Welcome to your go-to resource for playing Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (often abbreviated “Scarlet & Violet”), the ninth-generation open-world Pokémon experience set in the Paldea region. This full game walkthrough will guide you through every major storyline — including “Victory Road”, “Path of Legends”, “Starfall Street” — and also cover key mechanics like Tera Types, starters, hidden collectible items, and how to complete post-game content. By following the step-by-step sections below, you’ll be well on your way to mastering your journey in Paldea.
1. Getting Started – Best Starter & First Steps
1.1 Choosing Your Starter Pokémon
Early in the game you’ll select one of three starters: Sprigatito (Grass), Fuecoco (Fire) or Quaxly (Water). This decision will influence your early game experience and team composition.
- If you want a stronger early game fire-type partner, pick Fuecoco.
- For balanced advantage vs many early gyms, Sprigatito offers solid Grass coverage.
- Quaxly suits players who prefer Water-type flexibility. In “best starter Pokémon Scarlet & Violet” discussions, many players favour Fuecoco for sheer damage in early battles.
1.2 The Open-World Paldea Region, Enrolling at Academy
Once you’ve picked your starter, you’ll travel through the South Province (Area One) to enroll at either the Naranja Academy (Scarlet) or Uva Academy (Violet). During this prologue phase you’ll tackle the following:
- Visit Cabo Poco, explore Poco Path and Inlet Grotto.
- Travel to Los Platos and then to Mesagoza for enrollment.
- Learn the basics: catching wild Pokémon, battling trainers, and starting your travel-experience in Paldea.
1.3 Key Early Game Tips
- Frequently press Y to scan your surroundings using your Rotom Phone; this helps spot hidden items and wild Pokémon.
- Use Auto-Battle sparingly early on — manual battles give better experience and weather you for tougher fights.
- Focus on building a balanced team: one starter, a good Flying or Bug type for early gym fights, and a Utility type for status-affecting moves.
- Early use of Sandwiches (Meal Power) gives you advantage in wild encounters and experience gain.
2. Victory Road – How to Beat All Gyms & Get All Badges
In the “how to beat Pokémon Scarlet & Violet gym badges” segment of your journey, you’ll chase down eight Gyms across Paldea. Here’s the recommended order with detailed steps:
Gym 1: Cortondo – Bug Badge
- Location: South Province (Area Two), in the town of Cortondo.
- Strategy: Use Fire- or Flying-type moves since the Bug-type Gym Leader (Katy) uses Bug as main theme.
- Step-by-Step: Travel from Mesagoza to Cortondo via Grand Olive Orchard. Solve the Gym Test: gather ingredients (or partake in the Stadium Test) then battle. Before the badge fight, heal up at Pokémon Centre; catch a Flying or Fire type if your starter is weak. Defeat Leader Katy and claim Bug Badge.
Gym 2: Artazon – Grass Badge
- Strategy: Focus on Fire- or Flying-type Pokémon as Grass types are weak to Fire and Flying.
- Step-by-Step: Head to Artazon in East Province (Area One). Complete Gym Test (usually gather items in open area). Fight Leader Brassius; his team uses Grass-types and some Rock-type. Using Fire or Flying attacks gives you advantage. Claim the Grass Badge.
Gym 3: Levincia – Electric Badge
- Strategy: Ground or Grass types counter Electric.
- Step-by-Step: Travel to Levincia (East Province). Complete the Rally Test (includes a mini race). Leader Iono uses Electric-type Pokémon — bring a Ground or Grass type. Earn the Electric Badge.
Gym 4: Cascarrafa – Water Badge
- Strategy: Use Electric or Grass types to exploit Water weakness.
- Step-by-Step: Go to Cascarrafa (West Province, coastal). Solve the Gym’s moving platform / surf challenge. Leader Kofu uses Water-type Pokémon; Electric/Grass moves help. Gain the Water Badge.
Gym 5: Medali – Normal Badge
- Strategy: Use Fighting types or strong special attackers since Normal types have no strong resistances.
- Step-by-Step: Visit Medali in South Province (Area Three). Participate in the Tech Test (with robots). Face Leader Larry; his Normal-type team is bulky — use STAB Fighting- or special moves. Receive the Normal Badge.
Gym 6: Montenevera – Ghost Badge
- Strategy: Dark or Ghost types work best here.
- Step-by-Step: Travel to Montenevera in North Province (Glaseado Mountain region). Gym Test involves blowing candles or lighting lanterns. Leader Ryme uses Ghost-types: bring Dark or Ghost moves. Secure the Ghost Badge.
Gym 7: Alfornada – Psychic Badge
- Strategy: Bug, Dark or Ghost types effective.
- Step-by-Step: Visit Alfornada, West Province (Asado Desert). Solve gym’s dune buggy challenge. Leader Tulip uses Psychic types; bring Bug, Ghost or Dark. Get the Psychic Badge.
Gym 8: Glaseado – Ice Badge
- Strategy: Fire, Fighting, Rock or Steel types work well.
- Step-by-Step: Head to Glaseado (North Province, snow zone). Gym Test: snowboard course or climb icy slopes. Leader Grusha uses Ice-type Pokémon; Fire or Rock moves shine here. Earn the Ice Badge and unlock access to the Pokémon League.
Tip: Between each gym, revisit your PC box and heal up. Use “best route gym badge Scarlet & Violet” mentality: don’t skip leveling — wild Pokémon scale significantly.
3. Path of Legends – Titan Pokémon Battles
In the “Titan Pokémon battles in Scarlet & Violet” arc, you tackle the gigantic Titan bosses across Paldea. Each Titan requires careful preparation.
Titan 1: Stony Cliff Titan – South Province (Area Three)
- Strategy: Rock/Ground types — use Water or Grass moves.
- Step-by-Step: Meet companion Arven near Grand Olive Orchard. Investigate the area, trigger Titan battle. Use a balanced team: a powerful Water type, a Grass type, and bring healing items. Defeat the Titan, progress story.
Titan 2: Open Sky Titan – West Province (Area One)
- Strategy: Flying type Titan — use Ice or Rock moves.
- Step-by-Step: Travel to Artazon region. Once you spot the Titan, engage in the showdown. Make sure at least one team member has Ice or Rock attacks. Defeat Open Sky Titan.
Titan 3: Lurking Steel Titan – East Province (Area Three)
- Strategy: Steel/Electric Titan — use Fire, Ground or Fighting moves.
- Step-by-Step: Travel to Levincia region. Follow cues to the cavern area. Use Fire or Ground type Pokémon and strong attacks. Overcome the Titan and move forward.
Titan 4: Quaking Earth Titan – Asado Desert (West Province)
- Strategy: Ground/Rock Titan — Water, Grass or Ice moves shine.
- Step-by-Step: Head into Asado Desert. Navigate shifting sands to reach Titan zone. Bring Water/Grass types. Defeat Titan.
Titan 5: False Dragon Titan – Casseroya Lake (North Province)
- Strategy: Dragon/Ground Titan — Ice, Dragon or Fairy moves are effective.
- Step-by-Step: Go to the North Province’s lake region. Find the Titan’s lair beneath the water. Prior-level a strong Ice or Fairy type. Beat the False Dragon Titan.
Tip: In “how to beat Titan Pokémon Scarlet & Violet” searches, players recommend: always carry plenty of Revives and Max Potions, keep one fast Pokémon to strike first, and use Tera Types (see Section 5) for maximal advantage.
4. Starfall Street – Team Star Bases
The “Starfall Street Team Star bases” storyline targets the bases of the rebellious student team across Paldea. Each base is a mock gym with unique rules.
Base 1: Dark Crew (West Province, Area One)
- Strategy: Dark-type boss Giacomo uses Dark Pokémon; use Bug, Fairy or Fighting types.
- Step-by-Step: Travel to Tagtree Thicket. Invite the Dark Crew battle. Use Fairy or Bug moves to counter Dark types. Win the battle.
Base 2: Fire Crew (East Province, Area One)
- Strategy: Fire type; counter with Water or Rock types.
- Step-by-Step: Visit the Fire Crew hideout. Engage Mela and her team. Use Water/Rock types. Advance the storyline.
Base 3: Poison Crew (West Province)
- Strategy: Poison types; use Psychic, Ground or Steel types.
- Step-by-Step: Locate base in open-field area. Battle Atticus. Counter Poison with Ground or Psychic. Continue.
Base 4: Fairy Crew (North Province)
- Strategy: Fairy types; counter with Poison, Steel or Fire.
- Step-by-Step: Travel to the northern region near snow. Battle Ortega and team. Use Poison or Steel accordingly. Progress further.
Base 5: Fighting Crew (South Province)
- Strategy: Fighting types; counter with Psychic, Flying or Fairy types.
- Step-by-Step: Visit the base in South Province. Battle Eri and team. Use Psychic or Flying types. Complete the Starfall Street arc.
Tip: Searching “Starfall Street Team Star how to beat” reveals that each base has gimmicks (e.g., forced Pokémon rotations, swirling terrain). Always carry a flexible Pokémon that can adapt.
5. Core Mechanics – Terastallizing & Tera Types
One of the most important aspects of “Pokémon Scarlet & Violet” is the Tera Type mechanic. This is often searched as “Tera types explained Scarlet & Violet”.
5.1 What is Terastallizing?
- When you Terastallize, your Pokémon glows like a gemstone and gains its unique Tera Type, which may differ from its standard type(s).
- Example: A Pikachu may have a Flying Tera Type, which changes its effectiveness in battle.
5.2 How to Use It in Battle
- Use a Pokémon whose moves match the Tera Type — that combination will yield maximum power.
- Activate the Tera form right before a big battle (Gym Leader, Titan, Team Star base) for the advantage.
- Track down rare Tera Raid Battles to capture Pokémon with special Tera Types.
5.3 Tips for “Tera types in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet”
- Check wild Pokémon for their “T” icon (indicating Terastallization).
- Use TM and sandwich bonuses to get potent moves ready before major fights.
- Save your Terastallize for a critical moment — in open world, random battles don’t require its use.
6. Hidden Items & Collectibles – Sandwich Recipes, TM Locations, Ominous Stakes
In searches like “hidden collectibles Pokémon Scarlet & Violet”, you’ll often see references to sandwich recipes, TM locations and the Ominous Black Stakes. Nintendo Life
6.1 Sandwich Recipes (Meal Power)
- In the Papaa Mart or local cafés, collect ingredients (Bread, Meat, Veggies, Berries) to make powerful sandwiches.
- Meal Power effects include: Catching Power, Experience Point Power, Item Drop Power.
- Use Meal Power especially when you’re hunting Paradox Pokémon or doing rare raids.
6.2 TM Locations & Evolution Stones
- Every province has unique TM locations — visit the map hub in Mesagoza to see TMs in the West/East/North zones.
- Evolution Stones (Moon, Ice, Dusk, Dawn) can be found in hidden cabins or as reward from Tera Raids.
- Example: Use Ice Stone in North Province to evolve certain Pokémon for competitive play.
6.3 Ominous Black Stakes & Hidden Ruins
- Hidden across Paldea are Ominous Black Stakes. Use the Rotom Phone’s Map Marker tool to tag each location.
- These stakes often unlock treasures or event triggers for rare items.
- Recommended: Before major story battles, spend 15-20 minutes exploring around each gym zone for these stakes.
7. The Final Showdown – The Way Home & Champion Battle
Once you’ve completed Victory Road, Path of Legends and Starfall Street arcs, you’ll unlock the final storyline “The Way Home”.
Steps to Final Showdown
- Travel to the entrance of the Great Crater of Paldea (Area Zero).
- Traverse the Surface and Secret Cavern, overcome puzzles and boss fights.
- In the final battle (version-specific: Scarlet/Violet), the climax leads to facing the Champion (for example, Nemona is your rival and eventual Champion in the Paldea region).
- Use your strongest Terastallized Pokémon, fully levelled and healed.
- After the Champion battle, you’ll unlock post-game content including Gym Leader rematches, Tera Raid 6-Star events, and register your full Paldea Pokédex.
8. Post-Game: After The Credits
The “how to complete post-game Pokémon Scarlet & Violet” part is where the real end-game depth lies.
Key Post-Game Activities
- Gym Leader Rematches: All eight Gym Leaders become available for re-challenge; defeating them earns rare items.
- Academy Ace Tournament: Enroll in the annual tournament at your Academy.
- Tera Raid 6-Star Battles: Rare wonder where you face Paradox or Legendary Pokémon — ideal for competitive teams.
- Complete the Paldea Pokédex: Capture version-exclusive and rare Pokémon, including shiny variants.
- DLC Expansion “The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero”: Includes Parts “Teal Mask” and “Indigo Disk” with new areas, Pokémon and stories.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1:How long does it take to beat Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?
A: Roughly 30-40 hours for the main story, and 60+ hours if you aim for full completion and post-game.
Q2:Which path should I do first – Gym badges, Titans or Team Star?
A: You can attempt any, but tackling Gym badges first often ensures you’re level-led for Titans and Team Star bases.
Q3:Is one version (Scarlet or Violet) better?
A: They are largely identical in mechanics. Differences are version-exclusive Pokémon and Academy names (Naranja vs Uva). Your choice depends on your preferred version-exclusive roster.
Q4:Should I focus on shiny hunting early?
A: Not necessary for main progression. Once you’ve beaten the main story and have strong Tera-type capable Pokémon, then shift into shiny-hunting mode.
Q5:What’s the best team composition for end-game?
A: Include one strong Terastallized attacker (e.g., Dragon, Fairy or Ice), one status/utility Pokémon, and one fast Pokémon that can scout or lead battles.
10. Final Tips & Tricks
- Save often, especially before major battles like Gyms or Titans.
- Explore off the beaten path in Paldea — hidden items and rare Pokémon await.
- Use Meal Power and Sandwiches frequently to bolster catch rate and XP.
- Level your team evenly; avoid carrying one over-leveled Pokémon.
- Experiment with Terastallizing different types of your Pokémon — you may discover an unexpected Tera Type advantage.
- Trade with friends to complete version-exclusives and finish your Pokédex faster.
- Watch out for timed events and Mystery Gifts for special Pokémon (e.g., especially shiny variants).
Conclusion
With this full game walkthrough for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, including “how to beat gym badges”, “Titan Pokémon battles”, “Team Star bases” and “Tera Types explained”, you’re fully equipped to conquer the Paldea region. By integrating long-tail keywords like “best starter Pokémon Scarlet & Violet”, “hidden collectibles Pokémon Scarlet Violet” and “how to complete post-game Pokémon Scarlet Violet”, this guide is optimized both for search reach and real player guidance.
Ready your Poké Balls, saddle up your Koraidon or Miraidon, and begin your journey to become Paldea’s Champion. Good luck trainers!
