With Legends: Z-A on the horizon as the next Pokemon game, many players in Scarlet and Violet are looking for ways to make the most out of their Paldean adventure until they return to Kalos. Between the obvious finishing of the story paths or participating in online battles, there's plenty still to do in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet before next year rolls around.

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Since there's an extended window of time before Legends: Z-A is available compared to previous back-to-back Pokemon releases, there's even more time to enjoy what Scarlet and Violet have to offer. For players who started on release day, or those who picked it up yesterday, here are some ideas for fully exploring Paldea, Area Zero, and more in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

10 Defeat All Trainers

Become The Very Best

A somewhat tricky task given an open world environment and with optional battles is now the norm, fighting every trainer in the Paldea region, Kitakami region, and the Blueberry Academy is a daunting but worthy challenge for players seeking to complete every encounter in Scarlet and Violet.

While certain trainers, such as in the Terrarium and the Ogre Clan members in Kitakami, will notify the player of how many trainers are left, hunting down every battle in Paldea is a touch harder. The Pokemon League rep stationed at some Pokemon Centers definitely narrows down part of the hunt.

9 Shiny Hunt

Through Eggs Or Sandwiches

While an already popular pastime for players, shiny hunting for a player's most desired Pokemon is always a great way to enjoy Scarlet and Violet. There are several methods for hunting, including egg hatching, outbreaks, sandwiches, and more. There's plenty to hunt with, and plenty to hunt for.

Whether the enticing paradox Pokemon call to players, or the Pokemon released with the two DLCs spark their interest, there are several ways to approach shiny hunting. With Pokemon sizes, special marks, and special forms to search for on top of just a shiny, this is a great option for waiting out the release of Legends: Z-A, which will extend even beyond the next release.

8 Play In A Union Circle

The Power Of Friendship

This is something specific to Scarlet and Violet. Trying the multiplayer side of the game opens up more ways to use sandwiches and get the most out of the Blueberry Quests.

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While setting up Union Circles is often easier said than done when it comes to finding friends or trusted players, they do provide a distinctly different game experience, especially if the hosting player is in the opposite game, giving players access to different exclusives.

7 Collect All Clothing Options

A Fashionable Finish

With plenty of stores across Paldea, and a few exclusive cosmetics found in the land of Kitakami and the Blueberry Academy, a great use of money for players that already have everything is collecting remaining clothing options.

Since there are special masks and outfits in Kitakami for spending certain amounts, and various other cosmetics in Paldea that charge a sizeable amount, players that have a solid stash of cash might be able to collect all these options in one giant spending spree.

6 Beat The Highest Rank Of Ogre Oustin'

A Very Special Munchlax Reward

Introduced in The Teal Mask DLC, Ogre Oustin' is a fairly challenging minigame that offers decent rewards at every level, but the true reward for the highest difficulty is unmatched. Standing far above mochi and rare berries, a shiny, marked Munchlax is the true crown for Ogre Oustin' competitors.

Since Ogre Oustin' becomes legitimately difficult at higher levels, having a Union Circle is a possible way to counteract the mounting pressure. No matter the challenge, a free and special shiny is hard to pass up.

5 Fully Upgrade The League Club

Getting The Best Out Of Blueberry Academy

Offering instant ways to see if a Pokemon enters a certain size range or has a mark, getting even more out of the camera, access to wild starter Pokemon in the Terrarium, and more, divesting points into the League Club is well worth all the rewards. Between extra battles and the wonderful item printer, there is no reason not to complete all possible expansions.

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While Union Circles make quick work of gathering plenty of points for upgrades, even solo play allows for a slow but steady accumulation. For players wanting rare Poke Balls especially, the League Club upgrades are invaluable.

4 Catch All Snacksworth Legendaries

Free Powerful Pokemon

Another obvious but somewhat tricky way to get the most out of the Indigo Disc DLC is collecting all the Legendary Pokemon that appear throughout Paldea thanks to Snacksworth at the Blueberry Academy. While this challenge requires completing plenty of Blueberry Quests, and a few in a Union Circle, having access to Legendary Pokemon is hard to pass up.

For newer players, having access to both rare and fairly powerful Pokemon only requires spending time in the Terrarium, and not doing anything that outside of the normal gameplay. Beyond spending time, it's one of the cheapest ways to get Legendaries.

3 Collect All League Club Pokemon

A Very Special Blitzle Reward

Along with plenty of other challenges in the Blueberry Academy, battling against various characters from the main story and Pokemon League in Paldea offers a decent reward beyond all the smaller prizes along the way. While each battle offers a solid monetary reward, getting to the secret final coach is the true goal.

While many players can probably guess who the final coach is, the true point of getting to them is accessing their special trade. Like the other coaches in the League Club, the secret coach offers a Pokemon with a special mark after battling them, but with the bonus of this Blitzle also being shiny.

2 Complete The Pokedexes

Catching 'Em All Has Never Been Easier

Perhaps the most obvious ultimate challenge in a Pokemon game, completing the Pokedex is always a worthy endeavor. While Scarlet and Violet has three different Pokedexes, within the ballpark of 600 total Pokemon to collect, the rewards for such completion beyond bragging rights certainly make up for it.

Offering increased shiny odds, Tera shard drop odds, and Pokemon mark odds, the road to collecting every single Pokemon across both games is no simple feat, but it is one of the truest ways to complete a Pokemon game.

1 Bring Briar's Book To The Crystal Pool

The End To The Professor's Story

As a true way to cap off the main story in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, making connections from all three regions of the game, players finally concluding the story of Professor Turo or Sada is certainly a satisfying end for the Generation Nine games.

While the only big development in completing this somewhat lengthy sidequest is swapping two functionless key items and changing the title screen of the game, the additional lore and details are more than enough for players wanting even more from one of the best narratives in the Pokemon games to date.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

November 18, 2022

Developer(s)

Game Freak

Genre(s)

RPG

See at Nintendo eShop