Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Pokémon now close their eyes when put to sleep

Update Ver.1.1.0 for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet was released on December 1. The update fixes a number of issues, including the way that Pokémon would previously keep their eyes open when falling asleep. 

The short video above, posted by a user on Twitter, shows a Vivillon use the move Sleep Powder against a Heracross. The move takes effect and the Heracross falls asleep with a peaceful look on its face and its eyes closed. However, prior to update Ver.1.1.0 this would not have been the case, as any Pokémon who were put to sleep during battle kept their eyes open.

In previous mainline titles, beginning with Pokémon Black and White, different graphics that show Pokémon with their eyes closed were used when a Pokémon was asleep. This was also the case in Pokémon Sword and Shield, with Pokémon closing their eyes when affected by the status condition.

The sleep status condition was not present in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, instead being replaced by a new status condition called drowsy. Pokémon under the effect of drowsy may fail to act on their turn and also take increased damage from direct attacks. Pokémon that are drowsy keep their eyes open, just like in their normal state. It’s possible that Pokémon keeping their eyes open while asleep in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is something that was inadvertently carried over from the drowsy status condition.

Prior to the new update, it was unclear whether it was an intentional choice to have the Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet sleep with their eyes open or if it was a bug. Some users even expressed concern of the state of their Pokémon.

The picnic function in Scarlet and Violet was an exception, as even before the new update, Pokémon at a picnic would close their eyes while asleep. There were some users who felt relieved to see their Pokémon actually sleeping peacefully.

Something certainly felt off when you saw how Pokémon would sleep with their eyes closed during a picnic but keep them open while asleep in a battle. However, the new update resolves this issue and Pokémon now close their eyes when put to sleep during battle, proving that it was indeed a bug all along. It’s good that we no longer have to witness the somewhat grim spectacle of sleeping Pokémon getting battered by attacks with their eyes wide open.

Written by. Marco Farinaccia based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2022-12-02 16:52 JST)