Generation 9 is finally here! Pokemon Scarlet & Violet will be a familiar experience to seasoned Pokemon lovers, but there are enough new twists to keep the gameplay interesting. Gen 9 introduces Auto-Battling, TM crafting, and Terastallizing, which adds a whole other dimension to the game.

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If players are just about to jump in, there are a few useful things they should know about, especially with the new features introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Here are some tips for beginners for the start of their new journey in Paldea.

9 Don't Forget To Look For Berries

It's pretty easy to spot items on the ground - they're hidden in Pokeballs, and with a beam of light emanating from them, it's hard to miss them. However, players can also find berries hidden on the ground, which are a little trickier to spot. Look for a subtle twinkling glow in a cluster of flowers or bushes.

Berries can be held by Pokemon, and they'll automatically use them in battle. For example, the Leppa Berry can restore 10 PP to a move. This works in the same way as previous generations. Berries are really useful, so it's worth keeping an eye out for them as players go Pokemon hunting.

8 Make The Most Of Auto-Battling

Auto-battling is incredibly useful, and it's worth sending out Pokemon to battle as soon as possible. Not only will they seek out other Pokemon to battle, but they'll also share the EXP with every member of the player's party, and the player won't have to go through the battle itself. Easy.

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To go into Auto-Battle Mode, hit R. The first Pokemon in the player's party will head off, finding the nearest Pokemon to fight. Pressing ZR starts Walk With Pokemon mode. The player can enjoy having their chosen Pokemon wandering alongside them, and they'll also collect items along the way.

7 Start Using TM Machines

Pokemon Centers look a little different in Scarlet & Violet. On the left-hand side, players will find the TM machine. They can use this to browse the TM catalog, and craft new TMs for their Pokemon using materials they have found from battles. Each TM requires specific materials (for example, Mud-Slap, one of the earliest craftable TMs in the game, requires 200 League Points and 3 Wooper Slimes).

Players can search for materials by battling specific Pokemon, and building up League Points. League Points are given when the player completes quests and defeats bosses. However, if players still need more, they can exchange materials for League Points at the TM machine. For example, trading in Diglett Dirt gives the player 40 League Points. It's a good idea to start crafting TMs as quickly as possible, as they can unlock some powerful moves to use in battle.

6 Eat Good Food

In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, players can stop at a food vendor to choose a meal. They can be pricey (especially at the beginning before players have had a chance to earn much money), but they're worth it. Eating certain dishes will give the whole party buffs, which can be useful if players are about to head into a tricky area or a boss.

Buffs include Egg Power (meaning players are more likely to find Pokemon Eggs), Catching Power (players will be more likely to succeed when attempting to catch Pokemon), and Humungo Power (players will be more likely to encounter big Pokemon). Players can hit the right arrow button to see their active meal powers and find out how long they have left to enjoy the buffs, some of which are very useful as players work to complete their Pokedex.

5 Play Around With Camera Mode

Camera Mode is fun to play with. Hit the down arrow to open up the camera. Players can use filters, take selfies, make their trainer pose for the camera, and snap Pokemon in the wild. Curious Pokemon, like the adorable Lechonk, will approach the player, which makes for some excellent photo opportunities.

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If players hit ZR to start Walk With Pokemon mode, they may be able to get a selfie with their Pokemon (with some careful angling of the camera). Plus, if players leave Pokemon for too long, they may curl up and go to sleep, which is another great moment to snap!

4 Change Your Look

Players can change their look at any time by pressing the left arrow. This brings up every item available in the player's wardrobe, allowing them to get changed on the spot. While the variations aren't that great initially (essentially, just different versions of school uniforms), players can buy more accessories later.

When players reach the city of Mesagoza, they can explore the fashion stores to find some new items to wear. Baggins sells (perhaps unsurprisingly) bags and backpacks, while Fashion Street sells hats and glasses. Rough & Tough, meanwhile, sells gloves. There are a few stores to browse, with enough items to switch things up a little.

3 Visit Delibird Presents

When players reach Mesagoza, they should check out Delibird Presents. It sells valuable items for Pokemon to hold. The prices are steep to start with, but it's worth coming back to Delibird from time to time to gain new items. For example, players choosing Sprigatito as their starter Pokemon will want to pick up a Miracle Seed, which boosts the power of Grass-type moves.

There are items to suit all Pokemon here, so as players build their ideal party, they should make sure each Pokemon is holding an item that can boost their skills in battle. Items can, of course, be swapped between Pokemon at any time.

2 Battle Other Trainers

Early on in the game, players will encounter a man in a suit standing outside a Pokemon Center (in Area One of the South Province). He will give players a running total of how many trainers they have defeated in the area so far. Defeating a certain number will unlock rewards (for example, players will gain a TM for defeating 4 trainers in battle in Area One of the South Province).

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For this reason, it's a good idea to take on as many battles as possible with trainers. Not only will it make the party stronger and gain more money for the player to spend, but it will also add to their running total, unlocking rewards.

1 Use The Map Wisely

Once a player has visited an area, they can fly back to it at any point by going to the map. Hitting Y will bring up the map, and players can use it to see their current quest marker, set their own waypoints, and quickly travel between areas.

The map is also useful in areas like Mesagoza City, making it easier to figure out which store sells certain items (as sometimes it's not that obvious from looking at the storefront itself).

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now for the Nintendo Switch.