Because it’s Gen 9, there’s a new breeding method in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The older ways of Gold and Silver allowing trainers to breed new Pokemon with perfect IVs, natures, abilities, and max shiny odds, but the Paldea region is a “no daycare zone” that swaps nurseries and incense for a DIY picnic setup. The new system is designed to stir creativity within social circles and aid stat builds and competitive monster-making so before you break out the Peanut Butter & Jam Sandwiches, here’s a brief explainer on how breeding eggs works in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. For science, of course!

For more on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, read our guides on food buffs and How to evolve Charcadet.

How breeding works in Scarlet and Violet

Instead of leaving two compatible Pokemon in a Day Care (or Nursery), players can now spawn new Pokemon wherever they set up a picnic in the open world. All that’s required in Scarlet and Violet is two Pokemon (one male, one female) who belong to the same Egg Group, a flat surface in a non-town area, and a scenic backdrop for ambiance. Eggs will start to slowly appear over time in a basket near the picnic table and while rolling hills and Tauros might get in your way, trainers can increase their egg frequency with Meal Powers or use a Mirror Herb item to pass down other Egg Moves.

According to Bulbapedia, there are 14 different Egg Groups in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet:

• Amorphous Group
• Bug Group
• Dragon Group
• Fairy Group
• Field Group
• Flying Group
• Grass Group
• Human-Like Group
• Mineral Group
• Monster Group
• Undiscovered Group
• Water 1 Group
• Water 2 Group
• Water 3 Group

The new system is a welcome addition, but it has flaws. The basket can only hold about 10 eggs at a time and any Pokemon in your party that can breed, will breed, as the best method for hatching an egg with a specific build is to picnic with no more than two compatible Pokemon by your side.

How to increase odds with Egg Power

Meal Powers are everything. Eating food in the Paldea region can grant special buffs and effects like Encounter Power and Humongo Power, and then there’s Egg Power–a temporary buff that increases the odds of finding eggs in a basket. It can be found in pre-made dishes such as Fruit, Tropical, and Peanut Butter Sandwiches as well as other ingredients and condiments, including apples, bananas, pineapples, strawberries, kiwi, marmalade, cream cheese, olive oil, and even whipped cream.

How to hatch eggs after a Picnic

The process of hatching eggs is the same as it was in previous Pokemon generations as it’s based on distance traveled. In Scarlet and Violet, collecting an egg will fill up a slot in your party and if your group is marked as full, the game will automatically store additional eggs in one of your Boxes. To hatch one, all you have to do is walk, swim, and glide around Paldea as a two-minute cruise with Koraidon or Miraidon is all that’s needed to welcome another little Pokemon into the region.

Remember: a party can hold up to five eggs one at a time and Pokemon with the Flame Body ability (i.e. Coalossal, Talonflame) can also speed up the incubation process–if you can dodge Vigoroths.

Where to find Ditto (and Shinies)

Ditto still exists. Everyone’s favorite blob can be found in Tera Raids and in the Paldea region as they spawn in West Province (Area Two) and West Province (Area Three), in between the towns of Medali, Cascarrafa, and Porto Marinada. They still disguise themselves as other Pokemon in the wild, such as Deerling, Eevee, Muk, Jigglypuff, Pawmo, and Tandemaus, but they can be identified pretty easily as holding the ZL button to auto-target a nearby Pokemon will display their name via your Pokedex. If the words “???” appear above their head, then it’s a Ditto. Or a wild Zorua in hiding. Who knows?

The pink (or purple) blob is one of the most useful tools for breeding in Scarlet and Violet and it lives up to its name as an egg farm when it comes to shiny Pokemon. There are Shiny Charms and Shiny Sandwiches to help with odds, but The Masuda Method still works as all you need to do is trade with a friend as the two Pokemon being used have to be from different parts of the world.