Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emerald

Pokédex Completion Guide

Catch every Pokémon to complete the Hoenn Pokédex in Pokemon Emerald. This guide provides essential strategies and planning for trainers aiming for completion.

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Pokédex Completion Guide

Completing the Hoenn Pokédex in Pokémon Emerald is a monumental task, requiring dedication, strategic planning, and a bit of luck. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and strategies to catch 'em all!

Understanding the Hoenn Pokédex

The Hoenn Pokédex consists of 200 Pokémon, from Treecko (#001) to Deoxys (#200). To "complete" it in Emerald, you only need to see all 200 Pokémon. However, for the true completionist, catching all 200 is the ultimate goal. Note that some Pokémon are version-exclusive or require trading.

Pre-Requisites for Completion

  • Beat the Elite Four: Many post-game areas and legendary Pokémon become accessible only after becoming the Champion.
  • National Pokédex: While not strictly necessary for the Hoenn Pokédex, obtaining the National Pokédex (by seeing all 200 Hoenn Pokémon and speaking to Professor Birch) is crucial for trading with Ruby/Sapphire and accessing certain areas.
  • HM Moves: Ensure you have Pokémon capable of using all HM moves (Cut, Fly, Surf, Strength, Flash, Rock Smash, Waterfall, Dive) to access every corner of Hoenn.
  • Item Gathering: Stock up on Poké Balls, especially Ultra Balls, and status-inducing items like Paralyze Heals or Sleep Powders for easier captures.

Catching Strategies

  • Lower HP: Always reduce a wild Pokémon's HP to critical levels (red bar) before attempting to catch it.
  • Status Conditions: Inflicting a status condition like Sleep or Paralysis significantly increases your catch rate. Burn, Poison, and Freeze also work, but avoid Fainting the Pokémon.
  • False Swipe: Consider training a Pokémon with the move False Swipe (e.g., Scyther, Cubone via breeding). This move always leaves the target with at least 1 HP, preventing accidental KOs.
  • Repels: Use Super Repels or Max Repels to avoid unwanted encounters when hunting for specific rare Pokémon.

Version Exclusives & Trading

Emerald has its own set of exclusive Pokémon, and to complete the Hoenn Pokédex, you'll need to trade with players who own Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Here's a quick breakdown:

  • Emerald Exclusives: Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Sableye, Seviper, Lunatone, Zangoose, Solrock.
  • Ruby Exclusives: Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry, Mawile, Zangoose, Solrock.
  • Sapphire Exclusives: Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, Sableye, Seviper, Lunatone.

Plan your trades carefully. Focus on obtaining the basic forms of version exclusives, then evolve them yourself to save time and effort.

Legendary Pokémon Hunts

Several legendary Pokémon are crucial for Pokédex completion. Here's how to find them:

Groudon & Kyogre

After defeating the Elite Four, speak to the Weather Institute scientist on Route 119. He will report unusual weather patterns. Depending on the report:

  • Drought (Groudon): Head to a specific cave, which changes location. Check the scientist again if you don't find it. The cave is often in areas like Route 112, Route 114, Route 115, Route 116, Route 118, Route 120, Route 121, or Route 123.
  • Heavy Rain (Kyogre): Surf to a specific underwater trench. Similar to Groudon, the location varies. Check the scientist for clues. Possible locations include Route 105, Route 124, Route 125, Route 126, Route 127, Route 129, or Route 130.

These Pokémon are level 70 and can be challenging to catch. Save before each encounter!

Rayquaza

Rayquaza is found at the Sky Pillar, accessible after the events at Sootopolis City involving Groudon and Kyogre. You'll need a Mach Bike to navigate the cracked floors on the upper levels. Rayquaza is Level 70.

Regirock, Regice, Registeel

These legendary golems require a specific sequence of events:

  1. Obtain a Relicanth and a Wailord. Relicanth can be found by diving in underwater grass on Routes 124 and 126. Wailord evolves from Wailmer at Level 40, or can be found fishing with a Super Rod on Routes 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 118, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134.
  2. Teach a Pokémon Dig.
  3. Go to the Sealed Chamber (Route 134). Dive at the dark patch of water, then enter the cave.
  4. Solve the Braille Puzzle:
    • In the first room, use Dive to enter. Read the Braille.
    • In the second room, place Wailord in the first slot of your party and Relicanth in the last slot. Read the Braille.
    • Use Dig in front of the final Braille inscription. This will open the caves for the three Regi Pokémon.
  5. Catching the Regi Trio (Level 40):
    • Regirock: Desert Ruins (Route 111). Walk two steps right, two steps down, then use Rock Smash.
    • Regice: Island Cave (Route 105). Walk in a circle around the cave's perimeter, hugging the wall.
    • Registeel: Ancient Tomb (Route 120). Walk to the center of the room, then use Flash.

Latias/Latios

After defeating the Elite Four, your mother will ask you about a red or blue Pokémon on TV. Your choice determines which one roams Hoenn. The other can only be obtained via the Eon Ticket event, which is extremely rare.

  • Roaming Pokémon: Check your Pokédex map frequently to track its location. It changes routes every time you enter a new area. Use a fast Pokémon with Mean Look or Arena Trap/Shadow Tag to prevent its escape.

Evolutions & Breeding

Don't forget about Pokémon that evolve through methods other than leveling up:

  • Stone Evolutions: Use evolutionary stones (e.g., Fire Stone for Vulpix, Water Stone for Staryu, Leaf Stone for Gloom, Thunder Stone for Pikachu, Moon Stone for Skitty/Jigglypuff, Sun Stone for Sunkern/Cottonee).
  • Trade Evolutions: Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, Seadra (with Dragon Scale), Porygon (with Up-Grade), Onix (with Metal Coat), Scyther (with Metal Coat).
  • Friendship Evolutions: Golbat (to Crobat), Chansey (to Blissey), Pichu (to Pikachu), Cleffa (to Clefairy), Igglybuff (to Jigglypuff), Togepi (to Togetic), Eevee (to Espeon/Umbreon). Max out friendship by having them in your party, giving them vitamins, and avoiding Fainting.
  • Breeding: To get baby Pokémon (e.g., Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Smoochum, Elekid, Magby, Tyrogue), breed their evolved forms with a Ditto at the Day Care on Route 117. This is also essential for obtaining multiple copies of Pokémon or specific natures/abilities.

Post-Completion Rewards

Once you have seen all 200 Hoenn Pokémon, visit Professor Birch in Littleroot Town. He will congratulate you and upgrade your Pokédex to the National Pokédex, allowing you to track Pokémon from other regions. This is a crucial step for trading with Ruby/Sapphire and for any future aspirations of a truly complete National Dex!