While Paldea is rich with new Pokemon, players are excited to get some familiar faces back on their teams with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask. These returning Pokemon include three favorites: Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup.
The Sinnoh starters cannot be captured in the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet base game or the DLC. Players can only get them one way in-game, which does not guarantee they'll have all three on their team. Still, there's a chance that one of the three Pokemon will be able to join them on their adventure.
How to Get Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup in the Teal Mask DLC
The only way to get Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup is to talk to Professor Jacq in Kitakami. At the beginning of The Teal Mask, players will receive a call from Professor Jacq telling them to return to campus if they want to take a trip to Kitakami. Even though Jacq coordinates the trip, he says he stays behind while players go with Briar.
Players will quickly realize that he isn't being honest about his whereabouts during the school trip once they get to Kitakami. After starting the main quest in The Teal Mask, there are plenty of opportunities for free exploration around the new region. Players can use this time to find Professor Jacq.
Jacq is standing underneath a large tree to the east of Mossui Town. They will see him after crossing the bridge. When players go and talk to Jacq, he gives them a mystery Pokemon egg. Inside the egg is Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup. Since there is no way to tell which Pokemon will hatch, players should save their game before talking to Jacq to get their preferred Pokemon.
The mystery egg can be sent to the boxes or added to their party. The only way to hatch Pokemon eggs is to travel a certain number of steps with them during the party. Luckily, this egg only requires about five minutes of walk time before it hatches.
After the egg hatches, players will get a Level 1 Sinnoh starter. If players get it at the beginning of their playthrough, they can level it up quickly as they fight through the Teal Mask with EXP Sharing active.
The mystery egg is the only way to get Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup in-game. If players want all three, they must use another Pokemon game with them, such as Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl or Legends of Arceus, and download them through the Pokemon Home app.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.