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What counts as a “secret” Pokémon?
In practice, players use “secret” to describe several kinds of access: exploration or story-gated encounters in the base game, Pokémon added by an expansion, time-limited gifts and raids, and Pokémon transferred from another game. A Pokémon being uncommon does not by itself make it an exclusive or hidden species.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Pokémon Scarlet - US Version | $50.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Pokémon Scarlet - Nintendo Switch - Standard Edition | $53.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nintendo Pokémon Scarlet Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $59.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Pokémon Scarlet Bundle - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $94.98 | Buy on Amazon |
Can you get special Pokémon in the base game?
Yes. Some encounters depend on exploration or reaching a particular point in the story, rather than on a separate purchase or distribution. There is no single official “secret Pokémon” list, and the official material cited here does not provide a complete route-by-route inventory of every rare Paldea encounter.
How do Mystery Gift Pokémon work?
The Poké Portal and Mystery Gift become available after you reach the first Pokémon Center in Los Platos, according to Nintendo Support. Mystery Gift can distribute special Pokémon or items through internet gifts or download codes. Which gifts are available changes over time, and individual distributions may expire; check the official Pokémon news page for current announcements rather than assuming an old code or event still works.
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- Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities.
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea.
- Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure.
Which Pokémon require the Scarlet DLC?
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero adds two areas and new Pokémon: The Teal Mask takes place in Kitakami, and The Indigo Disk takes place at Blueberry Academy. The expansion also brings back more than 230 familiar Pokémon from other regions, according to The Pokémon Company’s DLC page. That figure includes Pokémon obtainable through Pokémon HOME or trades; it does not mean all of those Pokémon are hidden or exclusive to the DLC.
Choose the Scarlet expansion for Pokémon Scarlet. Nintendo says the Scarlet expansion works only with Pokémon Scarlet, while the Violet expansion works only with Pokémon Violet. See Nintendo’s Scarlet Expansion Pass listing and its Violet Expansion Pass listing for the compatible versions.
Rank #2
- New Pokémon to Discover - Learn new details about Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly—the three Pokémon from which you’ll choose your first partner—along with other wonderful new Pokémon, including the Legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon!
- The World of Pokémon Has Evolved - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet offer an open-world experience that only the Pokémon series can deliver—one welcoming even to newcomers to the series.
- You can experience a new style of adventure, with a world that you’re free to explore at your leisure and not in an order dictated by the story. You will, of course, journey to hone your skills as a Pokémon Trainer, but many more discoveries and stories await you. Meet a variety of people and Pokémon, and adventure in the world of Pokémon the way you want to.
- A Deeper Experience with Multiplayer* Gameplay - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet allow multiplayer gameplay with up to four players. Along with series staples, such as trading and battling Pokémon, you will be able to explore the various locations of the region in these games with other players. You can discover new Pokémon and explore unfamiliar areas with your friends and family, opening the door to an adventure more precious and fun than ever!
- Meet the characters - As one of the main characters, you’ll set off on your adventure. Your outfit will vary depending on whether you play Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Who knows what kind of story awaits you? For the first time in the series, one of two different professors will appear in your game depending on the version you choose to play.
Legendary Pokémon in The Indigo Disk
Some Legendary Pokémon in The Indigo Disk are gated behind finishing the DLC’s main story and getting help from Snacksworth. They are progression rewards, not Mystery Gift Pokémon. The cited official material does not establish a complete list of these Pokémon or a route for each one, so check the in-game progression and official DLC information for the specific encounter you want.
How to get Roaming Form Gimmighoul
Roaming Form Gimmighoul is a special case: it cannot normally be encountered in Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Pokémon HOME says it can be transferred from Pokémon GO into those games through HOME.
Rank #3
- Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea
- Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure
There is a separate connection between Pokémon GO and Scarlet that can help you evolve Chest Form Gimmighoul. Sending a Postcard from Pokémon GO can provide Gimmighoul Coins and items. Chest Form Gimmighoul evolves into Gholdengo after leveling up once you have collected 999 coins. The Pokémon Company describes the connection and coin requirement here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are event raid Pokémon still available?
Tera Raid Battle distributions can feature special Pokémon for a limited time, but an old announcement is not evidence that a distribution remains active. For example, the Shiny Wo-Chien event ran from July 22 to August 3, 2025, and has ended. Its announcement is available on The Pokémon Company’s event page. Check current official announcements for active raid dates before planning around an event Pokémon.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Only one code for a Hisuian Zoroark can be used in either the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. Upon purchase of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, an email with your code will be sent to the email address registered to your Nintendo Account. From the in-game menu, go to the Poké Portal, then select Mystery Gift, select Get with Code/Password, and then enter your code.
- The Mystery Gift option can be found within the Poké Portal menu option in the X menu after you unlock the feature in the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. (This occurs after about 1 to 1.5 hours of gameplay, though individual gameplay time may vary.) An internet connection and a Nintendo Account is required to redeem the item in game. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required. Each item can only be redeemed once.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
