POKÉMON Scarlet and Violet are completely open world, meaning you can take on all of their 18 challenges in any order.
However, between the gym fights, the Titans, and Team Star bases, all with their varying levels, it can be difficult to know what to take on first.
Klawf is the first Titan you should aim for.
We recommend doing a mix of them to keep the game challenging yet doable.
Here’s how we recommend taking on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, so you never find yourself underleveled.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Cortondo Gym
Unlike all other Pokémon games, in Scarlet and Violet even Pokémon you catch yourself will start to disobey if you don’t have enough badges.
Cortondo gym gives the dual benefit of letting you take down its easy Bug-type challenge, and letting stronger Pokémon obey you.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Klawf, the Stony Cliff Titan
Klawf is not only the easiest Titan to take down, but offers strong Physical attack and defence for the early game.
It’s a pure Rock-type too, which can be helpful in a number of challenges.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Artazon Gym
Artazon gym should be the next step on your journey, as it will allow your Pokémon to level up for future challenges.
Brassius is the Grass-type leader, and with its multiple weaknesses shouldn’t be too difficult.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Bombirdier, the Open Sky Titan
This is another powerful single-stage Pokémon that is useful to have in the early-game.
If you still have Klawf in your team, its Rock-moves and Physical defence will make this easy.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Giacomo of the Segin Squad
Start out your journey taking down Team Star with Giacomo and you should have an easy time of things.
He’s a Dark-type trainer, so you should have plenty of Fighting- or Bug-type attacks to choose from.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Levincia Gym
Iono is an Electric-type trainer, and her ace Bellibolt is a strong Special attacker with bulky defences.
Make sure you have a few Specially defensive ‘mons on your team to withstand the storm.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Mela of the Schedar Squad
Mela’s levels are a lot higher than Giacomo’s, but luckily she is a Fire-type trainer with a number of common weaknesses.
Torkoal in particular is weak to special attacks so bear in mind that Quaxly is a physical attacker.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Orthworm, the Lurking Steel Titan
Orthworm’s big weakness is its Special defence, so go in with some strong special Fire-type moves and it should be easy.
If you picked Fuecoco, breeze through this with its strong signature move.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Cascarrafa Gym
Kofu is a Water-type leader and these Pokémon are known for their bulk.
Sprigatito starters will have an easy time here though with its powerful Physical attack.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Atticus of the Navi Squad
Atticus is a Poison-type trainer, and his Starmobile throws out Poison Spikes every time it’s hit.
Bring Pokémon immune to this such as Steel- or Poison-types to keep yourself alive.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Medali Gym
Ghost-types are immune to Larry’s mostly Normal-type attacks, and Paldea is riddled with this kind of Pokémon.
His levels can be intimidating, but this makes him easy enough to take down.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Montenevera Gym
Your starter should be fully evolved by now, giving two of them a strong advantage in the Ghost-type gym.
Many of her Pokémon are pure Ghost-type, so only Dark-type attacks will be effective.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Great Tusk/Iron Treads, the Quaking Earth Titan
The Titan you face here depends on your version. Scarlet has a Ground/Fighting matchup, and Violet has Ground/Steel.
Both have bulky defences, so Special attacks work here, and a Flying-type Pokémon will help against strong Ground attacks.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Alfornada Gym
Tulip is the Psychic-type gym leader, so again two of the final starter evolutions will be strong here.
There are also plenty of Ghosts about Paldea so you can scoop one up to take her down.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Glaseado Gym
End your gym challenge with Grusha, and his glass cannon Ice-type team.
This will give you the ability to catch and use Pokémon of any level making the end game a little bit easier.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Ortega of the Ruchbah Squad
After finishing the gyms there are still a few Star Bases and Titans to take down, but you should now have the levels to manage this.
Ortega leads Azumarill, giving you a number of options to set up a Pokémon who can sweep.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Tatsugiri and Dodonzo, the False Dragon Titan
The last of the Titans is a double feature, Dodonzo is a Water-type with strong Physical defences, and Tatsugiri is a Dragon/Water-type which has strong Special attacks.
A bulky special attacker will do here, though Electric-types aren’t known for their bulk.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Eri of the Caph Squad
The final stop on your journey should be the Fighting-type Team Star leader Eri.
Her levels are very high, but now that you don’t have a level cap you should be able to take her down.
Written by Oliver Brandt and Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
