Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Gyms, Tera Raid Battles and Co-Op Details

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will see the return of Gyms when the games launch on Nintendo Switch later this year.

The latest Pokémon Presents Presentation on Wednesday was stuffed with details about the new games. In addition to information about the new Pokémon headed to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, there was plenty of discussion about new forms for the Legendary monsters Koraidon and Miraidon as well as regional variants.

Though these games mark the first open-world installment of the long-running Pokémon series, the familiar Gym challenge institution will remain an important part of the gameplay loop. But the way Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will approach Gyms and the overall player adventure will be slightly different.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet mark the first additions to the long-running series that will feature an open world. They'll include a variety of changes to the typical formula, including new regional variants, co-op multiplayer options, and special battles that can result in fun spoils.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: New Gym System and School Assignments

Depending on which version of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet players purchase, there will be two different academies to attend: Naranja Academy for Pokémon Scarlet, and Uva Academy for Pokémon Violet. Part of players' academic studies will include heading off on a treasure hunt in the Paldea region.

The treasure hunt is comprised of three different paths, with the Gyms acting as one prong of this adventure. Players can choose which Gyms they'd like to tackle in any order without being tied to a specific, linear path. That allows for Trainers to choose their starter Pokémon based on their own preferences instead of what monster they believe will do well against the first Gym.

There are eight Gym leaders to defeat before Trainers can earn their "champion rank," with a familiar location for original Pokémon fans waiting at the end: Victory Road. One of the Gym leaders of the Glaseado Gym uses the newly announced Pokémon Cetitan. His name is Grusha, and he'll use primarily Ice-type Pokémon.

While the Gym challenges make up just one of the three different main storylines, there's been no confirmation of what the other two will contain. Having an entire Gym storyline with eight Gym leaders on its own should mean an abundance of gameplay, however, especially with the game's new open-world layout.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Tera Raid Battles and Co-Op Play Details

In addition to completing Gym challenges and the other two school-centric storylines in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, there are also multiplayer Tera Raid Battles to take part in. Four players can team up to take on wild Terastallized Pokémon by way of the Tera Raid Battle option.

Single players can recruit friends to play with or join a raid already in progress. A Link Code must be set to battle together with friends, and the battle system has a time limit. Trainers can whittle away the Terastallized Pokémon alone or with friends who are already present without having to wait for others.

Tera Raid Battles will result in the potential capture of the Terastallized Pokémon. There will likely also be experience awarded to the Pokémon that participate in the battle, like the previous Pokémon games have given out. These are difficult battles that will put Trainers' Pokémon to the test.

There are other ways for players to experience Pokémon Scarlet and Violet together. The Poké Portal can be used to set up Link Trades with other players. Surprise Trades can be set up with random Trainers anywhere in the world. The Poké Portal also allows for Link Battles for Trainers to connect and battle each other. The Union Circle will allow up to four players to adventure together in the same space.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are Nintendo Switch exclusives that will debut on November 18.