It’s been more than three years since Trainers first ventured to the Paldea region in the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games. A myriad of environments and towns have been explored as Trainers traveled through Paldea, the land of Kitakami, and the Terarium at Blueberry Academy. Several of these places were artfully interpreted in Pokémon Trading Card Game illustrations, serving as the background for Pokémon exploring the region. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane with some of these splendid cards from the Scarlet & Violet Series.
Your journey in Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet starts in the humble town of Cabo Poco, where you meet your soon-to-be Pokémon battling bestie Nemona, as well as partner up with Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly. You’ll see your home in the background of both Cacnea and Oricorio’s illustrations, as well as Nemona’s home as the setting for the art of Grimer and Yungoos. Remember your first battle with Nemona? You can see that very same court behind Buizel!
Soon after battling Nemona for the first time, your journey will take you to Los Platos, a small town from where you can get your first glimpse of Mesagoza in the distance. The scenes from this quaint villa are easily recognizable in the Pokémon TCG—you’ll notice Mankey sprinting through town, Tinkatink in front of the path that leads to the area between Los Platos and Mesagoza, and Zweilous perched upon a hill, with the gate to Mesagoza in sight.
You’ve reached the big city where you’re ready to begin your studies at either Naranja Academy or Uva Academy. No matter which academy you attend, the building itself is stunning, with its spires piercing the skies in a variety of cards including Ralts, Skiddo, Noibat, and Lechonk.
Katy was likely to be one of the first Gym Leaders you faced on your journey. You can see scenes of the rural town Cortondo, including seating for her bakery, in this illustration featuring Scatterbug. You can also glimpse Growlithe running around town.
Who can forget searching for Sunflora around Artazon as well as spotting the gorgeous windmill high above? We could never, and we were delighted to see the town (and its awesome windmill) represented in these illustrations featuring Wigglytuff, Numel, and Foongus. You’ll notice that Numel is hanging out on the same battlefield where you faced Brassius too.
Lights! Camera! Iono! The Electric-type specialist hosted her gym here, the site of many a memorable battle. You can see the city from a variety of perspectives through Shinx strolling the battlefield near the skyline and Iono’s Kilowattrel soaring above its lights.
Cascarrafa &
Porto Marinada
Chill vibes are aplenty in this town neighboring the Asado Desert, and Diglett and Wingull have both the ground and sky views covered. Steenee is posing near the bustling market of Porto Marinada, where you may recall completing an important errand ahead of your battle with Gym Leader Kofu.
Beyond its epicurean offerings, Medali is the most ordinary town there is, playing host to the Treasure Eatery and Larry’s own Gym Leader activities. It’s only appropriate that the Normal-type Vigoroth appears near the town’s gate, which also features iconography inspired by Meowth, another Normal-type Pokémon!
A chill town with a fiery Gym Leader to match—Ryme wasn’t just spitting bars, she brought the heat with exciting Double Battles. Cryogonal is positioned neatly in front of the town itself, but you’ll see Toxel looking fierce near Ryme’s famous stage.
Oh, to be a Cufant running through a town as endearing as Alfornada. You can see the town’s classic architecture, with Gym Leader Tulip’s battlefield not too far off in the distance.
It’s time to hit the memory slopes. The Ice-type specialist Gym Leader Grusha was truly king of the hill in Glaseado; you can see the Fire-type Charmeleon braving the chill right in front of his Gym Test facility.
It wouldn’t have been a Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet adventure without Team Star in the mix. You can discover all five bases located around Paldea in the artwork of various cards. You’ll notice Giacomo’s Segin Squad Base in Surskit’s illustration, Mela’s Schedar Squad Base behind Pawniard, Girafarig in the Tagtree Thicket near Atticus’s Navi Squad Base, Cubchoo frolicking in front of Ortega’s Ruchbah Squad Base, and Pupitar in the mix at Eri’s Caph Squad Base.
What happens in Area Zero stays in Area Zero, but a few card artworks hint at the mysterious crater…
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask delivered a medley of exciting adventures. You can reminisce on your trip abroad with fabulous card illustrations featuring Nosepass in front of Carmine and Kieran’s own home in Mossui Town, Poliwhirl enjoying the decorative lanterns in the festival area, Clefairy strolling by the statues dedicated to the Loyal Three, and Litwick observing the mysterious Crystal Pool.
It’s time to battle in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2: The Indigo Disk! Fletchling and Chinchou are just on the periphery of the Blueberry Academy and Rhyhorn is ramping up for battle on the main battlefield itself. We’ve featured Lacey too, since her card’s art offers a peak peek at the League Club activities you know and love.
We hope you enjoyed looking back at artwork reminiscent of key locations in your Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet journeys, Trainers!