Pokemon Scarlet vs Violet is a choice between two box legendaries and two sets of Paradox Pokemon. Koraidon comes with Scarlet and Miraidon comes with Violet. Beyond that, each game has 39 wild Pokemon the other lacks.
The Gym Leaders, the story and the map are the same in both versions, so the exclusives and the legendary are the whole decision.
The Paradox Pokemon are split between the games
!A screenshot from Pokemon Scarlet
Scarlet holds the ancient Paradox Pokemon, among them Great Tusk and Flutter Mane. Violet holds the future ones, among them Iron Treads and Iron Valiant. The rest of each list is classic Pokemon, with Tyranitar and Hydreigon in Scarlet and Salamence and Dragapult in Violet.
| Only in Scarlet | Only in Violet | |---|---| | Larvitar | Bagon | | Pupitar | Shelgon | | Tyranitar | Salamence | | Stonjourner | Eiscue | | Armarouge | Ceruledge | | Great Tusk | Iron Treads | | Scream Tail | Iron Bundle | | Brute Bonnet | Iron Hands | | Flutter Mane | Iron Jugulis | | Slither Wing | Iron Moth | | Sandy Shocks | Iron Thorns | | Roaring Moon | Iron Valiant | | Koraidon | Miraidon | | Oranguru | Passimian | | Drifloon | Gulpin | | Drifblim | Swalot | | Skrelp | Clauncher | | Dragalge | Clawitzer | | Stunky | Misdreavus | | Skuntank | Mismagius | | Deino | Dreepy | | Zweilous | Drakloak | | Hydreigon | Dragapult | | Gligar | Aipom | | Gliscor | Ambipom | | Cramorant | Morpeko | | Walking Wake | Shieldon | | Gouging Fire | Bastiodon | | Raging Bolt | Iron Leaves | | Dialga | Iron Boulder | | Vulpix | Iron Crown | | Ninetales | Palkia | | Raikou | Sandshrew | | Entei | Sandslash | | Ho-Oh | Lugia | | Latios | Latias | | Reshiram | Zekrom | | Solgaleo | Lunala | | Glastrier | Spectrier |
Koraidon or Miraidon at the Great Crater
!A screenshot from Pokemon Violet
The box legendary is your ride through the story, and the other one is a trade away. At the Great Crater of Paldea Scarlet gives you Koraidon at level 68, and Violet gives you Miraidon at the same level. The two have their own Paradox lists beside them, which is why the version you pick feels like a theme as much as a team.
The same Gym Leaders, with a few different wild Pokemon
!A screenshot from Pokemon Scarlet
Katy and Brassius lead the first two gyms in both games, as Bug and Grass specialists. No Gym Leader or other trainer changes between the two games.
Smaller differences on the way
!A screenshot from Pokemon Violet
In North Province (Area Two) a level 45 Pupitar waits in Scarlet, and a Shelgon of the same level takes its place in Violet. It is a small swap, and the kind you only notice when two people compare notes.
Which one should you buy?
!A screenshot from Pokemon Scarlet
Buy Scarlet if you want Koraidon and the ancient Paradox Pokemon. Buy Violet if you want Miraidon and the future ones. Neither game gives you an easier run, so go with the roster you would rather build around. We would take Violet for Dragapult alone (Tyranitar is welcome to be offended).
Scarlet vs Violet FAQ
Can you catch every Pokemon in one version?
No. Each game has wild Pokemon the other lacks, so you trade with a friend or play both to finish the Pokedex.
Do the games have different stories?
No. The story, the Gym Leaders and the map are the same in Scarlet and Violet.
