Breeding Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet is a fun and rewarding way to obtain Pokémon with desirable traits, like perfect IVs, specific natures, and even hidden abilities. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from finding compatible Pokémon to hatching the eggs.
Understanding the Basics of Pokémon Breeding in Scarlet
Before you dive into breeding, it's important to understand a few key concepts:
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Compatible Pokémon: To breed, Pokémon must share the same Egg Group. You can find a Pokémon's Egg Group information in its summary screen (accessed in your party or the Box). Some Pokémon have multiple Egg Groups, increasing their breeding compatibility. You can't breed Legendary or Mythical Pokémon.
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The Same-Gender Rule: Breeding two Pokémon of the same gender won't produce eggs. You will need one male and one female Pokémon to initiate breeding.
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The Role of the Ditto: The Ditto Pokémon is a special case. It's compatible with nearly every Pokémon species, making it a valuable tool for breeding. If you are only seeking to breed a Pokémon with specific attributes, a Ditto can be paired with your chosen Pokémon.
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IVs and EVs: Individual Values (IVs) determine a Pokémon's potential stats, while Effort Values (EVs) are earned through battling. Breeding can help you to pass on good IVs to your offspring. While EVs are not directly inherited, they can influence how quickly your newly hatched Pokemon progress.
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Natures: A Pokémon's Nature slightly alters its stats, giving some a boost while lowering others. These are also passed down during breeding.
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Abilities: A Pokémon can have one or multiple abilities. Not all abilities are passed down during breeding reliably. Understanding the inheritance pattern of abilities is key to successful breeding.
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Breeding Locations: The best place to breed is by leaving your chosen breeding pair at the Pokemon Center in any major city. This method is highly efficient.
Step-by-Step Breeding Guide
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Choose Your Breeding Pair: Select a male and a female Pokémon that share at least one Egg Group. If you are aiming for specific traits, ensure your chosen Pokémon possess those traits. Using a Ditto makes this process easier.
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Prepare Your Pokémon: Ensure your Pokémon are at the appropriate level. While level doesn't directly impact breeding, you may need to train them beforehand for other breeding considerations (EV training, specific movesets).
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Place in the Nursery: Deposit your chosen breeding pair with the Nursery staff at any major Pokemon Center.
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Wait for the Eggs: Walk around, explore the region, or do other things in the game. The breeding process will occur in the background. You'll receive an in-game notification.
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Retrieve Your Eggs: Once the eggs are laid, retrieve them from the Nursery.
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Hatching the Eggs: Eggs will hatch after a certain number of steps. You can speed this up by riding your Koraidon or Miraidon.
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Checking Your Results: Check the stats, nature, and ability of your newly hatched Pokémon. If they don't meet your expectations, repeat the process.
Advanced Breeding Techniques
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Breeding for Specific IVs: You can use items, such as Power items, to influence the EVs a pokemon gains, leading to stronger offspring eventually.
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Breeding for Specific Natures: Using a Everstone will guarantee the parent holding the Everstone's nature will be passed to the offspring.
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Breeding for Hidden Abilities: Hidden Abilities are passed down with a low probability. It may take multiple attempts to obtain a Pokemon with a Hidden Ability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many eggs can I get at once?
A: The number of eggs you can have at a time is limited only by your storage space within your Pokémon Boxes.
Q: Can I breed any two Pokémon?
A: No, Pokémon must share at least one Egg Group to be compatible for breeding.
Q: What is the fastest way to hatch eggs?
A: Riding your Koraidon or Miraidon is the fastest way to hatch eggs.
By following these steps and understanding the underlying mechanics, you'll be well on your way to creating the perfect Pokémon team in Pokémon Scarlet! Remember that breeding is a process that requires patience and persistence, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Happy breeding!
