Can you turn off EXP Share in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?

It’s no secret that Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and other games in the franchise are not as challenging as more role-playing games on the market. A huge aspect as to why is because of EXP Share. This Pokémon feature grants every creature in your party EXP even though they didn’t participate in the battle.

Players looking for an added challenge might want this feature off. But is that possible? The short answer is no.

Why can’t I turn off EXP Share in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?

EXP Share used to be a Key Item that allowed players to turn it off or on depending on their preferences. Before generation VI (or the 3DS Pokémon era), it was a held item. Leveling up took a lot of time back then.

Related: Can you get a Shiny Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet?

Now, the developers want their players to focus more on other experiences Pokémon offers, such as trainer battles and overworld captures. As such, they’ve turned off experience sharing for all Pokémon games on the Nintendo Switch. In fact, games such as Pokémon Let’s Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield have experience shared permanently.

Since the Pokémon Company hasn’t made any moves to turn this feature back into an item for years, it’s highly unlikely they’ll bring EXP Share back in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Still, the game is actually not as easy compared to previous titles! For example, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have more difficult battles and more restricted breeding methods. And as for post-game content, Battle Tower and online PvP have never been easy.

For more help with Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, take a look at Are Pokémon shiny locked in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet? and Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: How to find Gimmighoul Chest Form and evolve it into Gholdengo here at Pro Game Guides.