Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: How Does the Day / Night Cycle Work in the Game?

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have an integral day and night cycle that rotates every 72 real-life minutes.

If you’re looking for a specific Pokemon that only appears at night, or are trying to fully utilize your recently purchased Dusk Balls, understanding the day and night cycle is essential.

Thankfully, things are fairly straightforward as the in-game time is split evenly between day and night.

In this guide, I will explain how the day and night cycle works in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and mention some mechanics where understanding the cycle’s patterns can be beneficial.

How Does the Day/Night Cycle Work in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

Morning time at the beach in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

One whole day/night cycle in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet lasts 72 minutes. This cycle is split into four in-game times.

  • Morning – 6 minutes
  • Day – 30 minutes
  • Evening – 6 minutes
  • Night – 30 minutes

Morning and evening are considered transitional times and simply serve to smoothen the day/night cycle.

Can You Change the Time in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

Exploring Paldea during the day in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Unfortunately, no. There is no way to change the in-game time from day to night or vice versa. The only way is by waiting it out.

Since it only takes a maximum of 36 minutes to change from day to night, simply leave your switch aside and go do something else. Come back after a while and that’s all.

However, you can change the in-game day, which affects systems like the auction house where you can buy dream balls and other goods.

To change the day, simply go to the Switch’s System Settings and set a different date.

Why is the Day/Night Cycle Important in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

Shopping at night in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

First, the day/night cycle adds a nice aesthetic to the game. The sun rises and sets while exploring Paldea which makes the game feel more dynamic.

Second, certain Pokemon only appear at certain times of the time. For instance, Ghastly and other Ghost-type Pokemon can only appear at night.

Third, it affects certain items. For example, Dusk Balls have a significantly higher catch rate when used at night.

Conclusion

To sum up, that’s everything you need to know about how the Day/Night Cycle works in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

It rotates automatically in the following order: morning, day, evening, and night.

Morning and evening last for 6 minutes, while day and night last for 30.

Now that you’ve mastered the day/night cycle in the game, consider checking out our guide on how to ride Koraidon and Miraidon, as well as how to upgrade them with abilities.

They are amazing mounts that will make exploring Paldea much more fun.

What do you think about the dynamic day/night rotation in the game? Which time of the day do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.

Harry

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