_____ _____ _ _ _____ _ _ _____ _ _ | _ | | _ | | | / / | ___| | \ / | | _ | | \ | | | |_| | | | | | | |/ / | |_ | \/ | | | | | | \ | | | ___| | | | | | | | _| | | | | | | | \| | | | | |_| | | |\ \ | |___ | |\/| | | |_| | | |\ | |_| |_____| |_| \_\ |_____| |_| |_| |_____| |_| \__| E M E R A L D V E R S I O N C H A N G E S ________________________________________________________________ Pokemon Emerald Changes FAQ Donald (Theriault) E-mail: donaldfaq at gmail dot com (NOTE THE NEW ADDRESS, KIDS!) Version: 1.10 ________________________________________________________________ After three years, one lost job offer, three failed attempts at guides (and no, I don't have them anymore), and four different versions purchased, yours truly has returned with a comprehensive guide to all of the new stuff in Pokemon Emerald. Hopefully, this'll stop all of the questions on the Pokemon Emerald board at GameFAQs. I doubt it, since nobody reads the FAQs, but whatever... Before we begin, a huge shout out to GameFAQs poster Jiggy37, who created the topic that inspired this guide. All sources will be cited, of course. ***THIS GUIDE CONTAINS SPOILERS! READ ON AT YOUR OWN PERIL!*** --------------------------------------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS 1) Copyright Notice/Revision History 2) Frequently Asked Questions 3) Storyline Adjustments and Pokemon Changes 4) Graphical Adjustments 5) The Battle Frontier 6) Ability/Move Changes and Tutors 7) Miscellaneous 8) Conclusion --------------------------------------------------- 1) Copyright Notice/Revision History This guide is copyright 2005- Donald Theriault, and is exclusive to: http://www.gamefaqs.com It may be used in any fashion that does not result in profit (you may print the guide for your own use, but you can't sell the copies, for example). If it does result in profit, then I will demand a 60% cut and have my assistant Big Mike collect the rest. Any request to use this on a site other than GameFAQs will be deleted. Any site that violates this copyright does so with the understanding that when I find out, the web-hosting service WILL be notified, and risks the removal of their website. And yes, I will find out. Pokemon and all related trademarks are copyright 1995-2005 The Pokemon Company, all rights reserved. All other trademarks are copyright their respective owners. ---------------- REVISION HISTORY ---------------- v 1.10 - Uh oh, Game Freak screwed up... and it's a GOOD thing this time. See the Missing Pokemon section for the skinny on that. As well, I'd like to throw this link in for anyone who enjoys CHEATING TO WIN~: http://www.labmaster.4gigs.com/wiki/Pokemon_Emerald_Codes_Index v 1.06 - Well... I screwed up, what can I say. Turns out you _CAN_ get Rayquaza before the Elite 4. And how could I forget that thanks to Wigglytuff, I did... let's never speak of that again, shall we? v 1.05 - 5/5/05 - Picked up the Pokemon Emerald player's guide from Nintendo Power and made corrections based on it. Of note: ~ The 8th gym leader is actually named Juan ~ A couple of the Battle Frontier rules were corrected v 1.00 - 5/3/05 - With the North American release of the game, I'm able to provide English names for all of the Battle Frontier games and names. Minor tweaking, as well. See if you can spot it. v 0.99 - 3/24/05 - After some feedback on the GameFAQs boards from Pikachu025 and neon screen, added in the Volt Tackle information and fixed up the Battle Frontier with battle information and note about a certain one-shot Pokemon... v 0.98 - 3/23/05 - Most of the major changes are in here now, if I missed anything, E-MAIL ME! Also, I'll update when all of the Battle Frontier location names are revealed (the JP names are used now). 2) Frequently Asked Questions Q: So, what exactly is Pokemon Emerald? A: As Yellow was to Red and Blue, and Crystal was to Gold and Silver, Emerald is to Ruby and Sapphire - a third version designed to expand on the storyline from the first two games, and introduce some new things that will probably have a greater impact on future series of Pokemon. Q: When's it coming out? A: It came out in Japan on Sept. 16, 2004 (my brother's birthday). It'll be released across North America on 5/1/05 (that's May 1st, 2005), with a European release to follow. Q: Does it work with the wireless adapter? A: Yes, when working with Emerald, Fire Red, or Leaf Green. Interacting with Ruby or Sapphire still requires the cable. Q: Do you have a ROM of it? A: No. Q: Do you have a link? A: No. Q: Do you WANT a link? A: No, I prefer to wait and play on a cart. If only because my computer can't run Visual Boy Advance. Q: If I have (Ruby/Sapphire) and (Fire Red/Leaf Green), why should I get this game? A: A lot of the changes have to deal with answering that question. Keep reading, pilgrim. Suffice it to say that this game is an advanced gamer's dream. Q: But the basic storyline is the same as Ruby and Sapphire, isn't it? A: Mostly, yes. But there are some adjustments, which I do devote an entire section of the guide too. Q: Weren't you supposed to be writing the Ruby/Sapphire guide for Versus Books? A: I received word on Valentine's Day 2003 that the company had actually shut down. Their domain is now up for sale, so read into that what you will. 3) Storyline Changes and Pokemon Adjustments What sort of strange monkey wrenches have been thrown in ----- CHANGE: You now have to fight both Team Aqua AND Team Magma, and both teams have their own bases. IMPACT: Given the nature of the game, it's not exactly a shock that you'd have to fight both. And the extra base means more opportunities to level up, which is always cool. ----- CHANGE: You can get both Kyogre and Groudon. IMPACT: Good luck getting Ray without a Master Ball before the Elite 4, it's STILL L70. Having Groudon and Kyogre catchable in the same game (at L70, mind you), is a nice reward. When you climb Mt. Pyre, you get an item called the Magma Symbol. Take this item to Mt. Chimney (near Lavaridge) and get through the Magma base until you find Maxie, who releases Groudon. Magma retreats to the Space Center, but Aqua still has the base you Surf to in Lilycove. Beat that, then take out the Magmas at the Space Center in Mossdeep with a little help from Steven (the league champion from Ruby/Sapphire). Play through until you do the Seafloor Cavern, where the Aquas will release Kyogre. At this point, you'll hear about a green dragon near Pacifidlog Town from your rival. With that in mind, go to Sootopolis and the Cave of Origin. Find Wallace and he'll point you to the Sky Pillar. The Sky Pillar is on Route 131, east of Pacifidlog, and is a five floor tower. At the top, you'll release Rayquaza, and he'll tell Groudon and Kyogre where to go, saving Hoenn. (AT THIS POINT, YOU CAN GO BACK AND CATCH RAYQUAZA). After you beat the Elite 4 and become league Champion, two caves will open up - with four different entrances. The Weather Center (Route 119) will tell you which one to use. The Land Cave (Routes 114-116 and 118) is where Groudon would be. Kyogre is in the Sea Cave (Routes 105, 125, 127, and 129 - you'll need Dive to get into it). ----- CHANGE: The Gym Leaders have different/more Pokemon IMPACT: Yay, more in-game experience! The types haven't changed, but the Pokemon have: ~ Roxanne now has two Geodude and a Nosepass ~ Brawly added a Meditite ~ Wattson dropped the Magnemite for an Electrike, and also is packing a Manectric ~ Flannery dropped one of her Slugma for a Numel AND a Camerupt ~ Norman kicked one Slaking to the curb, replacing it with a Spinda and a Linoone ~ Winona dropped her Swellow for a Swablu and Tropius ~ In addition to the Lunatone/Solrock team, the twins now have Claydol and Xatu The eighth Gym Leader is completely different from Ruby/Sapphire - a new guy by the name of Juan. He has 3 members of Wallace's old team, retaining Luvdisc (LOL), Sealeo, and Whiscash. The Seaking and Milotic are gone, replaced with Crawdaunt... and Kingdra. Yipee. Update: Juan? Dat's not kewl. Especially considering when I think of Juan, I think of a hurricane that ripped through my hometown a couple of years ago. ----- CHANGE: 3/5 of the Elite 4 switched things up IMPACT: Some minor adjustments have made this version of the Elite 4 slightly harder - Sidney, tired of Sharpedo dying to a Wurmple's Tackle, has replaced it with a Crawdaunt. Drake is no longer dead to a Walrein, as he switched out one of his Flygon for a Kingdra. And we have a new Champion... bet you were wondering where Wallace ended up. He's now the League champion, so anyone who picked Treecko at the start may want to keep him around for a while. Only Whiscash and Milotic remain from his old Gym team (and even then, they're jacked up 15 levels), and the other four slots go to a Tentacruel, Gyarados, Ludicolo, and a Wailord all in the high 50s. ----- CHANGE: Wallace isn't the strongest trainer in Hoenn anymore... IMPACT: After you beat the Elite 4, a new part of the Meteor Falls opens up. With a little help from Surf and Waterfall, you'll find the REAL Champion, who never lost his title - Steven. Remember the Red fight from Gold/Silver/Crystal? This is pretty much the same thing. Steven is packing the exact same Pokemon he had when you faced him in Ruby and Sapphire, but with twenty more Rare Candies. Can you say "easy levels"? I knew you could. ----- CHANGE: I didn't know Cingular had towers in Hoenn... imagine the roaming charges. IMPACT: The Eye now doubles as a cellular phone (another GSC innovation returning), with which you can call trainers back for rematches. You'll also hear from your rival with the phone when the storyline dictates it. The new twist is that you can actually call Gym Leaders for rematches, and they'll face you with more Pokemon in 2v2 matches! After four fights, they'll be in the low 50s for levels, and have Pokemon dating back to the RBY days! SUB-IMPACT: In Ruby/Sapphire, there was a trick for hatching eggs that involved taping down the Up button while going up a mud slide on an Acro Bike. You could walk away and come back later to find that the egg has hatched. However, the Eye works on steps now, so you have to take the calls and won't move until you do. ----- CHANGE: You can choose which Lati you want to catch, but all is not lost... IMPACT: After you beat the Elite 4, watch the TV in your house to see a report of a Pokemon flying over Hoenn. Your mom will give you a choice as to what color the Pokemon was: ~ Red ~ Blue Red is Latias, Blue is Latios. Whichever one you pick flies around Hoenn looking for a fight. And since they run, you may want to bring the Master Ball. But you don't have to trade to get the other one. If you mix records with a Ruby or Sapphire game that used the Eon Ticket, the ticket will actually be sent to your game for you to pick up in Petalburg City. You take the ticket to the ferry port in Lilycove and it'll get you to the Southern Island, where the other one is waiting, L50 and holding the Soul Dew. ----- CHANGE: More super-legendaries? And what's this about an old friend? IMPACT: Available from Nintendo events (and for those without the funds, Action Replay codes will be up within a week on GameFAQs for the NA version), the Mystic Ticket and Aurora Ticket are the way to get Lugia, Ho-oh, and Deoxys. This first debuted in Fire Red and Leaf Green, and has been retained for Emerald. The change comes in the fact that there's another item that has to be given out at Nintendo events. The Old Sea Chart (JP name) will take you to a place beyond the Pokenav's map. World's Edge Island doesn't look like much, but... MEW is there at L30. A "legitimate", walk-up-and-catch-it Mew. Quite the bonus, isn't it? ----- CHANGE: The Battle Tower exploded! IMPACT: See the Battle Frontier section. ----- CHANGE: It's a Nation-wide blow-out! IMPACT: After you beat the Elite 4, and much like in Fire Red and Leaf Green, you get the National Dex. This opens up trading with Fire Red and Leaf Green, as well as the trading of eggs. ----- CHANGE: The Safari just got longer IMPACT: Once you get the National Dex, the Safari Zone adds a couple of zones to the right of the entrance. In these new zones are nothing but GSC-debuting Pokemon (and Goldeen/Seaking, because GameFreak is cruel like that). These Pokemon are: Sunkern, Mareep, Aipom, (Spinarak), Hoothoot, Snubbull, Stantler, Gligar, Teddiursa, (Ledyba), Pineco, Houndour, Miltank, (Wooper), (Marill), (Quagsire), (Remoraid, Octillery), Shuckle The Pokemon in brackets are in FR/LG as well, but that still leaves twelve different species now available without having to play Colosseum. ----- CHANGE: Lost - one Fighting/Psychic type. When found, return to OT Donald IMPACT: In order to get Roselia, Zangoose, Lunatone, or any member of the Meditite familiy, you'll have to trade them in from another Ruby or Sapphire game. These are the Hoenn Pokemon that are not available in Emerald. ***UPDATE:*** SURSKIT IS CATCHABLE! It still requires R/S influence, but you don't have to trade the Pokemon directly. Once you mix records with an RS game, after you beat the Elite 4, one of the TV events is a Surskit swarm (20% chance of seeing). And after the swarm ends, the encounter rate is still 4%, so if you miss the swarm, there's still a chance to find it. (Thanks to several contributors, especially Pikachu025 for providing screenshots). ----- CHANGE: Where the hell did Birch get the second set of starters? IMPACT: Once you complete the Hoenn Dex (200 Pokemon, don't need Jirachi or Deoxys), you get to pick another starter - the GSC starters Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile. Not a bad start to filling the National Dex, but you only get one of them. ----- CHANGE: I haven't seen this many fossils since World Championship Wrestling was in business! IMPACT: You can get both the Claw and Root Fossils in Emerald (and the crowd goes wild!). The location has been changed as well. You pick one in the Illusion Pillar. This area is in the Route 111 desert, but you'll have to talk to the Ruin Maniac in Fallarbor (and have teh goggles - they do SOMETHING!) to open it. Once you pick one, it falls into the dessert... But all is not lost. With the National Dex in hand, go to the Fossil Maniac's house on Route 114 and enter the cave behind him. After going through a LONG cave, you'll get the other fossil. (Why don't they open it before you get the National Dex? Because you can catch Ditto in this cave. Bow chicka bow wow.) ----- CHANGE: Are hunks of rock worth this? IMPACT: There have been some slight changes made to the way you get the Regis, so listen up. You unseal the Regis in a similar fashion to RS - go to the dive spot on Route 134, use Dig in the first room. You even need Relicanth and Wailord in the party. But where in RS Relicanth had to lead off and Wailord had to be in the 6th slot, it's reversed. Wailord leads, Relicanth in slot 6. This oepns them up. The locations are the same (Routes 105, 111, 120), but the unlocking methods are different. Regice: Walk up to the braille, then walk right and along the wall for one lap of the room. The door will open. Regirock: From the braille, take two steps left and two steps down, then Rock Smash. Registeel: Stand in the middle of the room and use Flash. ----- CHANGE: A chance to brush up before the Frontier, but wither the contests? IMPACT: In Ruby and Sapphire, there were contest halls in Slateport, Verdanturf, Fallarbor, and Lilycove. The Slateport hall is now a practice Battle Factory, the Fallarbor Hall is a practice Battle Arena, and the Verdanturf Hall is a practice Battle Palace. But that doesn't mean that the contests are dead. Instead, all contest-related activity takes place at the Lilycove Contest Hall. So when you go to beat all of the Contests, you don't have to Fly anywhere. Yay! ----- CHANGE: Sadly, the CPU is smarter than to send you a Jirachi for a Wurmple. IMPACT: It's actually possible to get another old RBY Pokemon in this game. In the Battle Frontier, you can swap a Skitty for a Meowth in one of the houses. Other trades are Volbeat for Plusle (Fortree) and Bagon for Horsea (Pacifidlog), as well as Ralts for Seedot (Rustboro). 4) Graphical Adjustments As with any third version, there are minor graphical changes that help to flesh out the Pokemon universe a little more. This section explains the changes a little bit, so you're not freaking out when you get the game. ----- CHANGE: The text font is the Fire Red/Leaf Green style, instead of the Ruby/Sapphire style. IMPACT: The Ruby/Sapphire style is the worst font in the history of the series, so this is a welcome addition. ----- CHANGE: The main characters are wearing different outfits. IMPACT: None really evident, unless you're an obsessed May fanboy. ----- CHANGE: In the opening sequence, your movers are now Vigoroth instead of Machoke. IMPACT: Well, Vital Spirit means they never have to take a break, so I guess your stuff gets moved in faster. ----- CHANGE: The Pokemon animations from Crystal are back, and may vary based on personality. IMPACT: This is a great addition, the animations gave the Crystal Pokemon a little bit of extra personality. I still see Pidgey flapping its little wings at me like it's going to do actual damage (hah!) 5) The Battle Frontier Probably the biggest change in Emerald is the Battle Frontier. You'll gain access to it when you beat the Elite 4, and upon arriving you should get the Frontier Pass - sort of a Trainer's Card for the Frontier. The Frontier is a huge place - there's seven different (large) huts spread around, with only the Studio Cave (WILD SMEARGLE!) seperating the two sides. It might as well be Kanto, it's bigger than Kanto was in GSC and there's even a seperate system of badges for the place if you can beat the Frontier Brains. All battles have two level options: Up to L50 and Up to L100 - both inclusive. In Open Level (up to 100), you'll fight Pokemon relative to your Pokemon's level. Item Clause (can't attach the same thing to two Pokemon) is always on, and any tie resulting from both Pokemon fainting in the same turn goes to the CPU unless the rules dictate otherwise. (Kamikaze clause, where the person who blew up/DBonded loses, has been dead since Stadium 2.) Kyogre-level legendaries are also banned outright. The many different things in the Frontier are: BATTLE TOWER Rules: Same as in Ruby and Sapphire. Take a party of Pokemon with you and see how many fights in a row you can win. After seven wins in a row, that's the end of a round and you can take a break. Twists: You can go 1v1, with a three Pokemon party, and that's where the badge will be awarded. For fun, you can practice your doubles skills in the 2v2 arena (carry four Pokemon), "True 2v2" (you team with a CPU partner and only carry two Pokemon), or Wireless True 2v2 (use the Wireless Adapter with and have tag team matches for the ages!) Get the badges: At 35 and 70 consecutive victories (5 and 10 consecutive rounds won). BATTLE PIKE Rules: Take a party and take your chances. You could end up healed, hurt, or in a fight with random Pokemon and trainers! Twists: You see three doors and choose one at random. The door you pick determines what happens. If you pick the "hurt" door, your Pokemon either lose HP or get a status condition (and at higher levels, probably both). Get the badges: At 28 and 140 rooms. When you hear that a trainer wants to fight you, always take the door on the right. BATTLE DOME Rules: Like the Battle Tower, but in the form of a single-elimination tournament. Twists: As with the Battle Tower, you only get points for doing it 1v1. You'll actually have three Pokemon (like the Battle Tower) and pick two of those three to battle, so it's even faster than Stadium battles. As before, you'll get to see the team your opponents use. Get the badges: If you win 4 consecutive tournaments, you'll face the Frontier Brain in the finals of the 5th. The same occurs when you win 9 consecutive tournaments. BATTLE FACTORY Rules: A Battle Tower-like competition where you don't know what Pokemon you'll have. Win seven in a row to get a chance to save. Twists: After every battle, you'll have a chance to take one of the Pokemon from the person you defeated. So even if your team has dead weight, you can swap it out at the first opportunity. Get the badges: After three and six consecutive rounds of competition. BATTLE ARENA Rules: Pokemon was never this close to boxing. If you don't KO the opposing trainer in three rounds, it goes to the judge's decision. Twists: About the only way you can avoid the judges is to get a Pokemon that could rip through teams single-handedly. There are three different judges looking for different things, so pick your moves carefully. Get the badges: After 27 and 56 wins in a row. BATTLE PALACE Rules: A standard Pokemon fight, but you're not in control anymore... Twists: You don't have any control over what moves your Pokemon does, nor who it'll target in the Double mode. You're going to either have to be lucky or rig the odds in your favour (Choice Band, anyone?) Get the badges: After 3 and 6 consecutive rounds BATTLE PYRAMID Rules: How high can you climb without your items? Twists: You'll enter with three Pokemon and a limited selection of items. Thankfully, you can find random items around the Pyramid. With each Pokemon you fight, you see more and more of the room until the path to the ladder is revealed, at which point you advance. If you have a Pickup Pokemon, it'll be affected as well, and you can't keep what it has after you leave. Get the badges: After 3 and 6 sets of floors (after floors 21 and 42). If you're bored of battling, how about getting a new Pokemon? In the extreme lower-right corner of the Frontier, you'll find a tree that you can use the Wailmer Pail on. When you do, it's a one-shot fight against a Sudowoodo @ L40. Another thing you'll find in the Frontier is the Battle Shop. After each round in the Frontier, you'll get Battle Points which are redeemed here. You can get decorations for a secret base, stat boosting items, and attachments like the Leftovers and Choice Band here. And in a hut near the Battle Dome, you'll find Move Tutors that can be used more than once - provided you have enough Battle Points to get their moves. And the big ones don't come cheap. See the Move Tutors section for more information on what's available and how much it'll run you. 6) Ability/Move Changes and Move Tutors ----------- VOLT TACKLE ----------- In Ruby and Sapphire, there were five moves we all wondered about - Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, Hydrop Cannon, Icicle Spear, and Volt Tackle. The three elemental Hyper Beams were revealed in Fire Red and Leaf Green, as well as Icicle Spear for Shellder among others. But what about Volt Tackle, the mysterious Electric-type variation of Double-Edge? Nobody seemed to get it... until now. All you need to ensure that this happens is a female and a male Pikachu, and the Light Ball (doubles Pikachu's SA, so it's a good item to have anyway). Simply breed the two Pikachu while one is holding the Light Ball. In Emerald only, this will create a Pichu with Volt Tackle. Of course, since this is the only way to get a Volt Tackle Pokemon, anyone who has a Surf/Volt Tackle Raichu is a dirty rotten cheater. Got that? ------------------ THE EMERALD DEOXYS ------------------ If you import a Deoxys, it'll change into its Emerald form which focuses on Speed. It has the same TM capacity as any Deoxys, but its natural moves are... Starts with: Leer, Wrap L5: Night Shade L10: Double Team L15: Knock Off L20: Pursuit L25: Psychic L30: Swift L35: Agility L40: Recover L45: Psycho Boost L50: Extremespeed Natural moves aren't that hot, but it's pretty balanced on it's Attack and Defense stats (base 50 HP, base 95 in both Attacks, and 90 in both Defenses). Its main selling point is the 180 base speed. And since you can combine movesets from any Deoxys, the Emerald form makes Deoxys even more fun. Imagine the Fire Red Deoxys (he of the insane Attack), with Extremespeed. :D --------------- ABILITY CHANGES --------------- Emerald has also changed up the abilities a bit. In Ruby and Sapphire, certain abilities (Pickup, Illuminate, etc.) only worked outside of battle. But now, abilities can have both in and out-of-battle effects. Note that these take effect if a Pokemon with these abilities is anywhere in your party. Flame Body In battle: 30% chance of burning the opponent when attacked with a contact move (Body Slam, Double Kick, Tackle, etc.) Out of battle: Cuts egg hatching time in half. Magma Armor In battle: Pokemon cannot be froven Out of battle: Same as Flame Body. Cannot be layered (you can't carry a Magmar and a Numel and get 1/4 time). Intimidate In battle: Reduces opponent's attack by 50% when the Intimidator switches in Out of battle: Reduces low-level Wild Pokemon encounters Keen Eye In battle: Immune to accuracy modifiers Out of battle: Same as Intimidate Hustle In battle: Increases damage by 50%/reduces attack accuracy to 80% Out of battle: Increases high-level Pokemon encounters Vital Spirit In battle: Prevents all sleep effects (including Rest) Out of battle: Same as Hustle Pressure In battle: Doubles PP used when attacked Out of battle: Increases rate of Wild Pokemon encounters Arena Trap In battle: Opposing Pokemon cannot switch (does not work with Flying types or Levitate Pokemon) Out of battle: Same as Pressure Suction Cups In battle: Immune to the effect of Roar and Whirlwind Out of battle: More likely to catch a Pokemon while fishing Sticky Hold In battle: Item cannot be taken by Thief/Covet/Trick Out of battle: Same as Suction Cups White Smoke In battle: Immune to negative stat changes from opposing Pokemon Out of battle: Lowers rate of wild Pokemon encounters Sand Veil In battle: When Sandstorm is in play, increases evasion Out of battle: Reduces rate of encounters in Route 111 (Sandstorm areas) Static In battle: 30% chance of paralyzing opposing Pokemon when hit with a contact move Out of battle: More likely to battle Electric Pokemon in the wild Magnet Pull In battle: Steel-type Pokemon cannot switch out Out of battle: More likely to battle Steel Pokemon in the wild (Heaven help the poor soul who goes into the Power Plant with an Electrike and a Nosepass. He'll never want to see Magnemite again.) Synchronize In battle: Status conditions inflicted on Synchronize Pokemon also affect opponent Out of battle: Increases the chance that a Wild Pokemon will have the personality of the Synchronize Pokemon Compound Eyes In battle: Increases accuracy of attacks by 30% Out of battle: More likely to encounter Pokemon holding items Cute Charm In battle: 30% chance of Attracting opposing Pokemon when hit with a contact move Out of battle: Increases likelihood that a Wild Pokemon will be of the opposite gender of the Cute Charm Pokemon Hyper Cutter In battle: Immune to effects that lower the Attack stat Out of battle: Increase the radius of Cut Lightning Rod In battle: Draws Electric-type attacks to the Lightning Rod Pokemon Out of battle: Increases likelihood of phone calls with the Entry Call (Yes, you literally turn your Pokemon into a cell tower. If only my provider could get new towers that easily). Swarm In battle: At low health, Bug moves do more damage Out of battle: Increases the chance of hearing cries of wild Pokemon One of the more broken parts of Ruby and Sapphire was that Pickup didn't have any sort of control, so you could get Nuggets/Rare Candies/Full Restores within twenty minutes of getting the Poke Balls. Now, a system has been implemented where the quality of Pickup goods depends on the level of the Pokemon using it. Every time you fight a battle (except for the Battle Tube, and the Pyramid has its own data), you have a chance to pick up an item. The odds of picking up an item are listed below, in this format: Common - 30% chance Sometimes - 10% chance (each item) Occasionally - 5% chance Rarely - 3% chance Very Rarely - 1% chance Huge, HUGE thanks to Meowth346, who's got an information overload at http://pokefor.tk (I found the raw data in the Abilities section): L1-10: Common - Potion Sometimes - Super Potion, Antidote, Great Ball, Repel, Escape Rope, X Attack Occasionally - Full Heal Rarely - Ultra Ball Very Rarely - Hyper Potion, Nugget L11-20: Common - Antidote Sometimes - Super Potion, Full Heal, Great Ball, Repel, Escape Rope, X Attack Occasionally - Ultra Ball Rarely - Hyper Potion Very Rarely - Nugget, King's Rock L21-30: Common - Super Potion Sometimes - Great Ball, Repel, X Attack, Escape Rope, Full Heal, Ultra Ball Occasionally - Hyper Potion Rarely - Rare Candy Very Rarely - King's Rock, Full Restore L31-40: Common - Great Ball Sometimes - Repel, Escape Rope, X Attack, Full Heal, Ultra Ball, Hyper Potion Occasionally - Rare Candy Rarely - Protein Very Rarely - Full Restore, Ether L41-50: Common - Repel Sometimes - X Attack, Full Heal, Ultra Ball, Hyper Potion, Rare Candy, Escape Rope Occasionally - Protein Rarely - Revive Very Rarely - Ether, White Herb L51-60: Common - Escape Rope Sometimes - Full Heal, Ultra Ball, Hyper Potion, Rare Candy, Protein, X Attack Occasionally - Revive Rarely - HP Up Very Rarely - White Herb, TM 44 (Rest) L61-70: Common - X Attack Sometimes - Full Heal, Ultra Ball, Revive, Protein, Rare Candy, Hyper Potion Occasionally - HP Up Rarely - Full Restore Very Rarely - TM 44, Elixir L71-80: Common - Full Heal Sometimes - Ultra Ball, Hyper Potion, Rare Candy, Protein, Revive, HP Up Occasionally - Full Restore Rarely - Max Revive Very Rarely - Elixir, TM 01 (Focus Punch) L81-90: Common - Ultra Ball Sometimes - Hyper Potion, Rare Candy, Protein, HP Up, Revive, Full Restore Occasionally - Max Revive Rarely - PP Up Very Rarely - TM 01, Leftovers L91-100: Common - Hyper Potion Sometimes - Rare Candy, Protein, HP Up, Revive, Full Restore, Max Revive Occasionally - PP Up Rarely - Max Elixir Very Rarely - Leftovers, TM 26 (Earthquake) I don't know about you, but I've got the L91 Linoone all warned up and ready to go in my Sapphire game. As for the Battle Pyramid, it's either Hyper Potion (30%), Sometimes (10%), or Rare (5%). And the list is: 0-6 Sometimes: Fluffy Tail, Cheri Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 7-13 Sometimes: Dire Hit, Pecha Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir 14-20 Sometimes: X Attack, Rawst Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 21-27 Sometimes: X Defend, Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Quick Claw, King's Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir 28-34 Sometimes: X Speed, Chesto Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 35-41 Sometimes: X Accuracy, Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir 42-48 Sometimes: X Special, Lum Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 49-55 Sometimes: Guard Spec., Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Quick Claw, King's Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir 56-62 Sometimes: Fluffy Tail, Lum Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 63-69 Sometimes: Dire Hit, Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir 70-76 Sometimes: X Attack, Lum Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 77-83 Sometimes: X Defend, Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Quick Claw, King's Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir 84-90 Sometimes: X Speed, Lum Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 91-97 Common: X Accuracy, Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir 98-104 Common: X Special, Lum Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 105-111 Common: Guard Spec., Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Quick Claw, King's Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir 112-118 Sometimes: Fluffy Tail, Lum Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Brightpowder, Shell Bell, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 119-125 Common: Dire Hit, Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Leftovers, Choice Band, Full Restore, Max Elixir 126-132 Sometimes: X Attack, Lum Berry, Ether, Lum Berry, Revive Rare: Scope Lens, Focus Band, Max Revive, Sacred Ash 133 and up Sometimes: X Defend, Lum Berry, Ether, Leppa Berry, Revive Rare: Quick Claw, King's Rock, Full Restore, Max Elixir ----------- MOVE TUTORS ----------- First appearing in Crystal and a staple since Fire Red/Leaf Green, the Move Tutors are the way to unlock all of the good original (RBY) and GSC-era TMs. And now, some of them are buyable and can be used more than once as well. One Use Tutors: Rollout - Mauville City Fury Cutter - Verdanturf Town Swagger - Slateport City Dynamicpunch - South of Mossdeep City Sleep Talk - Fortree City Double-Edge - Sootopolis City Explosion - Pacifidlog Town Metronome - Verdanturf Town Substitute - Lilycove City Mimic - Lavaridge City Not the greatest lineup, but a lot of competitve movesets use Substitute, so you'll probably want to avoid using that one for a while. And Explosion is always fun - because exploding rocks, camels, and whatever-the-hell-Metagross-is are cool. Multiple Use Tutors (all in the Battle Frontier): Defense Curl, Softboiled - 16 Battle Points Snore, Mud-Slap, Swift, Icy Wind, Seismic Toss, Dream Eater, Mega Punch, Mega Kick - 24 Battle Points Psych Up, Ice Punch, Thunderpunch, Fire Punch, Body Slam, Rock Slide, Counter, Thunder Wave, Swords Dance - 48 Battle Points Renewable Thunder Wave? Rock Slide? Element punches? Swords Dance? Somebody pinch me, I've got to be dreaming. Between renewable Slide and Earthquake, making a physical sweeper has never been easier. The punches bring Ampharos back from oblivion and make Gardevoir even MORE fun to use. 7) Miscellaneous - There's someone in the Battle Frontier who can apparently read the DVs of a Pokemon and make statements about how strong it is. So if you want a vague idea of whether that Kyogre is a real beast or not, here you go... - You'll often see 2v2 battles with new twists: There's one where two trainers will gang up on you, and others where you'll have a partner as well! (There's one event battle with this, as well as seeing this often in the Battle Frontier). - If you're a heavy breeder, take note: The Everstone isn't worthless anymore. Attach it to the mother or a Ditto and there's a 50% chance of passing the mother's personality down. So if you get a Modest female Gardevoir, hook me up, k? (Sub-note: Unlike the Flame Body effect, this CAN be layered. So if both parents have the same personality and an Everstone, you control the personality. Now, whether or not you have the patience to catch 21 Ditto, for each of the stat-affecting personalities and one for neutral natures...) - Ever had one of those Pokemon you realized had amazing stats, but you used it the whole game and now it's got effort in places that it doesn't need? It happens more than you think, but NOT ANYMORE!! Berries 21-26 - the Pomeg, Kelpsey, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries - have a new dual effect. When a Pokemon eats them, they get a boost of happiness - and their effort lowers by 10 points, so you can re-raise it the right way this time. :D (Offer not valid at level 100). If you're confused how that could affect you, see the Advanced Trainer's FAQ: http://db.gamefaqs.com/portable/gbadvance/file/pokemon_rs_trainer.txt - Certain areas have been redesigned - there's often more battles to warm up for the Gym Leader, and you'd probably never recognize the Mossdeep gym if you saw a picture of it. Check out http://www.serebii.net and click on "Emerald" for a metric buttload of screenshots and you'll see what I mean. 8) Conclusion That's all I've got for now. If you do have anything to contribute, see the e-mail address at the top. Special thanks to: Jiggy37 and Misty - For starting and maintaining the original Pokemon Emerald board topic that inspired the FAQ. Serebii (http://www.serebii.net) - For providing so much information about Emerald, especially the Battle Frontier information Meowth346 (http://www.pokefor.tk) - For the Pickup Information pikachu025 and neon screen - For feedback on the GameFAQs boards and e-mailed feedback (especially the note about personality control) Travis Gaus - For reminding me that you could catch Remoraid (and by extension, Octillery) in Leaf Green. A plauge on my house for forgetting that as a raving Octillery fanboy. My brother Michael - For hooking me up with video clips that explain the new storyline things in Emerald, and for always providing competition for link battles. The dozens - AND DOZENS - of people who wrote in reminding me about a certain Dragon/Flying type that is catchable before the Elite 4. Nintendo Power Pokemon Emerald Player's Guide: For correcting the Battle Frontier rules, who the Sootopolis Gym leader REALLY is, and for misinforming me about when you can actually catch Rayquaza. I also recommend that you click Back and read: ~ blueshirt's Moveset Guide ~ seanolan's Pokemon Location FAQ and Abilities FAQ ~ The Contest and Berry FAQ (Azura Stardust/Da Jason) More to come as more quality work comes up. Until next when we meet... - Donald Theriault, March 23, 2005