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As everyone knows, Pokemon learn new moves as they level up. For some species, the moves they learn upon leveling may not be best suited for battle. When this happens, it's best to use Technical Machines (TMs) to teach them something more useful or give them Type Coverage. Trainers will want to use TMs if they plan on building a well-rounded team in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
TM188 (Scald) was included in the Teal Mask, part 1 of Scarlet/Violet's The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion pass. It's arguably one of the best Water-type moves to have for Pokemon that excel in special moves (i.e: have high Special Attack). Of course, not every Pokemon in Paldea will be able to learn Scald, and if trainers want TM188, they'll have to do some searching in Kitakami.
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TM 188 (Scald) Location (Infernal Pass)
(refer to the orange flag/objective marker on the above image for the exact location of TM188)
Scarlet/Violet players who bought the expansion pass can visit Kitakami after they've started the Treasure Hunt. This includes the three main storylines: "Victory Road," "Starfall Street," and "Path of Legends." They'll receive a phone call from Jacq telling them that they've been selected for a study abroad trip. Go to the Entrance Hall in Naranja/Uva Academy and speak to Ms. Briar.
Once in Kitakami, trainers will need to be introduced to the new characters, Carmine and Kieran, before they can go exploring with Koraidon/Miraidon. After this, they'll be tasked to find three signposts around Kitakami detailing the history of the Loyal Three and the Ogre.
Players that just want the TM188 will need to hike up Infernal's Pass, which is located on Oni Mountain. There will be a set of stairs that leads to the Crystal Pool, so use this as a landmarker if necessary. To the left of these stairs is a stream. Cross over that, and there will be a Terastallized Lampent on the other side. On the mound near the Lampent is a yellow Poke Ball containing TM188.
How to Craft Scald (TM188)
Scald, like any other TM, can be used only once. If players want more than one Scald TM, they're going to need to craft it. This can be done by interacting with the green TM Machine at Poke Centers. To craft it, trainers will need the following:
- 8000 League Points (LP)
- x3 Poltchageist Powder
- x3 Slowpoke Claw
If trainers are just starting out, they probably won't have enough LP. To get more, they can do any of the following:
- Defeat Team Star Bosses in Paldea.
- Partake in Tera Raids.
- Interact with Tera Raid Crystals in Paldea or Kitakami (note: trainers don't have to enter the den to get the LP).
- Exchange materials for LP at the TM Machine.
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Slowpoke Location (Casseroya Lake)
Unfortunately for rookie trainers, Slowpoke is only found at Casseroya Lake. On the map, it's the large lake in the upper-left region of the map. The Slowpoke in Casseroya Lake are around 35, so it's not a Pokemon that trainers should try to battle without leveling up and earning a few gym badges. There are also Slowbro, which are level 45. If trainers defeat a Slowbro instead of a Slowpoke, they'll get double the Slowpoke Claws.
There are some Slowpoke wandering the shores, but it may be best to unlock Koraidon/Miraidon's surf ability before setting out for Casseroya Lake. This Ability is the second power that trainers unlock in "Path of Legends." While the Titan Pokemon can be fought in any order, it's easier to defeat the Titan Klawf followed by the Titan Bombirdier.
As a Water/Psychic-type Pokemon, Slowpoke and Slowbro are weak to Electric, Grass, Dark, and Bug-type moves. The quickest way to farm Slowpoke Claws is to send out a Pokemon that's around Slowpoke's level and has the Type Advantage to Auto-Battle (R-button).
For those trying to complete the Paldea Dex , catching Slowpoke or Slowbro will also net a Slowpoke Claw or two.
Poltchageist Location (Reveler's Road)
Despite its appearance, Poltchageist and its evolution, Sinistcha, are not regional variants. They are their own species, and they're also required for creating TM188. Defeating or catching Poltchageist will drop Poltchageist Powder. The best place to look for Poltchageist is near the rock wall along Reveler's Road.
If trainers are having a hard time finding any, it may be best to make/buy a meal that has Encounter Power. The Klawf Claw Sandwich recipe has Encounter Power: Grass (level 1); the Classic Bocadillo has Encounter Power: Ghost (Level 1). These two recipes won't be unlocked until trainers have earned a few gym badges. Make sure to stop by one of the Every Which Way stores and speak to the man by the counter for new sandwich recipes.
Like the Sinistea-line, Poltchageist and Sinistcha are Grass/Ghost-type. This means they're weak to Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, Dark, and Ghost-type moves. Normal and Fighting-type moves are ineffective on them.
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Best Pokemon for Scald
Power | Accuracy | PP | Move Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TM188 (Scald) | 80 | 100 | 15 | Special |
|
Scald is a special move, meaning it calculates its user's Special Attack for damage. Likewise, it hits harder if the opponent has a weakness to Water-type moves or if they have low Special Defense. Because of this, it's best to teach Scald to a Pokemon that excels in Special Attacks/special moves.
Despite it being a Water-type move, Scald can be taught to Electric-type Pincurchin and Grass/Ghost-type Poltchageist and Sinistcha. Other non-Water Pokemon can learn Scald, and trainers can see this by selecting TM188 in their inventory. The Pokemon in the Party that can learn Scald will have a green Can Learn sign beneath their icon.
Some recommended Pokemon for Scald are:
- Slowbro (Water/Psychic-type)
- Vaporeon (Water-type)
- Slowking (Water/Psychic-type)
- Milotic (Water-type)
- Dragalge (Poison/Dragon-type)
- Goodra (Dragon-type)
- Poltchageist & Sinistcha (Grass/Ghost-type)
Players may want to avoid teaching Scald to physical fighters like Gyarados and Azumarill. While Scald is a great move to have, it's not as useful on a Pokemon with low Special Attack. In fact, Gyarados' worst stat is Special Attack while it's the second-lowest for Azumarill. Trainers can instead run Waterfall, a physical Water-type move that may cause the opponent to flinch.
Giving Scald to non-Water-type Pokemon like Goodra and the Poltchageist-line can be useful as it gives them more coverage. In Poltchageist's case, having Scald will give it coverage against one of its weaknesses: Fire-types.
Because they're not Water types, Pokemon like Poltchageist and Goodra won't receive Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB) when using Scald. This means their Scald will inflict base damage when used by Poltchageist/Goodra, but more damage when used by a Water-type such as Milotic or Vaporeon.
With a 30% chance of inflicting Burn, Scald is best used on Pokemon that specialize in physical moves. This is due to the Burn status ailment cutting the Attack of a Pokemon in half. Not only will the opposing Pokemon take damage every turn, but it won't deal as much damage when using physical moves, like Drain Punch or Take Down.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is available for Nintendo Switch.