Is Greninja Breedable in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? The Definitive Guide

Yes, Greninja is breedable in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. However, there are nuances to understand to ensure successful breeding and to avoid common misconceptions, especially surrounding the elusive Ash-Greninja and the Battle Bond ability. Let’s dive into the intricacies of Greninja breeding in the Paldea region.

Understanding Greninja Breeding Mechanics

Breeding in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, like in previous games, is the key to obtaining pre-evolution forms and creating Pokémon with desired Natures, Abilities, and Individual Values (IVs). Greninja, being a popular and powerful Pokémon, is naturally a sought-after breeding candidate. To breed Greninja successfully, you need to grasp the following concepts:

• Egg Groups: Pokémon belong to specific Egg Groups that determine which Pokémon they can breed with. Greninja belongs to the Water 1 Egg Group.
• Gender and Compatibility: For two Pokémon to breed, they must be of opposite genders and share at least one Egg Group.
• Ditto’s Role: Ditto is a special Pokémon that can breed with almost any breedable Pokémon, regardless of gender, making it invaluable for breeding genderless or single-gender Pokémon.
• Natures and Everstones: An Everstone held by a parent Pokémon guarantees that the offspring will inherit that parent’s Nature.
• Abilities and Hidden Abilities: Pokémon can have different Abilities, including Hidden Abilities, which are rarer. Certain methods can increase the chances of passing down Hidden Abilities.
• IVs and Destiny Knot: A Destiny Knot held by a parent Pokémon guarantees that the offspring will inherit five IVs from either parent.

Practical Steps for Breeding Greninja

Here’s a step-by-step guide to breeding Greninja in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet:

1. Obtain a Greninja: You can obtain a Greninja through Tera Raid Battles, trading with other players, or transferring from previous games.
2. Acquire a Ditto: Ditto can be found in areas like the outskirts of Medali and Port Marinada.
3. Ensure Compatibility:
   • If you have a female Greninja, you can breed it with a male Pokémon from the Water 1 Egg Group.
   • If you have a male Greninja, you’ll need to breed it with Ditto.
   • Ditto can breed with any Greninja, regardless of gender.
4. Prepare your Pokémon: Equip the Greninja with an Everstone to pass down its Nature, or a Destiny Knot to pass down IVs.
5. Head to a Picnic Spot: Set up a picnic with the Greninja and Ditto in your party.
6. Wait for the Egg: Eggs will appear in the picnic basket over time. Check back periodically.
7. Hatch the Egg: Keep the egg in your party and walk around until it hatches, resulting in a Froakie.
8. Evolve Froakie: Froakie evolves into Frogadier at Level 16, and Frogadier evolves into Greninja at Level 36.

The Ash-Greninja and Battle Bond Conundrum

It’s crucial to understand that Ash-Greninja cannot be directly bred. This special form of Greninja is tied to the Battle Bond ability, which functions differently in Scarlet & Violet compared to its original implementation in Pokémon Sun & Moon.

In Sun & Moon, Ash-Greninja was obtainable through a demo version of the game and could be transferred to the main game. In Scarlet & Violet, the Battle Bond ability exists, but it does not trigger the Ash-Greninja transformation. Instead, it simply provides a stat boost. A Greninja with the Battle Bond ability cannot be bred. If you transfer a Greninja with Battle Bond, it will retain the ability, but you will not get Ash-Greninja.

Breeding for Specific Traits

When breeding Greninja, you can optimize for various traits:

• Nature: Use an Everstone on the parent Pokémon with the desired Nature to guarantee that the offspring inherits it.
• IVs: Use a Destiny Knot on one of the parents to pass down five IVs to the offspring.
• Ability: While you cannot breed for Battle Bond, you can aim for the Hidden Ability, Protean. The chances of inheriting the Hidden Ability increase if one of the parents has it.
• Shiny Pokémon: Breeding can be a method to obtain Shiny Froakie, although it’s primarily based on luck. The Masuda Method (breeding Pokémon from different language versions) and the Shiny Charm can increase your chances.

Games Learning Society and Pokémon

The complex mechanics of Pokémon breeding offer a fascinating example of how games can teach intricate concepts related to genetics, probability, and resource management. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores how these game mechanics can be leveraged for educational purposes, demonstrating the potential of games as powerful learning tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Greninja Breeding

1. Can Greninja breed with Greninja?

Yes, Greninja can breed with Greninja if you have one of each gender. If you only have one gender, you must use a Ditto.

2. Can a Greninja with Battle Bond breed?

No, Greninja with Battle Bond cannot breed. Moreover, it is not possible to breed a Greninja with Battle Bond.

3. What Egg Group does Greninja belong to?

Greninja belongs to the Water 1 Egg Group.

4. Can I get Ash-Greninja by breeding?

No, you cannot get Ash-Greninja through breeding. Ash-Greninja is tied to the Battle Bond ability, which doesn’t trigger the transformation in Scarlet & Violet, and Greninja with Battle Bond cannot breed.

5. What is the best Pokémon to breed with Greninja?

Ditto is the best option if you only have a male Greninja or if you want to quickly produce eggs. If you have a female Greninja, you can breed it with any compatible male from the Water 1 Egg Group.

6. How do I increase my chances of getting a Shiny Froakie through breeding?

Use the Masuda Method (breeding Pokémon from different language versions) and obtain the Shiny Charm to increase your chances of hatching a Shiny Froakie.

7. Can I breed for a specific Nature?

Yes, give the parent with the desired Nature an Everstone to hold. The offspring will inherit that Nature.

8. Can I breed for better IVs?

Yes, equip one of the parents with a Destiny Knot to pass down five IVs to the offspring.

9. What is Greninja’s Hidden Ability?

Greninja’s Hidden Ability is Protean.

10. How do I increase my chances of getting a Froakie with Protean?

The chances of inheriting the Hidden Ability increase if one of the parents has it. Breeding a Greninja with Protean will increase the chance of the Froakie inheriting it.

11. Why won’t my Ditto and Greninja breed?

Ensure that both Pokémon are in your party and that you have set up a picnic. The game might occasionally generate the message “They prefer to play with other Pokémon,” which indicates that breeding will not occur. However, if you receive any other message, simply be patient; an egg will eventually appear.

12. Can Froakie breed with Ditto?

Yes, Froakie can breed with Ditto. This is a good way to obtain more Froakie with desired traits.

13. How do I get a female Froakie with a specific Ability and IVs?

Breed a female Froakie with the desired Hidden Ability with a male Pokémon from its egg group that knows desired moves. Then, breed the resulting female with a Pokémon with good IVs until you get a Froakie with the desired Ability and IVs.

14. How do I evolve Froakie?

Froakie evolves into Frogadier at Level 16 and Frogadier evolves into Greninja at Level 36.

15. Can I transfer my Ash-Greninja from Pokémon Sun/Moon to Scarlet/Violet?

Technically yes, you can transfer a Greninja with the Battle Bond ability. However, the Ash-Greninja form will not be triggered in Scarlet/Violet. The Battle Bond ability will simply act as a standard stat-boosting ability.

Breeding Greninja in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is a multifaceted process. Though you cannot breed Ash-Greninja, understanding the breeding mechanics, Egg Groups, and the roles of Ditto, Everstones, and Destiny Knots can lead to successful breeding and powerful team compositions. Happy breeding!