Summary
Pokemon Scarlet & Violethave some very difficult areas across Paldea, featuring some strong and high-level Pokemon. Along with the wild Pokemon to encounter, there are trainer battles, Team Star battles, and Titan Pokemon to test the skills of gamers.
Unlike otherPokemongames,Scarlet & Violetdo not have a linear story, and the player canchoose exactly what they want to do. That said, it’s important to make sure to have the correct leveled Pokemon, as some areas are more difficult than others. Here are the hardest areas to traverse in Paldea, in order of their difficulty.
Updated on June 13, 2025, by Ben Painter:The latest entry in the Pokemon franchise, Scarlet & Violet, has been a critical and commercial success. Gamers can explore the vast land of Paldea, and if they purchase the Hidden Treasures of Area Zero DLC, then they can unlock two more lands to explore, Kitakami and The Blueberry Academy. Each of these regions has different areas for players to explore, and each comes with new challenges. The next game in the Pokemon series,Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will take some time before it comes to the Nintendo Switch, so in the meantime, gamers may want to fire up their copy of Scarlet or Violet and re-journey through Paldea and all the locations the game offers. For those looking for a challenge while doing so, the game is home to several tough areas that are sure to test the skills of whoever visits them.
26Apple Hills
Biggest Threat: Raikiri Of The Kitakami Ogre Clan
Apple Hills is the first place gamers can explore when they first venture into Kitakami in the first part of the Hidden Treasures of Area Zero DLC. There isn’t too much going on in this area,but many returning PokemontoScarlet & Violetwill excite fans.
There are a few trainers to battle, but none of them have any evolved Pokemon, so these battles are a breeze. The hardest task in this area is Raikiri of the Kitakami Ogre Clan, who has an electric team that can cause some serious problems if the trainer doesn’t have a Ground-type Pokemon handy.
Random Spawn Pokemon:
Ekans, Pikachu, Vulpix, Mankey, Growlithe, Bellsprout, Geodude, Gastly, Sentret, Furret, Spinarak, Pichu, Poochyena, Lotad, Lombre, Volbeat, Illumise, Starly, Bonsly, Munchlax, Timburr, Sewaddle, Mienfoo, Noibat, Grubbin, Fomantis, Salandit, Applin, Hatenna, Morpeko, Tandemaus, Orthworm, Poltchageist
Fixed Spawn Pokemon:
Sentret lvl 14/58, Furret lvl 19/63, Pikachu lvl 15/59, Poochyena lvl 12/56, Applin lvl 14/58, Applin lvl 16/60, Applin lvl 15/59, Tandemaus lvl 12/56, Poltchageist lvl 16/60
Applin lvl 15/59 (Bug Tera Type)
25Mossfell Confluence
Biggest Threat: Masamune Of The Kitakami Ogre Clan
East of Apple Hills in Kitakmi is Mossfell Confluence, which is slightly trickier, which makes sense as it is further away from the starting point. Again, there isn’t a lot going on, with a few trainer battles to challenge, with higher-level Pokemon than the previous area.
The main problem is Masamune of the Kitakami Ogre Clan, who has a powerful four-‘mon team featuring some high-level Fairy-type Pokemon. Gardevoir and Clefable even have Fire-type moves to counter Fairy’s big weakness to Steel. Masamune is certainly a harder battle than its predecessor in Apple Hills.
Ekans, Arbok, Vulpix, Growlithe, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Magikarp, Sentret, Furret, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Spinarak, Ariados, Aipom, Yanma, Wooper, Quagsire, Heracross, Swinub, Stantler, Lombre, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Ralts, Surskit, Masquerain, Volbeat, Illumise, Barboach, Corphish, Starly, Staravia, Kricketot, Kricketune, Pachirisu, Riolu, Timburr, Gurdurr, Sewaddle, Swadloon, Leavanny, Petilil, Ducklett, Noibat, Cutiefly, Ribombee, Rockruff, Fomantis, Hakamo-o, Skwovet, Chewtle, Applin, Flapple, Appletun, Toedscool, Poltchageist
Yanma lvl 12, Growlithe lvl 16/59, Gurdurr lvl 25/68, Lombre lvl 20, Ekans lvl 16/59, Ekans lvl 16, Ariados lvl 22/65, Growlithe lvl 24/67, Applin lvl 23/66, Applin lvl 25/68, Ducklett lvl 22/65, Gurdurr lvl 25/68, Barboach lvl 22/65, Arbok lvl 24/67, Arbok lvl 25/68
Wild Tera Battles:
Arbok lvl 24/67 (Electric Tera Type), Poliwhirl lvl 25/68 (Fighting Tera Type), Poltchageist lvl 28/71 (Water Tera Type)
24Wistful Fields
Biggest Threat: Pokemon Trainer Carmine
Wistful Fields is a bigger test in Kitakami, which is west of Apple Hills. Here gamers can battle some trainers, who have more difficult teams. The highlight here is Yoshiyuki the Poke Maniac who has a Clodsire and Tauros at his disposal.
But the real test is Pokemon Trainer Carmine, the main rival of this part of the DLC. Carmine has a team complete with level 70 Pokemon that may cause some trouble for the player. Here there is also a battle with Munkidori,the Legendary Pokemonand a member of the Loyal Three. After battling the Retainer Pokemon, gamers can come back later to catch it.
Ekans, Pikachu, Sandshrew, Vulpix, Growlithe, Mankey, Geodude, Graveler, Gastly, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Pichu, Sudowoodo, Aipom, Yanma, Gligar, Houndoom, Mightyena, Lotad, Lombre, Ralts, Kirlia, Nosepass, Volbeat, Illumise, Spoink, Shinx, Luxio, Bronzor, Bonsly, Gible, Munclax, Riolu, Timburr, Gurdurr, Sewaddle, Swadloon, Leavanny, Petilil, Mienfoo, Pawniard, Vullaby, Grubbin, Charjabug, Oricorio, Cutiefly, Ribombee, Rockruff, Mudbray, Jangmo-o, Skwovet, Hatenna, Morpeko, Tandemaus, Bombirdier, Orthworm
Swadloon lvl 22/64, Leavanny lvl 24/66, Yanma lvl 21/63, Leavanny lvl 25/67, Kirlia lvl 20/62, Hatenna lvl 23/65, Rockruff lvl 21/63, Cutiefly lvl 19/61, Ribombee lvl 25/67, Cutiefly lvl 21/63, Graveler lvl 25/68, Nosepass lvl 26/68, Munchlax lvl 20/60, Mienfoo lvl 21/63
Yanma lvl 24/66 (Psychic Tera Type), Gurdurr lvl 28/66 (Dark Tera Type)
Biggest Threat: The Quaking Earth Titan, Great Tusk/Iron Treads
22
An easier area to take on in Paldea is Asado Desert, but it does still have some hurdles to overcome. The main threat here is The Quaking Earth Titan. Depending on which version of the game the player is taking on, it will beGreat Tusk inScarletor Iron Treads inViolet. Both are past or future variations of the Generation 2 Pokemon Donphan.
Other than that, there isn’t too much going on, a few trainer battles here and there, with the toughest being Elias the Black Belt, who has a Breloom and Heracross in his party, the latter is holding a Focus Sash. Later on, the Kanto bird Moltres can be battled here after being unlocked in the Indigo Disk DLC.
Diglett, Dugtrio, Dunsparce, Phanpy, Donphan, Larvitar, Makuhita, Cacnea, Cacturne, Hippopotas, Hoppwdon, Sandile, Rufflet, Braviary, Larvesta, Skiddo, Yungoos, Gumshoos, Silicobra, Sandaconda, Stonjurner, Lokix, Nacil, Charcadet, Bramblin, Capsakid, Rellor, Flittle, Espathra, Tinkatink, Orthworm
Hippowdon lvl 40, Phanpy lvl 25, Sandaconda lvl 40, Cacturne lvl 35, Hippopotas lvl 33, Hippopotas lvl 33, Espathra lvl 38, Espathra lvl 39, Sandaconda lvl 40, Sandaconda lvl 38, Sandaconda lvl 36, Cacturne lvl 35, Donphan lvl 35, Espathra lvl 35, Tinkatink lvl 20, Donphan lvl 35, Donphan lvl 37, Espathra lvl 36, Espathra lvl 37, Espathra lvl 37, Hippowdon lvl 40, Hippopotas lvl 32, Hippopotas lvl 33, Braviary lvl 55, Braviary lvl 56, Cacturne lvl 36, Donphan lvl 35, Donphan lvl 35, Donphan lvl 35
Sandygast lvl 30 (Grass Tera Type), Cyclizar lvl 45 (Flying Tera Type)
21West Province Area One
Biggest Threat: Segin Team Star Base
One of the easiest locations in mainline Paldea is West Provinence Area One. It is one of the first areas that gamers should venture to when first playingScarletorViolet.
There are a few things to do here, including battling the Titan Pokemon Bombirdier, which is made easier with Arven and his Rock-type Nacli. The big task is taking on the Dark Team Star base and its leader Segin, whose Starmobile Revaroom can cause some issues with its Wicked Torque attack.
Later on in the story, the Legendary Pokemon Chien-Pao, Raikou and Terakion can be battled and caught. The latter will need the right treat from Snackworth after completing so many Blueberry Quests in the Terrarium.
Psyduck, Mankey, Primeape, Gastly, Haunter, Hypno, Voltorb, Marill, Misdreavus, Phanpy, Larvitar, Makuhita, Sableye, Numel, Swablu, Combee, Vespiquen, Buizel, Drifloon, Bronzor, Happiny, Gible, Petilil, Basculin, Flabebe, Floette, Skiddo, Yungoos, Gumshoos, Crabrawler, Rockruff, Mudbray, Salandit, Chewtle, Arrokuda, Falinks, Nymble, Pawmi, Pawmo, Squawkabilly, Nacli, Charcadet, Wattrel, Capsakid, Flittle, Tinkatink, Wiglett, Bombirdier, Cyclizar
Capsakid lvl 15, Vespiquen lvl 28, Primeape lvl 35, Mankey lvl 25, Charcadet lvl 30, Squaekabilly lvl 30, Charcadet lvl 14, Combee lvl 20, Buizel lvl 25, Buizel lvl 25, Cyclizar lvl 20, Capsakid lvl 15, Capsakid lvl 15, Flittle lvl 16, Swablu lvl 16, Flittle lvl 14, Flittle lvl 16, Swablu lvl 15, Charcadet lvl 16, Charcadet lvl 13
Torkoal lvl 28 (Normal Tera Type), Altaria lvl 50 (Fairy Tera Type), Lokix lvl 25 (Fighting Tera Type), Buizel lvl 21 (Ice Tera Type), Jolteon lvl 50 (Electric Tera Type), Axew lvl 36 (Ground Tera Type), Tinkatuff lvl 36 (Dark Tera Type), Rockruff lvl 26 (Psychic Tera Type)
20Infernal Pass
Biggest Threat: Grass-Type Tera Lampent
Gamers will need to head through Infernal Pass as part of the story, but not much really goes on in this location, with the biggest threat beingan optional wild Tera battlewith alevel 86 Lampent, which is a really high level for even this stage in the game. There is also another Tera battle with aSlugma at level 69. It’s not as hard, but it can still be rather challenging.
It’s also important to note that there aren’t any trainer battles, boss battles, gyms, evil teams, or anything here. This area is just for players to pass through to get to the Crystal Pool.
Clefairy Vulpix, Growlithe, Geodude, Graveler, Koffing, Magikarp, Pichu, Cleffa, Yanma, Quagsire, Slugma, Houndour, Houndoom, Lotad, Spoink, Duskull, Chimeco, Chingling, Bronzor, Tumburr, Litwick, Lampent, Vullaby, Rockruff, Mimikyu, Hatenna, Glimmet
Houndour lvl 65, Slugma lvl 69, Koffing lvl 66, Litwick lvl 67, Spoink lvl 65, Graveler lvl 65, Slugma lvl 68, Houndoom lvl 69, Chimecho lvl 68, Chingling lvl 65
Slugma lvl 69 (Rock Tera Type), Lampent lvl 86 (Grass Tera Type)
19Fellhorn Gorge
Biggest Threat: Hasebe Of The Kitakami Ogre Clan
On the east side of Kitakami is the land of Fellhorn Gorge, which is a large and expansive area that cannot be traversed on foot. Gamers must hop ontheir rideable Pokemonand glide and climb their way through to find the Pokemon and trainers present in this area.
The biggest threat that gamers will encounter is Hasabe of the Kitakami Ogre Clan. His team has a competitive style with high-level Pokemon. The lead Politoed has the Drizzle ability, which activates rain with a Damp Rock to boost the amount of turns it will be active. The other Pokemon are all Water types that will have their moves boosted in the rain, and two of them have Swift Swim, which means they are faster in the rain.
Ekans, Arbok, Vulpix, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Geodude, Graveler, Magikarp, Gyarados, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Spinarak, Ariados, Aipom, Wooper, Quagsire, Gligar, Heracross, Houndour, Houndoom, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Volbeat, Illumise, Barboach, Whiscash, Corphish, Crawdaunt, Duskull, Starly, Staravia, Staraptor, Shinx, Luxio, Luxray, Bronzor, Riolu, Lucario, Gallade, Tumbur, Gurdurr, Ducklett, Swanna, Pawniard, Vullaby, Goomy, Noibat, Grubbin, Charjabug, Rockruff, Lycanroc (Midday & Midnight), Greedent, Chewtle, Drednaw, Cramorant, Arrokuda, Barraskewda, Toedscool, Bombirdier
Vullaby lvl 68, Barraskewda lvl 67, Swanna lvl 73, Chewtle lvl 58, Staraptor lvl 73, Vullaby lvl 68, Swanna lvl 73, Drednaw lvl 72, Riolu lvl 71, Drednaw lvl 73, Quagsire lvl 66, Swanna lvl 73
Vullaby lvl 68 (Poison Tera Type)
18Paradise Barrens
Biggest Threat: Pokemon Trainer Kieran
This dry wasteland in the northeast of Kitakami is host to many challenges that the player must navigate in their quest to complete the first part ofThe Teal MaskDLC. The most notable of these tasks is the battle with Kieran. With a team of four Pokemon of varied types, it will take a bit of planning to overcome, especially against his ace, the Grass/Dragon Dipplin.
There are also a couple of other trainer battles against Festival goers and Black Belts, who all have high-leveled Pokemon at their disposal. There is even a wild Tera battle with a Nosepass with the Electric Tera Type, which is fitting as itrequires an electrical field to evolve.
Pikachu, Sandshrew, Sandslash, Vulpix, Mankey, Growlithe, Geodude, Graveler, Gastly, Hoothoot, Noctowl, Sudowoodo, Aipom, Yanma, Gligar, Houndour, Houndoom, Poochyena, Mightyena, Lotad, Lombre, Seedot, Nuzleaf, Ralts, Kirlia, Surskit, Nosepass, Spoink, Shinx, Luxio, Bronzor, Bonsly, Gible, Munchlax, Riolu, Timburr, Gurdurr, Petilil, Mienfoo, Vullaby, Grubbin, Charjabug, Cutiefly, Rockruff, Mudbray, Fomantis, Jangmo-o, Skowvet, Cramorant, Hatenna, Indeedee, Morpeko, Tandemaus, Bombirdier, Orthworm
Jangmo-o lvl 63, Mudbray lvl 62, Orthworm lvl 65, Jangmo-o lvl 67, Sandslash lvl 67, Orthworm lvl 64, Vullaby lvl 65, Houndoom lvl 67, Orthworm lvl 66, Gurdurr lvl 68, Graveler lvl 67, Jangmo-o lvl 62
Nosepass lvl 71 (Electric Tera Type)
17East Province (Area Three)
Biggest Threat: Titan Orthworm
East Province (Area Three) is a rocky and barren wasteland with many wild Pokemon running amok. They are around level 20-30, but there are also harder fixed spawns around level 30.
This area is home to a tera-type Espeon at level 50, so players should make sure to be high-level before taking this one on. Also making this area its domain is theLurking Steel Titan, Orthworm, which is level 30. This one isn’t too difficult, but it is still a challenge if a visit to this place comes before the player is ready. Those thinking of checking this area out should bring Fighting or Fire types to battle the Steel Titan.
Diglett, Dugtrio, Meowth, Psyduck, Growlithe, Magnemite, Gastly, Voltorb, Magikarp, Murkrow, Dunsparce, Larvitar, Makuhita, Hariyama, Sableye, Torkoal, Barboach, Shuppet, Bagon, Buizel, Basculin, Gothita, Pawniard, Rufflet, Skiddo, Goomy, Yungoos, Gumshoos, Salandit, Rookidee, Corvisquire, Chewtle, Drednaw, Rolycoly, Carkol, Silicobra, Arrokuda, Barraskewda, Sinistea, Cufant, Dreepy, Lokix, Tandemaus, Squawkabilly, Nacli, Charcadet, Tadbulb, Bellibolt, Bramblin, Varoom, Orthworm, Glimmet, Flamigo, Clodsire
Corvisquire lvl 28, Carkol lvl 30, Hariyama lvl 28,, Diglett lvl 21, Bramblin lvl 20, Bramblin lvl 20, Bramblin lvl 21, Varoom lvl 20, Varoom lvl 20, Varoom lvl 21, Varoom lvl 21
Kirlia lvl 28 (Fire Tera Type), Falinks lvl 30 (Steel Tera Type), Pyroar lvl 36 (Dark Tera Type), Espeon lvl 50 (Psychic Tera Type)
