The Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Yellow Stake locations net you a valuable reward that's worth seeking out early. All Stakes in the Paldea region are keys to four different Shrines. It may take you a long time to open them if you search yourself, so follow along to make a mockery of the region-wide puzzle.
If you want to complete your Paldea Pokedex, you're going to have to do this sooner or later. This guide will tell you about Yellow Stake locations and how to open Icerend Shrine in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to get your very own Chien Pao.
While you're here, make sure to check our guide on how to get Vivillon patterns in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Also, we have an article on how to get Oshawott in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet if you're looking for everyone's favourite otter.
How to open Icerend Shrine
In Scarlet and Violet, players will find themselves in the Paldea region, which is fraught with many secrets. You'll initially learn about Icerend Shrine and the three others by following along with, and learning, the History class answers. As a reward for passing the final exam, your teacher will mark the four shrines on your map.
Knowing the shrine locations can make things easier, but it's not an essential task for opening them. You can break into them without going to class at all. You just need to find the eight yellow stakes scattered around the surrounding areas.
Of course, knowing where the shrine is can make discerning the nearby areas that much easier.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Yellow Stake locations
Like the rest of the Stakes in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Yellow Stakes are scattered throughout the Paldea region.
Although they can be found from the very beginning of your adventure, you'll need a few of the upgrading Koraidon or Miraidon abilities to reach them all. And given the Titans hoarding these powers can be very powerful, you'll struggle to best them all until you're fairly close to the end of the game anyway.
Once you're ready to open Icerend Shrine, though, follow along with the Yellow Stake locations below to find any you might have missed along the way. You don't need to go in order, but it can help.
First Yellow Stake
The first Yellow Stake is in South Province (Area Two). You can find it west of The Great Crater of Paldea and southeast of the Asado Desert. Look into the crevice of the rock to spot it.
Second Yellow Stake
The second Yellow Stake is located slightly to the west of the first one. Find the small ruins south of the Asado Desert and climb up the cliff due south to find it. That'll unlock the first chain on Icerend Shrine.
Third Yellow Stake
To find the next Yellow Stake, move southwest from the previous location to the West Paldean Sea or just take the fast-travel route to the Pokémon Center in West Province (Area One). Move west to the rocks in the form of a circle and you should see what you're after.
Fourth Yellow Stake
This Yellow Stake is located southeast of the previous location. You can also fly to the Pokémon Center in West Province (Area One) to speed things up. Explore the ledges on the cliff between the Pokémon Center and Cortondo to find the fourth stake and break the second chain of Icerend Shrine.
Fifth Yellow Stake
To find the fifth Yellow Stake, just move south from the previous location. The item you need is located a little above the lake between Alfornada and Cortondo. There are two lakes between the cities: you need the one with a strange shape.
Sixth Yellow Stake
This Yellow Stake is pretty tricky to find. It's located slightly north of the fifth Yellow Stake. It's hidden in a cave, so you can easily miss it. Just look for an opening and you should manage. That'll break the third chain.
Seventh Yellow Stake
After finding the sixth Yellow Stake, head southeast to the creek between South Province (Area Six) and South Province (Area Four). Look on the shore from South Province (Area Six) to find the penultimate Yellow Stake.
Eighth Yellow Stake
Finally, to find the last Yellow Stake, head back north to Cascaraffa. To save time, you can fast-travel to one of the Pokémon Centers in town. On the south side just outside town, you should find the eighth Yellow Stake. With that, the final Icerend Shrine chain should buckle.
How to get to Icerend Shrine
Icerend Shrine is located in the west of the Paldea region. In the West Province, you should head towards the West Paldean Sea.
Then go up the cliff and jump down to the ledge to get to the Icerend Shrine. And to open this Shrine, you need to find eight Yellow Stakes and pull them out from the ground.
How to catch Chien Pao
As soon as you pull the last Yellow Stake out of the ground, the Icerend Shrine will open. Return to it for an encounter with Chien-Pao, one of the newest legendary Pokemon.
Unless you're lucky, at level 60, this Dark and Ice-type Pokémon will require some preparation to catch. Low catch rates can mean seeing your team get overwhelmed as it breaks out after each ball and punishes your team for the attempt.
We recommend you use Steel, Rock, Fire, Fighting, Fairy, and Bug-type Pokémon against Chien-Pao. Fighting will deal significant damage, so bear that in mind if you want to avoid an accidental KO.
Use a move like False Swipe toward the end and bring something with a status move like Thunder Wave, Spore, or Sleep Powder. Nuzzle works well at the start of the fight.
Once it's low and afflicted, use Ultra Balls if you're keeping things simple. Dusk Balls are technically a better option, and Timer Balls from turn seven onward for the best chance. Keep in mind that Chien-Pao will use its special ability, Sword of Ruin, to lower the Defense of all your Pokémon.
That's all you need to know about Yellow Stake locations and how to open Icerend Shrine in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. While it will take you a long time to find all the Yellow Stakes, but the legendary Pokemon reward is worth it. While you are still here, make sure to check our guide on how to get onion in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Vegetables are important.