Should You Start With Titans or Gyms in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? Path of Legends vs Victory Road Explained

From the moment you get started in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, your story is entirely in your hands, which is the first experience trainers will have with carving their own story in the Pokemon franchise. Although there is still a level of flexibility to bounce between goals, your primary focus for the first few hours you spend with your game will be following one storyline to get to grips with the new game, which can be a difficult decision to make. Victory Road and Path of Legends are the most prominent paths trainers will be presented with, so read on to discover which one may be right for you.

Should you Pick Victory Road or Path of Legends in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

When selecting which story you want to follow through Paldea, it really depends on your preferences regarding what you want to get out of the game. For a Pokmon Trainer who appreciates the traditional formula of a Pokemon title — selecting a starter, slowly training and earning gym badges by facing gym leaders and trainers, and inevitably facing off against the Elite 4 and the Pokemon Champion — then Victory Road may be the path you want to take. You will need to face all eight gym leaders across the Paldea Region before heading to the Elite 4, working on your Pokemon’s strength and bond while you progress. This story will provide the most authentic Pokemon experience.

But for a trainer looking to stray from the pack and spend more time exploring and researching the world of Pokemon and the environmental effects the species face rather than using Pokemon solely to battle, Path of Legends may best suit your intentions. During your time with this story, you’ll explore Herba Mystica’s purpose and encounter the intimidating species of Titan Pokemon. Through research alongside the academy, you will discover a lot of history about Pokemon, which you may miss during the Victory Road story. While you’ll still have Pokemon battles, they won’t be as trainer-based, and you won’t face any gym leaders or the Elite 4 at the end of it all.

Of course, you won’t be limited to just one storyline, and you’ll be able to swap and change storylines while you progress through the game. So regardless of your preferences, the world of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is pleased to accommodate all requirements and offers enough variety between its storylines to keep everything exciting and new.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on Nintendo Switch.