Pokémon Scarlet and Violet for the Nintendo Switch merge the traditional Pokémon gameplay with the open world nature of Paldea.

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you’re a transfer student at the region’s Pokémon Academy and, during the school’s annual Treasure Hunt, you find yourself going on three adventures - Victory Road, Path of Legends and Starfall Street.

Thanks to the games’ open world nature, you’re free to tackle these storylines, along with many of the activities within them, in any order you like.

There is, however, a best path to take through these storylines which you can find below in our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet walkthrough. We’ve also included a list of helpful tips for your Pokémon journey and links to our other Scarlet and Violet guides. Though, if you’re unsure whether the games’ are for you, check our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet review.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet walkthroughTips and tricks for Pokémon Scarlet and VioletPokémon Scarlet and Violet guides list: All our Scarlet and Violet guides listedTo see this content please enable targeting cookies.Manage cookie settings

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet walkthrough

Your first task in both Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is to complete The First Day of School, which acts as the games’ opening chapter.

With this introduction complete, you’re free to complete the three storylines - Victory Road, Path of Legends and Starfall Street - at your own pace. This means you can jump between the three storylines, moving between defeating Gym Leaders to investigating the Titan Pokémon, whenever you like.

If you’d like to learn more about these storylines, then visit our pages on Victory Road, Path of Legends and Starfall Street.

You can complete them one at a time, but we recommend the following preferred path through Paldea, which we’ve outlined below. This is just our suggestion, so feel free to experiment, explore, and see what takes your fancy as you go.

Remember, as you go, it's always a good idea to take the time to level up your Pokémon before the next challenge.

Here's our recommended walkthrough through Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:

Complete The First Day of SchoolBug Gym Leader Kathy in CortondoKlawf, the Stony Cliff TitanGrass Gym Leader Brassius in ArtazonBombirdier, the Open Sky TitanDark Crew and Giacomo of Team StarFire Crew and Mela of Team StarThird Nemona battleElectric Gym Leader Iono in LevinciaOrthworm, the Lurking Steel TitanWater Gym Leader Kofu in CascarrafaPoison Crew and Atticus of Team StarNormal Gym Leader Larry in MedaliFourth Nemona battleGhost Gym Leader Ryme in MonteneveraFifth Nemona battlePsychic Gym Leader Tulip in AlfornadaGreat Tusk, the Quaking Earth Titan in Scarlet or the Iron Treads, the Quaking Earth Titan in VioletIce Gym Leader Grusha in GlaseadoFairy Crew and Ortega of Team StarFighting Crew and Eri of Team StarDondozo, the False Dragon TitanComplete the Path of Legends storyline - Beat ArvenComplete the Starfall Street storyline - Battle outside the school and with the Big Boss of Team StarElite FourTop ChampionSixth Nemona battleThe Way Home and final battle

Congratulations - you've completed the main campaign!

You'll awake in your dorm room and be summoned to the Director's office. Here Geeta will ask you to have rematches with the Gym Leaders and, once you've done so, the Academy Ace Tournament will be unlocked.

Tips for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Here are some tips which will help you make the most out of your adventure across the Paldea region in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:

Pay attention to which Province and Area number you’re in. Wild Pokémon and trainer levels are dictated by both the Province and Area number, with the idea being the further you go from Cabo Poco, the stronger the Pokémon will become. This means that the wild Pokémon in the northern Provinces of Paldea will typically have higher levels than those in the south.Visit the watchtowers! Not only do the watchtowers provide you with a great view of the surrounding area, but you can also fast travel to them. This makes it easier to reach certain parts of Paldea that don’t contain a Pokémon Center.Have your Pokémon explore Paldea using Let’s Go. This feature allows your leading Pokémon to escape its Poké Ball and explore the world alongside you. While doing so, they can fight Pokémon and gather items. Doing so, can help you level up your Pokémon quickly and gather crafting materials for TMs.Check your Pokédex regularly. Your Pokédex in Scarlet and Violet doesn’t just collect information on the Pokémon you’ve personally seen or caught, but ones you haven’t even encountered yet. These notes include the habitats of the unseen Pokémon, which is incredibly useful in tracking down a creature you might have missed in the vast wilds of Paldea.Always carry a couple of Pokémon Dolls. Due to the open world nature of Scarlet and Violet, there’s a chance you’ll find yourself battling a wild Pokémon far above the current levels of your party. It can be rather difficult to escape these fights, so it’s always a good idea to carry a number of Pokémon Dolls in your bag as these items will allow you to instantly escape the battle. Recharge your Tera Orb! Remember - you can only Terastallize your Pokémon once before you’ll need to visit a Pokémon Center and have your Tera Orb recharged. Due to this, it’s always a good idea to visit a Pokémon Center after using the Terastallizing a Pokémon - you never know when you’ll need it again!You can change your Pokémon’s Tera Types. While we’re on the subject of Tera Types, it’s important to mention that they can be changed. This can be done by collecting Tera Shards and then visiting the Treasure Eatery in Medali. There’s a different type of shard for each type and you’ll need 50 Shards to complete the change, so it’s quite the task but one worth doing for the right Pokémon.Look for the character with golden chat boxes above their heads. These characters are connected to a feature - be it checking the Friendship levels of your Pokémon or offering a trade - meaning they’re always worth chatting to.Eat a sandwich or a meal. All of the food in Scarlet and Violet, from icecream to the sandwiches you make, will provide you with a set of boosts. These can range from a specific type becoming more powerful in Tera Raids to increasing your chances of finding eggs during picnics. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to stop for a bite to eat. Attend classes at the Academy! It’s easy to forget you’re still a student when you’re out in the wilds of Paldea and, though the Academy may be far from your mind, it’s worth a visit. Taking classes at the Academy will allow you to develop friendships with your teachers and, in doing so, unlock useful rewards.Pick up the small, sparkling, items. There are two types of items you can gather in Scarlet and Violet - the ones represented by a Poké Ball (as is tradition) and the small sparkles you’ll see on the ground. It’s tempting to ignore these little sparkles, but they are definitely worth collecting. You never know - it might be an evolution stone!

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guides list: All our Scarlet and Violet guides listed

Below you’ll find all of our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guides published so far:

Main story:

The First Day of School quest stepsBest Titan order for Path of LegendsBest Team Star base order for Starfall StreetBest Victory Road gym orderNemona battlesThe Way Home quest stepsHow to beat the final boss

The Teal Mask DLC:

How to start The Teal Mask DLCThe Teal Mask walkthroughKitakami Pokédex and all returning Pokémon in The Teal Mask DLCLovey Dovey couple solutionHow to catch The Loyal ThreeHow to evolve Applin into DipplinHow to evolve Poltchageist into SinistchaHow to get Bloodmoon UrsalunaHow to evolve Basculin into BasculegionHow to evolve Feebas into MiloticHow to evolve Gligar into GliscorHow to evolve Piloswine into MamoswineTeal Mask version exclusive Pokémon explained

Gym Leaders:

Cortondo Gym: How to beat Bug Gym leader Kathy and the Olive RollArtazon Gym: How to beat Grass Gym Leader Brassius and Sunflora locationsCascarrafa Gym: How to beat Water Gym Leader Kofu and reach Port MarinadaLevincia Gym: How to beat Electric Gym Leader Iono and Mister Walksabout locationsMedali Gym: How to beat Normal Gym Leader Larry and secret menu item solutionMontenevera Gym: How to beat Ghost Gym Leader Ryme and double battlesAlfornada Gym: How to beat Psychic Gym Leader Tulip and ESP battlesGlaseado Gym: How to beat Ice Gym Leader Grusha and Snow Slope RunHow to beat the Elite FourHow to beat the Top Champion

Team Star:

How to beat Giacomo and Team Star Dark Crew base locationHow to beat Mela and Team Star Fire Crew base locationHow to beat Atticus and Team Star Poison Crew base locationHow to beat Ortega and Team Star Fairy Crew base locationHow to beat Eri and Team Star Fighting Crew base locationHow to beat Director ClavellHow to beat Cassiopeia

Titans:

Stony Cliff Titan location and Klawf weaknessesOpen Sky Titan location and Bombirdier weaknesses Lurking Steel Titan location and Orthworm weaknessesQuaking Earth Titan location, including Great Tusk and Iron Treads strategyFalse Dragon Titan location and Dondozo weaknesses

Abilities, upgrades and items:

How to fly, swim, climb, dash and high jump Fire Stone locationsThunder Stone locationsIce Stone locationsDawn Stone locationsAmulet Coin location

Evolutions:

How to check Friendship level and increase FriendshipHow to evolve Eevee into Flareon, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Umbreon, Espeon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and SylveonHow to evolve Charcadet into ArmarougeHow to evolve Charcadet into CeruledgeHow to evolve Tadbulb into BelliboltHow to evolve Pawmo into PawmotHow to evolve Primeape into AnnihilapeHow to evolve Capsakid into ScovillainGimmighoul coin locations and how to evolve GimmighoulHow to evolve Finizen into PalafinHow to evolve Rellor into RabscaHow to evolve Bramblin into BrambleghastHow to evolve Girafarig into FarigirafHow to evolve Cetoddle into CetitanHow to evolve Greavard into HoundstoneHow to evolve Haunter into GengarHow to evolve Dunsparce into DudunsparceHow to evolve Rockruff into LycanrockHow to evolve Sneasel into WeavileHow to evolve Applin into Appletun and FlappleHow to evolve Scyther into ScizorHow to evolve Riolu into LucarioHow to evolve Floette into FlorgesHow to evolve Happiny into ChanseyHow to evolve Steenee into Tsareena

Pokémon:

Starter Pokémon: How to choose the best starter for youLegendary Pokémon Koraidon, Miraidon and the Treasures of Ruin explainedParadox Pokémon, including Iron Valiant and Roaring Moon locationsHow to get DittoHow to get Sinistea and evolution Polteageist, Cracked Pot and Chipped Pot locationsHow to get BronzorHow to get FrigibaxHow to get PikachuHow to catch SpiritombIron Hands build and location for 5 star and 6 star solo raidsPaldea Pokédex and all Pokémon locations listedNew Gen 9 Pokémon listPaldean Pokémon Form list and locations

Shrine stake locations and legendary Pokémon:

School answers for History, Biology, Math, Languages, Battle Studies, Art and Home EcBlue stake locations, Firescourge Shrine and catching Chi-YuGreen stake locations, Groundblight Shrine and catching Ting-LuPurple stake locations, Grasswither Shrine and catching Wo-ChienYellow stake locations, Icerend shrine and catching Chien-Pao

Additional features and information:

Version differences, including version exclusive PokémonMystery Gift codesBottle Caps, Gold Bottle Caps, and Hyper Training explainedEasy money farming methodEasy EXP farming methodHow to get Shiny Pokémon, Shiny Charm location and increasing Shiny oddsBreeding, from egg moves to perfect IV, abilities and natures explainedHow to change Tera type and collect Tera ShardsBest sandwiches to make in Scarlet and VioletHow to rename PokémonHow to Auto Battle with the 'Let's Go' featureHow to change Rotom phone cases and unlock save bonus casesHow to change and where to buy clothes

Good luck in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet!

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