Pick your flavor: ancient dinosaurs or shiny robots. Honestly, that’s the vibes-based summary of the choice you make when buying a Gen 9 game. But if you’re trying to complete a Pokédex or, more importantly, win a competitive match on the ranked ladder, the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet version exclusives are way more than just a cosmetic choice between orange and purple. It changes your entire endgame.
Most people just look at the box art and think, "Yeah, the dragon with wheels looks cool." That's fair. Koraidon and Miraidon are massive parts of the experience since they’re your primary mode of transportation. But once you hit Area Zero? That’s where the real differences kick in. You’re looking at fundamentally different rosters that impact how you trade with friends and how you build your team.
The Paradox Pokémon Problem
The biggest divide in these games comes down to the Paradox Pokémon. These aren’t just regional forms; they are entirely different species with unique base stats and abilities.
In Pokémon Scarlet, you’re getting "Ancient" forms. These look like prehistoric, feral versions of monsters we’ve known for years. Think of a Jigglypuff but with fangs and a mean streak (Scream Tail) or a Donphan that looks like it crawled out of the Jurassic period (Great Tusk). They all share the Protosynthesis ability, which boosts their highest stat in harsh sunlight or if they’re holding Booster Energy.
Pokémon Violet takes the opposite route. You get "Future" forms. These are metallic, robotic versions of fan favorites. Iron Valiant, for example, is a terrifying blend of Gardevoir and Gallade that looks like it was built in a high-tech lab. Their ability is Quark Drive, which functions just like Protosynthesis but triggers in Electric Terrain instead of sun.
If you’re a competitive player, this is a huge deal. Great Tusk (Scarlet exclusive) has been a staple of the OU (Overused) tier in Smogonesque competitive play since launch because its Ground/Fighting typing is just incredible. Meanwhile, Iron Valiant (Violet exclusive) is a glass cannon that can sweep entire teams if you aren't careful. You can't just find these in the other game. You have to trade.
The Standard Roster Splits
Beyond the high-concept robot-dinosaurs, there’s a long list of "normal" Pokémon that stay locked to one version. If you grew up with the original games, you know the drill. It’s the Growlithe vs. Vulpix logic all over again.
In Scarlet, you get the Larvitar line. Tyranitar is a pseudo-legendary beast that has dominated the meta for decades. You also get Stonjourner, Drifloon, Skrelp, and the fiery little warrior Armarouge. To get Armarouge, you need the Auspicious Armor, which—you guessed it—is only obtainable in Scarlet.
Violet players get the Bagon line. Salamence is the counterpart to Tyranitar here, providing that high-octane Dragon/Flying presence. You also get Eiscue, Misdreavus, Clauncher, and Ceruledge. Ceruledge is the "cool" counterpart to Armarouge, a Fire/Ghost type that uses the Malicious Armor found only in Violet.
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It’s worth noting that while these are "exclusive," the Tera Raid events often blur the lines. Game Freak occasionally runs weekends where you can catch the other version's exclusives in raids. But if you're playing through the story normally? You're stuck with what's on your cartridge.
Why the Box Legendaries Change Everything
Koraidon and Miraidon are the faces of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet version exclusives list, but they aren't just for riding. When you finally get to use them in battle at the end of the game, the power creep is real.
Koraidon (Scarlet) is a Fighting/Dragon type. Its ability, Orichalcum Pulse, sets up Sun automatically. This makes it the perfect leader for a team of Ancient Paradox Pokémon. It hits like a truck.
Miraidon (Violet) is Electric/Dragon. Its ability, Hadron Engine, sets up Electric Terrain. This instantly activates the Quark Drive for all your Future Paradox robots. Because Electric is generally a better defensive typing than Fighting, and because Miraidon’s Special Attack is astronomical, many players find Violet to be the "stronger" version for high-level raids.
The Hidden Complexity of the DLC Exclusives
If you’ve picked up The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, the list of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet version exclusives expands significantly. This is where things get a bit messy for collectors.
In The Teal Mask, you’ll find that Gligar and Cramorant are exclusive to Scarlet, while Aipom and Morpeko are locked to Violet. It seems minor, but Gliscor (Gligar’s evolution) is one of the most annoying defensive Pokémon to play against in the entire history of the franchise. If you want one with your own Trainer ID and you have Violet, you’re out of luck without a trade.
Then there’s The Indigo Disk. This brought back "Convergent" forms and even more Paradox legendaries. Scarlet players get access to Raging Bolt (a long-necked Raikou) and Gouging Fire (a literal triceratops Entei). Violet players get Iron Crown (a metallic Cobalion) and Iron Boulder (a robotic Terrakion). These aren't just for show. Raging Bolt, specifically, has become a top-tier threat in VGC (Video Game Championships) because of its priority move, Thunderclap.
Trading and the "Link Code" Culture
Because of these version exclusives, the community has developed a sort of unofficial "trade code" system. If you go into a Link Trade and enter specific 8-digit codes, you can find people looking to swap their version exclusives for yours.
For example, people often use the Pokédex numbers of the exclusives as codes. If you have an extra Armarouge and need a Ceruledge, there’s usually a dedicated room for that. It’s a workaround for the fact that Nintendo still insists on the "two-version" hardware model that started back in 1996.
Making the Choice
Which one should you buy? If you like traditional, organic designs and want access to some of the best Ground-type attackers in the game, Scarlet is the winner. The Ancient Paradox designs are widely considered to be more "creative" by the fan base.
If you prefer sleek, futuristic aesthetics and want the raw power of Miraidon for grinding 7-star Tera Raids, Violet is the way to go. Most data suggests Violet actually sold more copies, likely due to the "cool factor" of Miraidon's jet-engine legs.
Practical Next Steps for Trainers:
- Check your Pokédex: Identify which Paradox Pokémon you’re missing. If you have Scarlet, you need the "Iron" prefix monsters. If you have Violet, you’re looking for the prehistoric names like "Roaring Moon" or "Flutter Mane."
- Farm Version-Exclusive Items: If you’re in Scarlet, farm Bronzor Fragments to get multiple Auspicious Armors. You can use these as "currency" to trade for Violet exclusives on the GTS (Global Trade System) via Pokémon HOME.
- Use Pokémon HOME: The mobile version of Pokémon HOME is the fastest way to get exclusives. You can put up a version-exclusive like Larvitar and specifically request its counterpart, Bagon. These trades usually finish in minutes.
- Join a Community: Hop into the Pokémon Scarlet/Violet subreddits or Discord servers. There are almost always "Trade Megathreads" where people are happy to help you evolve your Finizen or swap Paradox sets just to help you finish your 'Dex.
The divide between Pokémon Scarlet and Violet version exclusives is one of the widest we've seen in the series. It’s not just a few monsters; it’s two different philosophies of design. Choose the one that fits your playstyle, but keep your Nintendo Switch Online subscription handy—you're going to need a friend on the other side eventually.