Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Hidden Ability & how to get them

Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet can have a Hidden Ability which is a highly desirable trait that can turn a weak Pokemon into a genuine powerhouse. Here’s everything you need to know about Hidden Abilities including the best methods of obtaining them.

When building the ultimate line up there’s a lot you need to consider these days. From type coverage to move pools and base stats, every Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet brings something different to the table.

This can make team building difficult and even fairly intimidating for a more casual player. This becomes especially problematic when less obvious features like Hidden Abilities are thrown into the mix.

To help you out we’ve put together this guide on what you need to know about Hidden Abilities and how to get them.

What is a Hidden Ability in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?

Hidden Abilities are rare abilities that grant a Pokemon unique passive effects. Most Hidden Abilities are stronger than their standard counterparts and can even fundamentally change how a Pokemon works in battle.

Some of the strongest examples of Hidden Abilities include Ditto’s Imposter, Eevee’s Anticipation, and Charizard’s Solar Power. Each of these amplifies the given Pokemon greatly by either making them even better at what they excel at or patching up a critical flaw.

Though the overwhelming majority of Pokemon have Hidden Abilities, this is not the case for all of them. Pokemon that rely on their standard abilities like Mimikyu and Palafin do not have a Hidden Ability nor do most Legendary and Mythical Pokemon.

How to get Hidden Abilities in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

These are the most effective ways to get a Pokemon with its Hidden Ability in Scarlet and Violet:

Ability Patch

An Ability Patch is a consumable item that can be used on any Pokemon with a standard ability to give it its Hidden Ability instead. An Ability Capsule can only be used on Pokemon with an available Hidden Ability and not those with one set ability.

The easiest way to acquire this expensive item is to purchase it from Chansey Supply for $100,000 after reaching the post-game. Alternatively, completing 6* and 7* Tera Raid Battles also gives a chance to receive an Ability Patch.

Tera Raid Battles

Pokemon with their Hidden Ability can be obtained in Scarlet & Violet by completing Tera Raid Battles. Higher difficulty raids like 5*, 6*, and 7* all have increased odds of containing a Pokemon with its Hidden Ability.

Breeding

Offspring created from breeding two Pokemon together can be born with its Hidden Ability if the mother of the same species possesses its Hidden Ability. Alternatively, breeding any Pokemon with its Hidden Ability with a Ditto produces the same result

Be aware though that even with a perfect breeding setup the odds of hatching a Pokemon with its Hidden Ability is only 60%. That means breeding a Pokemon with high IVs and its Hidden Ability can take a while.

That’s everything there is to know about Hidden Abilities in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Be sure to check out the guides for more tips to help you master Paldea.

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