Can I Breed Legendaries in Pokémon Violet? A Comprehensive Guide
No, you cannot breed Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Violet, or in most mainline Pokémon games for that matter. This is a fundamental rule in the world of Pokémon breeding, designed to preserve the unique status and lore surrounding these powerful creatures.
The reason behind this is that most Legendaries belong to the “Undiscovered” Egg Group. This group is a catch-all designation that prevents Pokémon within it from breeding with any other Pokémon, including the versatile Ditto. Breeding would undermine their rarity and significance within the game’s narrative.
However, this doesn’t mean the topic is entirely devoid of nuance. Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of Pokémon breeding, Legendaries, and what exceptions (if any) exist.
Understanding Pokémon Breeding Mechanics
Before we dive into the specifics of Legendaries, let’s establish a baseline understanding of Pokémon breeding in general. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, breeding occurs through picnics. You simply set up a picnic with two compatible Pokémon in your party, wait for a short period, and then check your picnic basket for an Egg.
Compatibility for breeding hinges on several factors:
- Egg Groups: Pokémon are categorized into Egg Groups. To breed, Pokémon must share at least one Egg Group. For instance, a Pikachu (belonging to the Fairy and Ground Egg Groups) can breed with a Clefairy (Fairy Egg Group) because they share the Fairy Egg Group.
- Gender: Typically, you need one male and one female Pokémon to breed. However, the genderless Pokémon Ditto can breed with almost any breedable Pokémon, regardless of the other Pokémon’s gender. The exception to this is Ditto.
- Incompatibility: Some Pokémon cannot breed at all. This includes those in the Undiscovered Egg Group, most Legendary Pokémon, and baby Pokémon like Pichu.
The Case of Legendary Pokémon and Breeding
As mentioned earlier, the vast majority of Legendary Pokémon fall into the Undiscovered Egg Group, rendering them incapable of breeding. This restriction serves several purposes:
- Maintaining Rarity: Legendaries are meant to be rare and unique encounters within the Pokémon world. Allowing them to breed would dilute their scarcity and diminish their perceived value.
- Preserving Lore: Legendaries are often deeply intertwined with the lore and mythology of the Pokémon world. Breeding them would create inconsistencies and potentially disrupt established narratives.
- Gameplay Balance: Legendaries are generally more powerful than regular Pokémon. Allowing them to breed would give players an unfair advantage and unbalance the game’s competitive landscape.
Exceptions and Special Cases
While most Legendaries are sterile, there are a few notable exceptions and special cases:
- Manaphy and Phione: Manaphy is a Mythical Pokémon capable of breeding with Ditto. This results in the creation of Phione. However, Phione cannot evolve into Manaphy, making it a distinct Pokémon. The classification of Phione as a Legendary is a subject of debate within the Pokémon community.
- Cyclizar and its Evolutionary Line: While Cyclizar is not a Legendary itself, it evolves into the version-exclusive Legendaries Koraidon (Scarlet) and Miraidon (Violet). Cyclizar can be bred, however you cannot breed Koraidon or Miraidon.
Shiny Legendaries and Breeding
A common question arises concerning shiny Legendaries. Since you cannot breed them, obtaining a shiny Legendary involves a process of soft resetting. This involves saving your game before encountering a Legendary Pokémon, engaging in the battle, and if the Pokémon is not shiny, resetting your game and trying again until a shiny version appears. This process can be time-consuming and requires patience, but it is the only legitimate method for acquiring shiny Legendaries in most mainline Pokémon games. It’s crucial to first confirm if a specific Legendary is available as a shiny within the particular game, as some are shiny-locked.
Transferring Legendaries to Pokémon Violet
Another aspect to consider is transferring Legendaries from other Pokémon games to Pokémon Violet via Pokémon HOME. Keep in mind that while you can transfer Legendaries, this doesn’t circumvent the breeding restrictions. You’re simply importing a pre-existing Legendary from another game.
Important note: some Legendaries can only be transferred to Scarlet/Violet after you have a copy of that Pokémon from a main series game first.
Are Paradox Pokemon Breedable?
You cannot breed Paradox Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Is Gimmighoul Breedable?
No, Gimmighoul is genderless and cannot be bred.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I breed Mew in Pokémon Violet?
No, Mew is in the Undiscovered Egg Group and therefore cannot be bred with any Pokémon, including Ditto.
2. Can I breed Ditto with another Ditto to get more Dittos?
No, Ditto cannot breed with other Ditto. The only ways to acquire Ditto are through catching them in the wild, trading with other players, or receiving them through special events.
3. Can you get Pokémon eggs from Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Violet?
No, you cannot get Pokémon eggs from Legendary Pokémon. Eggs are obtained through breeding compatible Pokémon at a picnic.
4. Is there any way to get multiple copies of a Legendary Pokémon in Violet?
Yes, after completing the main campaign you’re able to return to Area Zero and catch a second legendary mascot. You can also get multiple copies by trading.
5. I’ve heard rumors about breeding Legendaries with specific items. Is this true?
No, there are no legitimate items or methods that allow you to breed Legendary Pokémon in the mainline Pokémon games. These rumors are likely based on misinformation or misunderstandings.
6. Can I breed a shiny Ditto with a Legendary to get a shiny Legendary?
Since you cannot breed Legendaries, a shiny Ditto will not help in getting a shiny Legendary through breeding. You will need to rely on soft resetting.
7. Which Legendary Pokémon can breed?
Manaphy is the only Legendary-esque Pokémon that can breed, and it can only produce Phione, which does not evolve into Manaphy.
8. Can I transfer a Legendary Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Violet and then breed it?
You cannot breed Legendary Pokémon after transferring from Pokemon GO, they still cannot be bred.
9. How do I increase my chances of finding a shiny Legendary?
There’s no way to increase your chances besides having the Shiny Charm. You could also try eating a sandwich that increases the encounter of the Legendary you want.
10. Can I breed Paldean Tauros in Pokémon Violet?
Yes, you can breed Paldean Tauros. Any breed of the original Paldean Tauros will be copied when bred.
11. Is Cyclizar considered a Legendary and therefore unable to breed?
Cyclizar is a Dragon-type and Normal-type Pokemon that evolves into one of two different Legendaries each with their own unique typing. Cyclizar itself is not considered a Legendary, so it can be bred.
12. What are Egg Groups, and why are they important for breeding?
Egg Groups are categories Pokémon are placed into that determine breeding compatibility. Pokémon must share at least one Egg Group to be able to breed.
13. Can I transfer Arceus to Pokémon Violet and breed it?
Yes, you can transfer Arceus to Pokémon Violet, however it cannot be bred.
14. Can you breed Dudunsparce in Pokemon Violet?
Yes, you can breed Dudunsparce as long as you have a male and female Dudunsparce to breed.
15. Is there anywhere I can learn more about the complex systems in Pokemon?
To learn more about game based learning, and the various systems of games like Pokemon, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Conclusion
While the prospect of breeding Legendary Pokémon may seem appealing, it’s simply not possible within the established mechanics of the Pokémon world. Their rarity, lore, and gameplay balance are all dependent on their unique and unbreedable nature. Instead, focus on strategies like soft resetting to obtain shiny versions or trading with other players to expand your collection of these powerful and enigmatic creatures. Happy gaming!