Players will have to choose which version of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet they want to pick up, as both editions of Generation 9 has their own set of exclusive Pokémon. Ever since the series launched with the Pokémon Red and Blue RPGs in 1998, each region has debuted with two versions. In order to encourage trainers to interact with other players, every Generation features exclusive Pokémon. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Paldea games will bring back the long-running mechanic, with a twist.
Nintendo gave a sneak peek at the Gen 9 Pokédex in June by revealing several new Paldean Pokémon for the very first time such as Smoliv, Lechonk, and Pawmi. The trailer’s biggest reveal, however, was the new Legendaries Koraidon and Miraidon. The box mascots were confirmed to be ridable mounts that can swim, climb, and fly. The RPG’s first regional forme also made its debut in the trailer as well, with players getting their first look at Paldean Wooper.
In August, Game Freak announced Gen 9’s first exclusive Pokémon with the reveal of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet‘s Armarouge & Ceruledge. The Knight duo are split-evolutions from a new Fire-type Pokémon that has yet to be revealed. Pokémon Scarlet players will be able to catch Amaraouge, while Pokémon Violet users will get Ceruledge instead. Below is a breakdown of the differences between the two versions of Gen 9, and a list of Scarlet and Violet‘s exclusive Pokémon.
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Pokémon Scarlet Exclusives
Pokémon fans were surprised in July when a leaker claimed to leak major details about Scarlet and Violet. While rumors like this are usually not taken seriously, the mysterious account was soon proven to be accurate after many of the user’s details were confirmed in the Pokémon Presents update. For example, the leaker uploaded screenshots of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet‘s Gym Leaders an entire month before some of the characters eventually appeared in the August trailer.
So while Game Freak hasn’t officially confirmed certain details about the Gen 9 RPGs, Paldea’s exclusive Pokémon have been leaked online since the beginning of August. According to several leaks, Pokémon Scarlet will exclusively feature Pokémon Gold and Silver favorite Tyranitar. The edition also includes Pokémon Sword and Shield‘s Stonjourner, and Diamond and Pearl‘s Bronzor. Below is a list of Pokémon Scarlet‘s exclusive Pokémon.
- Larvitar
- Pupitar
- Tyranitar
- Stonjourner
- Bronzor
- Bronzong
- Koraidon (Legndary Box Mascot)
- Armarouge
- Donphan (Paradox Pokémon Ancient Forme)
- Volcarona (Paradox Pokémon Ancient Forme)
- Jigglypuff (Paradox Pokémon Ancient Forme)
- Amoonguss (Paradox Pokémon Ancient Forme)
- Magneton (Paradox Pokémon Ancient Forme)
- Misdreavus (Paradox Pokémon Ancient Forme)
- Salamence (Paradox Pokémon Ancient Forme)
- Suicune (Legendary Pokémon)
Pokémon Violet Exclusives
Instead of Tyranitar, Pokémon Violet users will get Dragon-type Salamence from the Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Hoenn region. Just like Pokémon Scarlet, the second edition of the Gen 9 RPGs will include an evolution line from the Galar region with Sinistea and Polteageist. However, Pokémon Violet will also include a second Pokémon Sword and Shield favorite with Eiscue being exclusive to the Violet edition.
According to the infamous Gen 9 leaker, both Scarlet & Violet will also include Legendaries from Gen 5 and Gen 2. Pokémon Scarlet players will be able to catch Pokémon Gold & Silver‘s Suicune, while Pokémon Violet trainers will be able to find Swords of Justice trio member Virizion from the Pokémon Black and White games. So far it’s unclear if the Legendaries will only be available in the post-game. Here is the list of Pokémon Violet‘s exclusive Pokémon.
- Bagon
- Shelgon
- Salamence
- Eiscue
- Sinistea
- Polteageist
- Miraidon (Legendary Box Mascot)
- Ceruledge
- Donphan (Paradox Pokémon Future Forme)
- Volcarona (Paradox Pokémon Future Forme)
- Gallade (Paradox Pokémon Future Forme)
- Hariyama (Paradox Pokémon Future Forme)
- Delibird (Paradox Pokémon Future Forme)
- Hydreigon (Paradox Pokémon Future Forme)
- Tyranitar (Paradox Pokémon Future Forme)
- Virizion (Legendary Pokémon)
Scarlet and Violet Paradox Pokémon Leaks
While Game Freak has not yet confirmed Paradox Pokémon, the new variant leaked online in June. Since then, several prominent leakers have reaffirmed that the new Paradox formes will be in Gen 9, and will consist of ancient and future versions of popular Pokémon.
Ancient Forme Pokémon will be exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet, while Pokémon Violet will have Future Formes. The variant has been compared to Gen 7 Pokémon Sun and Moon‘s Ultra Beasts, in that each Paradox Pokémon will count as a new entry in the Paldea Pokédex.
Scarlet and Violet Paradox Version Differences
Pokémon aren’t the only thing exclusive in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. In the Gen 9 story, players will be taking on the role of a new student who has just enrolled in the Paldea Region’s oldest University which is located in Mesagoza city. The game kicks off with the school’s President, Director Clavell, assigning students to participate in a treasure hunt across the region. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet the academic institution will have version-exclusive elements to it. Pokémon Scarlet players will enroll in Naranja Academy, while Pokémon Violet users will be attending Uva Academy. So far it appears that the differences will largely be cosmetic, with the school uniforms changing based on the player’s version of the game.
For the first time ever, Scarlet and Violet‘s Pokémon Professors will also be exclusive. Unlike previous generations, each version of Gen 9 will have a completely different Professor. Pokémon Scarlet players will be teaming up with Professor Sada, who is interested in studying and preserving the ancient past. In comparison, Pokémon Violet players will be getting Professor Turo, who is more interested in looking toward the future. Just like the University, it’s unclear how much the differing Professors will change the game’s story between the two versions of the game. However, based on their personality and motive differences, it seems that the Professors will be having a bigger impact on the storyline than in past games.
With Pokémon Scarlet and Violet‘s release date set for November 18th, Nintendo will likely start to reveal the rest of the new generation’s Pokémon. While every Pokémon game has featured exclusive monsters, Game Freak has gone out of its way to create more differences between Pokémon Scarlet and Violet‘s two editions than the series has ever seen before. Since there is still a handful of new exclusive Gen 9 Pokémon that have yet to be revealed, players are going to have an increasingly harder time choosing which version of the Paldea Region they want to play.
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