Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are arguably the most important games in the series in recent years, as they became the main competitive hub for many years, introduced multiple regulations and rulesets, added a ton of new and returning Pokemon to the roster, and set the stage for what’s to come. This doesn’t mean they’re without flaws, but on the eve of the final Ranked Season in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, it’s worth seeing the good in the otherwise polarizing Gen 9 games. Yet, considering that Pokemon Winds and Waves will continue the tradition of version exclusivity, it’s relevant to point out that where Pokemon Violet outsells Scarlet, the latter is technically the better game.
Since Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s world and characters are fundamentally the same, even with the academy taking on a different name as well as different outfits and colors for its students, the main comparison to be made is with version exclusives. This is a major part of the series, to the point that Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen‘s version exclusives are still a big topic within the community to this day. In the case of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the latter ended up selling more copies of the former, but it’s time to admit that Scarlet had much better Pokemon.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Strongest Paldea Pokemon, Ranked
Here are Paldea’s very best Pokemon that have appeared so far in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Version Exclusives Explained
The main version exclusives for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are as follows:
-
Pokemon Scarlet
- Paldean Tauros (Blaze)
- Larvitar
- Pupitar
- Tyranitar
- Drifloon
- Drifblim
- Stunky
- Skuntank
- Deino
- Zwielous
- Hydreigon
- Skrelp
- Dragalge
- Oranguru
- Stonjourner
- Armarouge
- Great Tusk
- Scream Tail
- Brute Bonnet
- Flutter Mane
- Slither Wing
- Sandy Shocks
- Roaring Moon
- Koraidon
- Walking Wake
-
Pokemon Violet
- Paldean Tauros (Aqua)
- Misdreavus
- Mismagius
- Gulpin
- Swalot
- Bagon
- Shelgon
- Salamence
- Clauncher
- Clawitzer
- Passimian
- Morpeko
- Dreepy
- Drakloak
- Dragapult
- Eiscue
- Iron Treads
- Iron Bundle
- Iron Hands
- Iron Jugulis
- Iron Moth
- Iron Thorns
- Iron Valiant
- Miraidon
- Iron Leaves
Furthermore, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s DLC also had version exclusives. These are:
- Teal Mask, Pokemon Scarlet:
- Teal Mask, Pokemon Violet:
-
Indigo Disk, Pokemon Scarlet:
- Cranidos
- Rampardos
- Alolan Vulpix
- Alolan Ninetales
- Gouging Fire
- Raging Bolt
- Suicune
- Raikou
- Entei
- Ho-Oh
- Latios
- Groudon
- Glastrier
- Reshiram
- Solgaleo
-
Indigo Disk, Pokemon Violet:
- Shieldon
- Bastiodon
- Alolan Sandshrew
- Alolan Sandslash
- Iron Crown
- Iron Boulder
- Cobalion
- Terrakion
- Virizion
- Lugia
- Latias
- Kyogre
- Spectrier
- Zekrom
- Lunala
Why Pokemon Scarlet Beats Pokemon Violet
Currently, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s competitive play is all about Regulation F, and while the games got all the way to Regulation J, the current ruleset is an older one. In this format, the top 10 Pokemon in VGC according to Pikalytics are:
- Urshifu Rapid-Strike (45.83%)
- Flutter Mane (37.53%)
- Incineroar (34.26%)
- Tornadus (32.21%)
- Raging Bolt (31.42%)
- Ogerpon Hearthflame (23.04%)
- Chien-Pao (20.47%)
- Ogerpon Wellspring (20.23%)
- Rillaboom (18.81%)
- Landorus (17.99%)
Of these, there are two Scarlet exclusives in the form of Flutter Mane and Raging Bolt, and zero Violet exclusives. The first is Iron Crown at number 19 with 11.95% usage, followed by even more Scarlet exclusives:
- Gouging Fire at number 26 (6.36%)
- Alolan Ninetales at number 30 (4.98%)
- Roaring Moon at number 31 (4.67%)
To get another Violet exclusive, you have to scroll to number 41, namely Iron Hands (3.15% usage), which is followed shortly after by Scarlet‘s Entei (2.77%). On top of that, Tyranitar is a Scarlet exclusive, and it’s an incredibly popular pick as a Sandstorm setter Pokemon. Gliscor has seen a lot of competitive play over the years, and while Gen 10 may have better options, it still had its time to shine in Gen 9. Then, Armarouge is arguably better than Ceruledge, and Great Tusk, Scream Tail, and Koraidon itself all saw a lot of play.
One could argue that Miraidon is the better box Legendary, and while it’s largely true, Koraidon is still an amazing Pokemon that warped the meta around itself. Still, Iron Bundle and Iron Hands both dominated the meta when Scarlet and Violet‘s Paradox Pokemon were introduced, proving there’s a lot of value to Violet.
Another big difference comes from Legendary Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet, with no particular winners. While Scarlet has Latios and Entei, who are better than their counterparts in Violet, Violet has Kyogre and Lunala as restricted Pokemon, and both are better and/or more used than their counterparts. In Regulation J, for example, Pokemon Sword and Shield‘s Spectrier and Glastrier were mostly equal when used with Calyrex, though Calyrex Ice Raider had about 2% more usage than Calyrex Shadow Rider, with Glastrier being a Scarlet exclusive. Overall, Pokemon Scarlet takes the crown in terms of version exclusives, offering much more value for competitive play compared to Violet.
