How to use Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Union Circle for multiplayer

An easy guide to gathering the Poké-squad together

One of the big draws for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is the multiplayer. Players can hang out together, fight fearsome Tera Raid battles, or just vibe at a picnic. And the Union Circle is how Pokémon Scarlet and Violet make it all happen.

The Union Circle is the multiplayer hub for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It specifically lets players either join each other’s groups or form ones of their own.

It’s easy enough to set up and use, and we’ll also walk you through some common pitfalls we ran into while playing multiplayer ourselves.

How to use the Union Circle in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

The Union Circle is accessible through both the Pokémon Centers dotted around the map or through your in-game Poké Portal. I’ve usually opted to go for the physical monitors on the sides of the Centers since you can fast-travel to one and there are a decent number. Just look for the big yellow circle and monitor, and hit the A button to access it.

Once inside, you’ll see a menu. From here, you can either make a group to invite others to or join another group. Making a group will give you a code made up of letters and numbers to share with friends.

To get the party going, just have them punch it in on their end and connect. Once everyone is in, you can start it up. From here, you’ll be in a shared instance of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, able to explore together.

Some tips for setting up multiplayer

First off, make sure you’re connected to the internet. The L button is used to connect yourself to the net, and you’ll need to be in Online Mode to invite others over from further out than your living room.

Secondly, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet multiplayer is not drop-in, drop-out. If someone disconnects, you’ll need to make a new group to link it all back. Disconnections won’t automatically close the party unless it’s the host, though.

What can you do in the Union Circle in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Exploring together literally means you can go out in the wild, catch Pokémon with friends, trade, and battle. You can’t play the game cooperatively, but you can help each other out and create a more personalized experience.

If you and your friend(s) have different versions of the ninth-generation game (Scarlet or Violet) and join a Union Circle, you can catch the other version’s exclusive wild Pokémon. This will only work if you are within the vicinity of your friend with a different version. You can’t be in two totally different regions of Paldea.

It’ll also be a lot easier to link up and take on all the different Tera Raid battles since you’re already in a pre-made group. Players will have their own separate crystals. You’ll simply have to coordinate these since invites are only sent out if all players are not currently in a cutscene or battle.

You can also do picnics and partake in outbreaks to increase your chances of encountering shinies out in the wild. The benefits are shared between players, so you can have someone there to help out or pitch in to find these super rare Pokémon.

Lastly, you can help your friend(s) locate certain items in-game or help physically guide them in finding certain things. You won’t share drops, but this can help newer players get up to speed!

If you do have friends who play or want to play Pokémon Scarlet or Violet, join up with them in a Union Circle to have a better overall experience. Experiences may vary based on internet quality from all parties.