Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Co-Op Guide: How To Play With Friends

Pokémon has always been a multiplayer game, even dating back to the original Red and Blue versions. Local communication trades and battling have now given way to global trading systems and internet-based tournaments. 

However, most of the multiplayer in Pokémon comes during the post-game. Almost every Pokémon game has you play through the main storyline as a solo adventurer (with a few trades here and there, perhaps) before building up a more powerful team and heading to the internet for some PVP action. 

So, do Pokémon Scarlet and Violet continue the trend of little to no co-op play during the main game? Can Scarlet and Violet play together? Let's find out!

Update on 18 November 2022:We've updated this article to reflect the latest information about playing co-op in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

How To Play Co-Op in Pokémon Scarlet And Violet

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have been confirmed to be playable with friends. This means it is possible to explore the map together with other players, as well as perform the traditional trades and battles Pokémon games are known for. Players will need to first enter the Union Circle (similar to the Union Room of previous games). From there, you can invite other players to join your game and explore the region together. 

The co-op player limit has been confirmed to be three additional players (four players total, including yourself). According to the trailer, the open-world features seem to allow for co-op play relatively seamlessly. 

Players can be seen heading off in different directions to do their own thing before meeting up later for a battle or a trade. We don't know yet what exactly the benefits of co-op play will be, but we are very excited to try it out. Hopefully, by jumping into a friend's game with a different version than yourself, you can acquire version exclusive Pokémon directly without the need to trade. 

Raids will also return as one of the most fun additions to any Pokémon game. Tera Raids are a great way to get players working together, and the process has been streamlined in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet significantly. No longer will you have to wait for each person to select a move; Tera Raids will happen in real-time! Plenty of co-op opportunities are heading straight for the Paldea Region, and we can't wait!

For all the awesome content, check out our section dedicated to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet news, updates, guides, features, and more.

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