You're wandering around the ruins of Paldea, looking for a ghost in a teacup. It sounds like a fever dream, but if you want a Polteageist, it's your reality. The cracked pot pokemon scarlet hunt is one of those classic Game Freak hurdles that feels simple until you’re actually doing it. Most players assume you just buy it at a shop. Nope. Not that easy.
Honestly, the whole Sinistea evolution line is a bit of a mess if you don't know the lore behind "Phony" and "Antique" forms. You’ve probably caught a few Sinistea near Alfornada or Zapapico and noticed some items just won't work on them. That's because the game tracks whether your haunted tableware is a masterpiece or a cheap knockoff.
Where to Find a Cracked Pot in Pokemon Scarlet Right Now
If you want a guaranteed spawn, head to Socarrat Trail. It's in the Casseroya Lake area, northwest on your map. Look for a large tree near the cliffs; there’s a Poké Ball item drop sitting right there on the ground.
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That's the easy one.
But what if you accidentally sold it or need another for a Living Dex? Then you're heading to Porto Marinada. This seaside town is the chaotic heart of Paldea's economy. The auctions here are completely randomized. One day they're selling Fresh Water for 5,000 Poké Dollars, and the next, they’ve got the cracked pot pokemon scarlet trainers are desperate for.
You have to check back every in-game day. Or, if you're like me and lack patience, you can close the game, advance your Nintendo Switch system clock by one day, and check the stalls again. It’s a bit of a grind. Sometimes the bidding gets intense, and you’ll find yourself paying 10,000+ Poké Dollars for a piece of broken ceramic.
Why the Cracked Pot Won't Work on Your Sinistea
This is where people get frustrated. You finally get the item, you open your bag, you try to use it on your Sinistea, and the game says "Incompatible."
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It’s not a bug.
Pokemon Scarlet differentiates between "Phony Form" and "Antique Form" Sinistea. Most Sinistea you find in the wild—about 99% of them—are Phony. They lack a tiny blue seal of authenticity on the bottom of the cup. For these common fakes, you must use a Cracked Pot.
If you happened to catch an Antique Form (the 1% rarity), the Cracked Pot is useless. You need a Chipped Pot for those. It’s a weirdly elitist mechanic for a ghost-type Pokémon, but that’s the charm of the Galar-native species invading Paldea.
The Best Farming Spot for Sinistea Chips
While you're hunting for that cracked pot pokemon scarlet requires for evolution, you’re likely also trying to craft TMs or complete your Pokédex. Sinistea Chips are a secondary requirement for several powerful moves.
Go to the Alfornada ruins. Specifically, the area just outside the town near the Psychic Gym. Sinistea spawns here constantly. Use a Sandwich with "Encounter Power: Ghost" (like a Great Heura Sandwich) to make the ground practically crawl with teacups.
Understanding the Auction Mechanics
The Porto Marinada auctions are governed by three specific NPCs. The woman in the middle usually handles the evolution items.
- The items change every time the "day" cycles in-game.
- You cannot influence what appears with sandwiches or abilities.
- Prices are determined by your "opponents" in the auction. If an NPC looks rich, prepare to pay more.
There is a small chance to find the pot as a sparkling "hidden" item on the ground in the East Province (Area Three), but the drop rate is abysmal. Stick to the Socarrat Trail static spawn or the auctions if you value your time.
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Don't Waste Your Money on the Chipped Pot by Mistake
It is incredibly easy to confuse the two. The Cracked Pot evolves the common Phony Sinistea. The Chipped Pot evolves the rare Antique Sinistea.
How do you check which one you have?
Go into your party, select Sinistea, and choose "Check summary." Then, move the camera to look under the rim of the cup. If you see a small, purple/blue stamp, you have an Antique. No stamp? It's a Phony. Most likely, you have a Phony. Use the Cracked Pot.
Actionable Next Steps for Trainers
To get your Polteageist immediately, follow this sequence:
- Fly to Casseroya Lake (North) and navigate to the Socarrat Trail. Pick up the fixed Poké Ball item near the western cliffs to get your first Cracked Pot for free.
- Verify your Sinistea by checking the bottom of the model in the summary screen. If there is no mark, proceed with the evolution.
- Check Porto Marinada daily if you need extras. If the auction isn't showing the pot, save your game, close it, and move your Switch system clock forward by 24 hours to reset the vendors.
- Save your money. Don't overbid on the auction unless you have plenty of cash. The NPCs will eventually stop bidding, but if you jump the price too high too fast, you'll lose thousands of Poké Dollars unnecessarily.
Having a Polteageist with the "Weak Armor" ability and "Shell Smash" is a competitive game-changer in tera raids, specifically against physical attackers. It's worth the headache of the hunt.