Is EXP Share Always On in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? A Deep Dive

Yes, EXP Share is permanently enabled in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Unlike older games in the franchise, there is no option to turn it off. This means that all Pokémon in your party receive experience points after a battle, regardless of whether they actively participated or not. Get ready to embrace the shared experience, trainers!

The EXP Share: A Permanent Fixture

For many long-time Pokémon fans, the inability to disable EXP Share might seem like a significant change. In earlier titles, players could strategically manage experience distribution by turning the feature on or off. This allowed for more controlled leveling and sometimes provided a greater sense of challenge. However, Game Freak has chosen to make EXP Share a mandatory mechanic in recent Pokémon games, including Scarlet & Violet. This decision aims to streamline the leveling process and encourage players to experiment with a wider variety of Pokémon.

Why the Change?

The shift towards a permanent EXP Share reflects a broader design philosophy focused on accessibility and convenience. With a streamlined leveling process, players can more easily build diverse teams and quickly bring under-leveled Pokémon up to par. It allows you to spend less time grinding and more time exploring the vast Paldea region, engaging with the story, and battling other trainers. Plus, it encourages experimentation – no more worrying about keeping your new team members behind!

Benefits of a Mandatory EXP Share

While some players might miss the control of disabling EXP Share, there are definite advantages to having it always enabled:

• Faster Leveling: Teams level up faster, allowing players to progress through the game more quickly.
• Team Diversity: Encourages the use of a wider range of Pokémon, as it’s easier to keep them at a competitive level.
• Reduced Grinding: Less time spent battling weaker Pokémon to level up, freeing up time for exploration and other activities.
• Strategic Teambuilding: Allows more focus on strategy and team composition rather than just raw level advantages.

Strategies for Adapting to Permanent EXP Share

Even with EXP Share always on, there are still ways to influence how your Pokémon grow and develop. Here are a few strategies to consider:

• Rotating Party Members: Regularly swap out Pokémon in your party to ensure they all get sufficient experience.
• Strategic Battles: Choose battles carefully to match the types of Pokémon you’re training.
• Using Held Items: Equip Pokémon with items like the Lucky Egg to boost experience gains further.
• EV Training: Focus on EV (Effort Value) training to enhance specific stats like Attack, Defense, Speed, etc. (more on that later!).
• Tera Raids: Participate in Tera Raid Battles that can provide significant experience and valuable items.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about EXP Share in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

Here are 15 commonly asked questions to help you further understand and leverage the EXP Share mechanic in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet:

1. Does EXP Share give the same amount of experience to all Pokémon? No. The Pokémon that actively participates in the battle typically receives more experience than the Pokémon that are only in the party. However, all Pokémon in the party still receive a significant portion of the experience.

2. How do I maximize experience gains with EXP Share? Use a Lucky Egg on the Pokémon you want to level up the fastest. Participate in challenging battles, and rotate your party members frequently. Also, keep an eye out for Chansey, as they provide huge amounts of experience!

3. Where is the best place to grind for experience in Scarlet & Violet? Several locations are ideal for grinding, including:

   • South Province (Area 4)
   • Early-level Tera Raids
   • West Province (Area 1)
   • East Province (Area 2)
   • Asado Desert
   • Glaseado Mountain

4. What are EVs, and how do they relate to leveling up? EVs (Effort Values) are hidden stats that influence how a Pokémon’s attributes (Attack, Defense, Speed, etc.) grow as they level up. You can strategically train your Pokémon by battling specific Pokémon that yield certain EVs.

5. How do I check a Pokémon’s EVs in Scarlet & Violet? Open your party, select a Pokémon, and view its stats. Press L to view the stat graph; the yellow interior shape represents their EV. If the stat name has sparkles near it, it means it has reached the maximum 252 EVs.

6. Can I still EV train a Pokémon at level 100? Yes! You can still gain EVs even if your Pokémon is at level 100.

7. What are the best items for EV training? Power Items (like the Power Anklet for Speed) significantly boost the EVs gained per battle. Hold items to your Pokemon while battling for increased stats.

8. Can I get all Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet? While you can’t catch every Pokémon (there are over 1000 in the entire franchise), you can find around 400 different species within the Paldea region. To complete your Pokedex you can also trade Pokemon with others playing the game.

9. What is the Lucky Egg, and where do I find it? The Lucky Egg is a hold item that doubles the experience points a Pokémon receives in battle. You can obtain it through various in-game activities, such as completing certain challenges or defeating specific trainers.

10. How long does it take to 100% complete Pokémon Scarlet & Violet? Completing the main objectives can take around 31½ hours. Achieving 100% completion can take approximately 79 hours or more, depending on your playstyle and dedication.

11. Are Rare Candies reusable, and where do I find them? Rare Candies are single-use items that instantly raise a Pokémon’s level by one. They spawn randomly across all regions in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

12. What are Tera Raid Battles, and how do they help with leveling? Tera Raid Battles are cooperative battles against powerful Tera Pokémon. Winning these battles yields significant experience, valuable items, and even the chance to catch rare Pokémon.

13. Is Scarlet or Violet the better game? This depends on personal preference! Each version has exclusive Pokémon and story elements. Scarlet features Pokémon from the past, while Violet features Pokémon from the future. It’s often recommended to research the version exclusives before making a decision.

14. How much experience does an XL EXP Candy give? An EXP Candy XL provides a whopping 30,000 experience points, making it a very efficient way to level up your Pokémon.

15. Can you trade offline in Scarlet & Violet? Yes, you can trade locally in offline mode. For online trading, you need to connect to the internet.

The Future of Pokémon and Learning

The evolution of the Pokémon series, including the implementation of permanent EXP Share, showcases how game mechanics can influence learning and engagement. Educational games and learning methodologies can draw inspiration from these design choices, understanding how accessibility and streamlined progression can foster greater participation and enjoyment. Game-based learning, when designed thoughtfully, can be a powerful tool for skill development and knowledge acquisition. For more insights into the intersection of games and learning, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

While the permanent EXP Share in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet may take some getting used to, it ultimately streamlines the leveling process and encourages players to experiment with a wider variety of Pokémon. By understanding the nuances of the mechanic and implementing strategic training methods, you can build a powerful and diverse team to conquer the challenges of the Paldea region! Happy training, trainers!