genders. For example, breeding a Polteageist and a Dachsbun, new to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, with the intent to produce a Dachsbun with the move Sweet Scent.
Polteageist belongs to the Amorphous and Mineral Egg Groups, and Dachsbun belongs to the Mineral and Field Egg Groups. They share the Mineral Egg Group and can produce eggs together. Polteageist learns Sweet Scent at level 30, and Dachsbun can learn Sweet Scent as an Egg Move. To get a Dachsbun with Sweet Scent, a male Polteageist with Sweet Scent and a female Dachsbun need to breed at a Pokémon Picnic and produce an egg. However, players who are only looking to learn Egg Moves and don’t care about stat and nature changes can use the Mirror Herb.
The Mirror Herb in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet lets Pokémon inherit a move regardless of gender and Egg Group if the Pokémon has it listed as an Egg Move. Players should only have two Pokémon in their party, the Pokémon that already knows the move and the Pokémon they want to learn the move. The Pokémon inheriting the move needs to have at least one move slot available. After buying a Mirror Herb from Cascarrafa, players can give it to the Pokémon they want to learn the move and then set up a Pokémon Picnic. The Egg Move is instantly learned, and no eggs are involved.
Now that breeding is much faster in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, specializing and getting shiny Pokemon is easier. With the Mirror Herb, learning moves won’t potentially take several generations of chain breeding. The only downside to the new breeding and Mirror Herb changes is the loss of the cherished Day-Care Couple.
Source: Serebii
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Pokémon Scarlet and VioletFranchise: Pokemon
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Released: 2022-11-18
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
Genre: RPG, Adventure, Action
Multiplayer: Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer
ESRB: E
Summary: Pokémon returns in its next installment series: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Set in a fictional town near Mediterranean Spain, gamers will explore Paldea, catching new and classic Pokémon. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the first ever open-world game in the series and features new Pokémon that can transform into vehicles. Pokémon staples like gym battles are still present, but co-op exploration and Terastallize battles are also introduced.
How Long To Beat: 31 Hours
Prequel: Pokémon Sword and Shield
Mode: Single Player, Multiplayer
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet