Can You Get Salamence in Scarlet? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, but with a catch. While Salamence is exclusive to Pokemon Violet in its standard form, players of Pokemon Scarlet can still obtain it through trading with a Violet player. Additionally, Pokemon Scarlet features an ancient Paradox form of Salamence known as Roaring Moon, obtainable within the game itself under specific conditions. This guide dives deep into how to acquire both forms of this powerful Dragon-type Pokémon in your Scarlet adventure.

Obtaining Salamence in Pokemon Scarlet

The Trade Route

The most straightforward way to get the standard Salamence in Pokemon Scarlet is through trading. Since Bagon (and consequently its evolutions, Shelgon and Salamence) are Violet exclusives, you’ll need to connect with someone who owns Pokemon Violet.

1. Find a Trading Partner: The first step is to find a player willing to trade their Bagon, Shelgon, or Salamence. Online forums, social media groups dedicated to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and local Pokemon communities are great places to start.
2. Coordinate the Trade: Once you’ve found a trading partner, decide what you’ll offer in return. Popular choices include Scarlet-exclusive Pokemon like Larvitar (and its evolutions Pupitar and Tyranitar), or other valuable items or Pokemon you possess.
3. Link Trade: Within the game, navigate to the Poke Portal and select “Link Trade”. Enter the link code provided by your trading partner, and wait for the connection to establish.
4. Complete the Trade: Once connected, select the Pokemon you wish to trade and confirm the exchange. If everything goes smoothly, you’ll receive your desired Bagon, Shelgon, or Salamence.
5. Evolving Bagon (if necessary): If you traded for a Bagon, you’ll need to train it. Bagon evolves into Shelgon at level 30, and Shelgon evolves into Salamence at level 50.

Hunting Roaring Moon: The Ancient Paradox Salamence

Roaring Moon, the ancient Paradox form of Salamence, is a Scarlet exclusive. This powerful Dragon/Dark-type Pokémon is a formidable addition to any team, boasting impressive Attack and Speed stats.

1. Unlock the Post-Game: To access Roaring Moon, you must first complete the main storyline of Pokemon Scarlet, including the “The Way Home” quest. This unlocks Area Zero.
2. Venture into Area Zero: Area Zero is located within the Great Crater of Paldea. After completing the main story, you can revisit Area Zero.
3. Head to Research Station No. 3: From the entrance, navigate towards Research Station No. 3. Roaring Moon spawns within the cave system surrounding Research Station No. 3.
4. Search the Cave System: Roaring Moon is a rare spawn, so you’ll need to explore the caves thoroughly. Keep an eye out for its distinct appearance – a primal, winged form with red accents.
5. Prepare for Battle: Roaring Moon is a high-level Pokemon, so bring a strong team and plenty of healing items. Consider using False Swipe to bring its HP down to 1 without knocking it out, making it easier to catch.
6. Catch Roaring Moon: Once you’ve weakened it, use Ultra Balls or other high-quality Poké Balls to secure the capture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Salamence a Legendary Pokémon?

No, Salamence is not a Legendary Pokémon. It is classified as a Pseudo-Legendary, meaning it has a three-stage evolution and a high base stat total (600), but lacks the canonical status of a Legendary.

2. What are the version exclusive Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet?

Pokemon Scarlet has exclusives like Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar, Koraidon, and the Paradox Pokemon Great Tusk. Pokemon Violet has exclusives such as Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence, Miraidon, and the Paradox Pokemon Iron Treads.

3. What is a Paradox Pokémon?

Paradox Pokémon are ancient or futuristic forms of existing Pokemon. They are unique to Scarlet and Violet and add a fascinating layer to the game’s lore and gameplay.

4. Which is the strongest Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon?

This is subjective and depends on the context, but Dragapult is often considered one of the strongest Pseudo-Legendaries due to its high Speed and Attack stats. Other contenders include Garchomp and Metagross.

5. Is Roaring Moon stronger than regular Salamence?

Roaring Moon’s stat distribution is different from Salamence’s, leaning towards a more offensive build with high Attack and Speed. With the Protosynthesis ability boosting its highest stat, it can often be a more immediately powerful threat, but it highly depends on the setup and team comp. It is more streamlined than Salamence.

6. How rare is Bagon in Pokemon Violet?

Bagon is not excessively rare in Pokemon Violet. It can be found in several locations, including East Province Area Three.

7. What is Salamence’s Tera Type?

Salamence can appear in Tera Raids with various Tera Types. It is featured with a Steel Tera Type, but it can also have other types. Trainers should be prepared for any of the 18 Pokémon types.

8. Is Roaring Moon good in competitive battles?

Yes, Roaring Moon is a strong contender in competitive battles, thanks to its high offensive stats and Protosynthesis ability. It can be a powerful sweeper, but its reliance on Booster Energy to activate Protosynthesis can be a limitation.

9. What level does Bagon evolve in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

Bagon evolves into Shelgon at level 30. Shelgon then evolves into Salamence at level 50.

10. Can I find other Paradox Pokémon in Area Zero?

Yes, Area Zero is the primary location for finding Paradox Pokémon in both Scarlet and Violet. The specific Paradox Pokemon that appear will depend on which version of the game you are playing.

11. What are the weaknesses of Roaring Moon?

As a Dragon/Dark-type, Roaring Moon is weak to Fairy, Ice, Fighting, Bug, and Dragon-type moves.

12. What are the best strategies for catching Roaring Moon?

Bring a Pokemon that knows False Swipe to weaken it without knocking it out. Use status conditions like paralysis or sleep to increase your chances of catching it. Stock up on Ultra Balls or Timer Balls.

13. Are there any Legendary Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet?

Yes, there are several Legendary Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, including Koraidon, Miraidon, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, Wo-Chien, and Chi-Yu. These are in addition to any Legendary Pokémon that can be transferred from previous games.

14. Why is Pokémon Scarlet considered better than Violet by some?

The preference is subjective. Some players prefer Scarlet due to the designs of its Paradox Pokémon, which aren’t limited by a technological theme. Others prefer the story and characters present in Scarlet.

15. What’s the best way to prepare for Tera Raids featuring Salamence?

Study Salamence’s potential Tera Types and prepare a team of Pokemon with type advantages against those types. Coordinate with other players to create a well-balanced team and communicate effectively during the raid.

Leveling Up Your Bagon

Once you have your Bagon, whether through trade or breeding, you’ll want to level it up to evolve it into Shelgon and then Salamence. Here are some tips:

• Battle Wild Pokémon: Engage in battles with wild Pokémon to earn experience points. Focus on battling Pokémon that are weak to Dragon-type moves for faster leveling.
• Use Rare Candies: If you have any Rare Candies, you can use them to instantly level up your Bagon.
• Participate in Raids: Participating in Tera Raids can provide significant experience points and valuable items.
• Utilize the Experience Share: The Experience Share allows all Pokemon in your party to gain experience points, even if they don’t participate in the battle.

Conclusion

While Salamence is a Violet exclusive, resourceful Scarlet players have viable options to add this majestic Dragon-type to their team. Whether through trading or hunting the powerful Roaring Moon, the journey to obtaining Salamence is a rewarding experience. Understanding the nuances of version exclusives, Paradox Pokémon, and trading mechanics is key to maximizing your Pokemon Scarlet adventure. Remember to explore, strategize, and most importantly, have fun! For more information on gaming and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.