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Does Pokémon Scarlet Have All Pokémon? The Definitive Answer

The short answer is a resounding no. Pokémon Scarlet, like its counterpart Violet, does not include every single Pokémon ever created. While it offers a substantial roster of pocket monsters to catch and train within the Paldea region, there are specific omissions that keep completionists striving for full national Pokédex fulfillment searching for alternatives. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet collectively feature around 400 Pokémon within their regional Pokédex, leaving over half of the existing Pokémon unavailable in the base game.

Why Are Pokémon Missing?

Several factors contribute to this intentional design choice:

Game Balance: Introducing every Pokémon at once could disrupt the carefully crafted battle meta and create overwhelming power imbalances.
Technical Limitations: Even on the Nintendo Switch, there are technical constraints regarding game size and processing power. Including all 1000+ Pokémon, with their animations, models, and unique data, would be a significant burden.
Regional Focus: Each Pokémon game aims to showcase a new region and its unique ecosystem. Focusing on a curated selection of Pokémon allows developers to better highlight the specific lore and themes of that region.
Revisit and Reimagining: Omission is not always permanent. Through updates, DLC expansions, and even future games, developers revisit and reimagine classic Pokémon, introducing them to new audiences and sometimes altering their stats, movesets, and abilities.
Version Exclusivity: Encouraging trading and community interaction is part of the Pokémon DNA. The lack of all Pokémon in one game makes for a richer trading experience.

The Missing Pokémon: Who’s Not Invited to the Paldea Party?

While a definitive list is ever-changing with updates and DLC, certain Pokémon families have been consistently absent from the Scarlet and Violet base games. These omissions often include:

Starter Pokémon from Previous Generations: Entire evolutionary lines of past starter Pokémon have not been available such as the Gen 3 trio Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip.
Mythical Pokémon: Most Mythical Pokémon, like Darkrai and Shaymin, are typically obtainable through special events or promotions outside of the main gameplay. Although some have been made available via Pokémon HOME transfers, they require prior acquisition in other games.
Certain Legendaries: Some Legendary Pokémon from previous generations are absent, though updates and DLC can change this.
Uncommon Pokémon from Previous Games: Several uncommon Pokémon from past regions remain unavailable, contributing to the incomplete national Pokédex within the game.

Filling the Gaps: How to (Potentially) Get Them All

Despite not having all Pokémon natively available in Scarlet and Violet, there are avenues to expand your roster:

Pokémon HOME: This cloud-based storage service acts as a central hub for transferring Pokémon between compatible games. If you’ve caught Pokémon in older titles, like Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon: Let’s Go, or even Pokémon GO, you may be able to transfer them to Scarlet and Violet, provided those Pokémon are compatible with the game.
Trading: Trading with other players is a cornerstone of the Pokémon experience. By trading with players who own Pokémon Violet or have access to Pokémon through Pokémon HOME, you can obtain version-exclusive Pokémon and fill gaps in your Pokédex.
DLC Expansions: The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk downloadable content has added many previously unavailable Pokémon to the games. Future DLC or updates could bring even more Pokémon to Scarlet and Violet.
Events: Keep an eye out for in-game events and promotions, which sometimes offer the opportunity to catch rare or previously unavailable Pokémon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many Pokémon are in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

The Paldean Pokédex contains around 400 Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This number can fluctuate with updates and DLC releases.

2. What are version exclusives, and why do they matter?

Version exclusives are Pokémon that are only obtainable in one version of the game. In Pokémon Scarlet, for example, you’ll find Pokémon like Koraidon, Stonjourner, and Great Tusk, which are not natively available in Pokémon Violet. This encourages trading and community interaction.

3. Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Scarlet?

Yes, you can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Scarlet through Pokémon HOME, provided the Pokémon are compatible with the game. Not all Pokémon in Pokémon GO are available for transfer to Scarlet and Violet.

4. What is the rarest Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet?

Determining the “rarest” is subjective, but Pokémon like Walking Wake and Iron Leaves (Paradox Pokémon) obtained through limited-time events, and those with specific evolution requirements like Family of Three Maushold or Antique Sinistea, are considered rare. The Scarlet exclusive Blaze Breed Tauros is also considered rare.

5. How does Pokémon HOME work, and how much does it cost?

Pokémon HOME is a cloud-based service that allows you to store and transfer Pokémon between compatible games. It has a free version with limited storage and features, and a paid Premium version with more storage and advanced features.

6. Will there be more DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

While there has been no official announcements regarding additional DLC beyond The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero which includes the Teal Mask and Indigo Disk, it’s possible that future updates or expansions could be released.

7. What are the Scarlet exclusive Pokémon?

Some Scarlet exclusives include: Koraidon, Armarouge, Great Tusk, Scream Tail, Brute Bonnet, Sandy Shocks, Roaring Moon, Stonjourner, Skrelp, and Dragalge.

8. What’s the difference between Pokémon Scarlet and Violet besides the version exclusives?

Besides the Pokémon available, the primary differences lie in the story elements, professor, and the aesthetic design of the game. Scarlet focuses on past paradox forms, while Violet focuses on future paradox forms.

9. How do I get legendary Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet?

Legendary Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet are obtained through story progression, post-game content, or via events and Pokémon HOME transfers.

10. Is Pokémon Scarlet unfinished?

Game development is a complex process, and while Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have faced criticisms for technical issues, whether or not it’s “unfinished” is subjective. Ongoing updates aim to improve performance and address bugs. The game developer Game Freak works on a deadline that is likely set by the Pokémon Company.

11. Can I catch all 400 Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet without trading?

No, due to version exclusives, you will need to trade with someone to complete the Paldean Pokedex.

12. Can I get Miraidon in Pokémon Scarlet?

No, Miraidon is exclusive to Pokémon Violet. You can only obtain Miraidon in Pokémon Scarlet through trading with a Pokémon Violet player.

13. Is Oranguru a Scarlet exclusive?

No, Oranguru is not a Scarlet exclusive.

14. Is Tyranitar in Scarlet?

Yes, Tyranitar and its pre-evolutions (Larvitar and Pupitar) are available in Pokémon Scarlet and it is a Scarlet Exclusive.

15. What does the Games Learning Society think of these games?

While the Games Learning Society focuses on the educational aspects of games, one could infer they would find value in the strategic thinking, collaboration (through trading), and problem-solving elements inherent in the Pokémon franchise. The necessity to learn and remember type matchups, plan team compositions, and strategize during battles presents significant cognitive challenges. You can learn more about the educational potential of games at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Ultimately, while Pokémon Scarlet doesn’t include every Pokémon, it provides a robust and engaging experience with a curated selection of Pokémon, encouraging exploration, strategic battling, and community interaction.

Does Pokémon Scarlet have all Pokemon?