Sinistea stands out as one of the captivating Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. This Ghost-type Pokémon catches attention not for its combat stats or elemental type, but for its unique method of evolution. Unlike most Pokémon that evolve by leveling up or using evolution stones, Sinistea requires specific items to transform into its next form.
To evolve Sinistea into Polteageist, you’ll need either a Cracked Pot or a Chipped Pot, depending on the type of Sinistea you possess. Determining which item is necessary might be challenging at first, as it’s not immediately clear whether you have a Phony or Antique form of Sinistea.
Finding Sinistea
You can find Sinistea in a few specific locations within Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, with the most reliable spawning area being in the southwest corner of the map.
In the provided map, this area is marked as South Province (Area Six). The nearby town, Alfornada, features the Psychic Gym and sits on a flat plain filled with various Pokémon spawns.
To encounter Sinistea, simply explore the areas right outside Alfornada. You should be able to find one fairly quickly, as they are not particularly rare. For the best results, try searching in this area during the daytime, as Sinistea seems to appear more frequently then.
Locating the Antique Form of Sinistea
Sinistea has two types: Phony Form and Antique Form. The distinction between them lies in a stamp of authenticity located at the bottom of the teacup. The Antique Sinistea is rare and features a stamp, whereas the more common Phony Sinistea does not.
Your chances of running into an Antique Sinistea are roughly one in a hundred, or about one percent.
How to Verify Sinistea’s Authenticity
While there’s no straightforward way to identify an authentic Sinistea, you can follow certain tips to increase your odds. When you catch your first Sinistea, the Pokédex typically shows the Phony version. Once you successfully catch an authentic Sinistea, the Pokédex will allow you to view its second form, which is a useful means to check your box for authenticity.
You can also spot the authenticity stamp from the overworld. By maneuvering close to the Pokémon and angling the camera upwards, you can check its bottom. This might be tricky if the Sinistea is moving, but it’s feasible. Additionally, check for Sinistea outbreaks. While encountering an authentic version isn’t guaranteed, your chances are better when multiple Sinistea are present.
Evolving Sinistea
To evolve Sinistea, the correct item must be paired with the right form:
- To evolve Phony Sinistea, you need a Cracked Pot.
- To evolve Antique Sinistea, you’ll need a Chipped Pot.
Where to Find the Cracked Pot
To locate the Cracked Pot in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, travel north of Casseroya Lake and look to the left of the Groundblight Shrine. Ascend the hill to reach a pond where you’ll find the Cracked Pot on the ground.
Where to Find the Chipped Pot
The Chipped Pot can be discovered behind the houses in Porto Marinada. To find it, ascend the first ramp near the Auction House and walk toward the rear of the homes. The Chipped Pot will be situated beneath a large tree.
Farming for Cracked and Chipped Pots
Since items don’t respawn, you cannot revisit older locations for more of each pot. However, you can acquire additional items from the Porto Marinada Auction House. Three vendors present at the auction change their items daily, offering a one percent chance each day of stocking Cracked or Chipped Pots. Prices for these items start at 3,000 Pokédollars.
If you want to evolve several Sinistea into Polteageist, visiting the auction house is essential, as items are consumed upon evolution.
To increase your chances of finding the items, you can refresh the vendors by leaving the area and changing the date on your Nintendo Switch.
To change the time on your Switch:
- Press the Home button to access the Home Screen.
- Go to Settings (the gear icon).
- Scroll to Date & Time.
- Adjust the minutes back by at least two or forward by about an hour.
- Exit settings and return to your game.
- Enter the Porto Marinada area again to see updated vendor inventories.
Take note that there are numerous auction items, so it may require several attempts to find the pots.
