Like any other Pokémon game, in the Scarlet and Violet entry, you’re faced with the daunting task of choosing the first Pokémon you’d like to adventure with in the Paldea region (it’s daunting because they’re all just too cute to have to choose from). The three Pokémon presented to you by the academy director Mr Clavell are Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly.
Now, you want to know if you can get all three of these starters simultaneously or if it’s possible to acquire them all during the game at a certain point. There’s good news and bad news. The good news: you can get all three starters in Scarlet and Violet. The bad news: you will not be able to pick them all at once and will have to bend the rules slightly to own them all.
If you’ve got to have them all, then read on…
Related: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Best locations to catch high level Pokémon (Via PC Invasion)
Getting all Three Starters Early in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
As early as the first day in the Paldea region, you can get all three: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. For this method, you must have two copies of the game and two consoles to trade between, locally or online. So it’s best to have a friend or family member handy for this approach.
You will need to start the game on your main profile. Pick one of the three starter Pokémon and play to the point where you get to the Pokémon Trade Centre, unlock trading, and can have a spare Pokémon in your bag.
Related: Which Starter Pokemon to Pick in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
(The image below displays the first Pokemon Centre you will encounter)
Once you’ve done this, switch to the other device and create a second and third Switch profile. You will then have to select one of the newly created profiles and initiate a new game. Proceed to do the same as you did with your main profile. From the selection, pick one of the two remaining starter Pokémons you haven’t already chosen from and get to the Pokémon trade centre again, where you unlock the trading feature.
Rinse and repeat this procedure with the third and last profile on the second device; start a new game, choose the final remaining Pokémon available and advance to the same part of the game.
The final step when trading between accounts: first switch back to your main account and begin the trading process by going to the main menu and selecting Poké Portal. Once in the Poké Portal, select link trade and begin searching (go to the Poké Portal on your primary device while selecting the portal on your additional accounts on the other device as well). Once there, trade the starter Pokémon from both new accounts to your main profile with another random Pokémon.
(The image below exhibits the Poké Portal where you’ll find link trade )
Most importantly: don’t forget to save your progress on your primary device after completing each trade.
There are two ways you can carry out the above procedure:
- Create both additional profiles at the same time. Get each starter on each of the separate profiles (main profile and two other profiles), get to the same point at the Pokémon Trade Centre on all three profiles, and then make the trade almost simultaneously.
- Alternatively, you can create one account at a time. After reaching the Pokémon Trade Centre mark with your primary account, create the second account and proceed to unlock trading. Complete the trade and save your progress. Close that profile and create the third and final profile. Start the game from the beginning, get to the Pokémon Centre, complete the trade, and then save your progress on your primary profile.
Related: All Starter Evolutions in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly
Top Tip: The above method will be tedious and a process you’ll want to speed up. You can speed up the process by disabling the cutscenes and speeding up the text speed in the main menu. It should save you loads of time when acquiring all three starters. Furthermore, doing it locally will save time, not having to create multiple online accounts.
(The image below displays the “begin searching” selection when performing a link trade)
Is there an Alternative Way to get All Three Starter Pokémon?
Yes, there is another way to get Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. This way also has its pros and cons, however. The pros: you will only need one device to carry out this method, which is also the quickest method. The con: you will have to wait for Pokémon Home compatibility to be available, which isn’t arriving until the spring of 2023 for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Pokemon Home is available in select countries for the time being).
Once Pokémon Home compatibility is introduced, this method will allow you to easily create three user accounts on the same device and swap between all three created accounts. When you’ve made all three profiles, you will need to select a starter on each of the accounts and then run through the process until you get to the Pokémon Trade Centre and have the ability to trade, as it was suggested above.
Once you’ve unlocked trading on all three profiles, save your progress. This part is where this procedure differs from the previous one. You will then need to log in to Pokémon Home on each profile and drop all the starters (the two starters not on your primary device) into a home box.
Once complete, return to your main account, log in to Pokémon Home on this account and retrieve the other two starters from your home box. You will not only have to wait for this method to be available, but it might require additional payment, as some features are limited with the free Pokémon Home subscription.
Important Info: Trading methods are the only way to own all three starters, and they will not be available in the wild, therefore, unattainable through capture.
For more content on Prima Games, look at: Can You Connect Pokemon Scarlet & Violet to Pokemon Home? – Answered; How to Do Auto Battles in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Auto Battle Guide
