Highlights

  • The Indigo Disk DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet promises difficult battles with challenging trainers and double battles, catering to the competitive Pokemon VGC meta.
  • The DLC may address unanswered questions from the base game, such as the origins of Terastallization and the truth behind Heath's expedition in Area Zero.
  • The mysterious cave in Area Zero featuring strange patterns on the ground could potentially be used for unique encounters or battles, adding more excitement to the game.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are fast approaching the release date of what supposedly is the last DLC for Gen 9 in the form of The Indigo Disk, and it promises from the get-go to be a larger and more encompassing expansion than The Teal Mask. Based on previews for the DLC, players can expect difficult battles in The Indigo Disk with more challenging trainers using both competitive movesets and items and also mostly recurring to double battles, which is the favored meta for Pokemon VGC tournaments. Packed with old starters returning in the Blueberry Academy's Terarium and several new Pokemon for players to catch, The Indigo Disk should make room to answer a big mystery left hanging by Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's base game.

There are a few unanswered questions that neither Pokemon Scarlet and Violet nor The Teal Mask addressed, but it's likely that The Indigo Disk will give some of them enough time in the spotlight, such as the origins of Terastallization and what really happened to Heath's expedition, as his survey of Area Zero got him discredited for being too fantastical. The Teal Mask's story does hint at some sort of connection with the overarching Area Zero plot with Briar's dialogue, and it seems only logical that players will need to return to Paldea at some point for the story to make sense.

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Has the Perfect Blueprint for a Big Distribution Event

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Indigo Disk is likely ending the Gen 9 era, but it would be perfect for a big distribution event based on Gen 8.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Area Zero is Still a Mystery Ahead of Indigo Disk

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Indigo Disk Should Emphasize the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC bundle is indeed titled "The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero," and the base game even starts with players having to embark on a treasure hunt to discover what they value the most in Paldea. The trailer encompassing both The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk even specifically ended telling players that they will go back to Paldea at the end of their journey and possibly discover what the hidden treasure of Area Zero truly is.

Area Zero's Mysterious Cave and What The Indigo Disk Could do With it

This remains something that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet haven't really addressed, and one Area Zero location is made all the more mysterious by this. Between the third and fourth research facilities within Area Zero, players can find a cave that's home to Roaring Moon and Iron Valiant in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, respectively. This cave is hidden, unlike the others in the area, and it also features strange patterns on the ground resembling some sort of big summoning circle or ancient symbol, but no gameplay mechanic is tied to this place and no special encounter either, outside of Roaring Moon and Iron Valiant.

This begs the question as to what exactly this cave is and what the symbols on the ground are for, especially seeing how this is never mentioned by NPCs. There's a chance this area could be used for another interesting purpose, which is a unique encounter similar to how Pokemon Legends: Arceus' Darkrai or even the titular god can be battled and then captured. Pokemon games do have a history of secret areas where special critters are found time after release, such as Shaymin or Rayquaza.

Sometimes these areas are not even accessible from the beginning, making players wonder what they might be missing about them. But with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's open-world Paldea, it was hard to add secret zones to the game without players eventually finding them. And that's why this particular area seems odd, as it feels half-hidden and only partially makes sense, leaving a lot to the players' imagination. It's unclear whether The Indigo Disk will take players back here or if it's more of a red herring, but it remains an interesting addition to the game that would be the perfect location for even more hype-inducing battles and encounters.