You've probably seen them. Those glowing, ominous bolts of wood shoved into the ground all over Paldea. If you’re playing Pokemon Violet, you know the drill: pull sixteen of these things out of the dirt, and you get a shot at catching a legendary. Simple? No. Honestly, it’s a massive pain. Tracking down every single pokemon violet legendary stake locations involves scaling cliffs you aren't supposed to climb and squinting at grassy ledges that all look the same after four hours of searching.
Paldea is huge. Like, "why am I still gliding?" huge. The four Treasures of Ruin—Wo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, and Chi-Yu—are locked behind sealed shrines, and the only way to open them is by hunting down the eight stakes associated with each color. It’s a grind. But if you want to complete that Pokedex or get a competitive-grade Ruinous Pokemon, you’ve gotta do it.
The Purple Stakes: Wo-Chien and the South
Let’s talk about the Grasswither Shrine. This is usually the first one people stumble upon because it’s tucked away in the South Province. You need the purple stakes for this one. Most of them are scattered around Area One, Three, and Five.
One of the sneakiest stakes is sitting right on a ledge overlooking Artazon. You’d think it would be easy to spot from the town, but the verticality of the game engine hides it unless you’re looking down from the right angle. Another one is basically hidden in plain sight near the Los Platos path. If you haven't fully upgraded Koraidon or Miraidon’s climbing ability, these are going to be frustrating. You'll spend more time sliding down rocks than actually pulling stakes.
Wo-Chien itself is... fine. It’s a big snail made of dead leaves. Not exactly the most intimidating legendary, but its Tablets of Ruin ability is a nightmare for physical attackers. If you're heading to the shrine in South Province Area One, bring a lot of Net Balls or Dusk Balls. It’s a long fight.
Yellow Stakes and the Chien-Pao Hunt
Chien-Pao is the real prize for most players. It’s fast. It’s mean. It looks like a snow leopard with sword teeth. To get it, you need the yellow stakes found mostly in the West Province and the Cascarrafa area.
One yellow stake is shoved into a tiny crevice near the Alfornada Gym. If you aren't hugging the canyon walls, you'll miss it every time. There’s another one sitting out in the open in the West Province Area One, but it’s positioned so that the sunlight washes out the yellow glow during the day. Pro tip: hunt for these at night. The glow is way more obvious against the dark terrain.
The Icerend Shrine is located on the West Coast. Don't just fly to the nearest PokeCenter and hope for the best. You actually have to drop down the cliffs to find the entrance tucked into the rock face. Chien-Pao is an Ice/Dark type, so don't bring your favorite Dragon-type unless you want to see it get one-shot by an Icicle Crash. Honestly, use a False Swipe user with high defense.
Tracking Green Stakes for Ting-Lu
Ting-Lu is the tank of the group. A massive moose-thing with a bowl on its head. To find the pokemon violet legendary stake locations for the green set, you’re heading north. Casseroya Lake is the primary hunting ground here, and it is a logistical nightmare.
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The lake is full of Veluza. Those things are the heat-seeking missiles of the water. They will bump into you every five seconds while you're trying to reach the islands where the stakes are hidden. One green stake is on a tiny islet that looks like every other islet. Another is hidden behind a waterfall—classic RPG trope, but it still works.
The Groundblight Shrine is at the very top of the Socarrat Trail. The stakes here are spread far apart, reaching into the North Province Area Two. You’ll find one perched on a high pillar of rock that requires the high jump or climb ability. If you’re trying to do this early game, forget it. You need those Titan power-ups first.
The Blue Stakes: Chi-Yu's Fiery Fish
Chi-Yu is arguably the most annoying to unlock. The blue stakes are tucked into the North Province and the area surrounding Fury Falls. If you like navigating vertical bamboo forests, you’re in luck. If you don't, well, grab a coffee.
There’s a blue stake right at the top of a waterfall. Not the base—the very top. You have to climb the mountain and drop down precisely. Another one is hidden inside a cave system near the North Province Area Two. It’s easy to walk right past the entrance because the lighting in the bamboo forest is so dappled and distracting.
Once you pull all eight, head to the Firescourge Shrine. It’s hidden inside a cave at the top of Fury Falls. Chi-Yu is a Fire/Dark type and its special attack stat is absurd. It will melt your team if you aren't careful. Water types are the obvious choice, but Chi-Yu’s ability lowers your Special Defense, making even "safe" switches risky.
Why the Stakes Don't Always Show Up
Sometimes you'll go to a location you saw on a map and the stake isn't there. Usually, it's because you already pulled it and forgot. The game doesn't track these on your map. It’s a manual process. If you’re following a guide and a spot is empty, move on. Don't sit there reloading the game; it won't spawn back in once it's gone.
Another common issue is "visual pop-in." Paldea has some rendering struggles. If you’re flying too fast on Miraidon, the stake might not load until you’re right on top of it. Slow down. Take it section by section.
Strategic Prep for the Ruinous Four
Don't just run into these shrines with your level 100 starter and spam A. These legendaries are level 60. They have low catch rates.
- Use a Breloom or Gallade. You need False Swipe to get them to 1 HP.
- Status effects matter. Sleep is better than Paralysis for catch rates, but Paralysis is permanent.
- Timer Balls are your best friend. These fights go long. After 10 turns, Timer Balls become the most effective tool in your bag.
- Check the weather. If it’s hailing or there’s a sandstorm, the legendary might take chip damage and faint. That is a heartbreaking way to end a hunt.
The Treasures of Ruin are some of the most unique additions to the series. Their designs are based on Chinese mythology—the four perils—and their presence in the Paldea region adds a layer of lore that the main story mostly ignores. Finding all the pokemon violet legendary stake locations is a rite of passage for any serious player. It takes patience, a lot of climbing, and a willingness to deal with some wonky camera angles.
Once the final stake is pulled, you’ll hear a distant roar. That’s your signal. Head to the shrine, save your game, and get ready for a fight. These aren't just collectibles; they are some of the most powerful assets you can add to your roster for the post-game raids and competitive battles.
Your Post-Hunt Checklist
- Check your inventory for at least 50 Ultra Balls and 20 Timer Balls before approaching a shrine.
- Fly to the highest point in each province to scout for the glowing auras of remaining stakes.
- Ensure your lead Pokemon has a move like Spore or Thunder Wave to keep the legendary contained.
- Verify you have defeated all five Titans to ensure your mount has the necessary mobility to reach the highest stakes.
- Save the game immediately after pulling the eighth stake of a color set.
The path to the Treasures of Ruin is tedious, but the reward is a set of the most flavor-rich Pokemon in the ninth generation. Clear your afternoon, put on a podcast, and start hunting those glows.