How To Get To Area Zero And Unlock The Hidden Region

Reaching the mysterious center of the Paldea region is one of the ultimate milestones for trainers exploring Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Nestled deep inside the Great Crater, Area Zero remains completely off-limits during the early hours of your adventure. Understanding the necessary prerequisites and path to take ensures you can enter this restricted area without unnecessary confusion.

Completing the Three Primary Story Paths

Before the barricades around the Great Crater are lifted, players must fully complete all three core campaign storylines. This means conquering Victory Road, finishing the Path of Legends, and defeating Team Star across Starfall Street. Once every badge and boss is cleared, you will receive a pivotal phone call instructing you to gather your allies.

Assembling your companions is an essential narrative step before entering the mysterious crater depths. Nemona, Arven, and Penny will join forces to support your team as you venture into uncharted territory. Having a well-balanced party with Pokémon around level 60 will prepare you for the intense battles ahead.

Navigating to the Great Crater Entrance

To start your journey into Area Zero, travel directly to the town of Medali located in the West Province. From the eastern side of Medali, take the path heading southeast up toward the mountain gates. The metal gate that was previously locked will now be open, allowing access to the Zero Gate facility.

Inside the Zero Gate building, a brief cutscene triggers where your team prepares for descent. Stepping onto the central platform whisks your party down to the surface of the crater floor. From this point forward, standard ride mobility is temporarily restricted, requiring manual exploration on foot.

Unlocking the Research Stations and Deep Caverns

Exploration within Area Zero follows a downward spiral path toward the bottom of the crater. Your primary objective is to locate and access four distinct Research Stations hidden along the path. At each station, players must override security locks to power up the main access controls for the central laboratory.

Expect several scripted encounters with strange Paradox Pokémon as you venture deeper into the crystalized caverns. Once all four Research Stations are unsealed, the massive doors to the Zero Lab at the crater's floor will finally open. Defeating the final challenges inside grants complete access to this breathtaking endgame zone.