Pokemon Scarlet & Violet differences: Version exclusives explained

Most Pokemon games, like Scarlet and Violet, have version-exclusive creatures, meaning that to complete the Pokedex, you need to have both versions or trade with friends. Here’s an overview of all the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet version exclusives and differences, including the DLC.

Dating back to the release of Pokemon Blue and Red in 1996, Pokemon fans have had to choose between multiple versions of the franchise’s mainline installments. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet presented the same dilemma to players as they jumped into the ninth generation of Pokemon.

While most players are interested in discovering the version-exclusive Pokemon that are attached to each of the games, Scarlet and Violet introduced more version differences than ever when they came out.

What’s more, the second part of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC, The Indigo Disk, also brought more new version exclusives for players to catch:

• Exclusive Pokemon
• The Teal Mask exclusives
• The Indigo Disk exclusives
• Books
• Paldea professors
• Academy & outfits

Scarlet & Violet exclusive Pokemon

It comes as no surprise to learn that box legendaries Koraidon and Miraidon are version-exclusive Pokemon. Koraidon is the face of Pokemon Scarlet, while Miraidon is synonymous with Pokemon Violet.

These two legendary Pokemon are your method of transportation around the Paldea region across the ground, water, and air. Make your choice wisely as you’ll be seeing a lot of Koraidon and Miraidon.

Great Tusk (left) and Iron Treads (right) are available in Scarlet and Violet respectively. These Pokemon are past and future versions of Donphan found in the Paldea region. Scarlet and Violet introduced several past and future versions of classic Pokemon called Paradox Pokemon and you can take a look at them below.

Scarlet exclusive Pokemon

• Koraidon
• Armarouge
• Brute Bonnet (Past Amoongus)
• Flutter Man (Past Misdreavous)
• Great Tusk (Past Donphan)
• Roaring Moon (Past Salamence)
• Sandy Shocks (Past Magneton)
• Scream Tail (Past Jigglypuff)
• Slither Wing (Past Volcarona)
• Deino, Zweilous, Hydreigon
• Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar
• Drifloon, Drifblim
• Stonjourner
• Oranguru
• Stunky, Skuntank
• Skrelp, Dragalge

Violet exclusive Pokemon

• Miraidon
• Ceruledge
• Iron Treads (Future Donphan)
• Iron Bundle (Future Delibird)
• Iron Hands (Future Hariyama)
• Iron Jugulis (Future Hydreigon)
• Iron Moth (Future Volcarona)
• Iron Thorns (Future Tyranitar)
• Iron Valiant (Future Gardevoir)
• Dreepy, Drakloak, Dragapult
• Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence
• Clauncher, Clawitzer
• Gulpin, Swalot
• Misdreavus, Mismagius
• Passimian
• Eiscue

The Pokemon Company also confirmed that the pseudo-legendary evolution lines of Tyranitar and Salamence are version exclusives. Larvitar appears exclusively in Pokemon Scarlet, while Bagon can only be caught in Violet.

In addition, Gen 8 Pokemon Stonjourner and Eiscue are also version exclusives for Scarlet and Violet, respectively.

Scarlet & Violet The Teal Mask DLC exclusive Pokemon

The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC brings more version-exclusive Pokemon to Scarlet and Violet. These are the exclusive creatures you’ll find exploring Kitakami Island depending on the version of the game:

Scarlet exclusive Pokemon

• Gligar
• Gliscor
• Cramorant

Violet exclusive Pokemon

• Aipom
• Ambipom
• Morpeko

Scarlet & Violet The Indigo Disk DLC exclusive Pokemon

The Indigo Disk DLC has its own new Pokedex to complete, and the Terarium is full of creatures to fill the Blueberry dex with more ‘mons. Over 240 new Pokemon from past games, and some new ones, have been added with the second part of The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero.

Here’s every version exclusive Pokemon in The Indigo Disk DLC:

Scarlet exclusive Pokemon

• Alolan Vulpix
• Alolan Ninetales
• Cranidos
• Rampardos
• Gouging Fire (Paradox)
• Raging Bolt (Paradox)

Violet exclusive Pokemon

• Alolan Sandshrew
• Alolan Sandslash
• Shieldon
• Bastiodon
• Iron Boulder (Paradox)
• Iron Crown (Paradox)

If you want a complete list of every past game Legendary Pokemon that can now be caught in Paldea thanks to The Indigo Disk DLC, and which ones are version exclusive, check out our guide.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Books

The Scarlet Book and Violet Book are two relics with ancient details that appear in each game respectively. The books are filled with photographs and sketches of unidentified Paradox Pokemon and it’s up to players to track them down.

While some of these Pokemon were available in the game at launch, others are making their way into Pokemon Scarlet and Violet through Tera Raid Battle events. Others might arrive with the expansion titled The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Paldea professors

For the first time in the Pokemon franchise, players have a different professor depending on the version they select.

Professor Sada, seen on the left, is one of the Paldea region’s two professors and appears in Pokemon Scarlet. Meanwhile, Turo, seen on the right, is the professor you’ll encounter in Pokemon Violet.

As you can see from the professors’ attire, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are centered around a theme of ancient vs. modern. This isn’t just an aesthetic difference, but it also has roots in gameplay and Pokemon exclusives.

Scarlet & Violet Academy and outfits

Paldea’s largest city in the region, Mesagoza, is home to the academy trainers attend. Scarlet players will visit Naranja Academy, while Violet players will hone their skills at Uva Academy.

The Naranja and Uva Academy uniform colors vary to match the respective title’s color theme.

If you’re interested in more Pokemon, we have other Scarlet & Violet or its DLC guides for you to check out:

Everything we know about the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Kitakami Epilogue | How to beat BB Elite Four in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet DLC | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How to get Hydrapple | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How to get Duraludon & Archaludon | What is Stellar-type in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet DLC? 19th Tera Type explained | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet DLC: How to use Synchro Machine