Pokémon Scarlet and Violet/Branching Paths

Opening up

A rough map of the Paldea region. An interactive in game map can be accessed by pressing -

After the conclusion of the tutorial, the game opens up to the player, mostly allowing the player to go where they want or do as they please. There are three paths of objectives, each of which can mostly be completed in any order. In general the further the player goes from Mesagoza, the more challenging these objectives will be.

The three primary objectives of the game are:

• Completing the gym challenge with Nemona, which enables the player to more easily use Pokémon of a higher level and adds more items to the shops, and classes to the school.
• Finding the Herba Mystica with Arven, which allows the player to have more movement options.
• Battling Team Star for Cassiopeia, which awards the player with additional currency and moves.

Travel Direction

Traveling along the path to either east or west from Mesagoza will result in the player encountering suitable beginner objectives at first. It is possible to skip an objective and move on, though doing so may make reaching or completing other objectives more difficult. Rather then going in a complete circle around Paldea, the game becomes much easier if you alternate directions, tackling one or two objectives on one side, and then one or two on the other, as both will be balanced for similar levels.

Side objectives and activities

There are some side objectives and activities that are not strictly required to complete the story of the game, but may make doing so easier or may simply be enjoyable.

• Catching new Pokémon to build a team or expand a Pokédex.
• Battling trainers in a region - After enough trainers are battled, a prize may be available at a nearby Pokémon center.
• Participating in raid battles, giving the player a chance to catch an unusual Pokémon, earn League Point currency (Even if the raid is simply checked), or earn rarer items.
• Finding Gimmighoul coins.
• Collecting items off the ground.
• Collecting sandwich ingredients and picnic gear.
• Hosting picnics.
• Buying accessories such as hats or backpacks.