Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Which has the best exclusive Pokemon?

Similar to every prior game in the series, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet launched with two separate versions. So if you’re unsure of which version to purchase here’s a list of every version exclusive Pokemon in Gen IX including its DLC.

Since the release of Pokemon Red & Blue in 1996, players have been faced with a tough decision: which version do they buy? For those who only plan on picking up one Pokemon game, the choice often boils down to which game has the better version exclusives.

For the past 25 years, each generation of Pokemon is introduced via a pair of games, and each has Pokemon that can only be obtained within that title. These include box Legendaries, pseudo-Legendaries from previous generations, and a mix of other fan-favorite Pokemon.

Keeping with tradition, Gen IX’s Pokemon Scarlet & Violet continue this tradition. Here is every version exclusive available in each game to make it easier for players to decide which version they want to buy. This list also includes every version exclusive in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC expansion.

Pokemon Scarlet version exclusives

The following Pokemon can only be obtained in Pokemon Scarlet version. They will have to be traded in or imported from Pokemon Home to be obtained in Pokemon Violet.

• Armarouge
• Brute Bonnet (Paradox Amoonguss)
• Deino
• Dragalge
• Drifblim
• Drifloon
• Flutter Man (Paradox Misdreavous)
• Great Tusk (Paradox Donphan)
• Hydreigon
• Koraidon (Legendary)
• Larvitar
• Oranguru
• Pupitar
• Roaring Moon (Paradox Salamance)
• Sandy Shocks (Paradox Magneton)
• Scream Tail (Paradox Jigglypuff)
• Skrelp
• Skuntank
• Slither Wing (Paradox Volcarona)
• Stonejourner
• Stunky
• Tauros (Blaze Breed)
• Tyranitar
• Walking Wake (Paradox Suicune)
• Zweilous

Pokemon Violet version exclusives

The following Pokemon can only be obtained in Pokemon Violet version. They will have to be traded in or imported from Pokemon Home to be obtained in Pokemon Scarlet.

• Bagon
• Ceruledge
• Clauncher
• Clawitzer
• Drakloak
• Dragapult
• Dreepy
• Eiscue
• Gulpin
• Iron Bundle (Paradox Delibird)
• Iron Hands (Paradox Hariyama)
• Iron Jugulis (Paradox Hydreigon)
• Iron Leaves (Paradox Virizion)
• Iron Moth (Paradox Volcarona)
• Iron Treads (Paradox Donphan)
• Iron Thorns (Paradox Tyranitar)
• Iron Valiant (Paradox Gardevoir)
• Miraidon (Legendary)
• Misdreavous
• Mismagius
• Passimian
• Salamence
• Shelgon
• Swalot
• Tauros (Aqua Breed)

If you’re wondering what kind of Pokemon Great Tusk and Iron Treads are, we’ve got more information on these mysterious Donphan variants here.

DLC Exclusive Pokemon

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s DLC, The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk, added even more version exclusives to the game.

Pokemon Scarlet

• Alolan Vulpix
• Alolan Ninetales
• Cramorant
• Cranidos
• Glastrier (Legendary)
• Gligar
• Gliscor
• Gouging Fire (Paradox Entei)
• Groudon (Legendary)
• Ho-Oh (Legendary)
• Raging Bolt (Paradox Raikou)
• Rampardos
• Raikou (Legendary)
• Reshiram (Legendary
• Solgaleo (Legendary)
• Suicune (Legendary)

Pokemon Violet

• Aipom
• Alolan Sandshrew
• Alolan Sandslash
• Ambipom
• Bastiodon
• Cobalion (Legendary)
• Iron Crown (Paradox Cobalion)
• Iron Boulder (Paradox Terrakion)
• Kyogre (Legendary)
• Latias (Legendary)
• Lugia (Legendary)
• Lunala (Legendary)
• Morpeko
• Shieldon
• Spectrier (Legendary)
• Terrakion (Legendary)
• Virizion (Legendary)
• Zekrom (Legendary)

The Indigo Disk added a lot of Legendary Pokemon from previous generations, many of which are version exclusives. To find out more on how to catch them, check out our guide.

Which is better: Scarlet or Violet?

In our opinion, Violet has the better exclusives. The presence of Paradox Pokemon like Iron Leaves and Iron Thorns outweighs what’s available in Scarlet. Plus, Gen III creatures like Salamence, Kyogre, and Zekrom barely outshine what’s available in Scarlet.

However, it is important to note the two do have very powerful exclusives.

Other differences between Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

While the version-exclusive Pokemon listed above are likely the most important decision for players when making their decision, there are some other differences that are worth taking into account, including the outfits and professors featured in the game.

Trainers who choose Pokemon Scarlet will get Professor Sada, while those who choose Pokemon Violet will get Professor Turo. This is the first time a Pokemon game has featured version-exclusive professors.

The other big difference is the default school uniforms that players will wear. There are two separate academies featured in Scarlet & Violet that your character will attend depending on the version you play. In Pokemon Scarlet, you’ll study at Naranja Academy, and in Violet, you’ll attend Uva Academy.

Naranja has an orange fruit emblem, while Uva’s insignia features grapes – indicating that these fruits are significant in the Paldea region. The school crests and colors are featured on the main characters’ sleeves, alongside their respective uniform colors. Aside from appearances, there aren’t any major differences between the protagonists.

That’s everything you need to know about the version exclusive Pokemon and game differences in Scarlet & Violet! For more Gen IX content, check out our guides below:

Alternatively, be sure to check out our list of all the new Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet, the new starters, and the Paldea Pokedex, so you can be ready to catch ’em all.

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