Hidden abilities are a very big deal in Pokemon and players can get them in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet if they know where to look. Unfortunately, as is tradition, the games don’t actually make it obvious how to get Pokemon with a hidden ability.
Hidden abilities were added in Pokemon Black & White, adding a new wrinkle to many Pokemon. The trouble is that in some cases, hidden abilities are considerably more powerful than what Pokemon normally have. That trend continues in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet where starter Pokemon Skeledirge and Quaquaval are considerably more powerful with their hidden ability than their regular ability.
The good news is that it’s easier than it ever has been to get Pokemon with hidden abilities. Players have multiple ways to do so and can even bestow hidden abilities to existing Pokemon.
Get Pokemon With Hidden Abilities in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet From Tera Raids
The best way to get Pokemon with hidden abilities in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet is by farming Tera Raid battles, primarily six-star Tera Raid battles. The majority of Pokemon caught in six-star Tera Raid battles have a chance of possessing their hidden abilities.
It is possible to get some Pokemon with hidden abilities in lower-level Tera Raid battles, most notably with Ditto having a 100% chance of having its hidden ability in raids. Seven-star Tera Raid battles, like the one featuring Mightiest Mark Cinderace, had a 100% chance of yielding a hidden ability Pokemon.
Breed Pokemon with Hidden Abilities
Once players have caught a Pokemon with a hidden ability, they won’t have trouble getting more. Players can breed hidden ability Pokemon to pass the hidden ability on to their children.
When a hidden ability Pokemon breeds with a member of the same species or breeds with a Ditto, the offspring has a chance to have their hidden ability. However, Pokemon cannot pass on a hidden ability to offspring of a different species. For example, if a male Charizard with its hidden ability breeds with a female Baxcalibur with a regular ability, it will never result in eggs containing Frigibax with their hidden ability.
Use Ability Patch to Teach Pokemon Their Hidden Ability
Players can change a Pokemon’s ability to its hidden ability by using an Ability Patch. However, players should carefully consider whether they want to use an Ability Patch before committing to it.
Ability Patch is an item that was added in Pokemon Sword & Shield with the Crown Tundra DLC. It allows Pokemon with a regular ability to learn their hidden ability, and Pokemon with their hidden ability to learn a regular ability. Ability Patches are quite rare, with players only having a 4.55% chance of getting one as a drop from six-star Tera Raid battle.
They are best used sparingly, particularly on shiny Pokemon or legendaries. Starters are another possibility, but there are many people who have already used an Ability Patch on their starter and bred to get doubles. Those who are looking to get hidden ability starters may want to make some new friends to trade with, rather than committing a rare item.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.