Prologue - First Day of School - Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Guide - IGN (2024)

First Day of School is the prologue for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which acts as a tutorial for the game. There's lots to do right away including choosing your starter Pokemon, having your first trainer battle, and learning how to catch wild Pokemon. In this mission, you'll visit Cabo Poco, Poco Path, Inlet Groto, the Lighthouse, Los Platos, and finally, Mesagoza. For this walkthrough, we'll take you through all the main story objectives to complete this quest. We've also included information on Items you can find along the way, as well as optional trainer battles we'd recommend you take on for rewards.

As this is quite a lengthy tutorial, you can use the links below to jump to specific sections of this mission:

• Getting Started
• Cabo Poco and Picking Your Starter
• Your First Trainer Battle!
• How to Catch Wild Pokemon
• Poco Path
• A Mysterious Pokemon
• Inlet Grotto
• The Lighthouse
• Los Platos
• The City of Mesagoza
• At the Academy

Getting Started

Before the game begins, there's a customisation menu you can play around in that allows you to create your character. Options for customisation include changing your hair colour, style, eye colour, and more. When you're happy with your creation, you can start the game! Your school application will be created and a short intro cutscene will play.

You’ll take control of your character as they sit at their desk at home. A short tutorial will start, showing you how to move around and introducing you to some basic gameplay mechanics and story elements.

The first thing you'll be instructed to do is go downstairs and find your Mom in the kitchen. Here, you'll learn that your character will be enrolling in Naranja/Uva Academy. Mr Clavell, the Academy Director will arrive at the door during this discussion, and you'll be sent upstairs to collect your bag and hat. This is where you learn about the Adventure Guide you can access at any point throughout your journey from your bag.

As soon as you go back downstairs, he’ll ask you to meet him outside so you can choose your starter Pokemon. There are three new Scarlet and Violet Starter Pokemon to choose from, which are:

• Sprigatito - The Grass Cat Pokemon
• Quaxly - The Water-type Duckling Pokemon
• Fuecoco - The Fire Croc Pokemon

You won't need to decide right away, as you'll be allowed to roam around with them for a short amount of time before you head to Cabo Poco.

As you prepare to leave, Mom will give you a Rotom Phone. You’ll use this to store apps, like the Map App that you can access by pressing Y at any time. Do this when you take back control of your character to see your next objective.

With your Rotom Phone safely in your pocket and the starter Pokemon following you, it's time to head into the first area of Cabo Poco.

A Visit to the Neighbor’s - Cabo Poco

This part of the mission asks you to take the Pokemon you were entrusted with on a walk, then meet Director Clavell at the house down the way. Before you leave, however, go to the right side of your house (to the south) and into the vegetable garden. Here you can pick up an Antidote.

Continue round the back of the house (to the north) to pick up a Potion, then carry on along the path and up to the left to collect another item - a Poke Ball.

Now it's time to make your way down to the house in Cabo Poco. Along the way, you can speak to two characters. There's a woman on the right who will greet you and speak to you about Cabo Poco, while the man on the left will briefly explain that there are multiplayer features in the game.

Before you reach the house, you'll want to go to the left and pick up the Poke Ball that's tucked away behind the tree. Once you've got this, enter the gates of the house and here you'll be greeted by Nemona and Director Clavell.

Nemona is another student who attends Naranja/Uva Academy and will show you around, giving you hints, tips and extra information to improve your battling skills through the game. She'll also want to battle you at every opportunity so be prepared. Before that, though, it’s time to pick your starter!

Choosing Your Starter

As mentioned, there are three options for starter Pokemon. While you're deciding which Pokemon to go with, you can interact with them to find out their strengths.

• Sprigatito - The Grass Cat Pokemon is strong against Water
• Quaxly - The Water-type Duckling Pokemon is strong against Fire
• Fuecoco - The Fire Croc Pokemon is strong against Grass

Once you’ve chosen, Nemona will want to battle you, so she chooses another Pokemon to raise alongside yours. She will choose whichever starter type is weakest to yours. For example, if you choose Sprigatito, she'll choose Quaxly. Whichever one is left, Director Clavell will look after.

As soon as Nemona has chosen her starter, she'll challenge you to a battle down by the beach and says she’ll be ready waiting for when you are.

A Challenge from Nemona - Private Beach

• Have your first Pokemon battle with Nemona on the beach.

Before you head off to the beach, you’ll want to explore and collect a few more items. Go left (east) around the back of the academy and to the palm tree. Collect the Potion and you’ll learn about Auto Heal.

TRAINER TIP!

Instead of opening your bag and using your items to heal your Pokemon, you can choose the Auto Heal function. Press X to open the Main Menu, then select the Pokemon you want to Heal and press - to Auto Heal them.

From here, head south and you’ll see two items. One just to the right, which is an Antidote and one in the distance, which is a Potion. Now go down onto the beach but don’t go off to the left, to battle Nemona just yet. Head south and to the edge of the water. Pick up the Poke Ball here.

Face northeast and head towards Nemona. Run past her though and go to the west, and into the little path that leads to a dead end. Go to the very end and then pick up a Poke Ball.

Return to the Nemona and get ready for your first battle!

Pokemon Trainer Battle vs. Nemona

Use your Type-specific move in this first Pokemon Battle. For Sprigatito, we used Leafa*ge against Nemona’s Quaxley. The move you use should be super effective and the one that Nemona uses is not effective at all considering her choice of starter will be weak to your starter's type. Once you’ve finished the fight, Nemona is quite eager to battle again. However, Clavell will intervene and say that you’ve had enough for today.

After this discussion, you’ll receive the Pokedex App on your Rotom Phone. Now it’s time for you to learn how to catch wild Pokemon and start filling it up!

Nemona Leads the Way - Cabo Poco

• Follow after Nemona, and let her show you the ropes of catching wild Pokemon.

Head west and back out of the school gates where you’ll bump into your Mom with Nemona. Here you’ll obtain the Sandwich from Mom, as well as 5 Potions. Now it's time to enter your first area filled with Pokemon - the Poco Path.

Poco Path

Nemona will take you up to Poco Path and show you how to catch your first wild Pokemon of the game. She’ll give you 5 Poke Balls so you can try your hand at getting a few new Pokemon. A LeChonk will appear as your first target.

Press X then A to throw your Poke Ball and see if you can catch it. After talking to Nemona again, she’ll give you 10 Poke Balls and you’ll be able to free roam. She’ll tell you to meet her back at the Lighthouse when you're ready.

TRAINER TIP!

We’d recommend exploring the area to collect a few Pokeman to form your first team. With plenty of Pokemon to catch and Items to collect in Poco Path, it pays to stick around. If you aren't able to catch any wild Pokemon immediately when throwing a Poke Ball, you can weaken them in battle and then try to catch them.

To the Lighthouse

• Make your way along Poco Path and head to the towering lighthouse!

Right in front of you (to the east of the map) there should be an item near the tree, which is a Poke Ball. Now turn around and head northwest to get the item from behind the rock - a Potion. Continue east and you’ll see the glow of a few items off in the distance, as well as Pokemon roaming the grass and road.

You can focus on a Pokemon by pressing ZL and then press ZR to throw your Poke Ball.

If you follow the path collecting the Items that you can see off in the distance, the first one will be a Potion, the second a Poke Ball and the third - at the very northern part behind the tree, a Super Potion.

Now head southeast, get the Revive, then go to the south and get the Antidote by the barrier. Keep going south and climb up the cliff. Look to the east in the nook and collect the Rare Candy. Go east and grab the Potion. Continue east along the rope, pick up the Paralyze Heal, then go further east - all the way to the top of the cliff and grab the Revive near the two palm trees.

Turn around and head west along the ropes, grab the Revive then, go north following the path. As you go up the path, you’ll be stopped by Nemona. A mysterious cry will ring out during the conversation, which you’ll be off to investigate in no time.

The Mysterious Cry

• Find the source of the strange cry that roared out from somewhere nearby!

Before you run off to find out where the noise came from, there are some Items to grab hold of. Face north first and collect the Ether by the rock. Then face southwest and pick up the Potion by the tree. Continue northwest, to the bigger tree and collect another Potion. You should be able to see there's an Item just behind this one. Head over to it, to pick up an Ether then make your way back to the path, going to the east.

Find Nemona by the edge of the path, then look for the broken barrier behind her. Walk through here and you’ll be stopped as you hear the cry again. Look down to see a mysterious Pokemon laying by the water surrounded by Houndour.

You’ll slip and fall, landing on the beach, right by the Pokemon. Go over to it and interact with it. It’s too weak to move, so give it the Sandwich from Mom. This will help it gain some of its energy back. It will suddenly stand up and make its way over to the cave behind you.

Inlet Grotto

Follow the Pokemon and as you enter the cave, pick up the Potion straight in front of you. Keep following the Pokemon and it’ll destroy the rock. As you walk in, you’ll see two more items to the left and straight ahead. Grab the item on the left, which is a Poke Ball.

Get the Potion by the rock, then head to the back of the cave and get the Revive. You’ll continue onwards, following the Pokemon through the cave, with Nemona attempting to help you out. As you get further in, a Houndoom will approach from behind. This will be a level 4, so your Pokemon will be wiped out instantly in battle. Thankfully, you’ll be saved and taken out of the cave by the mysterious Pokemon.

Outside, you’ll appear just before the Lighthouse. Nemona will speak to you and give you a TM032 Swift.

At the Lighthouse

Follow the path up to the Lighthouse, where you'll meet Arven who will tell you that the mysterious Pokemon you found is Koraidon/Miraidon. He’ll challenge you to a battle, where you’ll receive a Poke Ball for Koraidon/Miraidon when you beat him.

Trainer Battle Against Pokemon Trainer Arven

A Fighting-type attack will do the most damage to Skwovet. However, at this stage, your Pokemon are likely to be at least Level 7, so as long as you're not using Ghost-type attacks, you'll still be able to do some good damage!

Atop the Lighthouse

• Follow Nemona to the top of the Lighthouse.

Before climbing the Lighthouse go behind it and grab a Revive. Climb the Lighthouse and speak to Nemona, look out at Mesagoza and the school with the Poke Ball on top.

Los Platos

• Make your way to Los Platos!

In the distance, you'll be able to see a Pokemon Center along the path to Los Platos. Head towards it, and you’ll see Youngster Elian (on the left before the bridge) who you can battle along the way.

TRAINER TIP!

As you explore the Paldea region, you’ll discover that there are plenty of optional battles to have along the way. We recommend taking on as many as you can to level up your Pokemon, earn money, and be rewarded for certain side quests later.

To take on Elian, we'd recommend a Flying-type Pokemon here. You should be able to get hold of one in the area. If you picked Fuecoco as your starter, however, now's the time to use it.

Go northeast after beating Elian and get the X Defense. Continue northwest to Los Platos and pick up the Awakening. Continue north to grab the Potion then turn around, and head west to grab the Poke Ball by the body of water. Go southwest and pick up the Poke Ball, then south to get another one.

Just before you cross the bridge into Los Platos, there's one more battle you can take on with Zahira the Student.

First, find Nemona near the Pokemon Center at the start of Los Platos. She’ll give you materials and League Points that you can use at the Pokemon Center to craft TMs.

The City of Mesagoza

• Reach the city of Mesagoza and the new school that awaits you there.

The objectives will change to encourage you to move to Mesagoza, but while in Los Platos, there's plenty to collect and trainers to battle. First, go west and then southwest to pick up the Antidote. Get a Paralyze Heal from the back of the gardens. Now go west towards the body of water and grab the Rest TM.

Exit Los Platos from the west side, then go northwest near the exit to pick up two items - a Potion and Exp. Candy XS. In the far northwest corner, you’ll also see a Stored Power TM.

Continue exiting Los Platos, then go to the left (on the west side) to pick up the Antidote. Continue further up the hill to grab the Poke Ball. Then, face south and go further up towards the cliff to grab the Net Ball.

Return to the path, then battle Pere the Student.

After beating Pere, face northeast and head toward the item here - that’s a Potion. Go northwest and get the Poke Ball by the rock, then go north up the path to battle with Ruben the Janitor on the right.

Go east, get the Poke Ball, then continue east and grab the X Sp. Def near town. Turn around to head back to the path, towards the west, making sure you grab the Potion and Antidote around this area. Keep heading towards the path by going north across the grass to also collect the Exp. Candy XS and Poke Ball.

You should now see another trainer and Pokemon Center.

Rather than head towards Mesagoza, we’d recommend going around the path back towards Los Platos to pick up some more items and take on a few more battles. The first item you should encounter towards the east is an Ether.

Continuing on the path, you’ll come across another trainer to battle - Youngster Luka.

Continue on the path, going towards Los Platos and in the grass to the northwest, you’ll see two more items. Pick up the Burn Heal and Poke Ball Then go southwest to get a Paralyze Heal.

Return to the path to battle another trainer, Carlota the Student.

South of her, behind the rock you can get another Potion and right by Los Platos, you’ll see another item - an Antidote. Go north, and cut across the grass back towards Mesagoza. San the grass for any items, such as a Potion near a rock just north of Los Platos that you might have missed.

When you’re back near the entrance of Mesagoza and the Pokemon Center head over to the Center. Speak to the Pokemon League Rep here. He’ll set you a challenge to defeat 4 trainers in battle around the South Province (Area One) - if you've been following our guide, you’ll be able to receive a reward from him immediately: a Thunder Wave TM.

Rest up your pokemon and then head into Mesagoza. Nemona will appear, and because she just loves a battle, it's time to go against her again!

Trainer Battle vs. Nemona

Nemona will use the starter Pokemon she used at the beginning of the game which will now be Lv. 8 and another Pokemon, as she recognizes the strength in your battling abilities.

After beating the starter Pokemon, Nemona will throw out Pawmi and use Terrastallizing. If you have a Ground-type Pokemon we’d recommend throwing this out. We used Diglett, so Pawmi’s Thunder Shock move wasn’t effective at all.

Beating her gets you 3 Revives and she’ll promise to teach you about Terrastallizing. You’ll also now be able to enter Mesagoza.

Meeting at the School Gates

Have a look around Mesagoza before meeting Nemona in front of the school. You’ll find plenty of shops where you can buy food that boosts your abilities, as well as shops that allow you to customise your character further.

Go east and right by the wall you’ll find a Poke Ball, continue east to the body of water with the Magikarp and collect the Max Revive from the northwest corner. Make your way through the center and explore. When you’re near the school stairs, just to the west of the stairs you can find an Ether tucked away.

When you’re ready, head up the stairs and you’ll see a team of Grunts talking to a student that you can choose to help out or not. Help out and you’ll be in a battle with Grunt A and Grunt B who are part of Team Star.

Pokemon Battle vs. Team Star Grunts

A Ground-type Pokemon is a good call here too, as Shroodle is particularly susceptible to these types of attacks. When you've beaten the first Team Star Grunt Nemona will appear and give you a Tera Orb.

Now you’ll battle Team Grunt B and be able to try Terrastallizing.

At Naranja/Uva Academy

• Climb the stairs, and arrive at your new school at last!

Go into school and once you can retake control of your character, you’ll be able to explore a number of rooms. You'll be able to see character icons when you go to select which room you want to travel to, so you can choose who to speak to.

Speaking to Nemona in the Staff Room unlocks the Victory Road pathway. This is the more traditional Pokemon questline, where you’ll need to battle Gym Leaders, to take their badges and become the next Pokemon Champion.

Speak to Arven in the Cafeteria to learn about the Herba Mystica. There are 5 different types to be found, each one guarded by Titan Pokemon. Having this discussion unlocks the Path of Legends. He'll also give you a Bag of Stardust after the conversation.

As you attempt to leave the room, your phone will ring. A mysterious caller called Cassiopeia wants to talk to you about Team Star and begin Operation Starfall to take them down. You won't get all the information you need for this questline here, but you will shortly!

Clavell appears after this phone call takes place and seems interested in the conversation. Not long after, you’ll be back at the main entrance and be called to the director's office. Here, you should use the computer to travel to Director Clavell’s office.

Leave Clavell’s office and Nemona will appear and take you to your dorm room. Rest on the bed, which initiates a passing of time covering a few days. After this, you’ll be expected to go to the schoolyard to hear about the Treasure Hunt. This is where the game finally opens up for you to explore the various paths.

Go to the stairs to leave Naranja/Uva Academy. As you do, Nemona will remind you about Victory Road, Arven will argue with her about the Titan Pokemon and remind you to follow the Path of Legends, while Cassiopeia will call you again and tell you the locations of the Star Team bosses. This will begin the Starfall Street questline.

At this point, your map will be filled with all of the locations for each of the three different pathways:

• Victory Road
• Path of Legends
• Starfall Street

You are free to tackle these in any order you like, however, we've organised this walkthrough according to the recommended level you should be at before attempting each mission. This optimal path is designed to include all three pathways and help you be prepared for each one in advance.