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

Similar to every prior game in the series, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet launched with two separate versions, with some key differences between the two. Knowing which version you want to buy is key, especially because some of the Pokemon in each version are different. So if you’re unsure of which version to purchase here’s a list of every version exclusive Pokemon in Gen 9 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 game 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 9’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 currently known version exclusive Pokemon in the DLC expansions, as well.

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.

Contents

• Pokemon Scarlet exclusives
• Pokemon Violet exclusives
• DLC Exclusive Pokemon
• Other differences between Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

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 in order to be obtained in Pokemon Violet.

• Armarouge
• Brute Bonnet (Past Amoongus)
• Deino
• Dragalge
• Drifblim
• Drifloon
• Flutter Man (Paradox Misdreavous)
• Gligar*
• Gliscor*
• Great Tusk (Paradox Donphan)
• Hydreigon
• Koraidon (Legendary)
• Larvitar
• Oranguru
• Pupitar
• Raging Bolt (Paradox Raikou)*
• 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 in order to be obtained in Pokemon Scarlet.

• Aipom*
• Ambipom*
• Bagon
• Ceruledge
• Clauncher
• Clawitzer
• Drakloak
• Dragapult
• Dreepy
• Eiscue
• Gulpin
• Iron Bundle (Paradox Delibird)
• Iron Crown (Paradox Cobalion)*
• Iron Hands (Paradox Hariyama)
• Iron Jugulis (Paradox Hydreigon)
• 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)

Those are all the exclusive Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet that have been confirmed so far.

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.

Pokemon marked * are exclusive to Scarlet & Violet’s DLC.

DLC Exclusive Pokemon

As fans know, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet will be receiving DLC called “The Teal Mask” and “The Indigo Disk” which will release in Fall 2023 and Winter 2023 respectively.

The Pokemon Company has confirmed that Gligar and Gliscor will be exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet in the Teal Mask expansion, while Aipom and Ambipom will be Violet-exclusive.

While the Pokemon included are still unconfirmed, various leaks have pointed to the monsters that will be included through this DLC.

Regardless, we will update this article when we know a list of the DLC-exclusive Pokemon coming in each separate DLC so be sure to check back when more information is released!

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 9 content, check out our guides below:

 Pre-order guide | What is Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s region? | Everything we know about Scarlet & Violet so far | What is Terastallizing? | All Paldean forms | All new characters | | How to get Marks in Scarlet & Violet | How to unlock Rotom Phone cases

Please note that if you click a link on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission.