Paradox Pokémon 1
Image: Nintendo Life

Paradox Pokémon are a brand new type of monster to catch in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. You might hear about them online, but you won't be seeing them in-game very early.

Before we continue, major spoiler alert!

If you're here and you don't want spoilers for the end of the game, make sure you hit the Run button right now! We'll be spoiling the identities of these Pokémon that are available from the end of the game, as well as the general premise of them.

There are also light story spoilers regarding the game's box art Pokémon, as well as the Path of Legends story. This guide also includes all new Paradox Pokémon that were added in The Indigo Disk DLC.

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Ready? Here's everything we know about Paradox Pokémon...

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - What Is A Paradox Pokémon?

What are Ancient Pokémon and Future Pokémon?

Paradox Pokémon are split into two categories — Ancient Pokémon and Future Pokémon.

Ancient Pokémon are exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet, while Future Pokémon are exclusive to Pokémon Violet.

These Pokémon came from the past and future, but have been mostly contained within Area Zero in the centre of The Great Crater of Paldea. This area is only accessible once you've beaten all three main story paths in the game.

When do you first encounter Paradox Pokémon?

Despite only being catchable in the end-game area, you actually encounter two Paradox Pokémon beforehand.

Both Koraidon and Miraidon are Paradox Pokémon — Koraidon (Scarlet) is the Ancient version of Cyclizar, while Miraidon (Violet) is the Future version of Cyclizar.

You meet these legendary Pokémon within the first hour of the game. However, you won't be able to add these Pokémon to your dex until you beat the main story.

Paradox Pokémon 2
Image: Nintendo Life

The next Paradox Pokémon you encounter is through the Path of Legends story. The Quaking Earth Titan is a Pokémon that we were introduced to in one of the game's trailers, and depending on whether you're playing Scarlet and Violet. If you're playing Scarlet, you'll encounter Great Tusk. If you're on Violet, you get to take on Iron Treads.

Where can I catch Paradox Pokémon?

While you might see a handful of Paradox Pokémon beforehand, you won't be able to catch one until you reach the final path, The Way Home.

In this path, you will need to go to The Great Crater of Paldea to enter Area Zero. As you descend, you'll encounter your first wild Paradox Pokémon — Screech Tail (Scarlet) and Iron Bundle (Violet).

The remaining Paradox Pokémon won't be catchable until after the credits roll in the postgame. All of them are only available in Area Zero.

Can I catch more than one Paradox Pokémon?

Yes, you can! Paradox Pokémon aren't like Ultra Beasts or legendaries — they roam about Area Zero as if they were normal wild Pokémon.

That means you can catch as many Paradox Pokémon as you want. Go wild.

The only Paradox Pokémon there's a limit on catching are Koraidon or Miraidon. In Pokémon Scarlet, Miraidon can join your team once you've beaten the game. In Pokémon Violet, the same happens for Miraidon. You can catch a second one of these Pokémon at the base of Area Zero if you return to Zero Lab after beating the game.

Can you breed Paradox Pokémon?

No, Paradox Pokémon cannot give eggs at a picnic, and they do not have an assigned gender. If you want multiple Paradox Pokémon, you will have to catch them in Area Zero.

Paradox Pokémon 4
Image: Nintendo Life

All Paradox Pokémon

Here is a list of all Paradox Pokémon you can find in the game. If you want to complete your Pokédex, you'll have to trade online or with a friend with the opposite version of the game.

Thank you as always to Serebii for cataloguing the names of all of these Pokémon!

Ancient Pokémon - Pokémon Scarlet Exclusive

  • Great Tusk
  • Scream Tail
  • Brute Bonnet
  • Flutter Mane
  • Slither Wing
  • Sandy Shocks
  • Koraidon
  • Walking Wake (Tera Raid Event only)
  • Gouging Fire (The Indigo Disk)
  • Raging Bolt (The Indigo Disk)

Future Pokémon - Pokémon Violet Exclusive

  • Iron Treads
  • Iron Bundle
  • Iron Hands
  • Iron Jugulis
  • Iron Moth
  • Iron Thorns
  • Miraidon
  • Iron Leaves (Tera Raid Event only)
  • Iron Crown (The Indigo Disk)
  • Iron Boulder (The Indigo Disk)

Let us know how you're finding our Pokémon Scarlet & Violet walkthrough and keep on reading for more help as you discover new things in the Paldea region!