What Encounter Power Does in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

There are several new mechanics for you to learn about as you dive into Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. One of these mechanics is called Encounter Power, and you might hear about it when you’re learning about sandwiches and the benefits of going on picnics.

Sandwiches are some of the best ways to passively boost your stats while you’re playing Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. When you make the correct combination of sandwiches, this can increase your character’s Encounter Power. However, this buff is not thoroughly explained when you first hear about it while playing. Here’s what you need to know about what Encounter Power is and how it works.

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How Encounter Power Works in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Encounter Power increases the chances of you finding a particular type in the wild while playing. You will need to eat a certain combination of recipes for your sandwich, and if you’re increasing the Encounter Power of a certain type, this Pokémon has a higher chance to appear in the wild.

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You can make these sandwiches at any time while you’re exploring Paldea or any of the DLC regions of the game. When you make the sandwich, if what you made gives you a level two or three Encounter Power with Normal-type Pokémon, there’s a much greater chance to find these types of Pokémon in the wild as you explore your area. You might want to use these sandwiches when you’re attempting to track down a particular Pokémon, as it boosts the chances of finding one.

Increasing your Encounter Power with a specific type does not prevent any from spawning. It merely makes it easier to find a specific type of Pokémon while you’re running around. I’ve noticed that it is perfect when you know where you have to go to find a missing Pokemon from your Pokédex in Scarlet & Violet, but it has a low chance of spawning.

Beyond increasing your Encounter Power with a sandwich, you can do little to make it easier to find every species you need. The real trouble will be making sure you have the correct ingredients on your character to make a specific sandwich at a Picnic. If you’re looking to make a Level 3 Sandwich in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, make sure to battle in five and six-star raids to earn enough Herba Mystica, the primary ingredient for Level 3 Sandwiches.