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How to Breed Greninja in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to expand your team in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet with a cadre of Froakies, or perhaps even chase that elusive shiny Greninja? You’ve come to the right place! Breeding Greninja in these games is a straightforward process, allowing you to acquire pre-evolutions and potentially snag a shiny. The key is understanding the mechanics and limitations involved. In short, you breed Greninja by placing it in a picnic with a compatible partner – most commonly, a Ditto. Since the Greninja available through the 7-star raid event has the Protean ability, it is breedable. This means you can get your very own Froakie to start your breeding project. Keep reading for a complete breakdown.

Setting the Stage for Breeding: What You Need

Before diving into the specifics, let’s gather the essentials for successful Greninja breeding in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet:

Greninja: You’ll need a Greninja. This is obtainable by completing 7-Star Tera Raid Events, which are limited-time events, so keep an eye out for Greninja specifically when available! You can only catch one Greninja per event, so make the most of it.
Ditto (Recommended): Ditto is the MVP of Pokemon breeding. Its ability to transform and breed with nearly any Pokemon makes it the ideal partner for Greninja.
A Picnic Set: This is your breeding station. You can set up a picnic practically anywhere in Paldea (except inside buildings).
Egg Power Sandwich: To speed up egg generation, whip up an Egg Power sandwich. This boosts the likelihood of finding eggs in your picnic basket.
Patience: Breeding takes time. Don’t expect an egg to pop out immediately. It can take several minutes, even with Egg Power active.

The Breeding Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to breed your Greninja:

Catch a Ditto: Ditto can be found in areas like the outskirts of Medali and Port Marinada. These locations have been cited as being popular Ditto locations.
Prepare Your Picnic: Find an open area and set up a picnic.
Add Greninja and Ditto to Your Party: Make sure both Pokemon are in your active party.
Start the Picnic: Interact with your picnic table to begin.
Wait and Watch: Pokemon will interact, and an egg will eventually appear in the picnic basket. This can be sped up by crafting and eating an Egg Power sandwich.
Check the Basket: Periodically check the picnic basket near the table. If an egg is there, retrieve it.
Repeat: Continue leaving Greninja and Ditto in the picnic until you have the desired number of eggs.
Hatch the Eggs: Add the eggs to your party and simply travel around Paldea. Eggs hatch after a certain number of steps. You’ll get a Froakie from these eggs.

Optimizing for Shiny Greninja

Shiny hunting is a popular pursuit in the Pokemon world. Here’s how to maximize your chances of breeding a shiny Greninja:

The Masuda Method: Breed your Greninja with a Ditto from a game of a different language. This significantly increases the shiny chance.
Shiny Charm: Obtain the Shiny Charm by completing the Pokedex. This also boosts shiny odds.
Patience and Persistence: Even with these methods, shinies are rare. Be prepared for a long breeding session.

Key Considerations and Limitations

Keep these factors in mind:

Battle Bond Greninja: Any Greninja with the Battle Bond ability cannot breed. The Greninja available through the 7-star raid event does not have Battle Bond, so it is breedable.
Egg Group: Greninja belongs to the Water 1 Egg Group, which dictates which other Pokemon it can breed with (besides Ditto).
Shiny Lock: The Greninja caught during the 7-star raid event is shiny locked, meaning it will never be shiny in that encounter. You must breed for a shiny.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of breeding Greninja in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet:

1. Can I breed the Greninja I caught in the 7-star raid?

Yes! The Greninja from the 7-star raid event has the Protean ability, making it breedable.

2. What Pokemon can I breed with Greninja besides Ditto?

You can breed Greninja with any Pokemon in the Water 1 Egg Group. This includes Pokemon like Politoed, Seismitoad, and many others.

3. What do I get when I breed Greninja?

You’ll get an egg that hatches into a Froakie.

4. Can I get a shiny Greninja by breeding?

Yes! Breeding is the primary way to obtain a shiny Greninja in Scarlet & Violet. Use the Masuda Method and Shiny Charm for the best chances.

5. How long does it take to hatch an egg?

Egg hatching depends on the Pokemon. Froakie eggs typically require a few thousand steps to hatch. Having a Pokemon with the Flame Body or Magma Armor ability in your party halves the steps required.

6. What is the Masuda Method?

The Masuda Method involves breeding two Pokemon from games of different languages. This significantly increases the chance of hatching a shiny Pokemon.

7. How do I get the Shiny Charm?

Complete the Pokedex by catching or evolving every Pokemon in the Paldea region to receive the Shiny Charm, which boosts your chances of finding shiny Pokemon.

8. Why isn’t my Greninja and Ditto producing eggs?

Ensure both Pokemon are in your party and that they aren’t incompatible due to glitches or other unforeseen circumstances. Try moving around or resetting the picnic. If you see the message “They prefer to play with other Pokemon,” then they are not compatible.

9. Can I influence the IVs of the Froakie I breed?

Yes! Using Destiny Knot, you can have the parent Pokemon hold the item. This ensures that 5 of the 6 IVs of the parents are passed onto the offspring.

10. What is Egg Power?

Egg Power is a sandwich effect that increases the rate at which eggs appear in the picnic basket.

11. Where can I find Ditto?

Ditto can be found around the outskirts of Medali and Port Marinada.

12. Is there a way to guarantee a certain nature on my Froakie?

Yes! If one of the parent Pokemon holds an Everstone, the offspring will inherit that Pokemon’s nature.

13. Can I breed a male Greninja?

Yes. To breed a male Greninja, you need to breed it with a Ditto.

14. Are there any Pokemon that cannot be bred in Scarlet & Violet?

Yes, Paradox Pokemon and Legendary Pokemon cannot be bred.

15. What’s so special about shiny Greninja?

A shiny Greninja has a unique black color scheme with a red tongue/scarf, making it highly sought after by collectors and competitive players alike. It’s a visual flex!

Conclusion: Become a Greninja Breeding Master

Breeding Greninja in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is a fulfilling endeavor, offering the chance to collect pre-evolutions and potentially obtain a coveted shiny. By understanding the breeding mechanics, utilizing effective strategies like the Masuda Method, and exercising a bit of patience, you’ll be well on your way to building a team of powerful, custom-bred Froakies and Greninjas. Good luck, and happy breeding!

And while you are perfecting your game strategy, be sure to learn how video games impact education on GamesLearningSociety.org.

How do you breed a Greninja in Pokemon Violet?