The Return of Piplup: A Guide to Catch and Evolve

Unlocking Piplup

The return of Piplup, the Penguin Pokemon, has sparked excitement among Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players. With its final evolution, Empoleon, being a prominent figure in competitive PvP, the quest to obtain Piplup has become a priority for many trainers. Let's delve into how players can unlock this beloved Water-type Pokemon in the game.

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To unlock Piplup, players must venture into the BB League Club Room located in the Blueberry Academy. Within the League Club room, players can access the PC and request to boost the diversity of the Polar Biome. However, this request comes with a cost of 3,000 BP, which may require players to engage in multiple BBQs to raise the necessary amount.

To expedite the process, players can opt for group quests via Union Circles to earn BP more efficiently. Additionally, engaging in battles with trainers can also yield BP, providing alternative methods to acquire the required resources.

Locating Piplup

Once the request to boost the diversity of the Polar Biome is completed, players can embark on their search for Piplup. The Penguin Pokemon can be found in the Polar Biome, alongside other notable starters such as Oshawott and Chimchar. It roams the entirety of the Polar Biome, with the exception of the southern regions.

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After fulfilling the request, players can head to the Polar Plaza and explore the waters east of it to encounter Piplup. Due to its frequent spawns in this area, players should have little trouble spotting Piplup in the wild. It's important to note that starter encounters in the Indigo Disk DLC are not limited, allowing players multiple opportunities to capture Piplup.

As Piplup resides in the postgame content, players may encounter challenges when attempting to capture it with high-level Pokemon. Employing the tried-and-true strategy of using False Swipe in conjunction with status conditions remains an effective method for capturing Piplup.

Evolving Piplup

The journey with Piplup doesn't end with its capture. Trainers must guide Piplup through its evolutionary stages to unleash its full potential. Piplup evolves into Prinplup at level 16, and Prinplup further evolves into Empoleon at level 36. Both Prinplup and Empoleon are exclusive to evolution and cannot be encountered in the wild.

For those who acquire a Piplup beyond its evolution level, a simple act of leveling it up will trigger its evolution into Prinplup. The same method applies to evolving Prinplup into Empoleon, ensuring that players can guide their Piplup to its ultimate form.

Trainers should also consider the nature and Tera-type of Piplup to optimize its potential. A Modest or Quiet nature is ideal, bolstering Piplup's Special Attack while sacrificing its Attack and Speed stats. Water serves as the optimal Tera-type for Piplup, amplifying its damage output and strengthening the STAB effect. Alternatively, Grass and Dragon Tera-types can fortify Piplup's defensive capabilities, providing protection against its weaknesses.