Every Pokémon Trainer dreams of assembling the perfect team, a squad of powerful allies ready to conquer any challenge. Among the most sought-after members of such a team are starter Pokémon, especially those boasting their elusive Hidden Abilities. These abilities can dramatically alter a Pokémon’s battle performance, opening up new strategies and making them incredibly formidable opponents. This guide delves deep into the methods, the games, and the dedication required to obtain these treasured Hidden Ability starters.
Understanding Hidden Abilities and Their Impact
Hidden Abilities, also known as Dream World Abilities in earlier generations, are special abilities that are not normally available to a Pokémon through regular gameplay. They offer unique advantages and can significantly change a Pokémon’s strategic role. Imagine a Charizard with Solar Power, amplifying its Special Attack in harsh sunlight, turning it into a scorching powerhouse. Or a Venusaur with Chlorophyll, doubling its Speed in the sun, making it a swift and devastating attacker. These are just glimpses into the power that Hidden Abilities unlock.
The impact of a Hidden Ability varies greatly depending on the Pokémon and its role on a team. Some Hidden Abilities provide a simple stat boost, while others offer complete immunity to certain types of attacks or trigger unique effects under specific conditions. They add a layer of complexity to Pokémon battling, forcing trainers to adapt their strategies and team compositions. This inherent unpredictability is what makes Hidden Ability starters so valuable and desirable in the competitive scene.
Methods for Acquiring Hidden Ability Starters Across Generations
Securing Hidden Ability starters has evolved over the years, with different Pokémon games employing varying mechanics. Some methods are straightforward, while others require patience and a bit of luck. Let’s explore the main approaches you can take, broken down by generation.
Generation VI: Pokémon X and Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Generation VI introduced a relatively accessible way to obtain Hidden Ability starters through the Friend Safari in Pokémon X and Y. While the starters themselves weren’t directly available in the Friend Safari, their evolutions were.
In Pokémon X and Y, after defeating the Elite Four, players gain access to the Friend Safari. This area contains Pokémon from the friend codes registered on your Nintendo 3DS. Each friend code provides access to two or three Pokémon, depending on whether the friend has completed the game. Importantly, if your friend is online in the game, there’s a chance that Pokémon in their Friend Safari will have their Hidden Ability.
To get a Hidden Ability starter from this method, you would need a friend who has beaten Pokémon X or Y and has a Friend Safari that contains the evolved form of a starter Pokémon (e.g., Charmeleon, Ivysaur, or Wartortle). It’s important to remember that the Pokémon in the Friend Safari are random, so finding the specific evolved form might take some time and depend on who is registered in your friend list.
Once you find the desired evolved starter, you’ll need to encounter it in the Friend Safari repeatedly until you find one with its Hidden Ability. This process often requires persistence, as Hidden Abilities are not guaranteed. Catch the Pokémon and breed it with Ditto or another compatible Pokémon to obtain a Hidden Ability starter at level 1.
Generation VII: Pokémon Sun and Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Generation VII offered a more direct approach through Island Scan, a feature that uses the 3DS’s QR code reader to scan codes and encounter rare Pokémon.
Each day, players could scan a series of QR codes to accumulate points. Once enough points were collected, an Island Scan could be performed on one of the Alola region’s islands. This Island Scan would reveal a specific Pokémon that isn’t normally found in that location.
Certain days of the week featured specific starter Pokémon with their Hidden Abilities appearing as Island Scan encounters. For example, on Sundays, players could encounter Bulbasaur on Melemele Island, with a chance of it having its Hidden Ability Chlorophyll.
The Island Scan only lasts for one hour, and the Pokémon encountered is typically at a higher level than the surrounding wild Pokémon. This meant players had a limited time to find and catch the Hidden Ability starter.
The catch rate for Island Scan Pokémon can be low, so it’s advisable to use Pokémon that can inflict status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis to improve your chances of success. Having Ultra Balls or Timer Balls on hand is also a good idea.
Generation VIII: Pokémon Sword and Shield
Generation VIII presented two main avenues for acquiring Hidden Ability starters: Max Raid Battles and breeding.
Max Raid Battles, found in the Wild Area, allow players to team up and battle Dynamax Pokémon in special dens. Some of these Max Raid Battles feature starter Pokémon, and defeating them provides a chance to catch them. The starters encountered in Max Raid Battles have a chance of possessing their Hidden Abilities.
To find these Max Raid Battles, players had to rely on special events distributed through the Pokémon Sword and Shield News feature. These events would temporarily increase the spawn rates of specific starter Pokémon in Max Raid Dens.
The difficulty of the Max Raid Battle depends on the star rating of the den, with higher-star raids featuring stronger Pokémon. Teamwork and a well-prepared team are essential for success in these battles.
Once you catch a starter Pokémon from a Max Raid Battle, you can breed it with Ditto to produce more starter Pokémon. Breeding offers a chance for the offspring to inherit the Hidden Ability from the parent. If the parent Pokémon has a Hidden Ability, there’s an 80% chance that the offspring will also have the Hidden Ability.
Generation IX: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet offered a unique way to obtain Hidden Ability starters through the use of Pokémon HOME. Pokémon HOME is a cloud-based service that allows players to store and transfer Pokémon between compatible games.
If you had previously obtained starter Pokémon with their Hidden Abilities in older games and stored them in Pokémon HOME, you could transfer them to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This required owning a copy of the older game, obtaining the Hidden Ability starter through the methods available in that game, and having a paid subscription to Pokémon HOME to facilitate the transfer.
Unfortunately, as of now, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet don’t directly offer an in-game method for obtaining Hidden Ability starters outside of transferring them from other games via Pokémon HOME. This means that relying on previous generation methods and Pokémon HOME is the most reliable way to add these powerful Pokémon to your Scarlet and Violet team.
Tips and Strategies for Maximizing Your Chances
Regardless of the generation you’re playing, there are some general tips and strategies that can increase your chances of obtaining Hidden Ability starters.
- Patience is Key: Obtaining Hidden Ability Pokémon often requires time and persistence. Be prepared to encounter the same Pokémon multiple times before finding one with the desired ability.
- Utilize Pokémon with Abilities Like ‘Trace’ or ‘Entrainment’: Abilities like Trace, which copies the opponent’s ability, or Entrainment, which changes the opponent’s ability to your Pokémon’s ability, can help you quickly determine if a wild Pokémon has its Hidden Ability. This saves time and resources by allowing you to avoid catching Pokémon with regular abilities.
- Take Advantage of Breeding: Breeding is an excellent way to increase your chances of obtaining Hidden Ability starters. If you have a starter Pokémon with its Hidden Ability, breeding it with Ditto or a compatible Pokémon offers a high probability of passing down the Hidden Ability to the offspring.
- Join Online Communities: Online forums and communities dedicated to Pokémon can be valuable resources for finding friends with Friend Safaris that contain starter Pokémon, or for coordinating Max Raid Battles. Sharing information and strategies with other players can significantly improve your chances of success.
- Prepare for Battle: Ensure that you have a team of Pokémon that are well-equipped to handle the challenges of catching Hidden Ability starters. This includes having Pokémon that can inflict status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis, as well as Pokémon with moves that lower the target’s stats.
The Competitive Edge: Why Hidden Abilities Matter
The quest for Hidden Ability starters isn’t just about collecting rare Pokémon; it’s about gaining a competitive edge. In the world of competitive Pokémon battling, Hidden Abilities can be the difference between victory and defeat.
A Hidden Ability can completely change a Pokémon’s role on a team, allowing it to fill a niche that it couldn’t otherwise fill. For example, a Greninja with Protean, which changes its type to match the move it’s using, becomes an incredibly versatile attacker, capable of hitting opponents for super-effective damage while also making it difficult to predict its type.
Hidden Abilities also add an element of surprise to battles. Opponents may not be aware of a Pokémon’s Hidden Ability, leading them to make miscalculations and strategic errors. This unpredictability can give you a significant advantage in battles.
Beyond the Game: The Allure of Hidden Ability Starters
While Hidden Abilities offer a tangible advantage in battles, their allure extends beyond the competitive scene. For many Pokémon Trainers, the quest for these elusive abilities is a testament to their dedication and passion for the game.
Obtaining a Hidden Ability starter requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to explore every facet of the game. It’s a journey that can be both challenging and rewarding.
The sense of accomplishment that comes with finally obtaining a Hidden Ability starter is unparalleled. It’s a symbol of your commitment to the game and your desire to push your skills to the limit.
Ultimately, the pursuit of Hidden Ability starters is a testament to the enduring appeal of Pokémon. It’s a game that continues to captivate players of all ages, offering endless opportunities for exploration, discovery, and personal growth. So, embark on your own adventure, explore the hidden depths of the Pokémon world, and unlock the power within those extraordinary starters. The journey is challenging, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
What are Hidden Abilities, and why are they important for Starter Pokémon?
Hidden Abilities are special abilities that Pokémon can possess, different from their usual abilities. They offer unique strategic advantages in battles and can drastically change how a Pokémon is used. Think of it as a secret weapon that can make your favorite Starter even more powerful and versatile.
For Starter Pokémon, obtaining their Hidden Abilities opens up entirely new possibilities for team building and competitive play. Some Hidden Abilities synergize exceptionally well with a Starter’s stats and movepool, making them significantly stronger. This is especially true in higher-level play where every advantage counts, and having that edge can be the difference between victory and defeat.
How can I obtain a Starter Pokémon with its Hidden Ability?
The methods for acquiring Starter Pokémon with Hidden Abilities vary greatly depending on the specific Pokémon game you’re playing. In some games, like the later generations of Pokémon, you can obtain Starter Pokémon with Hidden Abilities through special events, such as Mystery Gift distributions or special raids. These distributions often celebrate milestones or new game releases.
Another common method is breeding Pokémon that already possess the Hidden Ability. The female Pokémon (or Ditto, if breeding with a genderless Pokémon) has a higher chance of passing down the Hidden Ability to its offspring. This requires patience and the acquisition of a Pokémon with the desired Hidden Ability through other means first, but it’s often the most reliable long-term strategy.
Are all Starter Pokémon capable of having a Hidden Ability?
While most Starter Pokémon species do have Hidden Abilities programmed into the game data, not all games make these Hidden Abilities accessible to players for every single Starter Pokémon. The availability often depends on the generation of the game and whether Nintendo/Game Freak has released an event or distribution allowing players to obtain them.
Therefore, it’s important to research the specific game you’re playing and verify whether the Starter Pokémon you are interested in can even possess its Hidden Ability within that game. Serebii.net and Bulbapedia are excellent resources for checking this information, providing comprehensive details on Pokémon abilities and event distributions across different games.
What happens if I breed a Starter Pokémon with its Hidden Ability? What are the chances of the offspring inheriting it?
Breeding a Starter Pokémon with its Hidden Ability can be a reliable way to obtain more copies of that Pokémon with the same Hidden Ability. The female Pokémon (or Ditto, when breeding with a genderless Pokémon) plays a crucial role in determining whether the Hidden Ability is passed down to the offspring.
When breeding a female Pokémon with its Hidden Ability with a male Pokémon (or a Ditto), there is approximately a 60% chance that the offspring will inherit the Hidden Ability. This is a significant increase compared to the standard breeding mechanics, making breeding a very useful method to ensure that you acquire the desired Hidden Ability consistently. Keep in mind that the male Pokémon cannot pass down its Hidden Ability unless breeding with a Ditto.
What if I accidentally evolve a Starter Pokémon before checking its Ability? Can I still obtain its Hidden Ability form?
Unfortunately, once a Starter Pokémon has evolved, its Ability is locked in, and you cannot change it to the Hidden Ability through standard in-game methods. The Ability is determined at the moment of the Pokémon’s creation (either when it’s received as a gift, caught, or hatched from an egg).
However, some later generation games introduce items like Ability Patches. These rare items can be used to change a Pokémon’s Ability to its Hidden Ability, regardless of its current Ability or evolution stage. Obtaining these items often requires completing challenging in-game content or participating in special events, but they provide a way to rectify the situation if you accidentally evolve a Pokémon with the wrong Ability.
Are there any specific items that help in obtaining Starter Pokémon with Hidden Abilities?
While no items directly guarantee a Starter Pokémon will possess its Hidden Ability upon obtaining it, several items can significantly aid in the process, especially when breeding. The most notable is the Destiny Knot, which ensures that five IVs (Individual Values) are passed down from the parents to the offspring.
This increases the chances of obtaining a Pokémon with optimal stats, which is crucial for competitive battling. Additionally, an Everstone, when held by a parent Pokémon, guarantees that the offspring will inherit that parent’s nature. Combining these items with careful breeding can substantially improve the quality of Starter Pokémon you obtain with Hidden Abilities.
Can I trade for Starter Pokémon with Hidden Abilities from other players?
Trading is a viable method for obtaining Starter Pokémon with Hidden Abilities, especially if you are having difficulty acquiring them through other means. Online trading communities and forums dedicated to Pokémon games are excellent places to find players willing to trade Pokémon with specific Hidden Abilities.
However, it’s essential to be cautious and ensure the legitimacy of the Pokémon being traded. Beware of potentially hacked or illegitimate Pokémon, as using these can compromise your game save or violate the game’s terms of service. Always verify the Pokémon’s origin and legitimacy before agreeing to a trade, and consider using reputable trading platforms with established community guidelines.