Scoring Breakdown by Course

Scoring Breakdown by Course

Welcome, aspiring Pokémon photographers! This section delves into the nitty-gritty of maximizing your score on each course. Remember, Professor Oak judges based on Size, Pose, Technique, Other Pokémon, and Special Bonus. Our goal is to consistently hit those high scores!

Beach Course

The Beach is your introductory course, but don't underestimate its scoring potential. Many early-game Pokémon can be coaxed into fantastic poses with the right items.

• Pikachu:
  • Strategy 1 (Surfing Pikachu): Towards the end of the course, after the Snorlax, you'll see a Pikachu riding a surfboard. Throw an Apple at the Pikachu to make it jump. Capture it mid-jump for an excellent "Pose" score.
  • Strategy 2 (Pikachu on Stump): Early in the course, after the first Pidgey, look to the right. A Pikachu is often standing on a tree stump. Throw an Apple near it to make it wave. Capture Pikachu waving for a high "Pose" score.
  • Strategy 3 (Pikachu with Snorlax): Near the end of the course, a sleeping Snorlax blocks the path. Throw Pester Balls at Snorlax to wake it up. Once awake, play the Poké Flute. Snorlax will dance, and a Pikachu will appear from behind Snorlax, also dancing. Capture both dancing for a significant "Other Pokémon" and "Special Bonus."
• Mankey:
  • Strategy: Early on, you'll see a Mankey near a coconut tree. Throw an Apple at the tree to make a coconut fall. The Mankey will then pick up the coconut and celebrate. This is a prime photo opportunity for a great "Pose" score.
• Lapras:
  • Strategy: Towards the end of the course, three Lapras will swim past. Play the Poké Flute as they pass. The middle Lapras will sing. Capture this unique animation for a "Special Bonus" if captured correctly.
• Doduo:
  • Strategy: After the first Pidgey, look to the right. A Doduo will be running along the beach. Throw an Apple directly in its path to make it stop and eat. Capture it eating for a good "Pose" score.
• Chansey:
  • Strategy: Near the end of the course, after the surfing Pikachu, a Chansey will be walking on the beach. Throw an Apple near it to make it happy and jump. Capture it mid-jump for a high "Pose" score.

Tunnel Course

The Tunnel offers dark, winding paths and opportunities for some truly unique interactions. Lighting is key here, so be ready to use your Poké Flute and Pester Balls strategically.

• Zubat:
  • Strategy: Throughout the initial cave section, numerous Zubat will fly around. Capturing them in a clear shot can be challenging due to their speed. Try to get them when they briefly pause or fly directly towards you for a better "Size" and "Technique" score.
• Electabuzz:
  • Strategy 1 (Power Plant): As you approach the power plant area, an Electabuzz will be visible near the large generator. Throw an Apple at the Electabuzz to make it charge up with electricity. Capture it while crackling with energy for a high "Pose" score.
  • Strategy 2 (Electabuzz & Zapdos): After activating the three switches for Zapdos, Electabuzz will appear more frequently near the generator. If you lure Zapdos close to the generator with Apples, Electabuzz might react, offering an "Other Pokémon" bonus.
• Dugtrio:
  • Strategy: After the first Electabuzz encounter, you'll see three mounds of dirt. Play the Poké Flute to make Dugtrio emerge. The best shot is when all three heads are fully out of the ground.
  • Bonus: If you play the Poké Flute again after Dugtrio emerges, it will perform a dance. This is a fantastic "Special Bonus" opportunity.
• Jigglypuff:
  • Strategy: In the section with the three boulders blocking the path, throw Pester Balls at the boulders to clear them. Behind the last boulder, a Jigglypuff will be singing. Capture it mid-song for a good "Pose" score.
• Zapdos:
  • Strategy: This is the course's legendary Pokémon. To awaken Zapdos, you must hit the three switches with Pester Balls. The first is on the left wall after the initial cave section, the second is on the right after the Dugtrio area, and the third is on the left just before the final turn into the power plant. Once all three are hit, Zapdos will appear from the large generator and fly around. Capture it mid-flight for excellent "Size" and "Technique" scores. Throw Apples to lure it closer for better shots.

Volcano Course

The fiery Volcano course is home to many fire-type Pokémon. Be quick with your camera, as many interactions are fleeting.

• Charmander:
  • Strategy: Early in the course, you'll see a Charmander struggling near a lava pit. Throw an Apple near it to lure it away from the danger. As it eats the apple, snap a close-up for a good "Size" and "Pose" score.
• Magmar:
  • Strategy: Several Magmar are present. To get a high-scoring shot, throw Pester Balls at the Magmar near the lava flows. This will often provoke them into an aggressive stance, which counts as a unique "Pose."
• Growlithe & Arcanine:
  • Strategy: After the initial Magmar section, you'll see a Growlithe. Throw an Apple at it, and it will evolve into Arcanine. Capture Arcanine immediately after evolution for a "Special Bonus" and a great "Pose."
• Vulpix:
  • Strategy: Near the beginning, look for a Vulpix sleeping. Play the Poké Flute to wake it up. It will then perform a happy dance. Capture it dancing for a good "Pose" score.
• Rapidash:
  • Strategy: In the open area with the lava pools, a Rapidash will be running. Throw an Apple in its path to make it rear up on its hind legs. Capture this majestic pose for a high score.
• Moltres:
  • Strategy: The legendary Moltres is found in the final chamber. To make it appear, hit the three switches with Pester Balls. The first is on the left wall as you enter the chamber, the second is on the right, and the third is directly ahead. Once all three are activated, Moltres will fly out of the lava. Capture it as it emerges or in a dynamic flight pose for maximum points. Throw Apples to draw it closer for better shots.

River Course

The River is a lush, vibrant course with plenty of water-dwelling Pokémon. Timing is crucial for many of the best shots.

• Vaporeon:
  • Strategy: As you begin, look for a Vaporeon swimming alongside your vehicle. Throw an Apple into the water near it to make it jump out. Capture it mid-air for an excellent "Pose" and "Technique" score.
• Shellder:
  • Strategy: Further down the river, you'll encounter several Shellder. Throw Pester Balls at them to make them open their shells. A wide-open Shellder is a unique "Pose" for a good score.
• Poliwag & Poliwraith:
  • Strategy: Near the waterfall, you'll see Poliwag. Throw an Apple to lure them closer. If you throw a Pester Ball at the Poliwag near the larger rock, a Poliwraith will emerge from the water. Capture both in the same frame for an "Other Pokémon" bonus.
• Magikarp:
  • Strategy: Throughout the course, Magikarp will jump out of the water. While not high-scoring on its own, hitting a jumping Magikarp with a Pester Ball near the waterfall will cause it to evolve into Gyarados, offering a significant "Special Bonus."
• Gyarados:
  • Strategy: As mentioned above, hit a jumping Magikarp with a Pester Ball near the waterfall to trigger its evolution into Gyarados. Gyarados will then thrash around in the water. Capture its powerful emergence and thrashing for a massive "Special Bonus" and high "Size" and "Pose" scores.
• Feraligatr:
  • Strategy: At the very end of the course, a Feraligatr will jump out of the water. This is a quick event, so be ready. Capture it at the peak of its jump for a fantastic "Pose" and "Special Bonus."

Cave Course

The Cave is a dark and mysterious course, requiring careful use of your Poké Flute and Pester Balls to reveal hidden Pokémon and trigger special events.

• Jynx:
  • Strategy: Early on, you'll see Jynx dancing. Play the Poké Flute to make them dance more vigorously. Capture them mid-dance for a high "Pose" score.
• Ditto:
  • Strategy: In the area with the sleeping Bulbasaur, throw Pester Balls at the Bulbasaur. One of them will reveal itself to be a Ditto! Capture Ditto in its true form for a "Special Bonus."
• Bulbasaur:
  • Strategy: Several Bulbasaur are sleeping in the cave. To get a good shot, throw an Apple near a sleeping Bulbasaur to wake it up and make it eat. Capture it eating for a good "Pose" score.
• Zubat:
  • Strategy: Similar to the Tunnel, Zubat are abundant. Use Pester Balls to knock them out of the air for clearer shots, or try to catch them as they fly past for a "Technique" bonus.
• Weepinbell:
  • Strategy: In the open cavern area, several Weepinbell hang from the ceiling. Throw Pester Balls at them to make them fall. As they fall, they'll often make a surprised expression, which can count as a unique "Pose."
• Mewtwo:
  • Strategy: To find Mewtwo, you must first awaken the three sleeping Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle) by throwing Pester Balls at them in their respective courses (Bulbasaur in Cave, Charmander in Volcano, Squirtle in Valley). Once awakened, they will follow you. In the final chamber of the Cave, play the Poké Flute. The three Pokémon will then activate a hidden mechanism, revealing Mewtwo. Capture Mewtwo in its powerful pose for the ultimate "Special Bonus" and high scores across the board.

Valley Course

The Valley course is characterized by its winding river and lush vegetation, offering opportunities for dynamic shots of Pokémon interacting with their environment.

• Squirtle:
  • Strategy: Early in the course, several Squirtle can be seen swimming. Throw an Apple into the water to make them jump out and eat. Capture a Squirtle mid-jump or eating for a good "Pose" score.
• Sandshrew:
  • Strategy: Look for Sandshrew burrowing in the sand. Throw an Apple near their burrow to make them pop out. Capture them as they emerge for a unique "Pose."
• Geodude:
  • Strategy: Geodude are often found clinging to the rock walls. Throw an Apple at them to make them release their grip and fall. Capture them mid-fall for a dynamic "Technique" score.
• Staryu & Starmie:
  • Strategy: In the area with the whirlpool, you'll see Staryu. Throw Pester Balls at the Staryu to make them spin rapidly. If you hit multiple Staryu, they might form a circle. If you hit a Staryu into the whirlpool, it can evolve into Starmie. Capture Starmie for a "Special Bonus."
• Dratini:
  • Strategy: After the Staryu area, look into the water. A Dratini will occasionally jump out. This is a quick event, so be ready to snap a shot of it mid-air for a good "Pose" and "Technique" score.
• Articuno:
  • Strategy: The legendary Articuno is found in the final section of the course. To make it appear, you must hit the three Jynx with Pester Balls in the Cave course, causing them to dance. Then, in the Valley, hit the three Porygon with Pester Balls. This will cause Articuno to fly out from behind the waterfall. Capture it in flight for excellent "Size" and "Technique" scores. Throw Apples to lure it closer.

Rainbow Cloud Course

The final course, Rainbow Cloud, is a serene and beautiful environment, home to the legendary Pokémon, Mew. This course is all about precision and timing.

• Mew:
  • Strategy: Mew will appear as a shimmering orb. You must hit this orb with an Apple to make Mew appear. Mew will then teleport around. The trick is to hit Mew with an Apple again while it's visible to make it spin. Capture Mew while it's spinning for the highest possible "Pose" and "Special Bonus" score. This often requires multiple attempts and quick reflexes. Aim for a close-up shot of Mew spinning for maximum points.