How to start Teal Mask DLC in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

The Teal Mask DLC is the first half of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero - a two-part Expansion Pass announced for the Generation 9 Pokemon games Scarlet and Violet.

This new DLC releases today (September 13th). Here’s everything you need to know to start your new adventure in the brand-new Kitakami region.

How to download The Teal Mask DLC

To download The Teal Mask DLC, you’ll need to purchase Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC Expansion Pass - The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero - from the Nintendo eShop. Here's how much it costs in your region!

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This one Expansion Pass will grant you access to both The Teal Mask DLC and The Indigo Disk DLC, currently slated for release in Winter 2023.

• Forget Part 1: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are already hyping second DLC

Things to watch out for

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It’s never as simple as just buying the first thing you see, is it? There are a few pitfalls that might catch you out when buying The Teal Mask DLC.

First thing - there are two versions of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. One is only compatible with Pokemon Scarlet, and the other is only compatible with Pokemon Violet. Check the title and images and make sure you buy the right version before you drop your cash!

The next thing: only the Nintendo account you buy the DLC with will have access to the expansion. That means if you’re playing Pokemon Scarlet or Violet on a different account, you’ll need to buy the DLC logged in as that account.

Finally - you’ll need to make sure you have enough space on your Nintendo Switch for Pokemon Scarlet or Violet to update. If you don’t, the DLC won’t install properly. Clear up some space, then press the “+” button on your JoyCon while hovering over the game. You’ll then need to go into “Options” - “Software Update” - “Via the Internet”. The game should begin to update automatically!

Some players have reported a delay in the DLC becoming available. If this happens to you, restart your console and make sure no system updates are waiting for you.

• Check out these Pokemon Scarlet and Violet gift codes! Have you got em all?

How to play The Teal Mask DLC

So you’ve done all that, and you’re ready to unravel the old legends of Kitakami. What next?

You’ll need to have reached the Treasure Hunt story arc in the main game before you can access the DLC. You don’t need to have completed all the paths, but it will take about 3 hours to unlock the Treasure Hunt. Once you’ve set off on your Paldean path, Professor Jacq will call you on the Rotom phone and invite you to Kitakami. What is he doing with a student’s phone number anyway?

Head on over to the academy’s entrance hall to meet up with Briar, who’ll take you on your new The Teal Mask DLC adventure. Send us a postcard!