The Hidden Treasure in Area Zero DLC is a two-part story added to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Part one, The Teal Mask, shows off the Kitakami region and its local Pokemon species, including an oddly familiar face called Poltchageist.
Poltchageist is a Grass/Ghost-type with strange similarities to Sinistea from the Galar region. The beverage-like Pokemon has a small spawn area in the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet DLC and a special evolution method that may leave players stumped if they want to add Poltchageist and its evolution line to their party.
How to Catch Poltchageist
Poltchageist is a matcha-based tea caddy Pokemon that likes to hang out in bamboo groves. Despite the same tea-like qualities, it isn't biologically related to Sinistea. This concept, known as convergent species, is also seen in other Paldian Pokemon, such as Wiglett and Toedscool.
Players can find Poltchageist when they arrive in Kitakami and start the main DLC quest. The closest area to town that Poltchageist spawns in is along Reveler's Road in the tall bamboo trees. Poltchageist is also found in the southeast corner of Kitakami in Mossfell Confluence near the bamboo.
Poltchageist has a lower spawn rate, so make sure to save and not accidentally knock it out while trying to catch it. Fire and Dark-type Pokemon will fare the best against Poltchageist. It is relatively easy to catch if players have high-level Pokemon and get its HP down to yellow or red.
How to Evolve Poltchageist into Sinistcha
Poltchageist has a short evolution line with only one other Pokemon called Sinistcha. Additionally, its evolution method is unnatural because leveling up does not affect it. Poltchageist will evolve into Sinistcha if players give it a Masterpiece or Unremarkable teacup.
The required teacup depends on whether the Poltchageist is a Counterfeit or an Artisan. Counterfeit Poltchageists don't have a stamp of authenticity, so they need the Unremarkable Teacup to evolve. Artisans do have a stamp and use the Masterpiece Teacup.
The form that players register can be checked from the Pokedex details, or players can look at their Poltchageist in live mode for the stamp. A Masterpiece and Unremarkable Teacup can be picked up around Kitakami from two locations.
Unremarkable Teacup Location
Unremarkable Teacups can't be bought, but there are a few ways players can get their hands on one. The most reliable is near the Paradise Barrens. Players will need to visit this area as part of the story, and there's a fast-travel location if they never picked up the teacup before moving on. There's a small cave entrance in the rocks with an Unremarkable Teacup inside.
Masterpiece Teacup Location
The Masterpiece Teacup is found in the Timeless Woods on the northeast side of Kitakami. Players will know they're in the right place when they see a sleeping Snorlax in a cave entrance. They must wake up the Snorlax and battle it to get it out of the way. The Masterpiece Teacup is sitting in the back of the cave next to a couple of other Pokemon.
Both teacups are also available as possible rewards for Ogre Oustin'. Once players have the correct teacup for their Poltchageist form, they can hand the cup over to trigger the evolution. Sinistcha is also a Grass/Ghost-type Pokemon and is the only known Pokemon who can learn the move Matcha Gotcha.
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.