Pokemon's iconic slogan "gotta catch em all" may have taken a backseat in recent years, but it's still a well-known part of the franchise. Trainers in the main series games are still tasked with completing their respective Pokedexes, despite no longer containing the entire roster of Pokemon. However, the real challenge lies in capturing very rare Pokemon, which can prove to be elusive and difficult to track down. Some trainers even set their sights on rare Pokemon forms, which are even more challenging to obtain. In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, these rare Pokemon are the toughest to catch.
8 Baxcalibur
Baxcalibur is a highly sought-after Pokemon in the Paldea region, known as a 'pseudo legendary' due to its immense power. However, many players may miss out on the chance to catch it during their first playthrough as it cannot be found in the wild. Instead, trainers must first catch either a Frigibax or an Arctibax, which are both rare spawns on the snowy Glaseado Mountain. The search for these Pokemon can be time-consuming due to the mountain's vast size. Even after catching an Arctibax, it must still reach level 54 to evolve into the formidable Baxcalibur.
7 Blaze/Aqua Breed Tauros
Tauros, one of the original 151 pokemon, has largely been overshadowed by newer and stronger pokemon. However, Scarlet and Violet breathed new life into this classic character by introducing regional variants that come in three different breeds. The combat breed is common in certain areas, but the blaze and aqua breeds are rarer and exclusive to Scarlet and Violet, respectively. These breeds only appear in a maximum of 20% of Tauros spawns, but the power of sandwiches can increase the likelihood of encountering them.
6 Sprigatito/Fuecoco/Quaxly
Players of every Pokemon game are given the opportunity to select one of three starter Pokemon to begin their journey. In Scarlet and Violet, this decision is made between Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. As with any starter Pokemon, players are limited to acquiring only one of the trio per save file, and cannot find any of the other two throughout the game. While it is possible to breed a selected starter to obtain more of the same Pokemon, the only way to obtain all three is through trading with other players or having access to multiple gaming devices.
5 Roaring Moon/Iron Valiant
Scarlet and Violet have introduced a new concept in the world of Pokemon - paradox Pokemon. These unique creatures are either ancient versions or futuristic robot versions of existing Pokemon. Among them, Roaring Moon and Iron Valiant are considered the strongest, and are incredibly rare. They can only be found in a secret cave located near the 3rd research base in Area Zero, making them incredibly difficult to obtain. As paradox Pokemon cannot breed, catching them is the only way to add them to your collection.
4 Gholdengo
Evolution methods in the Pokemon series have undergone various changes over the years. However, some of the newer games have introduced certain Pokemon that demand an arduous evolution process. Gimmighoul is one such Pokemon, as it requires players to accumulate 999 Gimmighoul coins to evolve into Gholdengo.
The only way to acquire Gimmighoul coins is by interacting with Gimmighoul in their roaming or chest form, which are spread throughout the open world. Despite players giving significant attention to this task throughout the game, it's unlikely they will have amassed enough coins by the end, making the evolution into Gholdengo a significant challenge.
3 Family Of 3 Maushold/3 Segment Dudunsparce
Some Pokemon, such as Spinda, have multiple forms that only differ in appearance. However, it is rare for evolved Pokemon to exhibit this trait. Maushold and Dudunsparce, on the other hand, are exceptions to this rule. When Tandemaus and Dunsparce evolve, they usually take on the 'family of 4' and '2 segment' forms, respectively. However, there is a 1% chance that they will instead evolve into the 'family of 3' or '3 segment' forms. These unique forms are some of the rarest in the series, as they only appear after evolution and have very low odds of occurring.
2 Antique Sinistea/Polteageist
Sinistea and Polteageist, like Maushold and Dudunsparce, have a unique form that doesn't impact their battle skills. However, unlike Tandemaus and Dunsparce which are commonly found, Sinistea is a rare sighting, appearing only in two areas on the map. Antique Sinistea is even rarer, with a mere 1% chance of appearing, and the only way to spot it is through a small stamp on the bottom of its cup. It's worth noting that only Antique Sinistea has the ability to evolve into Antique Polteageist.
1 Walking Wake/Iron Leaves
Walking Wake and Iron Leaves are a unique duo of paradoxical Pokemon that can only be obtained by trainers in Scarlet and Violet, respectively. Unlike other exclusive Pokemon found in secluded locations, these two can only be obtained through 7-star Tera raid battles. However, these raids are not for the faint of heart as they are notoriously difficult to conquer. While some may rely on stronger online players to carry them to victory, luck is still a significant factor. Even NPC raid trainers may not be enough to secure a win. Additionally, players are only rewarded with one Walking Wake or Iron Leaves regardless of how many raids they successfully complete.