Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is finally available for players to play and as they explore the vast world of Paldea, most players might notice several icons on the map that signify different events. Some of these icons represent Pokémon Types while others represent Tera Raid locations.

Others like the small wings in blue circles represent locations that allow fast travel. New players, however, might have a difficult time sorting through these signs, especially the glowing question mark signs all over the map. So what do question marks on the map mean in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet? We’ll be answering that in this guide.

What Do Question Marks On The Map Mean in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet? Answered

The game does not exactly touch on what these question marks are in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. And until players pay a visit to the location, it’s not explained as well. So to help you understand them, these question marks signify a mass outbreak of a species that players are yet to register in their Pokédex.

The location of the question mark usually represents what kind of species the outbreak will be, including Rufflet in the Desert or even Haunter on the edges of Glasaedo Mountain, but until players get to that location, they wouldn’t know.

So, if a player spies an outbreak of a species they haven’t yet registered, it’s one of the most reliable ways of guaranteeing a catch. Also, mass outbreaks can be a great way of farming for some extra XP by either battling each Pokémon individually or sending your partner Pokémon out.

For now, there’s no exact way of counting just how many Pokémons will spawn amidst a Mass Outbreak, but the usual number is around 30 of the same species of Pokémon. And due to the number of Pokémons that spawn, the odds of finding a shiny Pokemon increases without the need for any Shiny Charms.

So if you’re hunting for a shiny, it’s best to keep defeating every Pokémon you come across in an outbreak and hope that a shiny will spawn.