What is the Best Ditto for Breeding in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?
The undisputed champion for breeding in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is a 6-IV Ditto, ideally with a beneficial nature and, if possible, a foreign language tag. This “perfect” Ditto streamlines the breeding process immensely, allowing you to easily create competitive Pokémon with optimal stats and increased shiny odds. While obtaining such a Ditto requires effort, the payoff in terms of breeding efficiency is well worth it. Let’s dive into why this Ditto is the best and how you can obtain one!
The Allure of the 6-IV Ditto
Why is a 6-IV Ditto considered the holy grail of Pokémon breeding? IVs, or Individual Values, are essentially genetic potential that affect a Pokémon’s stats. Each stat (HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed) has an IV ranging from 0 to 31. A maximum IV of 31 in a stat is considered “perfect”.
A Ditto with perfect IVs in all six stats provides a massive advantage:
- Simplified Breeding: Ditto can breed with almost any breedable Pokémon. With perfect IVs, it significantly increases the likelihood of passing down those perfect stats to offspring.
- Faster Competitive Team Building: Breeding with a 6-IV Ditto drastically reduces the time and effort required to create Pokémon with competitive IV spreads.
- Foundation for Chain Breeding: A 6-IV Ditto can be used to create a pool of Pokémon with excellent IVs, which can then be used to breed even more specialized Pokémon.
The Significance of Nature and Language Tag
While 6 IVs are the primary goal, a beneficial Nature on your Ditto also adds value. Natures influence stat growth, increasing one stat by 10% and decreasing another by 10%. A Ditto with a common competitive Nature, such as Adamant (Attack Up, Special Attack Down) or Timid (Speed Up, Attack Down), can further streamline breeding for specific builds.
Moreover, a Foreign Language Tag triggers the Masuda Method, which drastically increases the odds of hatching shiny Pokémon. If you have a Ditto with a different language tag than your game’s language, the odds of hatching a shiny increase from approximately 1/4096 to 1/683 (or 1/512 with the Shiny Charm).
How to Obtain the Ideal Ditto
The most reliable method for acquiring a 6-IV Ditto in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is through 6-Star Tera Raids. Here’s how to maximize your chances:
- Unlock 6-Star Raids: You must first complete the main story, the Academy Ace Tournament, and then participate in and complete a number of 4-star and 5-star raids. Eventually, Professor Jacq will call and unlock 6-star raids for you.
- Search for Black Tera Raid Crystals: These crystals signify 6-star raids. They appear randomly on the map.
- Check the Raid Boss: Interact with the crystal to see which Pokémon is the raid boss. Unfortunately, you can’t influence which Pokémon appears, so you’ll have to check frequently and reset if necessary.
- Defeat and Capture: Once you find a Ditto raid, assemble a strong team and defeat the Ditto. Catching it is guaranteed after a successful raid.
- Check IVs: After catching the Ditto, check its IVs using the Judge Function. You unlock this function by completing the main story and winning a certain amount of battles in the post game content.
- Repeat (and Trade): Finding a 6-IV Ditto can take time and patience. If you don’t get one right away, keep searching and participating in raids. Consider trading with other players online to increase your chances. Many online communities focus on trading Dittos with specific IVs and language tags.
Alternative Methods
- Trading: Trading is often the fastest way of acquiring a 6-IV Ditto, but it requires either having something valuable to offer in return or relying on the generosity of others.
- Breeding (with Destiny Knot): While less efficient, you can breed Dittos with other Pokémon, using a Destiny Knot to pass down five IVs from the parents. However, this is a long-term project and still relies on luck.
FAQs: Ditto Breeding in Scarlet & Violet
Here are some frequently asked questions about Ditto and breeding in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet:
1. Can two Dittos breed with each other?
No, Ditto cannot breed with other Dittos. They belong to the same Egg Group, and members of the same Egg Group cannot breed with each other.
2. Is Ditto still useful for breeding in Scarlet & Violet?
Absolutely! Ditto remains incredibly valuable for breeding because it can breed with almost any other breedable Pokémon.
3. Can Ditto breed with Legendary Pokémon?
No, Ditto cannot breed with most Legendary or Mythical Pokémon. These Pokémon typically belong to the “Undiscovered” Egg Group and are unable to breed. Manaphy is the only exception, but breeding Manaphy with Ditto will produce a Phione, which does not evolve into Manaphy.
4. What item should Ditto hold during breeding?
The best item for Ditto (or any parent) to hold during breeding is the Destiny Knot. This item ensures that five IVs are passed down from the parents to the offspring, increasing the chances of hatching Pokémon with good IVs.
5. What is the Masuda Method?
The Masuda Method is a breeding technique that increases the odds of hatching shiny Pokémon. It involves breeding two Pokémon with different language tags. For example, breeding a Japanese Ditto with an English Pokémon will significantly increase the shiny odds.
6. How does Hyper Training affect the need for perfect IVs?
Hyper Training allows you to artificially maximize a Pokémon’s stats at the cost of Bottle Caps, it doesn’t affect their actual IVs. It’s useful, but breeding for good IVs is still important for passing them down to future generations and for achieving optimal performance in certain competitive formats.
7. Is breeding for perfect IVs worth the effort in Scarlet & Violet?
Yes, breeding is crucial for creating truly competitive Pokémon. While Hyper Training can max out stats, breeding allows you to create Pokémon with optimal IV spreads and natures from the very beginning, saving you valuable resources.
8. What are the best natures to look for on a Ditto?
Common competitive natures for Ditto include Adamant, Timid, Jolly, Modest, and Careful. The best nature depends on the specific Pokémon you plan to breed.
9. How do I unlock 6-star raids in Scarlet & Violet?
To unlock 6-star raids, you must complete the main story, the Academy Ace Tournament, and then complete a number of 4-star and 5-star raids. After completing enough of these raids, Professor Jacq will call and unlock 6-star raids.
10. How do I check a Pokémon’s IVs in Scarlet & Violet?
You can check a Pokémon’s IVs by using the Judge Function. This function is unlocked after completing the main story and winning a certain amount of battles in the post game content.
11. Why is Ditto so hard to find in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?
Ditto is difficult to find because it disguises itself as other Pokémon in the wild. You won’t know if you’ve encountered a Ditto until you battle it, and it reveals its true form.
12. What Pokémon cannot breed with Ditto?
Ditto cannot breed with Pokémon in the “No Eggs Discovered” Egg Group. This includes most Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, as well as baby Pokémon and certain other special Pokémon.
13. Can Ditto pass down its Tera Type?
No, Ditto cannot pass down its Tera Type during breeding. The Tera Type of the offspring is determined randomly.
14. Where can I trade for a 6-IV Ditto?
There are many online communities dedicated to trading Pokémon, including Dittos with specific IVs and language tags. Look for these communities on forums, social media, and dedicated Pokémon trading websites.
15. How does breeding tie into education and learning?
The science of breeding can be a fun and engaging method to explain genetics. You can learn more about the science of games and learning at the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org).
Final Thoughts
While obtaining the “perfect” 6-IV, foreign language Ditto can be a grind, it is the single best tool for streamlining the breeding process in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. The time invested in finding or trading for one will pay off immensely as you build your competitive Pokémon team and pursue those elusive shiny Pokémon. Happy breeding!