Pokemon X and Y
Pokemon X and Y

Pokedex Completion Guide

Complete the Kalos Pokedex in Pokemon X and Y. This guide offers efficient methods for catching Pokemon and progressing towards the National Pokedex.

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Pokedex Completion Guide

Welcome, aspiring Pokémon Master! Completing the Kalos Pokedex in Pokémon X and Y is a rewarding journey, but it requires strategy, patience, and a keen eye for detail. This guide will walk you through the most efficient ways to "Catch 'Em All" within the Kalos region, focusing on both the regional Pokedex and the path to the National Pokedex.

Understanding the Kalos Pokedex Divisions

The Kalos Pokedex is divided into three distinct sections, each with its own set of Pokémon:

  • Central Kalos Pokedex: Encompasses Pokémon found in the early routes and cities, generally up to Lumiose City and its surrounding areas.
  • Coastal Kalos Pokedex: Covers Pokémon encountered along the coastal routes, including areas like Cyllage City and Route 8.
  • Mountain Kalos Pokedex: Features Pokémon from the more rugged, mountainous regions, such as Dendemille Town and Victory Road.

You'll receive a reward from Professor Sycamore for completing each regional Pokedex, and a special reward for completing the entire Kalos Pokedex!

General Strategies for Completion

Before diving into specific Pokémon, here are some overarching strategies to keep in mind:

  • Catch Everything You See: Even if you already own a Pokémon, catching duplicates can be useful for trading or evolving. Aim to at least see every Pokémon to register it in your Pokedex.
  • Utilize the Exp. Share: Keep the Exp. Share on to level up your entire team, making it easier to evolve Pokémon that require level-up to transform.
  • Carry Status-Inflicting Moves: Moves like Sleep Powder, Spore, Thunder Wave, or Hypnosis are invaluable for safely catching Pokémon, especially those with low catch rates.
  • Stock Up on Poké Balls: Always have a good supply of various Poké Balls. Great Balls and Ultra Balls are essential, but don't forget Quick Balls for immediate captures and Dusk Balls for caves or nighttime encounters.
  • Trade with Friends (or GTS): Many Pokémon are version exclusives or require trading to evolve. The Global Trade System (GTS) in You Search System (PSS) is your best friend for filling these gaps.

Specific Capture Methods & Locations

1. Wild Encounters

The majority of your Pokedex entries will come from encountering Pokémon in the wild. Pay attention to the environment:

  • Tall Grass: The most common encounter method. Different routes have different Pokémon.
  • Caves: Often house Rock, Ground, and Steel-type Pokémon. Bring a Pokémon with Flash for better visibility.
  • Water (Surfing/Fishing): Use the HM03 Surf and the various Fishing Rods (Old Rod, Good Rod, Super Rod) to find Water-type Pokémon. The Old Rod is available from a Fisherman in Ambrette Town, the Good Rod from a Fisherman in Coumarine City, and the Super Rod from a Fisherman in Route 16.
  • Horde Encounters: These battles against 3-5 wild Pokémon can be a quick way to find specific species, sometimes even rare ones. Use moves that hit multiple targets, like Sweet Scent (found on Pokémon like Oddish or Combee) to trigger them reliably in tall grass.
  • Rustling Grass/Dust Clouds/Shadows: Occasionally, you'll see visual cues in the environment indicating a special encounter. These often lead to rarer Pokémon or items.

2. Evolution Methods

Many Pokémon can only be obtained by evolving their pre-evolutions. Be mindful of the different evolution triggers:

  • Level-Up: The most common method. Simply battle and gain experience.
  • Evolution Stones: Certain Pokémon require specific stones.
    • Fire Stone: Evolves Eevee into Flareon, Growlithe into Arcanine. Found in Route 9, or purchased at Stone Emporium in Lumiose City.
    • Water Stone: Evolves Eevee into Vaporeon, Poliwhirl into Poliwrath. Found in Route 8, or purchased at Stone Emporium.
    • Thunder Stone: Evolves Eevee into Jolteon, Pikachu into Raichu. Found in Route 10, or purchased at Stone Emporium.
    • Leaf Stone: Evolves Gloom into Vileplume, Nuzleaf into Shiftry. Found in Route 18, or purchased at Stone Emporium.
    • Moon Stone: Evolves Clefairy into Clefable, Jigglypuff into Wigglytuff. Found in Reflection Cave, or sometimes held by wild Lunatone.
    • Sun Stone: Evolves Gloom into Bellossom, Sunkern into Sunflora. Found in Route 12, or sometimes held by wild Solrock.
    • Dawn Stone: Evolves male Kirlia into Gallade, female Snorunt into Froslass. Found in Route 3.
    • Dusk Stone: Evolves Murkrow into Honchkrow, Misdreavus into Mismagius. Found in Terminus Cave.
    • Shiny Stone: Evolves Togetic into Togekiss, Roselia into Roserade. Found in Route 12.
  • Trade Evolution: Some Pokémon only evolve when traded.
    • Standard Trade: Kadabra into Alakazam, Machoke into Machamp, Haunter into Gengar, Graveler into Golem.
    • Trade with Item: Porygon into Porygon2 (holding Upgrade), Porygon2 into Porygon-Z (holding Dubious Disc), Seadra into Kingdra (holding Dragon Scale), Onix into Steelix (holding Metal Coat), Scyther into Scizor (holding Metal Coat), Electabuzz into Electivire (holding Electirizer), Magmar into Magmortar (holding Magmarizer), Rhydon into Rhyperior (holding Protector), Dusclops into Dusknoir (holding Reaper Cloth), Clamperl into Huntail (holding Deep Sea Tooth), Clamperl into Gorebyss (holding Deep Sea Scale). These items are often found in various locations or held by wild Pokémon.
  • Friendship Evolution: Pokémon that evolve when they have high friendship and level up. Examples include Golbat into Crobat, Chansey into Blissey, Eevee into Espeon (day) or Umbreon (night), and Munchlax into Snorlax. Use Soothe Bells (found in Shalour City) and avoid fainting to increase friendship.
  • Specific Conditions: Some Pokémon have unique evolution requirements. For instance, Pancham evolves into Pangoro at level 32 with a Dark-type Pokémon in your party.

3. Trainer Battles

Battling every trainer you encounter is crucial. Not only do they provide experience and money, but their Pokémon register in your Pokedex as "seen." This is particularly important for Pokémon that are rare in the wild or version exclusives you haven't traded for yet.

  • Mandatory Trainers: All trainers along the main story path will help fill your Pokedex.
  • Optional Trainers: Explore every nook and cranny of routes, caves, and buildings to find hidden trainers.
  • Battle Chateau: Located on Route 7, the Battle Chateau allows you to repeatedly battle trainers, including high-ranking ones, who often use fully evolved or rarer Pokémon. This is an excellent way to "see" many Pokémon you might not otherwise encounter.

4. Gift Pokémon & In-Game Trades

Don't forget about Pokémon received as gifts or through in-game trades:

  • Starter Pokémon: Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie (from Professor Sycamore in Santalune Forest). You'll also receive a Kanto starter (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle) from Professor Sycamore in Lumiose City.
  • Lucario: Korrina gives you a Mega Ring and a Lucario in Shalour City after defeating her.
  • Lapras: A kind man on Route 12 gives you a Lapras.
  • Fossil Pokémon: In Glittering Cave, you can choose between the Jaw Fossil (Tyrunt) or Sail Fossil (Amaura). The other can be obtained through trading or by finding another fossil later in the game (post-game).
  • In-Game Trades: Look for NPCs willing to trade. For example, in Santalune City, you can trade a Bunnelby for a Farfetch'd.

5. Legendary Pokémon

Legendary Pokémon are typically unique and found in specific locations, often post-game:

  • Xerneas/Yveltal: Encountered as part of the main story in Team Flare Secret HQ.
  • Zygarde: Found in Terminus Cave after becoming Champion.
  • Mewtwo: Located in the Unknown Dungeon (north of Pokémon Village) after becoming Champion. You'll need HM03 Surf and HM04 Strength to reach it.
  • Articuno/Zapdos/Moltres: The legendary bird you encounter depends on your starter choice. It will roam Kalos after you become Champion. You must encounter it 10 times in the wild before it settles in the Sea Spirit's Den, where you can battle and catch it.

Post-Game Completion & National Pokedex

Once you've completed the Kalos Pokedex, Professor Sycamore will upgrade your Pokedex to the National Pokedex, allowing you to track all 721 Pokémon available in the game. This is where trading becomes even more vital, as many Pokémon from previous generations are not found in Kalos.

  • Friend Safari: Located in Kiloude City (accessible after becoming Champion). The Friend Safari allows you to encounter Pokémon based on your 3DS friends' Safari types. These Pokémon often have hidden abilities and can be from various regions, making it an excellent resource for National Pokedex completion.
  • Global Trade System (GTS): Use the GTS to trade for Pokémon you can't find in Kalos or that are version exclusives. Be prepared to offer desirable Pokémon in return.
  • Pokémon Bank & Poké Transporter: If you have previous generation games, these paid services allow you to transfer Pokémon from older titles (Black/White, Black 2/White 2) to X and Y, significantly speeding up National Pokedex completion.
  • Wonder Trade: A fun, albeit random, way to get new Pokémon. You might get lucky and receive something you need!

Completing your Pokedex is a marathon, not a sprint. Enjoy the journey, explore every corner of Kalos, and happy catching!