Recently released Pokemon Scarlet and Violet differs from previous main series games in that it features three storylines for players to explore in any order they wish. One storyline, the "Path of Legends," involves hunting down five near-mythical, extra-powerful Pokemon called "Titans" in order to harvest the herbs they guard. The Titans, which are fought in the wild and have no Trainer that controls them, were quick to remind many fans of the Noble Pokemon battles from Pokemon Legends Arceus, released earlier in 2022. While Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Titans are similar to the Nobles in many ways, they also feature a number of key differences.
The player character of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is a student at either Naranja or Uva Academy, depending on which version of the game they play. As part of the Academy's "Treasure Hunt" independent study, players can hunt down Titans, take down the bases of the antagonistic Team Star, challenge Gym Leaders for badges, or do all of the above. The Titan storyline, called "Path of Legends," involves teaming up with fellow student Arven to track down rumors of extra-powerful Pokemon that guard "Herba Mystica." The size and power of the Titans and their lack of a proper Trainer bring to mind the Nobles, but they are ultimately fought in much more standard battles compared to their Noble counterparts in Legends Arceus.
Titans Are Wild, Powerful, and Can't Be Caught
There are five Titans to be found in the Paldea region: Klawf, Bombirdier, Orthworm, a multi-stage battle against both Tatsugiri and Dodonzo, and either Great Tusk in Scarlet or Iron Treads in Violet. All Titans are much larger and stronger than other examples of their species, possibly due to the influence of the Herba Mystica they both guard and consume. Their size and strength are definitely reminiscent of the Noble Pokemon, which were kept large and powerful due to offerings given by members of the Diamond and Pearl Clans in Pokemon Legends Arceus. They are also similar in number - Arceus featured ten Noble Pokemon, but only five were fought, with the other five serving as Ride Pokemon for the player and willingly offering their aid without need for a battle.
The most striking similarity between the Noble Pokemon and the Titans is that, unlike almost every other Pokemon encountered throughout the series, they cannot be caught by the player. Noble Pokemon are forbidden from being caught, due to their sacred status and importance to the Diamond and Pearl clans. While no such rule against catching Titan Pokemon exists, each Titan flees and disappears once defeated, prohibiting the player from adding them to their team. Noble Pokemon must be evolved by the player from other Pokemon caught in the wild, as they are all evolved forms of Hisuian Pokemon.
Meanwhile, Titans are generally single-stage evolutions, and thus smaller forms of these Pokemon can be found and caught in the wild. They are generally found near where the Titans were fought. The exception are Great Tusk and Iron Treads, Paradox Pokemon versions of Phanpy's evolution Donphan and are exclusive to the late-game Great Crater of Paldea area.
Noble Pokemon Battles Are Much More Complex
Fighting a Noble Pokemon differed greatly from almost any type of Pokemon battle seen in previous games. The central plot of Pokemon Legends Arceus involved the Nobles becoming enraged due to a strange energy emanating from Mt. Coronet. Thus, the player must first calm them by throwing Balms, an item made from the Pokemon's favorite foods and constructed by the Nobles' respective Wardens. Once the Noble Pokemon has left its frenzied state, the player can send out one Pokemon to battle it. Depending on the strength of the Noble Pokemon, the battle may go through several rounds of throwing Balms and attacking while the Pokemon is stunned, calmed, or distracted.
Battling a Titan Pokemon is far more straightforward, without the need to use Balms or employ any other special strategies. Titans also do not make use of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Terastallization gimmick, possibly because they lack a Trainer with a Tera Orb to use on them. The only difference between Titan battles and standard wild Pokemon battles is that Titans will initially flee when their health is low, resulting in a two-stage battle. During the second stage, Arven will also assist the player by sending out one of his Pokemon to join the battle. Because the two stages are not timed and are not required to occur immediately one after another, players may even visit the Pokemon Center in between fights to heal up or purchase items. The player's Tera Orb is also recharged between stages, allowing them to once again Terastallize their Pokemon when facing the Titan a second time.
Both Noble Pokemon and Titans Are Associated With Traversal
Another connection between Pokemon Legends Arceus' Noble Pokemon and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Titans is their connection to the methods players can use to traverse the game's large, sprawling worlds. Pokemon Legends Arceus is divided into several large regions, while Scarlet and Violet's Paldea is a true open world - the first in the series. Each area of Hisui is associated with two Noble Pokemon, one which is fought and one that can be ridden, the latter including Wyrdeer, Ursaluna, and Hisuian Braviary. The Pokemon that can be ridden typically offers its assistance to the player when the player declares their intent to take down the region's Noble. Meanwhile, in Scarlet and Violet, eating the Herba Mystica allows Koraidon or Miraidon to gain new movement abilities including swimming, gliding, and climbing vertical surfaces.
Of course, comparisons between Legends Arceus and Scarlet and Violet's traversal systems have also been made, with Scarlet and Violet's generally receiving praise for being smoother and more streamlined than that of Arceus. Players have appreciated the fact that all movement types can be carried out using Koraidon or Miraidon, rather than having to constantly switch between mounts. Between this much-wanted change and the more simplified, traditional battle system, some have even argued that Scarlet and Violet's Titan battles are a straight-up improvement over Pokemon Legends Arceus' clashes with Noble Pokemon, although both types of battle have their pros and cons.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are currently available for the Nintendo Switch.