Pokemon Scarlet and Violet bring back the Mystery Gift system, which allow players to claim free prizes that Game Freak occasionally hands out. It is a good idea in theory, though the reality of it is rather underwhelming, as the gifts are typically of low-value. Instead of attracting players back to the game, the gifts are easily forgotten or ignored.
This isn't a problem that started with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, though it has been particularly bad since the launch of these games. The issue could be solved by giving away more interesting Items, particularly Tera Shards - which are genuinely hard to get.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Lackluster Mystery Gifts
When players aren't out exploring Paldea they can check out the Poke Portal, where they can access Scarlet and Violet's Battle Stadium and compete against other players online. The Poke Portal also allows players to access Mystery Gifts, where they can occasionally claim gifts from Game Freak. Although it is nice that developers are giving out free items for players to claim, the items being given out are currently so boring that they're often not worth the effort of inputting the Mystery Gift code.
For most of last year, the Mystery Gifts consisted of sandwich ingredients. Sandwiches are useful in Scarlet and Violet, as they can raise certain stats and players can make a sandwich to raise their odds of finding shiny Pokemon. However, sandwich ingredients are also easy to come across, and all the cities of Paldea are filled with sandwich shops. This year, Mystery Gifts have consisted of either Stardust, a Comet Shard, or a Star Piece. Stardust is a very common item that can be sold at a low price. Comet Shards and Star Pieces can be sold for a lot more, though players can claim all the Mystery Gifts and only get Stardust, as the rewards are chosen at random.
Scarlet and Violet have released worthwhile Mystery Gifts a handful of times. This occurred during the holiday season in 2022 when 50 Ice Tera Shards were given out, and it happened again this month with the Mystery Gift that gives players 20,000 League Points. Tera Shards are useful, as players can go to the Treasure Eatery in Medali and swap out their monster's Tera type. The valuable Mystery Gifts are appreciated, though they come far too rarely. Furthermore, with the number of poor gifts handed out, many are likely to miss out on the few good ones when they stop checking for Mystery Gifts.
Scarlet and Violet Needs To Improve Its Mystery Gifts
It's a shame that low-quality Items are being given as gifts, because there are plenty of useful Items that could be given out that would make players rethink their battle strategies. This includes the Wide Lens, which increases the accuracy of moves; the Focus Sash, which allows a Pokemon to endure with 1 HP; and Leftovers, which restore a bit of a Pokemon's HP each turn. That said, many of these battle items are available through Deliberd Presents shops now. There should also be more Tera Shards given out, as Terastallization is a very useful mechanic, but it is incredibly difficult to gather the shards necessary to change a Pokemon's Tera type.
Pokemon's system of claiming Mystery Gifts still feels archaic, and it would benefit from an overhaul that incorporates mobile apps and QR codes. For some players, connecting to the Internet and inputting a code isn't worth the effort to get a bit of Stardust. With better Mystery Gifts, Scarlet and Violet can ensure players keep coming back, as the current gifts aren't much of a draw.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on Nintendo Switch.