In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you can create sandwiches in the picnic feature to get meal powers for a set amount of time. Here is everything you need to know about the mechanic, including how long the special buff actually lasts.

How long does sandwich meal powers last in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Sandwiches last thirty minutes in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet after being created in the game’s picnic feature. Eating a sandwich gives you a special buff called “meal powers,” which can improve spawn rates, make eggs hatch quicker, as well as increase your odds of encountering a Shiny Pokémon. The power only lasts half an hour and will wear off after its timer has run out. You can, of course, replenish your meal powers by re-creating the sandwich with the same ingredients. However, the half-hour timer automatically begins once you have eaten, so you will need to ensure you are ready to use the buff before consuming the food item.

How to see meal powers in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

After you have created a sandwich in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet picnic feature, you may be wondering where your power timer is located at. In the Gen 9 RPGs, your character’s buffs are actually listed in a hidden menu. To see your meal powers, simply press right on the d-pad to pull up the active power’s menu. The drop-down window will appear on the right side of the screen, and will show you which powers are currently active, their level, as well as how much time you have left before your sandwich runs out. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to increase your meal powers timer, as eating a second sandwich will only replenish it back to the thirty-minute mark. If you are Shiny hunting or looking for a specific Pokémon, make sure to always keep an eye on the timer, and have backup sandwich ingredients ready to go.

For more information on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, check out Where to find Salty Herba Mystica in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet here on Pro Game Guides.