Ever since Pokémon X and Y, the mainline Pokémon games have featured ways to interact with your Pokémon, such as Pokémon Amie. Scarlet and Violet is set to have its own version and it looks positively adorable – picnics!
As detailed in the latest trailer, picnics can be popped up almost anywhere in the Paldea region, complete with customizeable elements like the cloth and water bottles. Once you set it up, all of your Pokémon party, plus your legendary mount (Koraidon or Miraidon), come out to play. Having them all in place is a great photo opportunity!
Once the Pokémon have assembled you can play with them with various toys, speak to them, or give them a clean. Various weather types, environments, and battles can make Pokémon dirty and cleaning them helps increase your bond.
Of course a foodstuff is the main draw, much like the curries in Sword and Shield. This time around it’s a customizable sandwich which you actively need to put together and make sure the ingredients don’t fall out! This snack will not only heal Pokémon but it can also impart additional effects.
One major change to Scarlet and Violet is how eggs work. No longer will you need to breed Pokémon in a specific location – eggs can be found during picnics. It’s probably best not to ask.
Finally, picnics can be played simultaneously with other players.
You’ll be able to enjoy your very own PokéPicnics next month when Pokémon Scarlet and Violet launch on November 18th!
Written by Tom Brown
Whether it’s an exciting new entry in a series long established or a weird experiment meant only for the dedicated, Tom is eager to report on it. Rest assured, if Nintendo ever announces Elite Beat Agents 2, he’ll be there.
