Can You Ride Other Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet? The Definitive Guide
The short answer is no, in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you cannot ride Pokémon other than the legendary Koraidon (Scarlet) or Miraidon (Violet). While previous Pokémon games, particularly Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, allowed you to mount a variety of Pokémon, Scarlet and Violet significantly streamline this mechanic, focusing the rideable experience on the unique abilities of the game’s two legendary mascots. This article will delve into why this is the case, what you can do with Koraidon and Miraidon, and address some frequently asked questions about rideable Pokémon across the franchise.
Exploring Paldea with Your Legendary Companion
Scarlet and Violet’s design emphasizes the open-world nature of the Paldea region. To facilitate traversal, the game introduces Koraidon and Miraidon early on. These aren’t just any Pokémon; they are integral to your exploration. They transform into vehicles of sorts, granting you greatly enhanced movement speed, the ability to climb steep cliffs, glide through the air, and even traverse water bodies after unlocking specific upgrades.
This design choice allows for a cohesive and focused gameplay experience. Instead of having a roster of rideable Pokémon with varying speeds and abilities, the game consolidates these capabilities into a single, progressively upgradable companion. This also plays into the narrative, as your bond with Koraidon or Miraidon strengthens throughout the main storyline, leading to the unlocking of new traversal abilities.
The Path of Legends and Traversal Upgrades
The Path of Legends questline is where you unlock these essential traversal upgrades for Koraidon/Miraidon. By defeating the Titan Pokémon that guard Herba Mystica, you provide Arven with the ingredients necessary to make sandwiches that empower your legendary mount. This is how Koraidon/Miraidon gain the ability to dash faster, swim across water, and eventually glide through the air.
Koraidon and Miraidon: More Than Just Mounts
It’s important to note that while Koraidon and Miraidon are primarily used for traversal, they are also vital story characters. Their unique designs and personalities are woven into the narrative, creating a deeper connection than simply using them as tools for getting around. This contrasts with previous games where rideable Pokémon, while fun, lacked significant story relevance.
Why Not Other Pokémon?
The decision to limit rideable Pokémon to Koraidon/Miraidon likely stems from several factors:
- Game Balance: Allowing players to ride any Pokémon would create significant balance issues. Some Pokémon would be far superior mounts than others, making many Pokémon essentially obsolete for traversal.
- Technical Constraints: Implementing rideable mechanics for hundreds of different Pokémon would be a massive undertaking, requiring unique animations and physics interactions for each creature.
- Narrative Focus: Focusing on Koraidon/Miraidon allows the game to tell a more compelling story about your bond with these legendary Pokémon, rather than simply providing a diverse range of rideable options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions related to rideable Pokémon, specifically within the context of Scarlet and Violet and the broader Pokémon franchise:
1. Can I ride Cyclizar in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
No, despite Cyclizar’s resemblance to Koraidon and Miraidon, and its presence in the game, you cannot ride Cyclizar in Scarlet and Violet. This is a point of contention for some players, as NPCs can be seen riding Cyclizar.
2. Is Koraidon the only Pokémon I can ride in Pokémon Scarlet?
Yes, Koraidon is exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet and is the only Pokémon you can ride in that version.
3. Is Miraidon the only Pokémon I can ride in Pokémon Violet?
Yes, Miraidon is exclusive to Pokémon Violet and is the only Pokémon you can ride in that version.
4. How do I unlock the ability to ride Koraidon or Miraidon?
You unlock the ability to ride Koraidon or Miraidon by progressing through the game’s prologue and early storyline. It’s a relatively early-game event.
5. How do I dismount Koraidon or Miraidon?
You can dismount Koraidon or Miraidon by pressing the Start or Plus (+) button on your controller again while riding.
6. Can I battle with Koraidon or Miraidon immediately after obtaining them?
No, Koraidon and Miraidon initially function solely as rideable creatures and cannot be used in battle until much later in the game, after significant story progression.
7. Can Koraidon/Miraidon gain new abilities?
Yes, Koraidon/Miraidon can gain abilities that enhance their traversal options, such as swimming and gliding, through the Path of Legends questline.
8. Why can’t I ride Koraidon/Miraidon in Area Zero?
Koraidon/Miraidon is frightened by Area Zero and will not allow you to ride them within that location. This restriction likely serves a narrative and gameplay purpose, forcing players to explore Area Zero on foot.
9. Are Koraidon and Miraidon Paradox Pokémon?
Yes, Koraidon and Miraidon are Paradox Pokémon, representing ancient and future forms of Cyclizar, respectively.
10. Can Miraidon fly?
With the release of The Indigo Disk DLC, Miraidon can now fly. This adds a new dimension to exploration in the Paldea region and beyond.
11. Is Cyclizar a Legendary Pokémon?
Cyclizar is not a Legendary Pokémon itself, but it is related to the Legendary Paradox Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon.
12. Are Koraidon and Miraidon stronger than each other?
This depends on the context. Koraidon excels in physical attack and defense, while Miraidon is stronger in special attack and special defense. Their strengths are tailored to different battling strategies.
13. Can you evolve Pawmo while riding Koraidon or Miraidon?
No, evolving Pawmo into Pawmot requires walking with it in Let’s Go mode. Riding Koraidon or Miraidon will not trigger the evolution.
14. What other Pokémon games allow you to ride Pokémon?
Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! are notable examples of games with multiple rideable Pokémon. Other games might feature specific Pokémon used for transportation in certain areas, but not as freely as Koraidon and Miraidon.
15. Where can I learn more about the educational benefits of gaming?
You can explore the website of the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to discover insightful research and resources on how games can enhance learning and development. The Games Learning Society promotes the design and study of games for learning.
Conclusion: A Focused Traversal Experience
While the limited selection of rideable Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet might disappoint some players who enjoyed the diverse options in previous games, the focus on Koraidon and Miraidon provides a more streamlined and narratively engaging experience. The ability to upgrade their traversal capabilities through the Path of Legends questline adds depth and progression to the exploration aspect of the game. Ultimately, Scarlet and Violet prioritize a cohesive and story-driven approach to open-world exploration, making Koraidon and Miraidon integral partners in your Paldean adventure.