How To Change Time In Scarlet And Violet

Okay, so picture this: I'm on a quest, a noble and totally necessary quest to catch a specific Pokémon. This beast only spawns at night. I've been playing for hours, it's practically noon in the game, and my real-life stomach is starting to rumble like a Snorlax. I think to myself, "There has to be a way to fast-forward this thing." Cue frantic Googling. Turns out, changing the time in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet isn't quite as intuitive as one might hope. But fear not, fellow trainer! I’ve wrestled with the clock so you don't have to.

You see, unlike some older Pokémon games, you can't just mess with the in-game clock directly. Game Freak, in their infinite wisdom, decided to tie the in-game time to your Nintendo Switch's system clock. So, if you're aiming for a specific event, evolution, or just want to experience Paldea under a different sun (or moon), you’ll need to tinker with your Switch's settings. A bit clunky? Maybe. But hey, at least it's an adventure, right? (Narrator: It was not an adventure.).

The Grand Nintendo Switch Time-Traveling Adventure

Alright, buckle up, because we're about to dive into the (slightly convoluted) process of changing the time in Scarlet and Violet. Don't worry, it's not rocket science – unless you're trying to launch a Pokémon into orbit. (Please don't try that.)

Step 1: Closing the Game (This is Important!)

Seriously, this is super important. Before you even think about messing with your Switch's clock, you MUST completely close Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. Don't just put it to sleep by hitting the home button. We're talking about properly closing the application. Think of it like this: you wouldn't try to change a car's engine while it's still running, right? (Okay, maybe some people would, but should they? No.)

To close the game, press the X button on the Switch home screen while hovering over the Scarlet or Violet icon. This will bring up a menu, and you'll want to select "Close Software." Trust me on this one. If you don't do this, the game might not register the time change properly, and all your efforts will be for naught. Plus, there are reports of some players experiencing weird glitches if they don't close the game first. We want to avoid glitches like the plague, right? (Unless there's a glitch that gives you infinite rare candies. Then... maybe we'll talk.)

Step 2: Diving into System Settings

Now, for the main event! From the Switch home screen, navigate to "System Settings." You'll recognize it by the little gear icon. Click on it. Prepare to be amazed by... a bunch of settings. Scroll down until you find "System" at the very bottom and click that. Then select “Date and Time”.

This is where the magic happens. Or, you know, where you change the time. It's all relative. (See what I did there?).

Step 3: The Crucial "Synchronize Clock via Internet" Toggle

Here's the key to the whole operation: you need to disable "Synchronize Clock via Internet." This setting is automatically enabled by default. It basically means your Switch is constantly checking the internet for the correct time and setting itself accordingly. Which is great, except when you don't want the correct time. Deselect this setting. Click on it to turn it off. With this disabled, you're finally in control of your own temporal destiny!

Now, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet does tend to get rather picky when the system time is changed significantly. It's almost as if it tries to punish you for your misdeeds. This means you may need to experiment with changing the time a little at a time so that the punishment isn't severe (more on this later).

Step 4: Setting the Time (The Actual Time-Traveling Part!)

Now that you've severed your Switch's ties to the internet's time lords, you can finally set the date and time to whatever your heart desires. Just click on "Date and Time" and adjust the settings accordingly. Want to skip ahead to nighttime? Go for it! Need to rewind to catch a morning-exclusive Pokémon? Be my guest! (Just remember the potential consequences, which we'll discuss shortly.)

Pro-tip: If you're trying to trigger a specific event that requires a certain time of day, pay close attention to the AM/PM setting. It's surprisingly easy to accidentally set the time for noon when you actually meant midnight. I’ve done this more than once. Don't ask. I blame jet lag. (Even though I haven't left my house in days.)

Step 5: Launching the Game (With Fingers Crossed)

Okay, you've changed the time, closed the game, and disabled the internet synchronization. Now it's time to launch Pokémon Scarlet or Violet again and see if your temporal shenanigans have worked. Boot up the game and load your save file. If all went according to plan, you should now be experiencing Paldea at the time you specified.

The Price of Time Travel: Penalties and Drawbacks

Before you go wild with the time-altering powers, there are a few things you need to know. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet doesn't exactly encourage time travel. In fact, the game has built-in mechanisms to discourage it.

• Waiting Periods: After you change the time, you might encounter waiting periods for certain events to reset. This can affect things like Tera Raid battles, daily events, and the availability of certain items. Think of it as the game's way of saying, "Hey, slow down there, time traveler!"
• Raid Reset Issues: If you're a big fan of Tera Raid battles (and who isn't?), be aware that changing the time can mess with their reset schedule. You might find that new raids don't appear as frequently, or that you have to wait longer for specific raid events to become available. Basically, time travelling too much will give you the equivalent of raid battle blue balls.
• Potential for Glitches: While it's not super common, there's always a slight risk of encountering glitches when you mess with the system clock. It's rare, but it's something to keep in mind. Save often!

Basically, proceed with caution and don't go changing the time every five minutes. A little bit of time manipulation is usually fine, but excessive time travel can lead to unwanted consequences. The game is supposed to last longer than a week, after all!

Alternatives to Full-Blown Time Travel (For the Time-Averse)

If you're feeling a bit wary about messing with your Switch's clock, there are a few alternative strategies you can use to influence the time of day in Scarlet and Violet without resorting to full-blown time travel.

• Waiting (The Obvious, But Often Overlooked, Option): Sometimes, the simplest solution is the best. Just wait! The in-game time progresses naturally, so if you're patient, you'll eventually reach the time of day you're looking for. I know, it's not the most exciting option, but it's the safest.
• Pokémon Centers (For Minor Adjustments): Did you know that the time of day can shift slightly each time you enter a Pokémon Center? It's not a huge change, but it can be enough to nudge the time forward or backward a bit. If you're just trying to trigger a specific event that requires a slightly different time, this can be a quick and easy way to do it. Just keep entering and exiting until you get the desired time.
• Playing With Friends (A Socially Acceptable Time-Warping Method): If you have friends who are playing Scarlet or Violet, you can coordinate your gameplay sessions to take advantage of different times of day. For example, if your friend is playing during the day and you're playing at night, you can join their game and experience Paldea under the sun. Plus, it's always more fun to play with friends!

The Final Verdict: Time Travel, Use Responsibly

So, there you have it: a comprehensive guide to changing the time in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Is it a perfect system? Absolutely not. Is it a useful tool for catching specific Pokémon, triggering events, or simply experiencing Paldea at different times of day? Definitely. Just remember to proceed with caution, be aware of the potential consequences, and always close the game before messing with your Switch's clock.

And hey, if you accidentally break the space-time continuum, don't blame me. I just provided the instructions. (But if you do manage to create a time paradox, please let me know. I'm morbidly curious.)

Happy time-traveling, trainers! May your expeditions be filled with rare Pokémon and minimal temporal anomalies.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any paradoxes, glitches, or existential crises that may result from altering the time in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Play at your own risk.