As an avid Pokemon player and researcher, I‘ve studied the ins and outs of the series‘ mechanics extensively. The new Pokemon Scarlet and Violet games have captured the attention of trainers everywhere with the freedom of its open world gameplay. One of the most valuable resources you can get your hands on in these titles are Bottle Caps.
These rare items allow you to max out your Pokemon‘s Individual Values through a process called Hyper Training. Having perfect IVs can mean the difference between a niche team and a truly competitive powerhouse.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll equip you with expert insights on Bottle Caps in Scarlet and Violet. You‘ll learn:
- What Bottle Caps are and why they‘re so coveted
- The best ways to get Bottle Caps in the games
- How to use Bottle Caps for Hyper Training step-by-step
- Advanced tips and strategies to use Bottle Caps effectively
Let‘s dive in to mastering this precious commodity!
What Are Bottle Caps and Why Are They Important?
Bottle Caps have been around since Pokemon Sun and Moon, but remain a valuable asset. They allow you to max out a Pokemon‘s Individual Values (IVs) through a mechanic called Hyper Training.
IVs are hidden stats ranging from 0 to 31 that determine a Pokemon‘s inherent potential in each area: HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed. The higher the IV, the better that Pokemon‘s natural aptitude in that stat.
For hardcore competitive training, you want perfect 31 IVs in key stats for a Pokemon‘s role. Bottle Caps let you shortcut the tedious process of selectively breeding Pokemon for ideal IV spreads.
Maxing out IVs is especially useful on Legendary or Shiny Pokemon. Since these can‘t be bred, Bottle Caps finally give you a way to optimize their stats painlessly.
How to Get Bottle Caps in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Bottle Caps don‘t come easily in these games. They require patience and persistence to obtain. Here are the main methods:
Buying from Delibird Presents Shop
The most direct way to get Bottle Caps is to buy them from the in-game shop Delibird Presents. However, at a cost of �‘€20,000 per Bottle Cap, they don‘t come cheap!
Delibird Presents starts selling Bottle Caps only after you defeat 6 Gym Leaders to unlock the ability to trade in Bottle Caps. So they aren‘t available immediately.
To earn money quickly for buying Bottle Caps:
- Battle high level Pokemon
- Sell nuggets and pearls
- Craft and sell sandwiches
- Repeatedly rebattle the Elite Four
Check back often as Delibird restocks items daily. Their stock of Bottle Caps is limited, so buy them as soon as you see them!
Loot from 5 and 6 Star Tera Raids
Successfully completing Tera Raid Battles against high level opponents gives you a random chance of being rewarded with Bottle Caps.
At 5 Star Raids, your chance of getting a Bottle Cap is approximately 3%. This jumps up to around 5% from challenging 6 Star Raids.
However, you must progress significantly in the game to battle 5 and 6 Star Raids in the first place. You‘ll need to defeat multiple Titans, obtain Master Rank at the Colosseums, upgrade your bike, and have a robust team.
When farming Tera Raids for Bottle Caps, focus on Ice, Dark, Fighting, or other types you have a type advantage against. Use Tera Raids to target the strengths of your team.
Lucky Trades, Gifts, and Pickup
You can also occasionally obtain Bottle Caps from:
- Wonder Trading or trades with friends
- Surprise Mystery Gift rewards
- Random pickup from Pokemon with the Pickup Ability
But these are unreliable ways to get Bottle Caps. Consider them nice bonuses rather than sole methods.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hyper Training with Bottle Caps
Once you‘ve gotten your hands on those coveted Bottle Caps, here‘s exactly how to cash them in to max your Pokemon‘s IVs:
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Fly to Montenevera, a frigid mountain region in the northwest corner of Paldea.
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Make your way to the rear cliffside area and speak to the NPC next to the pile of snow.
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When prompted "Do you want one of your Pokemon to undergo some Hyper Training?", select "Yes".
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Choose a Pokemon in your party or boxes to Hyper Train.
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Select "Bottle Cap" as the training item. Or "Gold Bottle Cap" if lucky enough to have one.
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Pick which Individual Stat you want to max – HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, or Speed.
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Confirm to permanently max that IV to 31!
Repeat steps 4-7 for each stat you want to optimize. Standard Bottle Caps raise one IV, while coveted Gold Bottle Caps max all stats at once.
Note that each IV can only be Hyper Trained once. Plan wisely on which stats are most important for your Pokemon‘s role.
Pro Tips and Strategies for Using Bottle Caps
Here are some key pieces of expert advice to use Bottle Caps effectively:
Prioritize Key Stats
Not all stats are made equal for a Pokemon. Max out the IVs that align to their strengths and purpose first:
- Sweepers: Hyper Train Speed and primary offensive stat
- Tanks: Max out HP and defenses
- Support: Boost HP and defenses
Gold Bottle Caps Are Priceless
While extremely rare, Gold Bottle Caps will fully optimize all your Pokemon‘s IVs instantly. Reserve them for perfect Legendaries or Shinies.
Potential sources include daily Digging Duo rewards, the Mystery Gift lottery, and Rumor Mills in casinos. But don‘t count on finding them.
Hyper Train Legendary and Shiny Pokemon First
Since Legendary and Shiny Pokemon can‘t be bred for IVs, Hyper Training is the only way to max their stats. Make them top priority.
Compare to Traditional IV Breeding
Hyper Training with Bottle Caps trades time for convenience compared to traditional breeding. Here‘s a quick comparison:
| Hyper Training | IV Breeding |
|---|---|
| Max IVs in minutes | Requires lengthy selective breeding |
| Only maxes IVs | Can optimize EVs too |
| One time use only | Reusable for multiple Pokemon |
| Works on any Pokemon | Only passes down through breeding |
Stock Up on Bottle Caps Over Time
Don‘t rush to use every Bottle Cap you get. Be patient amassing a stockpile so you can Hyper Train with intent later.
Raid Farming Route for Efficiency
When farming Tera Raids, create an optimized route hitting respawns of Ice, Dark, etc typed Dens where your team has advantages.
Digging Duo and Other Daily Rewards
Check in routinely with the daily Digging Duo, Mystery Gift, etc. for chances at random Bottle Caps.
Conclusion
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have captivated with their open world gameplay, while bringing added depth via mechanics like Hyper Training. With this guide‘s expert insights, you now understand the immense value of Bottle Caps for competitive training. You‘re equipped with the knowledge to obtain, stockpile, and leverage Bottle Caps to their maximum potential. Just remember – patience and perseverance are key to amassing these precious items. Soon your entire Battle team will be unstoppable thanks to the strategic use of Bottle Caps for Hyper Training!
