Route 103 Emerald · Route
Route 103 runs north from Oldale Town to a pond where you have your first battle against your rival, whose Lv5 starter has the type advantage over yours. The larger eastern half, reached from Route 110 near Slateport, adds a river, trainers around Lv14–15 and a forest behind a Cut tree with items and Berry trees. After the Hall of Fame the entrance to Altering Cave opens here.
- Wild Pokémon
- 8
- Items
- 2
- Trainers
- 11
- Berry trees
- 3
- HMs
- Cut, Surf
Connects to: Altering Cave · Oldale Town · Route 110
Route 103 on the Hoenn map
Wild Pokémon
| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
 Poochyena | Dark | 2–4 | 60% |
 Zigzagoon | Normal | 3–4 | 20% |
 Wingull | Water | 2–4 | 20% |
| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tentacool | WaterPoison | 5–35 | 60% |
| Wingull | Water | 10–30 | 35% |
 Pelipper | Water | 25–30 | 5% |
| Rod | Pokémon | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rod |  Magikarp | 5–10 | 70% |
| Tentacool | 5–10 | 30% | |
| Good Rod | Magikarp | 10–30 | 60% |
| Tentacool | 10–30 | 20% | |
 Wailmer | 10–30 | 20% | |
| Super Rod | Wailmer | 25–45 | 60% |
 Sharpedo | 30–35 | 40% |
Chances are the game’s encounter slots (grass and caves 20/20/10/10/10/10/5/5/4/4/1/1, surfing, diving and Rock Smash 60/30/5/4/1, Old Rod 70/30, Good Rod 60/20/20, Super Rod 40/40/15/4/1). Emerald has no time-of-day encounters. Where to find every Pokémon.
Trainers
| Trainer | Pokémon | Prize |
|---|---|---|
 Aroma LadyDaisy |  Shroomish 14 Roselia 14 | ¥560 |
 TwinsAmy & Liv · double battle |  Plusle 15 Minun 15 | ¥360 |
 FishermanAndrew | Magikarp 5Tentacool 10Magikarp 15 | ¥600 |
 PokéfanMiguel |  Skitty 15PokéNav rematches (4)Rematch 1 · ¥2,320 Skitty 29Rematch 2 · ¥2,560 Skitty 32Rematch 3 · ¥2,800  Delcatty 35Rematch 4 · ¥3,040 Delcatty 38 | ¥1,200 |
 Black BeltRhett |  Makuhita 15 | ¥480 |
 GuitaristMarcos |  Voltorb 15 | ¥480 |
 Swimmer♀Isabelle |  Marill 15 | ¥120 |
 Swimmer♂Pete | Tentacool 15 | ¥120 |
Prize money is four times the level of the trainer’s last Pokémon times the trainer class’s base rate (doubled in double battles). Trainers with rematches call you on the PokéNav’s Match Call when they want to battle again.
Items
| Item | How |
|---|---|
| Guard Spec. | Item ball |
| PP Up | Item ball |
Hidden items can be found with the Itemfinder.
Tips
- After your rival battle, return to Professor Birch's lab in Littleroot to receive the Pokédex.
- The grass holds Poochyena (60%), Zigzagoon (20%) and Wingull (20%), all at Lv2–4.
- Pokéfan Miguel pays ¥1200 and has four PokéNav rematches, and the Twins Amy & Liv fight a double battle with Plusle and Minun and have five rematches.
- The eastern forest holds a PP Up and a Guard Spec., along with three Berry trees.
- Super Rod fishing here can hook Sharpedo (40%, Lv30–35).
- In a normal game, Altering Cave contains only Zubat.
Walkthrough: Part 1: Littleroot Town to Petalburg City
FAQ
Where is the first rival battle in Pokémon Emerald?
On Route 103, north of Oldale Town. Your rival uses a Lv5 starter that is strong against the one you chose.
How do you get to the east side of Route 103?
Head west from Route 110, north of Slateport City. You need Cut to get into the forest section.
Where is Altering Cave in Pokémon Emerald?
On Route 103. Its entrance only appears after you enter the Hall of Fame, and without event distributions it contains only Zubat.
What Pokémon can you catch in Route 103 in Emerald?
8 species: Poochyena, Zigzagoon, Wingull, Tentacool, Pelipper, Magikarp, Wailmer, Sharpedo.
Sources & picture credits
Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon and encounter chances, items, trainers, rematch teams, gifts, trades and shops come from the pret/pokeemerald decompilation. Maps and sprites © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, archived from the Bulbagarden Archives; the Hoenn map is drawn from the game’s own PokéNav map graphics (listed on the image gallery).