What is the point of breeding Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

Breeding isn’t a new thing in Pokemon games, but in Scarlet and Violet, it got a final touch that makes it a bit different than before. Here, Pokemon breed during picnics, and the strength (or weakness) of the offspring will depend on its parents’ stats. Having this in mind, you can breed some pretty strong Pokemon if you choose the parents and a couple more things carefully.

Let’s hop on and see what can actually be gained from breeding Pokemon.

What do you need for breeding anyway?

Before you even plan to breed Pokemon you need to know the basics. You will need to have two same Egg Group Pokemon of different sex that you wish to breed and take them on a picnic with you. You just need to set up the picnic and hang around until you get the eggs! The speed of breeding varies with different Pokemon but this too can be improved when you increase your Egg Power with food ingredients such as Whipped Cream, Marmalade, Strawberry, Banana, etc.

In case the two Pokemon breeding are of different species, the child Pokemon will always be the same species as the mother.

Once you have the eggs all you need to do is put them in your party and roam the Paldea with them. At a certain point, they will hatch and you will have a brand new member of your team.

Note: Ditto is the only Pokemon that can breed with either sex.

Related: Here’s how Tera Raids work in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Explained

What is to be gained from breeding Pokemon?

Pokemon breeding is done to get new Pokemon that will be overall stronger than their parents. Egg moves, better IVs, Abilities, and even Poke Balls will be inherited and all offer a good reason to dedicate yourself to the Pokemon breeding process. Having said that, we must remind you that legendary and mythical Pokemon can’t breed.

Baby Pokemon will inherit the Poke Ball type from the female parent if the species that are breeding are different and will have a 50:50 chance of getting either one of the parents’ Poke Balls if they are of the same species.

When it comes to Abilities, it is more likely that new Pokemon will have the Ability mother Pokemon has as well as her Hidden Ability (in case she has one).

If you wish to have greater chances of passing down father Pokemon’s abilities and Poke Balls, pair him with a Ditto.

Getting IVs from parent Pokemon

Pokemon born from breeding will inherit three randomly chosen IVs from parents and will have the other three randomly selected by the game. But you can increase the number of IVs received from parents by using Power Items.

The following Power Items can be given to parent Pokemon to have them transfer certain IVs:

• Power Weight – Parent Pokemon gives HP IV
• Power Bracer – Parent Pokemon gives Attack IV
• Power Belt – Parent Pokemon gives Defense IV
• Power Lens – Parent Pokemon gives Special Attack IV
• Power Band – Parent Pokemon gives Special Defense IV
• Power Armlet – Parent Pokemon gives Speed IV

Power items can be bought at Delibird Presents after you’ve acquired some Gym Badges.

Getting Egg Moves

One more reason to breed Pokemon is that they can get Egg Moves. Egg Moves are moves that Pokemon can only learn from other Pokemon and won’t naturally have with their evolution. This is a great way to combine the natural advantages certain Pokemon have with abilities that will enhance those advantages. Or in other words, you can make your Pokemon OP (overpowered).

Remember that the hatched Pokemon will inherit only one Move from its parents.

Wish to read more about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? Head on to our article about where to find all Chansey supply locations, and if you wish to always be ahead with gaming news, follow Gamer Journalist.