Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: How to get Booster Energy

Generation Nine has introduced a wide variety of held items that change up the metagame. One of the most useful newly added held items is Booster Energy, an item that is used exclusively by Paradox Pokémon. Here’s our guide on how to get Booster Energy in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Note: For more information about the game, check out our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guides and features hub.

How to get Booster Energy in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Booster Energy is a held item that can only be used by Paradox Pokémon. When equipped by any Paradox Pokémon at the start of a battle, Booster Energy will trigger its unique abilities, Protosynthesis and Quark Drive. When triggered, both of these abilities boost the Pokémon’s highest stat by 30% or 50% if Speed is their highest stat.

Given that all Paradox Pokémon start out with an impressive base 570 stat pool, having a free 30% boost to one of those stats is incredible. An example of how strong this can be seen with Iron Hands. The futuristic Hariyama starts out with an incredible base Attack of 140. After Quark Drive is triggered, this jumps up to a staggering 182 Base Attack.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

To get Booster Energy in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you need to catch Paradox Pokémon. Paradox Pokémon are found in Area Zero, a large cave located in the depths of The Great Crater of Paldea. This area can only be accessed once you have cleared the main story.

Depending on what version you own, you’ll either find Ancient Paradox Pokémon or Future Paradox Pokémon in Area Zero. Each wild Paradox Pokémon you encounter has a 5% chance of holding Booster Energy. If a Paradox Pokémon you encounter in Scarlet and Violet has this item, you’ll know as the message “The Booster Energy was used up” will appear at the start of the encounter. If this message appears, catch the Paradox Pokémon and then take the Booster Energy from it afterward.