Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is unlike any game in the franchise before it. That's because, for the first time ever, players can choose their own route throughout the title, taking on different gyms and other activities whenever they please.
Of course, that's not to say that there isn't an optimal path players will want to take for Victory Road, the game's gym-based storyline. In fact, there's an optimal path for the entire campaign, which pits you fighting against different activities and bosses depending on your level.
What is the Optimal Path in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
While it might be tempting to just run off and tackle each of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's stories on their own, there's actually a lot of fluidity to tackling the three major storylines side by side.
In fact, if you're looking to complete the campaign's optimal path, you'll be jumping around between these three storylines quite a bit. That makes it exceptionally easy to figure out which story to play first, something that Pokemon fans might be struggling with going into Scarlet and Violet.
The optimal path for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet doesn't involve taking much time to catch Legendary Pokemon or hunt down shinies. And, you also won't be trekking off a lot of the way to catch version-exclusive Pokemon, either.
But, there will be plenty of chances to make the most of the world along the way. Here's the optimal path that you should take through Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Victory Road and other stories:
- Bug Gym Leader Kathy
- Klaw, the Rock Titan
- Grass Gym Leader Brassius
- Bombirdier, the Flying Titan
- Giacomo of Dark Team Star
- Electric Gym Leader Iono
- Mela of Fire Team Star
- Orthworm, the Steel Titan
- Water Gym Leader Kofu
- Atticus of Poison Team Star
- Normal Gym Leader Larry
- Ghost Gym Leader Ryme
- Great Tusk/Iron Treads, the Ground Titan
- Psychic Gym Leader Tulip
- Ice Gym Leader Grusha
- Ortega of Fairy Team Star
- Tatsugiri, the Dragon Titan
- Eri of Fighting Team Star
- The Elite Four
Following this path will see you conquer each of these gym leaders, Titan Pokemon, and Team Star leaders at the level that they are set to. Unfortunately, enemies do not scale with your level in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, so without this kind of path, you may end up running into Pokemon Trainers and story events at higher levels than you are.
If you're looking for more help, you can also learn where to catch Bagon in Pokemon Violet.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Joshua Hawkins is a Newsweek gaming reporter based in Texas. His focus is reporting on video games, the games industry, ... Read more
