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What are the differences between Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet? All version-exclusive content

Which version is the one for you?

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, the ninth-generation mainline Pokémon titles, feature a diverse variety of locations in the Paldea region, including major cities, deserts, forests, and a seaside manor. But as with all mainline Pokémon titles, there will be some core differences between Scarlet and Violet, some new to the series.

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Player character outfits

Image via The Pokemon Company

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are the first titles in the series where the trainer’s default outfit will be different depending on which version you pick up. Naturally, the color of your clothing is closer to either the color scarlet or violet, according to your version of choice.

Pokémon professors and schools

Sada and Turo in Pokemon
Image via The Pokémon Company

For the first time in a mainline Pokémon game, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will each have a different professor. Pokémon Scarlet owners will interact with Professor Sada, while Pokémon Violet deal with Professor Turo — as you can notice, they both have diametrically opposed aesthetics, as if they were from completely different time periods.

The school that these professors teach in are named and colored differently depending on version as well. Scarlet has the Naranja Academy and Violet takes place in the Uva Academy; both are functionally the same and are set in the city of Mesagoza.

Version-exclusive Pokémon and cover Legendaries

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Related: All version exclusive Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

As is the standard since Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver, the main Legendary Pokémon you will encounter depends on which version you play. Pokémon Scarlet players will pair with Koraidon, while Pokémon Violet features Miraidon. You meet your legendary companion early in the game, and you’ll be able to ride them through different terrain and environments.

Image via The Pokemon Company

Players will learn about rare Pokémon from the Scarlet Book and Violet Book, depending on which version they have. Some Pokémon depicted in these books will be version-exclusive, such as Great Tusk in Scarlet and Iron Treads in Violet; both are variants of Donphan.

Standard version-exclusive Pokémon

  • Scarlet: Larvitar line, Stonjourner, Armarouge, Drifloom line, Oranguru, Stunky line, Skrelp line, Deino line
  • Violet: Bagon line, Eiscue, Ceruledge, Misdreavus line, Passimian, Gulpin line, Clauncher, Dreepy line

Endgame version-exclusive Paradox Pokémon

  • Scarlet: Great Tusk, Scream Tail, Brute Bonnet, Flutter Mane, Slither Wing, Sandy Shocks, Roaring Moon
  • Violet: Iron Treads, Iron Bundle, Iron Hands, Iron Jugulis, Iron Moth, Iron Thorns, Iron Valiant
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Chris Compendio
Chris Compendio has been covering pop culture for over five years. Their work has been published on Paste, Destructoid, DualShockers, Polygon, Fanbyte, and several other publications. Besides gaming, their interests include creative writing and comedy performance.