The Gen 9 Pokemon games may be the most recent in the series, but that doesn't mean players haven't been trying to find an optimal way to play them. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the first games in the series to feature a fully open world where players can tackle any of the three main quests in whatever order they choose. However, there is an ideal order to take on these quests since the levels of the critter players will battle do not scale with their level, which means there are several mons players will want on their team to give them the smoothest experience possible.

To complete Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, players will have to tackle three main questlines: Victory Road, Path of Legends, and Starfall Street. Each of these quests will require players to participate in their own major battles against Paldea's Gym Leaders, Titan Pokemon, and Team Star Bosses, respectively. What makes these games particularly challenging is the fact that players will need to be prepared to face a major opponent representing all 18 types in the game throughout these three main quests, making building a team that can stand up to all of them a bit difficult.

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The Best Pokemon Team for a Successful Gen 9 Playthrough

Although players can technically tackle the game in any order they choose, there is an order for obtaining every badge in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet that makes things as efficient as they can be. However, players are still free to roam Paldea to find mons that will be most helpful to their team for a specific battle, meaning some critters aren't locked to a late-game route like past generations. With the new addition of the Terastal Phenomenon that allows any mon to temporarily become any type, the door is open for players to adapt their team to fit their needs, meaning team-building doesn't have to be as strict in these games.

Skeledirge

Fuecoco is the best starter to choose for a Gen 9 playthrough since having a Fire-type on the team is very helpful against early-game opponents like Gym Leader Katy's Bug types and Gym Leader Brassius' Grass types. Once Fuecoco evolves into Skeledirge and gains the Ghost type, it becomes even more useful since it gains the advantage against later-game opponents like Gym Leader Ryme's Ghost types and Gym Leader Tulip's Psychic types. Skeledirge will also be perfect to use against the multiple Steel-type bosses players will have to battle, such as the Titan Orthworm and Titan Iron Treads in Pokemon Violet, as well as Elite Four Poppy.

Pawmot

While Pawmi can be caught fairly early in the game, it doesn't become truly useful until a bit later when players will have to face the Flying-type Titan Bombirdier. Pawmi's Electric typing gives it the advantage against Gym Leader Kofu's Water types as well, but it becomes especially useful when it evolves after walking with the player for 1000 steps via the Let's Go feature and gains the Fighting type as a secondary type. This typing gives Pawmot the advantage against Gym Leader Larry's Normal types, as well as Elite Four Larry's Flying types.

Clodsire

Clodsire may not have the highest base stat total in the games, but its Poison/Ground typing and early evolution level make it a powerhouse in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's early game. Having the Ground type gives Clodsire the advantage against several early to mid-game battles against opponents like the Titan Klawf, Team Star Boss Mela's Fire types, Team Star Boss Atticus' Poison types, and Gym Leader Iono's Electric types. Additionally, Clodsire's Poison type ensures it can be useful later in the game as well, giving it the advantage against Team Start Boss Ortega's Fairy types.

Tinkaton

Tinkaton is another powerful monster that can be caught early on and be useful throughout the entirety of the playthrough. Tinkatink can potentially be caught before the first Gym, but its Fairy/Steel typing will give it the advantage over opponents like Team Star Boss Giacomo's Dark types as well as the Titan Klawf. However, Tinkaton really shines in the late game against opponents like Team Star Boss Ortega's Fairy types, Gym Leader Grusha's Ice types, the Titan Tatsugiri, and Elite Four Hassel's Dragon types, making it an incredibly valuable team member to have.

Farigiraf

Girafarig becomes a much more useful critter in Gen 9 thanks to it gaining an evolution in Farigiraf. While Girafarig can be caught near Porto Marinada, it's at its most useful once players reach the late game and it evolves into Farigiraf. Its Psychic typing makes it a great team member to have since it will gain the advantage against Team Star Boss Atticus' Poison types, Team Star Boss Eri's Fighting types, and the Titan Great Tusk in Pokemon Scarlet, and its solid bulk and high Special Attack make Farigiraf an all-around worthwhile party member who can take hits while being a fantastic Special Attacker.

Baxcalibur

As the pseudo-Legendary of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Baxcalibur is going to be a powerful addition to the team, regardless of its situational utility. However, its Dragon/Ice typing makes it perfect as a late-game addition since it will gain the type advantage against several of the game's toughest final battles. Baxcalibur's Dragon typing can be helpful for dealing with the Titan Tatsugiri, and its Ice typing will be invaluable against the majority of the Elite Four, giving it the advantage against Elite Four Rika's Ground types, Elite Four Larry's Flying types, and Elite Four Hassel's Dragon types.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

November 18, 2022

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Publisher(s)

Nintendo , The Pokemon Company

Genre(s)

RPG

ESRB

E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence

How Long To Beat

32 Hours

Metascore

72

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