Complete guide to Great Tusk and Iron Treads: Scarlet & Violet version exclusives, Donphan connections, and practical catching strategies
Introduction: The Past and Future Paradox Pokémon
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet introduce two fascinating version-exclusive creatures that have captured trainers’ attention: Great Tusk and Iron Treads. These mysterious Pokémon debuted in a trailer just before the games’ November 2022 launch, sparking immediate discussion about their striking resemblance to Donphan.
Great Tusk and Iron Treads represent the continuation of Scarlet & Violet’s core theme: the duality between past and future. This concept manifests not only in the box legendaries Koraidon and Miraidon but extends to these newly revealed creatures.
The final pre-release trailer showcased these Pokémon with limited information, creating strategic anticipation among competitive players. Savvy trainers immediately began analyzing potential typing, stats, and how they might fit into Generation 9’s evolving meta.
This past-versus-future dichotomy represents more than aesthetic differences. It suggests fundamental variations in how these Pokémon might battle, evolve, and interact with the Paldea region’s mechanics. Understanding this distinction early helps trainers make informed version purchase decisions.
Both creatures originate from in-game lore documents—the Scarlet Book and Violet Book—which players will encounter during their adventures. These books provide narrative context while establishing version exclusivity, meaning you’ll need to trade with opposite version owners to complete your Pokédex.
Great Tusk: Scarlet’s Savage Ancient Variant
Great Tusk serves as Pokémon Scarlet’s exclusive variant, embodying the game’s prehistoric theme. This creature likely represents what Donphan or its ancestors might have been like in ancient times, with more prominent tusks and potentially more aggressive behavior patterns.
According to Scarlet Book lore, this savage monster reportedly attacked expedition teams using its massive body and formidable tusks, even mortally wounding explorers. This suggests several battle characteristics: high physical attack stats, possible Ground/Fighting typing, and aggressive abilities like Intimidate or a new signature ability.
Strategic trainers should prepare for Great Tusk’s likely strengths: Physical wall-breaking capabilities, potential priority moves, and type coverage that could include Fighting, Ground, Rock, or Dark moves. Counter-strategies might involve Flying types, Levitate users, or specially defensive Pokémon that can withstand its presumed physical onslaught.
Common mistake: Underestimating Great Tusk’s speed tier. While appearing bulky, ancient variants sometimes possess surprising speed (like Hisuian forms). Always scout its capabilities before committing your counter.
Optimal catching approach: Come prepared with status-inflicting moves (Sleep or Paralysis), False Swipe for HP management, and plenty of Ultra Balls. Based on legendary precedent, expect a moderately difficult capture sequence.
Iron Treads: Violet’s Futuristic Mechanical Variant
Iron Treads stands as Pokémon Violet’s exclusive counterpart, representing a mechanized or evolved future version of Donphan. Its design suggests technological enhancements, possibly including metallic components, electronic systems, or cybernetic improvements over its natural ancestor.
The Violet Book describes this monster curling its body to roll-attack, gouging and scorching the ground in its wake. This implies several mechanical possibilities: Fire or Steel secondary typing, a signature move that creates terrain effects, or abilities that interact with the new Terastal phenomenon.
Iron Treads’ futuristic nature suggests distinct advantages: Potential Steel typing for defensive resilience, Fire coverage for melting Ice and Grass counters, and abilities that might include Flash Fire, Motor Drive, or a new technology-themed ability. Its rolling attack description hints at high-speed momentum moves.
Advanced player tip: If Iron Treads has Steel typing, consider pairing it with Pokémon that benefit from Steel’s defensive utility while covering its Fighting and Ground weaknesses. This could make it a valuable addition to balanced teams.
Avoid this error: Assuming Iron Treads will be slow because of its mechanical design. Future variants often emphasize speed and efficiency—expect it to potentially outspeed similar-tier Pokémon.
Comparative Analysis: Choosing Your Version
Choosing between Pokémon Scarlet and Violet now involves more than aesthetic preference—it determines whether you receive Great Tusk or Iron Treads. This decision impacts team building, competitive strategy, and completionist goals.
Key decision factors include: Your preferred battling style (physical brute force vs. technical utility), team composition needs (which gaps need filling), and trading availability (friends with opposite versions). Scarlet favors trainers who enjoy aggressive, high-risk/high-reward playstyles, while Violet suits strategic, defensively-minded players.
For completionists, establish trading partnerships early. These version exclusives will be in high demand, so negotiate fair trades (equivalent exclusives or rare Pokémon) rather than accepting unfavorable deals. Consider using dedicated trading communities for better negotiation power.
Competitive implications: Great Tusk will likely dominate physical metas with its presumed attack power, while Iron Treads could become a defensive pivot or terrain-setter. Monitor early tournament results to see which version gains competitive advantage.
Right now, that’s our comprehensive analysis based on available information. The Donphan resemblance strongly suggests these are ancient and future variations, but Game Freak may surprise us with entirely new evolutionary lines or paradox forms that break conventional expectations.
Practical Guides: Finding and Catching Strategies
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Locating Great Tusk and Iron Treads will likely involve specific conditions. Based on precedent, expect them in: Late-game areas, special weather conditions, or after completing certain story milestones. Book-related Pokémon often appear in lore-significant locations.
Optimal catching preparation includes: Level-appropriate team (60+ recommended), status moves (Hypnosis, Thunder Wave), HP management (False Swipe), and ball variety (Ultra, Dusk, Timer). Consider bringing a Pokémon with Harvest and Skill Swap for infinite Leppa Berries if it’s a long battle.
Common mistakes to avoid: Using super-effective moves that might knock them out, forgetting to save before engagement, not bringing enough healing items, and attempting capture too early in your playthrough. These are likely designed as mid-to-late game challenges.
Advanced strategy: If they have signature moves, consider using a Pokémon with Mimic or Copycat to learn their move for analysis. This helps competitive players understand their capabilities before committing to capture.
You can watch the trailer that revealed these two Pokemon below:
Generation 9 Context and Game Features
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet officially launch Generation 9 on November 18, 2022, introducing numerous innovations alongside Great Tusk and Iron Treads. These games represent a fully open-world Pokémon experience set in the Paldea region, inspired by Spain and Portugal’s geography and culture.
The long-awaited titles feature the starter trio Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco, plus box legendaries Koraidon (Scarlet) and Miraidon (Violet). These version exclusives extend beyond the legendaries to include professors, clothing styles, and now these Donphan variants—creating truly distinct gameplay experiences between editions.
New mechanics like Terastalization (crystalizing Pokémon for type changes) will interact with Great Tusk and Iron Treads in potentially unique ways. Their paradox nature might grant special Tera Types or enhanced Terastal benefits, adding another strategic layer to version choice considerations.
As for the game’s location, players can expect to lay ground in the Paldea region, which has been inspired by Spain and Portugal. We’ve rounded up everything we know about Scarlet & Violet here.
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