Teacup and teapot collecting is just as serious in the Pokémon world as it is in the real world, because in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask, Poltchageist has two forms, just like Sinistea. Since these forms determine what item is used to evolve it, it’s important to know what kind yours is. Thankfully, The Teal Mask has made uncovering this information relatively easy… Kind of.
How to Figure Out Poltchageist’s Form in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: The Teal Mask
There are two ways to tell what form your Poltchageist is in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:
- In its Pokédex entry.
- By checking the cup.
Method #1: Poltchageist’s Pokédex Entry
Poltchageist’s two forms, Counterfeit and Artisan, have distinct Pokédex entries. This means that you’ll automatically be told your Poltchageist’s form the moment you catch it. Whenever you catch any Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, its Pokédex entry will appear while asking you if you want to give it a nickname and where you want to send it.
When you catch Poltchageist, pay attention to the light blue text under its Grass and Ghost type icons to see if it’s Counterfeit or Artisan.
Method #2: Poltchageist’s Cup Marking
If you catch multiple Poltchageist or move them around in your party or boxes, it can be easy to lose track of which is which if you don’t nickname them each and every time you catch one. Thankfully, there is a visual difference between the Artisan and Counterfeit Poltchageist.
Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to check, like how it was tricky to tell the different Sinistea apart in Sword and Shield.
The difference between the Artisan and Counterfeit Poltchageist forms is that the Artisan form has a small mark on the bottom right side of its cup, similar to Sinistea’s stamp of authenticity. Because you can’t move your Pokémon around in the menu, you’ll have to send your Pokémon out onto the overworld and move the camera underneath the Pokémon to try to see if it has a mark or not. This can be easier said than done, but it’s the only method to check if you don’t have Poltchageist’s evolutionary items.
If you do have at least one of its evolutionary items, you can hover over it in your Other Items pocket in your bag and see which of your Poltchageist is compatible with it. Any that can use the Unremarkable Teacup are counterfeit, while those that can’t are Artisan.
How to Catch Artisan (Authentic) Poltchageist in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Wild Artisan Poltchageist in Kitakami
Poltchageist can be found in the wild in the bamboo groves on Reveler’s Road and the Mossfell Confluence in Kitakami. The fastest way to get there is to fly to Kitakami Hall and take the mountain path southward. Poltchageist is very small, but it’s possible to position your camera underneath it to see if it has a mark or not if you get close enough first.
There is also a Water Tera Type Poltchageist spawn in the eastern bamboo groves in the Mossfell Confluence. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see what looks like glowing without a Pokémon—this is because Poltchageist is so small it’s hard to make out amidst the glow. This spawn may be either Artisan or Counterfeit Form. You can tell by moving your camera underneath it when it isn’t sitting on the grass.
Artisan Poltchageist in Mass Outbreaks
You may find a Poltchageist Mass Outbreak on random days. All Poltchageist in a Mass Outbreak will be the same authenticity. If you find an Artisan Form Poltchageist in the Mass Outbreak, they will all be Artisan Form, but if you find one that is Counterfeit Form, they will all be Counterfeit.
You can increase your chances of having a Poltchageist Mass Outbreak by saving your game and remaining in the bamboo groves before the day changes (or before you open and close your Switch’s clock—changing the date itself isn’t necessary). This method may only help you increase your chances of a Poltchageist Mass Outbreak by a small amount, but it’s the only known method of impacting the Mass Outbreaks that occur.
Can Poltchageist in Tera Raid Battles be Artisan Form?
Poltchageist in 3-Star Tera Raid Battles will always be Counterfeit Form. If you’re hoping to get an Artisan Form Poltchageist, don’t seek out Tera Raid Battles.
How to get Masterpiece (Authentic) Sinistcha in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
There are two ways to get Masterpiece Sinistcha in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: the first way is by evolving it from Artisan Poltchageist by using a Masterpiece Teacup.
The second way is by battling and catching it in 6-Star Tera Raids. 5-Star Tera Raid Sinistcha will always be Unremarkable (Counterfeit) Form. 6-Star Tera Raid Sinistcha has a chance of being Masterpiece or Unremarkable Form.
Where to Find Poltchageist Evolve Items in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Where to Find Unremarkable Teacup in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Counterfeit Form Poltchageist evolves into Unremarkable Form Sinistcha with the use of an Unremarkable Teacup item.
The Unremarkable Teacup can be found in a small cave in the southwestern area of Paradise Barrens. Once you’ve obtained this Unremarkable Teacup, you can obtain more as random rewards for completing rounds of Ogre Oustin’.
Where to Find Masterpiece Teacup in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Artisan Form Poltchageist evolves into Masterpiece Form Sinistcha by using the Masterpiece Teacup item.
You can find the Masterpiece Teacup in a small cavern at the very southern end of the Timeless Woods. Initially, a Snorlax is blocking the way into the cavern. After obtaining this Masterpiece Teacup, you can earn more as a random reward when you complete rounds of Ogre Oustin’.
If you’re interested in getting more Teacup items from Ogre Oustin’, check out our guide on tips and strategies to beating the minigame.
