Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Gym Order (All Team Star Bases and Titan Pokémon)

Compared to other mainline games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are unique in that they offer open-world exploration while still honing in on the franchise’s turn-based RPG qualities. Gone are the days of predetermined paths and linear storylines; in these titles, there is no particular Pokémon Scarlet/Violet Gym order. However, there is a recommended path to follow to avoid running into battles more difficult than you and your team are prepared for. 

Below, discover the recommended Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Gym order. Plus, learn more about the order for the two other main storylines in these games: Starfall Street and Path of Legends.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Gyms and Badges

Like other regions, Paldea offers eight different Gyms for players to battle in an epic single-player adventure. Each Gym is a different type and run by a different leader, from a baker specializing in Bug Pokémon to an ex-snowboarder with a frosty team of Ice Pokémon. There is also the Elite Four and Champion, which can be challenged at the Pokémon League after beating each Gym. 

Although you can access each Gym at any point during your playthrough, the difficulty doesn’t scale. This means that if you attempt to challenge Grusha’s Gym on Glaseado Mountain first, you and your low-level Pokémon will be faced with a notable challenge since his Pokémon are level 47 and 48.

While the action-adventure freedom of this open-world game may put you into difficult situations if you aren’t careful with your order, it does give you the opportunity to explore the map and find the right Pokémon for each Gym. This includes the dozens of new Pokémon introduced in this generation as well as many familiar faces from previous Pokémon games.

However, not all of Paldea’s Pokémon are available in each copy, with some Pokémon being exclusive to either Scarlet or Violet. This includes the box legendaries, Koraidon (Scarlet) and Miraidon (Violet), as well as the Future (Violet) and Ancient (Scarlet) Paradox Pokémon.

You can also transfer Pokémon into Scarlet and Violet from other games using HOME. This includes Pokémon from Pokémon GO, one of the best free mobile games for Pokémon fans.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Paths: What To Play First

There are three main storylines in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Victory Road, Path of Legends, and Starfall Street. In order to reach the post-game, you must complete all of these storylines first. Don’t worry — you can complete each of the three storylines simultaneously, allowing you to choose battles fit for your skill level. 

Dive into the optimal Pokémon Violet order based on natural level progression:

• Cortondo Gym (Bug)
• Klawf, the Stony Cliff Titan (Rock)
• Artazon Gym (Grass)
• Bombirdier, the Open Sky Titan (Flying/Dark)
• Giacomo (Dark)
• Levincia Gym (Electric)
• Mela (Fire)
• Orthworm, the Lurking Steel Titan (Steel)
• Cascarrafa Gym (Water)
• Atticus (Poison)
• Medali Gym (Normal)
• Montenevera Gym (Ghost)
• Great Tusk/Iron Treads (Ground/Fighting or Ground/Steel)
• Alfornada Gym (Psychic)
• Glaseado Gym (Ice)
• Ortega (Fairy)
• Tatsugiri & Dondozo (Dragon/Water)
• Eri (Fighting)
• Elite Four
• Poco Path Lighthouse fight
• Team Star’s Leader

This popular sequence focuses on level progression. When you complete each challenge in this order, you’ll tackle the weaker trainers first before advancing to stronger challenges as your team levels up. 

However, it’s important to remember that this isn’t the only way to play Scarlet and Violet. While this progression is tailored to your levels, you can also choose to complete one storyline at a time, making the other two storylines easier as your team is stronger. 

Below, we’ll dive into each storyline, beginning with the lower-level challenges for each and offering tips to help you beat each Gym leader, Team Star Admin, or Titan Pokémon.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Gym Order

After completing the initial introduction to the game, you’re free to explore the world of Paldea however you want. This means completing each of the main storyline’s milestones — Gyms, Titans, and Team Star — in any order you like. 

However, while you don’t need to face the Gyms in any certain order, there is a recommended order based on levels and gameplay progression, helping you tackle Gyms that your team is prepared for.

This is also the recommended Pokémon Scarlet Gym order, as both games follow similar storylines.

1. Cortondo Gym (Bug)

When it comes to completing the Victory Road pathway, we recommend starting with the Cortondo Gym. Not only is it the Gym with the lowest-level Pokémon, but it’s also the closest to Mesagoza, located in South Province (Area Two).

Gym Leader Katy is a Bug Pokémon enthusiast, packing her team with two of the region’s Bug types as well as a Bug-Tera Teddiursa. Before you can reach her for a battle, however, you’ll need to complete her Gym trial: Olive Roll. For the Olive Roll test, you’re placed inside an obstacle course where you must roll a giant olive-shaped ball around a maze of ramps and people to push it into a goal. 

If you leave straight from Mesagoza and go to Cortondo, you’ll encounter a wide variety of Pokémon, including Mareep, Fletchling, Starly, Tadbulb, Fidough, and Eevee. After beating Katy, she gives you the Technical Machine for Pounce.

Pro tip: Because Katy’s team is made up of Bug-type Pokémon, Fire-, Flying-, and Rock-type moves will be the most effective. As a result, you may want to consider catching a Starly, Fletchling, or Bonsly. Avoid using Pokémon weak to Bug types, like Psychic or Grass Pokémon.

2. Artazon Gym (Grass)

After earning the creepy crawly Bug Badge from Katy, the next recommended Gym is in Artazon, led by Brassius. However, while Brassius’ Pokémon are the next weakest of Paldea’s Gym leaders, reaching Artazon will be a trek from Cortondo, taking you back through Mesagoza to the southeastern portion of the map.

Before you can take on his green team, however, you must beat Brassius’ challenge: Sunflora Hide-and-Seek. You need to find 10 Sunflora, each hiding throughout Artazon. Sometimes, finding one of the hidden Sunflora starts a battle. 

Brassius’ team includes Petilil, Smoliv, and Grass-Tera Sudowoodo. As you travel from Cortondo to Artazon, you can find many Pokémon, including Lechonk, Happiny, Scatterbug, Wiglett, and Wingull. Beating the Artazon Gym earns you the Technical Machine for Trailblaze — a damage-dealing Grass move that’s perfect if you chose Sprigatito as your starter. 

Pro tip: If you caught a Flying or Fire Pokémon for your Cortondo Gym challenge, they will be effective against Brassius’ team as well. However, since Rock is weak to Grass, you’ll want to swap your Rock Pokémon for Bug types instead. 

3. Levincia Gym (Electric)

Levincia’s Gym, led by streamer and influencer Iono, is the third recommended Gym and the first that will pit your team against four Pokémon instead of three. But before you can take on this electrifying Gym, you need to travel to Levincia, located just north of Artazon in the East Province (Area Two).

This coastal region has many Pokémon, including Water types that are great to pick up for later. Some of the Pokémon you can find here include Magnemite, Chansey, Cyclizar, Wattrel, and Oinkologne.

Iono’s team is filled with Electric Pokémon, including Electric-Tera Mismagius. Before you can face her team, however, you need to complete her Gym Test, which involves finding Director Clavell in locations using surveillance camera footage. You must do this three times, with each round ending in a battle against a different Gym Trainer. 

After beating Iono, she gives you TM048 for Volt Switch.

Pro tip: Along with having four Pokémon instead of three, Iono’s team is unique from previous Gyms because of type effectiveness. Whereas Katy and Brassius’ teams have multiple weaknesses, Electric is only weak to Ground. As a result, catching a Toedscool can be helpful for this Gym.

4. Cascarrafa Gym (Water)

Seafood chef Kofu is the leader of Cascarrafa’s Gym, which we recommend as your fourth challenge. Before you can face the chef himself, however, you need to battle one of his Gym Trainers, deliver his wallet where he’s shopping in Porto Marinada, and win a bid — don’t worry, though, he gives you $50,000 to do so. 

After completing Kofu’s trial, you can battle his Water-type team, with his ace being Crabominable. If you want to take a page from Iono’s book, Electric Pokémon are super effective against Water. Grass Pokémon will also do well here, although Veluza’s Pluck attack will be super effective since it’s a Flying-type move. 

After beating Kofu, you’ll receive the Technical Machine for Chilling Water. 

Pro tip: Kofu’s bidding trial in Porto Marinada may be your first introduction to this game mechanic. To win an item, you just need to bid more than the other NPCs. You can bid even after your Gym Test, which can be a unique way to find rare items. Some of these may even be useful in your battle against Kofu.

5. Medali Gym (Normal)

In terms of level, the next Gym you should take on after beating Kofu is the Normal-type Medali Gym. This Gym is located in West Province (Area Three), not too far from Cascarrafa. Not only does this Gym showcase Normal Pokémon, but the surrounding area is also filled with them, giving you the opportunity to capture Pokémon like Meowth and Ditto as well as other types like Zorua, Primeape, Sudowoodo, and many of the Eevee-evolutions (Eeveelutions). 

Before you can battle Gym Leader Larry for the Normal Badge, you have to complete the Gym Test: Order the secret menu item from the local Treasure Eatery. In order to figure out what exactly this item is, you need to battle three trainers in Medali for clues. 

Larry’s team is Normal, but it’s not weak. These Pokémon have moves of different types, making them a difficult match for Pokémon weak to these types. His Komala knows Sucker Punch, a Dark-type move; his Dudunsparce knows Ground-type move Drill Run; and his ace, a Tera-Normal Staraptor, knows Aerial Ace, a powerful Flying attack.

After beating Larry’s team, he gives you TM025 Facade.

Pro tip: Thankfully, Normal Pokémon aren’t super effective against any other types, giving you more freedom in your team. However, if you want a type advantage, opt for Fighting-type Pokémon on your team.

6. Montenevera Gym (Ghost)

Don’t plan on using any Normal-type moves against this spooky Gym leader. Ryme is the leader of Montenevera’s Ghost-type Gym, with a hauntingly strong team. Like Iono, her team consists of four Pokémon instead of three, including a Tera-Ghost Toxtricity as her ace. 

This Gym is located in the city of Montenevera on Glaseado Mountain. As a result, you’ll be able to find a variety of Ice-type Pokémon, including Froslass and Cetoddle. It’s also near Glaseado Gym, which is the final Gym you’ll want to take on in our recommended progression. 

The Montenevera Gym Test involves some intense battling, Double Battles to be specific. Before you can face the MC of RIP herself, you’ll need to battle three Gym Trainers in Double Battles. These trainers only have two Pokémon each, all of which are Ghost-type Pokémon.

After you beat all three trainers, you’ll have one more Double Battle before beating this Gym, and it’s against Ryme. Upon completing this Gym, you’ll earn the Ghost Badge as well as the Technical Machine for Shadow Ball. 

With each badge you earn, Pokémon of greater and greater levels will listen to your commands in battle. Once you earn Ryme’s Ghost Badge, Pokémon up to level 50 will be easier to capture and use in battle. 

Pro tip: Ghost Pokémon like Ryme’s are immune to Normal attacks. However, they’re weak to Dark and other Ghost-type moves. Just be careful if you choose a Ghost Pokémon for tackling this Gym, as your Pokémon will also be weak to Ryme’s Pokémon’s attacks. 

7. Alfornada Gym (Psychic)

Leave the snowy mountains of Montenervera behind and prepare for the journey to South Province (Area Six) to battle the second strongest Gym leader: model and makeup artist Tulip.

Tulip’s magical team is filled with Psychic Pokémon, including a Fairy-type Florges that she Terastallizes to Psychic. As a result, her Pokémon are weak to Dark and Bug — which makes this the perfect time to bring back the Bug Pokémon you may have used to beat the Artazon Gym. 

Before you can start this extrasensory battle, however, you’ll need to complete the Alfornada Gym Test. This is a mini game in which you’ll need to press the button that corresponds with the emotion that Dendra tells you, such as green for excitement or red for anger.

After you beat Tulip’s team, she will give you TM120 Psychic. 

Pro tip: It’s important to note that this Gym is one of the hardest to reach due to the terrain, and you’ll need to complete some parts of the Path of Legends beforehand to unlock new abilities for Miraidon/Koraidon. This will also give you the chance to train and level up your Pokémon.

8. Glaseado Gym (Ice)

Your last Gym battle will take you back to Glaseado Mountain, although not to Montenervera. Instead, you’ll have to reach the peak of Glaseado Mountain for this frosty challenge.

Glaseado Mountain is led by Grusha, a former snowboarder who settled for battling after he was injured. Before you can face his powerful Ice team, however, you’ll need to complete his Snow Slope Run challenge. This is a 90-second obstacle course that will have you sliding down the mountain, with the goal of aiming between each marker and reaching the bottom of the course.

Once you beat Grusha’s Gym Test, you’ll be able to challenge the ex-athlete himself. With such high levels, his team will provide the most difficult Gym battle you’ve faced thus far. However, with an all Ice-type team, you can easily dominate the battle through the use of Fire-, Rock-, Fighting-, or Steel-type Pokémon.

Beating Grusha will earn you your eighth and final Gym badge, as well as the Technical Machine for Ice Spinner.  

Pro tip: From the Gym Test to the battle itself, the Glaseado Gym is all about speed. Grusha’s Frosmoth knows Tailwind, which increases his team’s Speed for a few turns. If you’re unable to find a Pokémon that’s super effective against Ice, choosing a Pokémon with a high Speed stat can be helpful, too.

Team Star Bases Order

Paldea’s Gyms aren’t the only tough trainers you’ll need to battle to beat Scarlet and Violet. There’s also Starfall Street, where you’ll battle against the best Team Star has to offer.

Like with the Gyms, there is no particular order in which you have to complete Starfall Street. However, we compiled this order based on the Pokémon you can access, level progression, and the overall difficulty of each Team Star base.

1. Giacomo’s Team Star Base (Dark)

If you’re looking for a battle between the Aratzon and Levincia Gyms, look no further than the Segin Squad’s Base in West Province (Area One).

Team Star Bases are a bit different than Gyms, though. For example, instead of needing to complete a Gym Test, you’ll instead be faced with a guard battle and a Star Barrage before facing Giacomo, the admin of this Dark-type base.

A Star Barrage is a large battle royale-like event in which you must battle many players at once using Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Auto-Battle feature. To beat the Star Barrage, you must defeat 30 Pokémon in 10 minutes. 

During the Segin Squad’s Base Star Barrage, you may face a variety of Pokémon, including:

• Murkrow
• Sneasel
• Sableye
• Stunky
• Zorua
• Sandile
• Pawniard
• Nymble

Once you complete the Star Barrage, you can battle against Giacomo, whose team consists of Pawniard and Segin Starmobile, a machine powered by Pokémon. After beating Giacomo, you’ll earn the Dark Badge. 

Pro tip: Since the Segin base specializes in Dark Pokémon, you can easily beat this base by using Fighting-, Fairy-, or Bug-type Pokémon. In fact, the Bug Pokémon you used for the Artazon Gym can be helpful here.

2. Mela’s Team Star Base (Fire)

Get ready for a fiery battle at the Schedar Squad Base. With a recommended level of 26 or 27, this Starfall milestone fits perfectly between the Levincia and Cascarrafa Gyms. 

Before you can face Schedar Admin Mela, you’ll need to complete this base’s Star Barrage. Some of the Pokémon you may encounter include:

• Growlithe
• Houndour
• Numel
• Torkoal
• Litleo
• Charcadet

After completing the Schedar Squad’s Star Barrage, following the same rules as Segin’s, you can finally face Mela. Her Torkaol only knows two moves, Flame Wheel and Clear Smog, but the Schedar Starmobile may pose more of a challenge because of its powerful Blazing Torque.

Mela provides you with the Fire Badge after your battle, as well as TM038 Flame Charge. 

Pro tip: Because this base specializes in Fire-type Pokémon, you may want to capture some Water-type Pokémon while near Levincia. Fire is also weak to Rock and Ground, the latter of which you may have used against Iono.

3. Atticus’s Team Star Base (Poison)

Tagtree Thicket in the East Province is home to a variety of Poison-type Pokémon, including Clodsire, Shroodle, and Grafaiai. As a result, it’s the perfect location for the Navi Squad Base, led by Poison-type trainer Atticus. Given Atticus’ team’s levels, it’s recommended to complete this milestone before the Medali Gym. This is especially true given the presence of some Fighting-type Pokémon like Makuhita located nearby.

The Navi Squad’s Star Barrage is comprised of a large variety of Pokémon, including:

• Venonat
• Venomoth
• Grimer
• Gastly
• Haunter
• Wooper
• Gulpin
• Swalot
• Seviper
• Foongus
• Amoongus
• Shroolde
• Grafaiai
• Clodsire

Atticus has a much larger team than Giacomo and Mela, with three Pokémon alongside his Navi Starmobile. After you beat Atticus, he gives you the Poison Badge. He will also give you the Technical Machine for Gunk Shot.

Pro tip: With so many Poison-type Pokémon on his team, Atticus can be a tough opponent. Make sure to pack plenty of Antidotes or Pecha Berries to cure the Poisoned status condition. 

4. Ortega’s Team Star Base (Fairy)

The creator of the Starmobiles, Ortega is the Fairy-type trainer in charge of the Ruchbah Squad’s Base in the North Province (Area Three). With all of his Pokémon over level 50, you likely won’t want to challenge this powerful admin until after completing all the Gym challenges.

The Pokémon you may encounter during the Ruchbah’s Star Barrage are stronger than those encountered previously, including some powerful Stage 2 Pokémon. Here are the Pokémon included in this base’s Star Barrage:

• Jigglypuff
• Wigglytuff
• Marill
• Azumarill
• Kirlia
• Gardevoir
• Florges
• Mimkyu
• Impidimp
• Morgrem
• Grimmsnarl
• Fidough
• Dachsbun
• Tinkatuff
• Tinkaton

The challenge doesn’t stop after beating the Star Barrage, though. Ortega’s team is a prime example of the strength of Fairy Pokémon. His Dachsbun has a moveset designed to counter Steel and Poison types, which are super effective against Fairy-type Pokémon.

When you beat Ortega, you’ll receive both the Fairy Badge and the Technical Machine for Dazzling Gleam.

Pro tip: Ortega’s strongest Pokémon is Dachsbun, which has the Well-Baked Body Ability. This means that it’s immune to Fire-type moves. As a result, it’s best to avoid Fire-type Pokémon like Fuecoco unless they know moves of other types.

5. Eri’s Team Star Base (Fighting)

Although not the leader of Team Star, Eri is a powerful opponent who will take some training and leveling up to defeat. With Pokémon over the level of 55, she’s the strongest opponent of Starfall Street and Paldea’s Gyms.

Once you beat Eri, you’ll receive the Fighting Badge and TM167 Close Combat. However, earning these rewards is no easy feat. First, like with the previous bases, you must complete the Star Barrage, which includes:

• Mankey
• Primeape
• Heracross
• Breloom
• Hariyama
• Medicham
• Toxicroak
• Gallade
• Hawlucha
• Crabominable
• Passimian
• Falinks
• Flamigo

Only then can you take on the Caph Squad’s Admin. Eri has the largest team out of Team Star, with four Pokémon and the Caph Starmobile. Like Ortega, her team is also designed to counter types with an advantage. For example, her Toxicroak has Poison Jab for Fairy and Sucker Punch for Psychic, while Passimian’s Rock Tomb is the perfect counter for Flying-type Pokémon.

Pro tip: Tinkaton is a Fairy/Steel Pokémon that may prove helpful against Eri’s team. While it’s still weak to Fire and Ground, you’ll have a better chance of surviving against Toxicroak.

Path of Legends: Titan Pokémon

Unlike Victory Road or Starfall Street, the Path of Legends doesn’t pit you against the top trainers of Paldea. Instead, you’ll face Titan Pokémon, supersized Pokémon empowered by the Herba Mystica. 

Each battle against a Titan Pokémon occurs in multiple stages. First, you encounter a larger Pokémon in the wild, where you can battle it. However, you won’t be able to defeat it the first time. Instead, once its HP reaches below 10%, the Titan Pokemon will retreat. After it recovers and powers up using its Herba Mystica, you’ll be joined by Arven as both of you battle the Titan Pokémon. At this point, it will have fully recovered and healed, as well as doubled its HP. 

Like the previous storylines, you can complete Path of Legends at your own pace. However, this is our recommended path based on what Pokémon you have access to, level progression, and the difficulty of each Titan Pokémon. 

1. Klawf, the Stony Cliff Titan (Rock)

The first Titan Pokémon we recommended battling against is the Stony Cliff Titan, Klawf. Located in South Province (Area Three), it’s relatively close to Mesagoza. However, because of its level, you may wish to battle it after defeating the Cortondo Gym. Luckily, you can encounter the Stony Cliff Titan on your way to Artazon. 

Klawf is a Rock-type Pokémon, making it weak to Ground, Fighting, Grass, Water, and Steel. While you may not have caught a Pokémon of one of these types yet at this point, it can be helpful to capture a nearby Ground Pokémon for your future battle against Iono. You can also capture a Makuhita or Tinkatink, both of which are super effective against Rock and available in this area.

After defeating Stony Titan Klawf, your Miraidon/Koraidon will be able to dash.

Pro tip: If you choose to go with a Steel Pokémon like Tinkatink, be wary of Klawf’s Rock Smash attack, which is super effective. 

2. Bombirdier, the Open Sky Titan (Flying/Dark)

If you’re on your way to the Segin Squad’s Base to battle Giacomo, it may be worthwhile to battle the Open Sky Titan, Bombirdier, along the way. 

When you first encounter Bombirdier, you’ll notice it flying over a mountain, dropping large boulders. These boulders will then roll down the path up the mountain, creating an arcade-style challenge as you climb to the peak to battle Bombirdier. If you’re hit by a rock on your way, you’ll be temporarily stunned.

After defeating the Open Sky Titan, your Miraidon/Koraidon will be able to travel across water, similar to the Hidden Machine: Surf of previous generations. 

Pro tip: As a Flying/Dark Pokémon, Bombardier is weak to Electric-type moves. As you travel to this Titan, consider capturing Mareep, the Electric-type Wool Pokémon.

3. Orthworm, the Lurking Steel Titan (Steel)

The third Titan we recommend is on the opposite side of the map, in the East Province (Area Three). Orthworm, the Lurking Steel Titan, is a powerful opponent. With its Sandstorm attack, your Pokémon will take damage each turn unless it’s a Rock-, Steel-, or Ground-type Pokémon. As a result, Orthworm can slowly whittle away at your Pokémon’s HP between turns while also dealing damage with Iron Tail and Headbutt. 

However, as a pure Steel-type Pokémon, Orthworm is weak to several types, including Fire, Ground, and Fighting. As a result, if you’ve already captured a Ground Pokémon for earlier Titans or Gym battles, they may be a good choice going into the Lurking Steel Titan. 

After you and Arven defeat Orthworm, your Legendary mount will unlock the ability to jump higher by pressing and holding the B button. This can be useful for reaching Tulip’s Gym. 

Pro tip: When you initially try to approach Orthworm, it will dig underground and escape to a nearby spot. To battle it, chase it twice to start the encounter. 

4. Great Tusk (Scarlet) / Iron Treads (Violet), the Quaking Earth Titan (Ground/Fighting or Ground/Steel)

The Quaking Earth Titan is one of the many version-exclusive Pokémon of Generation 10, although it is the only Titan to vary between the two games. It’s also the first introduction players have to Paradox Pokémon.

If you play Pokémon Scarlet, your Quaking Earth Titan will be Great Tusk, a Ground/Fighting Ancient Paradox of Donphan. In Violet, you’ll instead face Iron Treads, a Ground/Steel Future Paradox of Donphan.

The Quaking Earth Titan is located in the middle of the Asado Desert. Defeating this Pokémon unlocks the ability for your Miraidon/Koraidon to glide. This can make traveling much quicker, as well as allow you to find wild Pokémon easily. 

Pro tip: Because of the Quaking Earth Titan’s high level, it’s best to wait on this milestone until after you’ve completed the Alfornada Gym, which is a few levels lower.

5. Tatsugiri and Dondozo, the False Dragon Titan (Dragon/Water)

The final milestone in the Path of Legends puts you against not one but two Pokémon. Not only that, you’ll have to battle these Pokémon three times instead of twice, with two battles against Dondozo and one against Titan Tatsugiri.

Dondozo is a pure Water-type Pokémon, while Tatsugiri is Dragon/Water. As a result, you’ll need different Pokémon if you want to hit with a type advantage. If you caught an Electric Pokémon for Bombirdier, it can be helpful now against Dondozo, while Tatsugiri is only weak to Fairy- and Dragon-type moves.  

Pro tip: The False Dragon Titan is the strongest milestone of all three main storyline challenges. As a result, you may want to wait to tackle this Titan last, giving you ample time to train. This is especially true since these Pokémon have no shared weaknesses.

Dive Into Immersive and Breathtaking RPG

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet offer a unique take on traditional mainline Pokémon games, giving players the freedom of open-world exploration, which pairs well with the RPG elements this franchise is famous for. While there is a recommended Pokémon Violet Gym order based on level progression, you’re truly free to play this game however you want, allowing you to go at your own pace. 

If you’re interested in more games like Pokémon Violet, there are hundreds of options available that prioritize open-world, non-linear gameplay. Discover your next game and dive into a new virtual adventure today. You can even find other games like Pokémon to enjoy while waiting for this franchise’s next releases.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet FAQ

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are massive games with several storylines to play through and an entire region to explore. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this game to help during your next playthrough.

What Is the Hardest Gym to Beat in Pokémon Violet?

Based on level progression alone, the Glaseado Gym led by Grusha is the hardest gym to beat in Pokémon Violet. Grusha’s team is the highest level, with his ace being level 48.

However, the Montenevera Gym can also be difficult due to its Double Battle format.
While the Alfornada Gym may not be technically difficult to beat, with its unique location that highlights Pokémon Violet APRG game elements, it can be difficult to reach, especially early on in your playthrough.

How Can You Tell if a Bisharp Has a Leader’s Crest?

In order to evolve your Bisharp into Kingambit, which was introduced in this generation, you must defeat three Bisharp that are holding a Leader’s Crest before leveling up your own Bisharp. You can tell if a Bisharp has a Leader’s Crest as it will be in the center of a group of Pawniards. 

How Do You Evolve Gimmighoul?

To evolve Gimmighoul, you must first find 999 Gimmighoul Coins. You must then level up your Gimmighoul while these coins are in your inventory. You can find Gimmighoul Coins by defeating wild Gimmighouls.

What Path Can I Do First?

In Scarlet and Violet, you’re free to start with any path you want. This means that you can choose to start with the traditional gym route or begin your journey with Starfall Street or the Path of Legends instead. 

Am I Locked Into a Path When I Start One?

No, you are not locked into a single path once you start one. Instead, you can complete all three of the main storyline paths simultaneously in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. In fact, if you follow our recommended Pokémon Violet Gym order, you may find that your best strategy involves weaving in milestones from other paths to achieve the skills and levels you need to succeed. 

If you choose to take advantage of Scarlet and Violet’s online ability to play with your friends, you can even complete storyline milestones while connected. 

However, Scarlet and Violet are still single-player games. Milestones aren’t co-op, and while you’re free to complete them while linked to your friend’s game, your friends can’t participate or watch.