Is It Possible to Catch Palafin? The Ultimate Guide to the Hero Pokémon

Yes, it is possible to catch Palafin in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but it’s not as straightforward as stumbling upon a wild Pikachu. Your primary avenues are through Tera Raids and evolving Finizen. Wild encounters are incredibly rare, practically non-existent. This guide will walk you through the methods of acquiring this powerful Water-type, explaining the nuances of evolution, raid battles, and everything in between. Get ready to add this superhero to your team!

Catching Palafin: A Deep Dive

Tera Raids: Your Ticket to a Palafin

The most reliable way to directly obtain a Palafin is through Tera Raids. These challenging battles pit you against a Terastallized Pokémon, offering a chance to catch it upon victory. Keep an eye out for high-level raids (4-star and above) as Palafin is much more likely to appear in these.

• Location, Location, Location: While Palafin can appear in various raid dens across the Paldea region, some players have reported success finding them in areas with high concentrations of Water-type Pokémon, or near bodies of water. The upper right corner of the map, where Dragonites are often found, is also a potential hotspot.

• Raid Difficulty: Be prepared for a tough fight. Palafin in Tera Raids can pack a punch, so assemble a team with Pokémon that have type advantages. Electric and Grass-type Pokémon are your best bet.

• Stay Updated: Tera Raid events rotate periodically, so make sure to keep an eye on announcements and online communities for any Palafin-specific raids. These events often increase the spawn rate of certain Pokémon, making it easier to find them.

Evolving Finizen: The Union Circle Method

The other method of obtaining a Palafin is by evolving Finizen. However, this process has a unique multiplayer requirement.

• Level Up in Union Circle: Finizen must reach level 38 or higher to evolve into Palafin. Critically, this leveling up must occur while you are connected with another player in the Union Circle. Simply being in a Union Circle isn’t enough; you must level up Finizen while you’re in the Union Circle.

• Union Circle Mechanics: The Union Circle is a multiplayer feature in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that allows you to explore the Paldea region with friends. To start or join a Union Circle, head to a Pokémon Center and interact with the Union Circle terminal.

• No Single-Player Evolution: Unfortunately, there is no way to evolve Finizen into Palafin in single-player mode. The Union Circle requirement is mandatory.

The Rarity of Wild Encounters

While technically possible, encountering a Palafin in the wild is extremely rare. Even in Area Zero, which is known for its unique and powerful Pokémon, Palafin is an uncommon sight. Focus your efforts on Tera Raids and evolving Finizen rather than relying on chance encounters.

Why is Palafin so Strong?

Palafin’s strength lies in its unique ability, Zero to Hero. In its Zero Form, Palafin is relatively weak. However, when switched out during battle, it transforms into its Hero Form, dramatically boosting its stats. This strategic transformation makes Palafin a formidable opponent. Learning to use Flip Turn in battle is essential!

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Palafin

1. Can you catch Palafin in the wild?

Technically yes, but it’s incredibly rare. Your best bet is through Tera Raids or evolving Finizen in the Union Circle.

2. Can you find Palafin in raids in Scarlet and Violet?

Yes! Palafin can be found in Tera Raids, particularly in high-level ones.

3. Can you evolve Finizen into Palafin alone?

No. Finizen must level up to 38 or higher while in a Union Circle with at least one other player.

4. Can I get Palafin without online access?

You CAN catch Palafin in raids if you don’t have friends to play with online. However, these appear rarely and are a difficult battle.

5. What level does Finizen evolve at?

Finizen evolves into Palafin starting at level 38, but only when leveled up inside a Union Circle.

6. What type is Palafin?

Palafin is a Water-type Pokémon.

7. Is Palafin strong?

Yes, especially in its Hero Form. Its Zero to Hero ability allows it to transform into a powerhouse when switched out of battle.

8. How tall is Palafin?

Palafin’s height is 4′ 03″.

9. How do you unlock higher star raids?

Unlocking 6 and 7 star raids requires beating the whole game, beating the post-game tournament, then doing 4 and 5 star raids until you unlock it.

10. Is Palafin based on Superman?

Yes, Palafin’s design and ability are a clear homage to Superman, with its transformation and superhero appearance.

11. What is a good partner for Palafin in battle?

Pelipper is a great partner for Palafin, as it can set up rain, boosting Palafin’s Water-type moves, and checks Koraidon.

12. What’s the code for the Palafin Tera raid event?

While there may be temporary event codes for special Tera Raids, they expire. Keep an eye on official Pokémon channels for the most up-to-date codes. The code 0C1CV1CT0RGAV1N may be outdated.

13. Is there any way to speed up the Union Circle evolution process?

Make sure your Finizen is already close to leveling up before entering the Union Circle. Using items like Rare Candies can expedite the process.

14. What are the best moves for Palafin?

Some of the best moves for Palafin include Wave Crash, Flip Turn, Jet Punch, and Close Combat. The best move set depends on how you want to use Palafin.

15. What is the hardest Pokémon to evolve in Scarlet and Violet?

Many consider Gimmighoul to be the hardest to evolve, requiring 999 Gimmighoul Coins to evolve.

Conclusion: Embrace the Hero

Catching Palafin in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet requires patience, strategy, and potentially some cooperation with other players. Whether you’re tackling tough Tera Raids or joining a Union Circle to evolve Finizen, the reward is a powerful and unique addition to your team. Embrace the challenge and add this superhero Pokémon to your roster!

The principles of teamwork and collaboration, as exemplified by the Union Circle mechanic in evolving Finizen, highlight the broader applications of gaming in fostering social skills. For more insights into the intersection of games and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.