Which Pokémon Can You Not Catch in Pokémon Scarlet?
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So, you’ve embarked on your Paldean adventure in Pokémon Scarlet, and you’re eager to fill that Pokédex. But a burning question remains: which Pokémon are simply unobtainable within the game itself? The answer, while a bit nuanced, boils down to several categories: starter Pokémon you didn’t choose, certain version exclusives, legendary and mythical Pokémon that are only available through special events or transfers, and a collection of Pokémon not coded into the game at all.
Essentially, you won’t find all Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet. Some are exclusive to Pokémon Violet, requiring trades for completion. Others need to be transferred from previous Pokémon games via Pokémon HOME. Still others are locked behind timed events or simply don’t exist within the game’s coding. Let’s dive into a more detailed look at what you can’t catch in Pokémon Scarlet without external help.
Unobtainable Pokémon Without Trading or Transfers
This category includes those Pokémon that are present in the Pokémon universe but are absent from Pokémon Scarlet’s wild encounters and Max Raid Battles unless special events are active.
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Starter Pokémon You Didn’t Choose: You’ll only receive one of Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly at the beginning. Obtaining the other two requires trading with other players.
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Pokémon Violet Exclusives: Pokémon Scarlet has its own set of exclusive Pokémon, which means those exclusive to Violet are unobtainable in the wild. Some notable examples include Iron Valiant, Iron Treads, and Iron Hands.
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Certain Evolution Lines: As the excerpt suggests, Dusknoir, Electivire, and Magmortar and their pre-evolutions are normally unavailable. The lack of some evolution lines often means you’ll need to transfer them from other games.
Pokémon Requiring Transfers from Other Games
While Pokémon Scarlet boasts a large Pokédex, not every Pokémon ever created is coded into the game. Many Pokémon must be transferred from older games via Pokémon HOME, the cloud-based storage service. This includes, but is not limited to:
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Many past generation starter Pokémon
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Legendary and Mythical Pokémon from previous generations
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Pokémon that have not been specifically included in the Scarlet and Violet data.
Pokémon Locked Behind Events or Special Methods
Some Pokémon are only available during specific promotional events, usually through Mystery Gift or special Max Raid Battles.
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Charizard: As mentioned in the excerpt, a Dark Tera Type Charizard was available via Mystery Gift at one point. These types of event-exclusive Pokémon aren’t typically catchable in the wild.
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Mewtwo: Similar to Charizard, Mewtwo has been available through limited-time Tera Raid Battles, giving players a chance to catch this legendary Pokémon.
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Walking Wake/Iron Leaves: These Paradox Pokémon were initially only available via special raids.
Difficult to Find Pokémon (But Still Catchable)
The excerpt also mentions Pokémon that are difficult to find, but still catchable, in Scarlet. This is important to differentiate from the truly unobtainable. These include:
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Ditto/Zorua: Due to their transformation abilities, they can be tricky to locate.
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Paradox Forms: While version-exclusive, the future and past Paradox Pokémon are only found in specific areas post-game.
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Treasures of Ruin: These Legendary Pokémon are hidden behind puzzles and require exploration.
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Aqua/Blaze Breed Tauros: These regional variants are location-specific.
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Gholdengo: Requires collecting 999 Gimmighoul Coins and evolving Gimmighoul.
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Palafin: Evolves from Finizen via a unique co-op leveling mechanic.
Glitch Pokémon and the Uncatchable
The article snippets also touch on the concept of “uncatchable” Pokémon, which can include glitch Pokémon like MissingNo. These are not intended to be caught through normal gameplay and are often the result of glitches or hacks. Official Legendary Pokémon integral to a game’s story might also be temporarily uncatchable during certain story events. However, these are generally catchable later in the game. Pokémon not properly coded into the game’s data at all will effectively be impossible to find or catch through normal gameplay.
Conclusion
While Pokémon Scarlet offers a vast world teeming with creatures to capture, some remain elusive without trading, transferring from other games, or participating in special events. Understanding these limitations will save you time and frustration as you strive to “catch ’em all” in the Paldea region. Be sure to check official Pokémon news and announcements for information on upcoming events that might make previously unobtainable Pokémon available! The GamesLearningSociety.org has some interesting information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I catch all the past generation starters in Pokémon Scarlet?
No, you can’t catch all the past generation starter Pokémon in the wild in Pokémon Scarlet. Many of them are unavailable in the game data unless transferred from Pokémon HOME. Check for announcements about events that may feature them in Tera Raid Battles or other special distribution methods.
2. How do I get the Violet-exclusive Paradox Pokémon in Scarlet?
You can only obtain Pokémon Violet-exclusive Paradox Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet by trading with someone who owns Pokémon Violet. There is no other way to find them within Scarlet itself unless Game Freak hosts a special event that allows them to appear.
3. Are Legendary Pokémon from previous generations catchable in Scarlet?
Not typically in the wild. Most Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are not programmed to appear in the wild in Pokémon Scarlet. You can transfer them from older games using Pokémon HOME if you previously caught them. Keep an eye out for special events that might feature them in Tera Raid Battles or other limited-time opportunities.
4. What is Pokémon HOME, and how does it help me get Pokémon in Scarlet?
Pokémon HOME is a cloud-based storage service for Pokémon. It allows you to transfer Pokémon from compatible games (including Pokémon GO, Pokémon Sword and Shield, and others) to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, provided those Pokémon are present in the Scarlet and Violet game data. This is essential for completing your Pokédex.
5. How do I participate in Tera Raid Battles to catch event Pokémon?
Tera Raid Battles are special battles against Terastallized Pokémon. To participate, you need to connect your game to the internet and look for active raids on your map. Stronger Tera Raid Battles require you to have progressed further in the game’s story.
6. What are Mystery Gifts, and how do I claim them in Pokémon Scarlet?
Mystery Gifts are free items or Pokémon distributed by The Pokémon Company. You can claim them by opening the Poké Portal in the game, selecting “Mystery Gift,” and then choosing “Get with Code/Password” or “Get via Internet.”
7. What is the rarest Pokémon I can catch in the wild in Scarlet?
The rarest Pokémon in the wild is subjective and depends on the specific criteria you are using to define rarity. However, Pokémon like Antique Sinistea/Polteageist, Family of 3 Maushold/3 Segment Dudunsparce, and the Aqua/Blaze Breed Tauros are generally considered quite rare due to their specific evolution methods, low spawn rates, or limited locations.
8. Can you catch MissingNo in Pokémon Scarlet?
No. MissingNo is a glitch Pokémon from older generations and is not present in Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. It was the result of programming errors in the original Pokémon games.
9. How do I evolve Finizen into Palafin in Pokémon Scarlet?
Finizen evolves into Palafin at level 38 or higher while in Union Circle with another player. This requires playing in co-op mode.
10. What are the Treasures of Ruin, and where can I find them?
The Treasures of Ruin are four Dark-type Legendary Pokémon: Wo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, and Chi-Yu. They are found in different locations throughout the Paldea region, sealed behind puzzles that you must solve to unlock them.
11. How do I get the evolution items needed for certain Pokémon in Scarlet?
Evolution items can be found throughout the world, purchased at Delibird Presents shops, or earned as rewards for completing Tera Raid Battles. The specific items you need will depend on the Pokémon you are trying to evolve.
12. Are there any Pokémon that are impossible to catch no matter what in Scarlet?
Yes. There are Pokémon that are not programmed into the game data. Without hacking or exploiting glitches, they cannot be obtained. Even with glitches, getting them is not guaranteed.
13. Where can I find Ditto in Pokémon Scarlet?
Ditto can be found in various locations throughout the Paldea region, but it often disguises itself as other Pokémon, making it difficult to spot. Look for Pokémon that seem out of place in a particular area, as that could be Ditto in disguise.
14. How does version exclusivity affect my Pokédex completion in Scarlet?
Version exclusivity means that certain Pokémon are only available in either Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. To complete your Pokédex in Scarlet, you’ll need to trade with players who own Pokémon Violet to obtain the Violet-exclusive Pokémon.
15. Will unobtainable Pokémon ever become available in future updates or events?
It’s possible! The Pokémon Company often releases new updates and events that introduce previously unavailable Pokémon into Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Keep an eye on official announcements for news about upcoming content and opportunities to catch rare or event-exclusive Pokémon.
I hope this article has helped you understand which Pokémon you can’t catch in Pokémon Scarlet and how to overcome those limitations! The world of Pokémon is vast and exciting, and the possibilities for future updates and events are endless.