Why is Pokémon Violet so Hard? An Expert Player‘s Perspective
As a competitive Pokémon veteran who has conquered every generation since Red and Blue, I‘ve helped many players overcome difficult battles in the past. So when Pokémon Violet arrived presenting a higher level of challenge, I knew players would have questions. Why does this latest entry feel so much harder for both casual and hardcore fans?
The short answer is Game Freak turned up the difficulty dial by decreasing hand-holding, increasing enemy levels/stats, and introducing new battle mechanics. But across different playstyles, not all trainers are struggling equally. As an expert guide writer, my goal is making Violet feel fun and fair for every type of fan!
Wild Areas and Bosses Demand More Strategy
Previous Pokémon games constrained player progression via roadblocks until you defeated certain gyms. But Violet opens up the entire Paldea region, letting you stumble upon high level Pokémon and bosses early. Suddenly your usual tactics don’t work – even with type advantage, an under-leveled Charizard will get one-shot by a Level 25 Gholdengo!
Preparation is key – invest time to grind your team to an appropriate level before progressing. Utilize the picnic and sandwich-making features to maximize EXP gains. And carefully scout each new area before running in guns blazing! The following regions tend to host especially formidable foes:
| Area | Average Opponent Level |
|---|---|
| West Province (Area Two) | 25-28 |
| West Province (Area Three) | 35-38 |
| North Province (Area Two) | 40-45 |
| North Province (Area Three) | 55-60 |
Gym battles also hit harder…I‘m looking at you, deadly dual Grass/Ghost gym leader Brassius with that Level 41 Trevenant! Review your type chart, stock up on healing items/status cure berries, and don‘t be afraid to lean on your most trusted partners.
Terastallizing Shakes Up Strategy
Violet’s new Terastallizing mechanic lets Pokémon temporarily transform into a Tera Type, gaining boosted STAB damage for moves matching that type. This can transform matchup calculations!
For example, normally Fire resists Grass. But if your Flareon becomes a Poison Tera Type and gets hit by a Grass move, it’s suddenly neutral damage. Similarly, a Lucario that becomes a Ghost Type can start landing STAB Power-Up Punches against Normal types thanks to its new immunity.
You must weigh whether to boost your strengths or cover weaknesses when Terastallizing. This added complexity deepens strategy!
Shiny Hunting Becomes More Grueling
While the current shiny odds of 1 in 4,096 already demand dedication, Game Freak will soon narrow those odds to slow inflation. This makes alternate color variants more prestigious, but seriously tests shiny hunters’ patience.
Based on datamining leaks, the Masuda Method (breeding two foreign language Pokémon) will only improve rates to 1 in 1,024. And the catch combo technique from Let’s Go won’t increase shiny odds at all! Veterans will need to chain longer Mass Outbreaks, cook more EXP meals, and finish their PokéDexes to get the Shiny Charm bonus.
I predict online communities will share the triumph and heartbreak of lengthening shiny hunts for years to come!
Legendaries Like Miraidon Are True Tests
Catching cover legendaries has never been a cakewalk, but Violet’s Miraidon poses one of the toughest challenges yet. Its Ability Pressure prolongs battles by sapping PP, while Mirror Coat deals big damage if you use Special moves. With boosted Evasion and Iron Defense, its durability is off the charts!
Bring lots of Timer Balls, PP restoring items, and Focus Sashes/Sturdy Pokémon to endure blows. Use an Accupressure/Agility buffer to outspeed and enable false swipe users. Paralysis and Sleep resistance makes landing status harder, so persist through many escapes before it submits!
Why Game Freak Increased Difficulty
In interviews, developers highlighted deliberately easing restrictions so players set their own limitations. This philosophy allows self-imposed challenges for veterans while not overwhelming newer fans.
VGC World Champion Wolfe Glick explained that Game Freak wants to encourage use of new features like picnics and open world traversal instead of following a single path. Reviewer reactions certainly confirm higher difficulty, but with time to prepare the appropriate tools, I believe any passionate trainer can overcome Violet’s obstacles.
Let us know what questions you have in the comments, and what tactics worked for you! This Victory Road may seem long, but crossing that finish line will feel all the more rewarding. We got this, trainers!
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