Relic Forest & Mt. Battle
The journey through Orre often leads to places of both serene beauty and intense challenge. The Relic Forest offers a brief respite and a crucial item, while Mt. Battle stands as a formidable gauntlet designed to test even the most seasoned trainers. Mastering both is key to your success in Pokémon Colosseum.
Relic Forest: A Mystical Interlude
The Relic Forest is a serene, ancient woodland located just outside Agate Village. While it appears to be a natural habitat for various Pokémon, it's important to remember that you cannot catch any wild Pokémon in Orre. These creatures serve primarily as atmospheric elements, reinforcing the natural beauty of the area.
Wild Pokémon Sightings (For Flavor)
As you traverse the forest paths, you might encounter:
- Noctowl: Often seen perched on branches.
- Surskit: Skittering across the water.
- Lotad/Lombre: Floating in the ponds.
- Hoothoot: Heard hooting in the distance.
- Oddish/Gloom: Rustling in the undergrowth.
While these Pokémon are uncatchable and do not engage in battle, their presence adds to the immersive experience of the Relic Forest.
The Relic Stone and the Cologne Case
Your primary objective in the Relic Forest is to locate the Relic Stone. This ancient artifact is crucial for the creation of the Cologne Case, an invaluable item for purifying Shadow Pokémon.
Obtaining the Cologne Case:
- Story Progression: The Cologne Case becomes available after you have rescued the Mayor of Agate Village from Cipher and returned him safely.
- Speak to the Mayor: After the Mayor is safe, speak with him in his home in Agate Village. He will mention the Relic Stone and the need for a special item to help purify Shadow Pokémon.
- Visit the Relic Forest: Head into the Relic Forest. The Relic Stone is prominently displayed on a pedestal in the center of the forest, surrounded by ancient ruins.
- Receive the Cologne Case: Upon interacting with the Relic Stone, the Mayor's aide, Eagun, will appear and present you with the Cologne Case.
The Cologne Case allows you to store and use various scents (obtained from the Relic Stone itself or other sources later in the game) to significantly reduce a Shadow Pokémon's Heart Gauge outside of battle. This is an essential tool for purification, especially for those Shadow Pokémon with particularly stubborn Heart Gauges.
Mt. Battle: The Ultimate Gauntlet
Beyond the tranquil Relic Forest lies Mt. Battle, a towering facility renowned for its challenging series of trainer battles. Comprising 100 trainers spread across 10 distinct zones, Mt. Battle is an excellent proving ground for your team, offering substantial experience, money, and valuable items.
Why Tackle Mt. Battle?
- Training: An unparalleled location for leveling up your Pokémon.
- Money: Defeating trainers yields significant prize money.
- Experience: Gain crucial battle experience for your team.
- Purification: Battles here help reduce Shadow Pokémon's Heart Gauges.
- Story Progression: While not immediately mandatory, you will eventually need to clear Mt. Battle for a crucial part of the main storyline.
- Rewards: Clearing all 100 trainers offers unique rewards and recognition.
Mt. Battle Zone Themes & Preparation
Each of Mt. Battle's 10 zones features a specific type theme, meaning the trainers within that zone will primarily use Pokémon of that type. This knowledge is invaluable for preparing your team and exploiting type advantages.
| Zone Number | Primary Type Theme | Recommended Counters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (Trainers 1-10) | Normal-type | Fighting-type moves | A gentle introduction. Focus on strong physical attackers. |
| Zone 2 (Trainers 11-20) | Fighting-type | Flying, Psychic, Fairy (if applicable) moves | Bring your Psychic-types or strong Flying-type attackers. |
| Zone 3 (Trainers 21-30) | Water-type | Electric, Grass-type moves | Electric and Grass Pokémon will shine here. |
| Zone 4 (Trainers 31-40) | Fire-type | Water, Ground, Rock-type moves | Ground and Rock-types are excellent choices. |
| Zone 5 (Trainers 41-50) | Grass-type | Fire, Ice, Flying, Bug, Poison-type moves | Diverse weaknesses; bring several attackers. |
| Zone 6 (Trainers 51-60) | Electric-type | Ground-type moves | Ground-types are almost essential here. |
| Zone 7 (Trainers 61-70) | Psychic-type | Bug, Ghost, Dark-type moves | Dark-types are highly effective. |
| Zone 8 (Trainers 71-80) | Rock/Ground-type | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Ice, Steel-type moves | Water and Grass are your best friends. |
| Zone 9 (Trainers 81-90) | Dark/Ghost-type | Fighting, Bug, Ghost, Dark-type moves | Fighting-types are strong against Dark. Ghost and Dark are neutral. |
| Zone 10 (Trainers 91-100) | Mixed/Legendary | Balanced team, strategic coverage | The final zone features a mix of powerful Pokémon, including some legendary ones. A well-rounded team is crucial. |
Strategy Tips for Mt. Battle:
- Heal Often: After every 10 trainers (at the end of each zone), you'll have the opportunity to heal your Pokémon at no cost. take advantage of this!
- Item Management: Bring plenty of Potions, Super Potions, Hyper Potions, and Full Restores. While you heal between zones, individual battles can be grueling.
- Shadow Pokémon: Mt. Battle is an excellent place to reduce the Heart Gauges of your Shadow Pokémon. Keep them in your active party and use them in battle.
- Type Coverage: While each zone has a theme, a balanced team with good type coverage is always beneficial. Don't rely solely on one type.
- Save Strategically: You can save your game between zones. If you're struggling, save after clearing a zone, then try again if things go south in the next.
- Experience Share: If you have the EXP Share, it can be useful for leveling up weaker Pokémon or those you're trying to purify.
- Battle Mode: Remember that Mt. Battle is a series of Double Battles, so consider Pokémon with moves that hit both opponents or support abilities.
Mt. Battle is a significant undertaking, but the rewards and experience gained are well worth the effort. Don't be afraid to tackle it in chunks, clearing a few zones at a time to strengthen your team before returning to the main story.