You’re standing in the shop in Mesagoza, staring at the shelves, and you realize you have to make a choice. It's the same choice we've been making since 1996. Red or Blue? Gold or Silver? Now, it’s Scarlet or Violet. But honestly, the stakes feel higher this time around because Game Freak didn't just swap out a couple of birds and call it a day. They went ahead and messed with the fabric of time itself.
If you pick Scarlet, you're getting the past. If you pick Violet, you're getting the future. It sounds simple, but when you're 40 hours deep into Area Zero and realize you can't get that weird robot bird your friend has, the regret hits hard. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet exclusives aren't just entries in a Pokédex; they dictate your entire endgame competitive strategy and how you're going to tackle those brutal 7-star Tera Raids.
Let’s be real for a second. Most people pick their version based on the box legendary. Koraidon is a prehistoric lizard that somehow functions as a motorcycle despite having perfectly good wheels it refuses to use. Miraidon is a sleek, neon-lit hover-bike. That choice alone sets the tone. But the rabbit hole goes way deeper than just your ride.
The Paradox Problem: Ancient Might vs. Future Tech
The real meat of the version differences lies in the Paradox Pokémon. These aren't just "new forms." They are entirely separate species with different base stats, types, and some of the most creative (or polarizing) designs we've seen in years.
In Pokémon Scarlet, you're looking at "Ancient" forms. Think feathers, fangs, and raw, primal energy. Great Tusk is the standout here. It’s basically Donphan if Donphan decided to spend a few million years at the gym and grow massive tusks. It’s a Ground/Fighting powerhouse that has absolutely dominated the competitive scene since launch. Then you have Flutter Mane, the Ghost/Fairy version of Misdreavus that is so fast and hits so hard it was banned from several unofficial competitive formats almost immediately.
Violet takes the opposite approach. Everything is "Iron." Iron Valiant, Iron Hands, Iron Moth. These are robotic, high-tech reimaginings. Iron Valiant is a fascinating hybrid of Gardevoir and Gallade, wielding a dual-bladed energy glaive. It’s Fairy/Fighting, which is a defensive nightmare but an offensive dream.
The community usually splits on which "vibe" is better. Scarlet's Paradoxes feel more organic and intimidating. Violet's Paradoxes look like they were manufactured in a Silph Co. lab five hundred years from now. If you want a team that feels like a heavy metal concert, go Scarlet. If you want a team that looks like a sci-fi flick, Violet is your winner.
Beyond the Legendaries: The Standard Roster Splits
You shouldn't just focus on the big hitters. The "boring" exclusives—the ones you find in the grass while wandering around South Province—actually matter quite a bit for team synergy.
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Scarlet players get the Larvitar line. Tyranitar is a perennial favorite for a reason. It’s a pseudo-legendary that sets up sandstorms and tanks hits like a literal mountain. You also get Drifloon, Stunky, and Deino. Hydreigon (from the Deino line) is still one of the most versatile special attackers in the game, even if Fairy types make it sweat a little.
Violet players get the Bagon line. Salamence is the counterpart to Tyranitar, offering pure aerial devastation. You also get Misdreavus, Gulpin, and Clauncher. But the big one for many is Ceruledge.
Wait, let's talk about the knights.
The armor evolution split is probably the coolest thing they did in Gen 9. To get Armarouge (Scarlet) or Ceruledge (Violet), you have to collect specific items from Bronzor or Sinistea and trade them in a specific town. Armarouge is a bulky Fire/Psychic type that looks like a Mega Man character. Ceruledge is a Fire/Ghost type with literal flaming swords for arms.
Honestly? Ceruledge is cooler. Most of the community agrees. Its signature move, Bitter Blade, heals it while dealing massive damage. It’s a solo-raiding god. If you have Scarlet, you’re going to find yourself begging your Violet-playing friends to trade you a Charcadet holding the Malicious Armor.
The Competitive Meta: Which Version Wins?
If you’re looking at this from a purely "I want to win tournaments" perspective, the balance shifts constantly. Early on, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet exclusives were heavily skewed.
Iron Hands (Violet) became the undisputed king of Tera Raids. Its Belly Drum and Drain Punch combo allows it to solo almost any 5 or 6-star raid that doesn't resist Fighting. If you don't have an Iron Hands, you're playing the game on hard mode.
On the flip side, Flutter Mane (Scarlet) and Great Tusk (Scarlet) are staples in VGC (Video Game Championships). As of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Great Tusk remains one of the most-used Pokémon in the history of the format. Its ability to clear hazards with Rapid Spin while threatening massive damage is unparalleled.
So, it's a trade-off. Do you want the best raid tools (Violet) or the best laddering tools (Scarlet)?
The DLC Factor: Teal Mask and Indigo Disk
Things got even messier when the The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC dropped. Suddenly, we had even more exclusives to worry about.
In The Teal Mask, Scarlet players got Gligar and Cramorant. Violet players got Aipom and Morpeko. Not a huge deal, right? Well, Gliscor (the evolution of Gligar) is a defensive monster that makes people want to throw their Switch out the window.
The Indigo Disk ramped it up. This is where we got the "Paradox Beasts" and "Paradox Swords of Justice."
- Scarlet: Walking Wake (Suicune), Gouging Fire (Entei), and Raging Bolt (Raikou). Raging Bolt, with its long neck and "Thunderclap" priority move, has become a massive threat.
- Violet: Iron Leaves (Virizion), Iron Boulder (Terrakion), and Iron Crown (Cobalion).
Raging Bolt alone makes a strong case for Scarlet. It looks ridiculous—like a giraffe wearing a cloud—but it is terrifying in battle.
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Making the Trade: How to Bridge the Gap
You aren't actually stuck. The Pokémon community is surprisingly efficient at solving the exclusive problem. You've probably heard of "Trade Codes."
Basically, the community set up specific 8-digit link codes where you trade your version exclusive for the other version's counterpart. For example, there’s a code specifically for trading an Armarouge for a Ceruledge. It’s a gentleman’s agreement that has existed since the game launched.
- Go to Poké Portal.
- Select Link Trade.
- Enter the community-standard code (you can find these on sites like Serebii or dedicated Reddit threads).
- Make sure you're trading the right Pokémon.
It’s not perfect—sometimes you get a guy trying to scam you for a shiny—but for completing the Pokédex, it’s a lifesaver.
What Most People Get Wrong About Exclusives
A big misconception is that you need the other version to get a competitive team. You don't. With the introduction of Union Circle, you can literally jump into a friend's game.
If you have Scarlet and you join a friend’s Violet world, you can run around Area Zero together. Here’s the kicker: if you stand near each other, Violet Pokémon will start spawning for you. You can catch them with your own OT (Original Trainer) name. It’s the first time in the series history where the "wall" between versions has been this thin.
Actionable Strategy for New Players
If you're just starting out or looking to pick up a copy today, here is how you should handle the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet exclusives situation:
- Check the Paradoxes First: Look at Great Tusk and Flutter Mane vs. Iron Hands and Iron Valiant. These are the Pokémon you will be using for hundreds of hours. Pick the ones you actually like looking at.
- Prioritize Raiding: If you don't plan on trading much, pick Violet. Having easy access to Iron Hands makes grinding for Herba Mystica significantly less painful.
- The "Vibe" Check: Scarlet has a "past" theme with prehistoric aesthetics. Violet is "future" with chrome and LEDs. Your academy uniform color also changes (Orange for Scarlet, Purple for Violet). Don't underestimate how much an ugly orange uniform can bother you over an 80-hour playthrough.
- Join a Discord: Don't rely on random trades. Join a dedicated Pokémon Discord or the r/PokemonTrades subreddit. People are usually happy to breed you a Larvitar or a Bagon for nothing in return.
- DLC is Mandatory: If you want the full experience and all the powerful Paradox Pokémon like Raging Bolt or Iron Crown, you're going to need the Expansion Pass. Budget for that accordingly.
The "best" version doesn't exist. It’s all about whether you want a dinosaur or a robot. Just remember that whatever you choose, you're going to need a friend with the opposite copy anyway if you ever want that Shiny Charm. Get to trading.