retrogameindex
Hoenn field journalPokémon Ruby / SapphireGUIDES

Ruby & Sapphire Walkthrough: Every Gym, Team Magma & Team Aqua

The whole adventure in 16 parts, from Littleroot Town to Champion Steven and the post-game. Each part links to the location pages for wild Pokémon, trainers and items.

Edition: the original Game Boy Advance Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (English, 2003). Emerald and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire differ.

Parts
16
Badges
8
Elite Four
4 + Champion
Starters
Treecko · Torchic · Mudkip

Part 1 Littleroot Town to Route 103

Littleroot Town Route 101 Oldale Town Route 103

You move into Littleroot Town, rescue Professor Birch on Route 101 and choose your first Pokémon. A first battle with your rival, May or Brendan, on Route 103 earns you the Pokédex and your first Poké Balls.

  1. Leave the moving truck, go upstairs to set the clock, then head next door to Professor Birch's house to meet his child, May or Brendan (whichever you did not pick as your own character), who becomes your rival.
  2. Walk north onto Route 101, where Professor Birch is being chased by a wild Poochyena. Open his bag and choose Treecko (Grass), Torchic (Fire) or Mudkip (Water), each at level 5, and defeat the Poochyena.
  3. Back at the lab, Birch lets you keep your starter and suggests you find your rival on Route 103.
  4. Continue north through Route 101 to Oldale Town. A Poké Mart clerk walks you to the shop and gives you a free Potion. A man sketching footprints blocks the west exit for now.
  5. Go north onto Route 103. Your rival battles you with the starter that beats yours, at level 5: Torchic if you chose Treecko, Mudkip if you chose Torchic, Treecko if you chose Mudkip.
  6. The water across Route 103 keeps you on the western side for now; you can reach its far side later on foot from Route 110.
  7. Return to Professor Birch's Lab in Littleroot Town. Birch gives you the Pokédex and your rival gives you five Poké Balls.
  8. Your mom gives you Running Shoes on the way out; hold B to run.
  9. Head back to Oldale Town. The man with the sketch has finished, so the west exit toward Route 102 is now open.

Worth catching: Zigzagoon Wurmple Poochyena Wingull

Your rival's starter has the type advantage over yours, but both are only level 5. Gain two or three levels on Route 101's Zigzagoon and Wurmple before you walk onto Route 103.

Part 2 Route 102 to Rustboro City and Roxanne

Route 102 Petalburg City Route 104 Petalburg Woods Rustboro City

Head west to Petalburg City, where your father Norman is the Gym Leader, and help Wally catch his first Pokémon. Pass through Petalburg Woods, stop a Team Magma or Team Aqua Grunt, and earn the Stone Badge from Roxanne in Rustboro City.

  1. Cross Route 102 and battle its four trainers, including Youngster Calvin (Zigzagoon at level 5) and Youngster Allen (Poochyena level 5, Taillow level 3).
  2. In Petalburg City, visit the Gym to meet your father, Norman. A boy named Wally arrives; Norman lends Wally a Zigzagoon and gives him a Poké Ball, and you go with Wally to Route 102, where he catches a Ralts.
  3. Norman tells you to start with Roxanne in Rustboro City. He will not accept your challenge until you have four other Badges.
  4. Go west to Route 104. Mr. Briney's cottage sits on the south beach, but nobody answers yet. Continue north into Petalburg Woods.
  5. In Petalburg Woods, a Devon researcher is cornered by a Grunt: Team Magma in Ruby, Team Aqua in Sapphire. Defeat the Grunt's level 9 Poochyena, and the researcher thanks you with a Great Ball.
  6. Exit onto northern Route 104. The boy outside the Pretty Petal Flower Shop gives you TM09 Bullet Seed, and inside you get the Wailmer Pail for watering Berries.
  7. In Rustboro City, the Cutter's house gives you HM01 Cut, and the teacher at the Pokémon School gives you a Quick Claw. In a nearby house a boy will trade his Makuhita for a Slakoth from Petalburg Woods.
  8. Enter the Rustboro Gym. Youngster Josh (Geodude levels 10, 8 and 6) and Youngster Tommy (Geodude level 11) are optional.
  9. Battle Roxanne: Geodude level 14 and Nosepass level 15. You receive the Stone Badge, which lets you use Cut outside battle, and TM39 Rock Tomb.
Roxanne
Roxanne · Rock · Stone Badge
GeodudeGeodude Lv. 14RockGroundNosepassNosepass Lv. 15Rock

Worth catching: Ralts Seedot Lotad Shroomish Slakoth Taillow

Rock types resist Torchic's Fire attacks. Lotad (Sapphire only) and Seedot (Ruby only) appear on Route 102 at a 20% rate, Shroomish lives in Petalburg Woods, and the Makuhita from the Rustboro trade hits both of Roxanne's Pokémon with Fighting moves.

Part 3 The Devon Goods, Dewford Town and Brawly

Rustboro City Route 116 Rusturf Tunnel Route 104 Route 105 Route 106 Dewford Town Granite Cave

A Grunt steals the Devon Goods, and you chase him through Route 116 into Rusturf Tunnel. Mr. Stone of the Devon Corporation then asks you to deliver a Letter to Steven, and Mr. Briney sails you to Dewford Town, home of Brawly's Gym and Granite Cave.

  1. As you leave the Rustboro Gym, a Grunt (Team Magma in Ruby, Team Aqua in Sapphire) runs off with the Devon Goods. Follow him east onto Route 116.
  2. Route 116's trainers include Youngster Joey (Zigzagoon level 8, Machop level 10) and Hiker Clark (three Geodude at level 8).
  3. At Rusturf Tunnel, an old man says the thief also took his Wingull, Peeko. Inside, the Grunt is trapped by rocks; defeat his level 11 Poochyena to recover the Devon Goods and Peeko. The old man introduces himself as Mr. Briney.
  4. Back in Rustboro, the researcher gives you a Great Ball and takes you to Devon Corporation. On 3F, the president, Mr. Stone, gives you a Letter for his son Steven in Dewford Town and the PokéNav. You are also asked to take the Devon Goods to Captain Stern in Slateport City.
  5. Walk south through Petalburg Woods to Mr. Briney's cottage on Route 104. He agrees to sail you to Dewford Town; Routes 105 and 106 pass by without stopping.
  6. In Dewford Town, the fisherman near the Gym gives you the Old Rod.
  7. The Dewford Gym is dark and lights up as you defeat its trainers: Black Belt Hideki (Machop level 14), Battle Girl Tessa (Meditite, Machop and Meditite at level 12) and Battle Girl Laura (Meditite level 14).
  8. Battle Brawly: Machop level 17 and Makuhita level 18. You receive the Knuckle Badge, which lets you use Flash outside battle and makes traded Pokémon up to level 30 obey, and TM08 Bulk Up.
  9. Walk to Granite Cave through Route 106, just west of Dewford. A hiker inside the entrance gives you HM05 Flash.
  10. Go down the ladders to B2F and back up to the room at the far end of 1F, where Steven takes the Letter and gives you TM47 Steel Wing.
  11. Return to Mr. Briney at the Dewford dock; he sails you on to Slateport City.
Brawly
Brawly · Fighting · Knuckle Badge
MachopMachop Lv. 17FightingMakuhitaMakuhita Lv. 18Fighting

Worth catching: Nincada Whismur Skitty Makuhita Aron Abra

Brawly's Fighting types are weak to Flying moves. Taillow from Route 104 or 116 and Wingull from Route 104 both learn Wing Attack early. In Granite Cave, Mawile appears only in Ruby and Sableye only in Sapphire.

Part 4 Route 109, Slateport City and Route 110

Route 109 Slateport City Route 110 Route 103

Mr. Briney drops you at Route 109, just south of Slateport City. You chase Team Magma or Team Aqua out of the Oceanic Museum, deliver the Devon Goods to Captain Stern, and meet your rival again on Route 110.

  1. On Route 109, battle the three trainers in the Seashore House (Sailor Dwayne, Tuber Simon and Beauty Johanna) to get six Soda Pop from the owner.
  2. In Slateport City, go to Stern's Shipyard. Captain Stern is at the Oceanic Museum, so head there.
  3. Grunts crowd the Museum entrance (Team Magma in Ruby, Team Aqua in Sapphire). Inside on 1F, the Grunt you beat in Rusturf Tunnel gives you TM46 Thief.
  4. On 2F, two Grunts try to take the parts from Captain Stern. In Ruby, battle Magma Grunts with Numel level 15, then Zubat level 14 and Numel level 14; in Sapphire, Aqua Grunts with Carvanha level 15, then Zubat level 14 and Carvanha level 14.
  5. Maxie (Ruby) or Archie (Sapphire) arrives, warns you not to interfere, and leaves. Captain Stern takes the Devon Goods.
  6. Other stops in Slateport: the Pokémon Fan Club, where the Soothe Bell and the five Scarves are given out, the market, which sells vitamins plus TM10 Hidden Power and TM43 Secret Power, and the Contest Hall.
  7. Head north onto Route 110. The Seaside Cycling Road overhead needs a Bike, so take the path underneath, past the Trick House.
  8. Your rival battles you on Route 110. With Treecko: Wailmer level 18, Shroomish level 18, Combusken level 20. With Torchic: Shroomish level 18, Numel level 18, Marshtomp level 20. With Mudkip: Wailmer level 18, Numel level 18, Grovyle level 20.
  9. After the battle your rival gives you the Itemfinder.
  10. Optional: the eastern side of Route 103 links to Route 110. Most of its trainers are level 16, including Twins Amy & Liv (Plusle and Minun) in a Double Battle.
  11. Continue north to Mauville City.

Worth catching: Electrike Gulpin Plusle Minun Oddish Tentacool

Minun is common on Route 110 in Ruby (15%) and Plusle in Sapphire (15%); the other appears at only 2%. Electrike (30%) also evolves into a fast Electric type that helps against the Water types on the sea routes ahead.

Part 5 Mauville City, Verdanturf Town and Wattson

Mauville City Route 117 Verdanturf Town Rusturf Tunnel

In Mauville City you battle Wally, choose a Bike and earn the Dynamo Badge from Wattson. Route 117 leads west to Verdanturf Town, where Rock Smash opens Rusturf Tunnel back to Rustboro; inside the tunnel you get HM04 Strength.

  1. Outside the Mauville Gym, Wally asks to battle you to convince his uncle that he is ready. His team is a single Ralts at level 16. Afterward he goes back to Verdanturf Town.
  2. Visit Rydel's Cycles for a free Bike. The Mach Bike climbs muddy slopes and crosses cracked floors; the Acro Bike hops and crosses narrow rails. You can swap them at the shop at any time.
  3. A man in a Mauville house gives you HM06 Rock Smash. Bring Harbor Mail from the Slateport Poké Mart to the woman in another house to receive the Coin Case for the Game Corner.
  4. In the Mauville Gym, step on switches to turn the electric barriers on and off. The trainers are Guitarist Shawn (three Voltorb at level 17), Battle Girl Vivian (Meditite level 19), Youngster Ben (Zigzagoon level 19) and Guitarist Kirk (Electrike and Magnemite at level 18).
  5. Battle Wattson: Magnemite level 22, Voltorb level 20, Magneton level 23. You receive the Dynamo Badge, which lets you use Rock Smash outside battle, and TM34 Shock Wave.
  6. Go west on Route 117. The Pokémon Day Care is here; leave two compatible Pokémon to find an Egg.
  7. In Verdanturf Town, the Contest Hall gives you a Contest Pass and TM45 Attract. Wally is staying with his relatives here.
  8. Enter Rusturf Tunnel from Verdanturf. Wanda is waiting by the rocks that block the tunnel; break them with Rock Smash.
  9. Wanda's boyfriend, who has been digging the tunnel, gives you HM04 Strength. The tunnel now connects Verdanturf with Route 116 and Rustboro City.
  10. Hiker Mike (two Geodude and a Machop at level 16) is in the tunnel. Return to Mauville to head north.
Wattson

Worth catching: Roselia Volbeat Illumise Marill Surskit

Magnemite and Magneton are Electric and Steel, so Ground, Fire and Fighting moves are super effective. Marshtomp is immune to Electric attacks. On Route 117, Illumise is common in Ruby and Volbeat in Sapphire (18% each).

Part 6 Route 111 to Meteor Falls and Mt. Chimney

Route 111 Route 112 Fiery Path Route 113 Fallarbor Town Route 114 Meteor Falls Route 115 Mt. Chimney

North of Mauville, a sandstorm and a blocked cable car force a long detour through Fiery Path, Route 113, Fallarbor Town and Meteor Falls. There you learn that Team Magma or Team Aqua has stolen Professor Cozmo's Meteorite, and the chase ends at the top of Mt. Chimney.

  1. Go north from Mauville onto Route 111. Victor at the Winstrate family's house offers four battles in a row: Victor (Taillow and Zigzagoon at level 16), Victoria (Roselia level 17), Vivi (Marill, Shroomish and Numel at level 15) and Vicky (Meditite level 18). Win all four to receive the Macho Brace.
  2. Break the rocks north of the house with Rock Smash. The sandstorm keeps you out of the desert until you have Go-Goggles, so turn west onto Route 112.
  3. Grunts block the cable car station to Mt. Chimney. Instead, go through Fiery Path to the northern part of Route 112. The Fire Stone and TM06 Toxic inside need Strength.
  4. Rejoin Route 111 to the north, then go west onto Route 113, where volcanic ash covers the grass. The Glass Workshop gives you the Soot Sack for collecting ash.
  5. In Fallarbor Town, you meet Lanette, who runs the PC storage system, at the Pokémon Center. Professor Cozmo's house is here, but he is away.
  6. Head north on Route 114. A man gives you TM05 Roar, and the Fossil Maniac's brother gives you TM28 Dig. Hold on to Dig, as you will need it much later.
  7. In Meteor Falls, Grunts take the Meteorite from Professor Cozmo and head for Mt. Chimney: Team Magma in Ruby, Team Aqua in Sapphire. The leader of the rival team (Archie in Ruby, Maxie in Sapphire) arrives and follows them.
  8. Leave Meteor Falls by the west exit onto Route 115, which leads south to Rustboro City. While you are there, Mr. Stone at Devon Corporation gives you the Exp. Share for delivering the Letter to Steven.
  9. Return to Route 112. The Grunts have left the cable car station, so ride up to Mt. Chimney.
  10. At the top, Team Magma and Team Aqua are fighting. Defeat a Grunt (Zubat and Poochyena at level 20), then the Admin: Tabitha in Ruby (Numel, Poochyena and Numel at level 20), Matt in Sapphire (Carvanha, Poochyena and Carvanha at level 20).
  11. Battle the leader at the machine: Maxie in Ruby, Archie in Sapphire. When he retreats, take the Meteorite from the machine. An old lady at the summit offers Lava Cookies.

Worth catching: Numel Torkoal Spinda Skarmory Swablu Zangoose

Route 114 has Zangoose in Ruby and Seviper in Sapphire (19%), and Meteor Falls has Solrock in Ruby and Lunatone in Sapphire. Skarmory appears on Route 113 at only 5%, but it resists most attacks and is worth the search.

Part 7 Jagged Pass, Lavaridge Town and Flannery

Jagged Pass Route 112 Lavaridge Town

From Mt. Chimney you descend Jagged Pass to the hot-spring town of Lavaridge. Flannery's Fire Gym awards the Heat Badge, and your rival gives you Go-Goggles for the desert.

  1. From the Mt. Chimney summit, take the south exit onto Jagged Pass and jump down its ledges. Climbing back up later needs the Acro Bike.
  2. Jagged Pass trainers: Hiker Eric (two Baltoy at level 21), Camper Ethan (Zigzagoon and Taillow at level 21) and Picnicker Diana (Shroomish, Oddish and Swablu at level 20).
  3. You come out on Route 112. Walk west into Lavaridge Town.
  4. Behind the Pokémon Center, an old woman by the hot spring gives you an Egg if you have room in your party; it hatches into Wynaut.
  5. The Herb Shop sells cheap healing herbs, and the old man inside gives you Charcoal.
  6. The Lavaridge Gym is a maze of steam vents that launch you between levels. Work your way to Flannery.
  7. Battle Flannery: Slugma level 26, Slugma level 26 and Torkoal level 28. You receive the Heat Badge, which lets you use Strength outside battle and makes traded Pokémon up to level 50 obey, and TM50 Overheat.
  8. Outside the Gym, your rival gives you the Go-Goggles, which let you cross the Route 111 desert.
  9. You now have four Badges, so Norman in Petalburg City will accept your challenge.
Flannery

Worth catching: Spoink Numel Machop Wynaut

Water, Ground and Rock moves work well against Flannery. Torkoal is slow and bulky, so hit it with your strongest Water or Ground attack. Overheat sharply lowers the user's Special Attack each time, so a second Overheat does much less damage.

Part 8 The Desert, Norman and Surf

Route 111 Rustboro City Petalburg City Route 110 New Mauville Mauville City

The Go-Goggles open the Route 111 desert, where you choose one of two fossils. Back in Petalburg City you finally battle your father, Norman, and receive HM03 Surf, which opens most of the rest of Hoenn.

  1. Enter the Route 111 desert with the Go-Goggles. Trainers here include Picnicker Heidi (Sandshrew and Baltoy at level 23) and Ruin Maniac Dusty (Sandslash level 24). TM37 Sandstorm lies at the southern end.
  2. In the northeast of the desert, choose the Root Fossil or the Claw Fossil; the other sinks into the sand.
  3. Take the fossil to Devon Corporation 2F in Rustboro City. The scientist revives it: the Root Fossil becomes Lileep and the Claw Fossil becomes Anorith, both at level 20.
  4. Return to Petalburg City and challenge the Gym. Each room has a Cooltrainer with one level 27 Pokémon: Delcatty, Linoone or Zangoose.
  5. Battle Norman: Slaking level 28, Vigoroth level 30 and Slaking level 31. You receive the Balance Badge, which lets you use Surf outside battle, and TM42 Facade.
  6. Visit Wally's house in Petalburg City; his father gives you HM03 Surf.
  7. Surf east across the water on Route 103, north of Oldale Town, and follow Route 110 north to Mauville City.
  8. Optional: in Mauville, Wattson gives you the Basement Key and asks you to shut down the generator in New Mauville. Surf from Route 110 to reach it.
  9. In New Mauville, use the floor switches to open the doors, pick up the Thunderstone and other items, and turn off the generator. A Voltorb at level 25 sits inside, and Wattson rewards you with TM24 Thunderbolt.
Norman

Worth catching: Trapinch Cacnea Baltoy Lileep Anorith Magnemite

Slaking hits hard but has Truant, so it can act only every other turn. Use its idle turns to heal or set up, and use Fighting moves on all three of Norman's Pokémon. Vigoroth does not have Truant.

Part 9 Route 118 to Fortree City and Winona

Route 118 Route 119 Fortree City Route 120

East of Mauville you cross Route 118 and climb the rainy Route 119, where Team Magma or Team Aqua has taken over the Weather Institute. Your rival gives you Fly, and Steven's Devon Scope clears the way into Winona's Gym in Fortree City.

  1. From Mauville, go east onto Route 118 and Surf across the river. A fisherman gives you the Good Rod.
  2. Head north onto Route 119. Look for Tropius in the tall grass and fish for Feebas on the six hidden river tiles where it lives.
  3. At the Weather Institute, Grunts have taken the building. Defeat them on 1F and 2F. In Ruby they use Zubat, Poochyena and Numel at levels 26 to 28; in Sapphire they use Zubat, Poochyena and Carvanha at the same levels.
  4. On 2F, battle the Admin: Courtney in Ruby (Numel and Mightyena at level 28) or Shelly in Sapphire (Carvanha and Mightyena at level 28). A grateful scientist then gives you a level 25 Castform.
  5. Cross the bridge north of the Institute and battle your rival. With Treecko: Wailmer level 29, Shroomish level 29, Combusken level 31. With Torchic: Shroomish level 29, Numel level 29, Marshtomp level 31. With Mudkip: Numel level 29, Wailmer level 29, Grovyle level 31.
  6. Your rival gives you HM02 Fly afterward.
  7. In Fortree City, something invisible blocks the Gym entrance.
  8. Go east onto Route 120. Steven is on the bridge; he uses the Devon Scope to reveal a hidden Kecleon (level 30), which attacks, then gives you the Devon Scope.
  9. Return to Fortree and use the Devon Scope on the blocker; it is another Kecleon. Once it is gone, enter the Gym.
  10. The Gym trainers include Bird Keeper Jared (Doduo level 30) and Bird Keeper Will (Wingull, Swellow and Pelipper at level 28).
  11. Battle Winona: Swellow level 31, Pelipper level 30, Skarmory level 32 and Altaria level 33. You receive the Feather Badge, which lets you use Fly outside battle and makes traded Pokémon up to level 70 obey, and TM40 Aerial Ace.
Winona

Worth catching: Tropius Feebas Castform Kecleon Absol Manectric

Electric, Rock and Ice moves cover most of Winona's team. Altaria is Dragon and Flying, so Ice attacks do four times damage. Pelipper is Water and Flying, so Electric moves do four times damage to it.

Part 10 Lilycove City, Mt. Pyre and the Hideout

Route 121 Safari Zone Lilycove City Route 122 Mt. Pyre Slateport City Magma Hideout and Aqua Hideout

Grunts heading for Mt. Pyre lead you past the Safari Zone to Lilycove City, where your rival battles you a final time. At the Mt. Pyre summit one of the two Orbs is stolen, the submarine is stolen in Slateport, and you raid the team's hideout in Lilycove.

  1. Continue east from Route 120 onto Route 121. Grunts at the top of the stairs say they are moving out to Mt. Pyre.
  2. The Safari Zone is on Route 121. Some of its Pokémon, such as Pinsir, Heracross and Phanpy, live nowhere else in Hoenn.
  3. Enter Lilycove City. Your rival battles you outside the Department Store. With Treecko: Swellow level 31, Wailmer level 32, Shroomish level 32, Combusken level 34. With Torchic: Swellow level 31, Shroomish level 32, Numel level 32, Marshtomp level 34. With Mudkip: Swellow level 31, Numel level 32, Wailmer level 32, Grovyle level 34.
  4. The Department Store's 4F sells TMs, including Fire Blast, Thunder, Blizzard and Hyper Beam.
  5. Surf south from Route 121 onto Route 122 and climb Mt. Pyre. An old woman on 1F gives you the Cleanse Tag, and TM30 Shadow Ball lies on 6F.
  6. Go outside and climb to the summit. In Ruby, Team Magma takes the Blue Orb; in Sapphire, Team Aqua takes the Red Orb. The old couple then gives you the other Orb: the Red Orb in Ruby, the Blue Orb in Sapphire.
  7. Fly to Slateport City. While Captain Stern is being interviewed outside the Harbor, the team's leader steals his submarine and hints that the team's hideout is in Lilycove.
  8. Back in Lilycove, Surf into the cave in the cove to enter the hideout (the Magma Hideout in Ruby, the Aqua Hideout in Sapphire).
  9. Use the warp panels to cross the hideout. In Sapphire, Grunts use Poochyena, Zubat and Carvanha at levels 30 to 33.
  10. In the leader's office, two of the four item balls are level 30 Electrode that attack when touched. The others are a Nugget and a Master Ball.
  11. At the submarine dock, battle the Admin: Matt in Sapphire (Carvanha, Mightyena and Sharpedo at level 32), Tabitha in Ruby. The leader still escapes in the submarine.
  12. The Grunt blocking the sea east of Lilycove is gone, so Route 124 is now open.

Worth catching: Duskull Shuppet Chimecho Vulpix Heracross Phanpy

Mt. Pyre's ghosts depend on your version: Duskull in Ruby and Shuppet in Sapphire. Keep the Master Ball for a roaming Latios or Latias after the Hall of Fame, since those flee from battle almost immediately.

Part 11 Mossdeep City and Tate and Liza

Route 124 Mossdeep City Route 125 Shoal Cave

You Surf across Route 124 to the island of Mossdeep City. Steven gives you HM08 Dive, and the twin Gym Leaders Tate and Liza award the Mind Badge in a Double Battle, which lets you use Dive.

  1. Surf east from Lilycove across Route 124. Its trainers include Swimmer Jenny (Wailmer level 35) and Sis and Bro Rita & Sam (Chinchou level 36, Carvanha level 34) in a Double Battle.
  2. The Treasure Hunter's house on Route 124 trades evolution stones for colored Shards, which you can find on the route and on the seabed.
  3. In Mossdeep City, a boy near the Pokémon Center gives you the King's Rock, and a fisherman gives you the Super Rod.
  4. Visit Steven's house in the northwest of town. He gives you HM08 Dive and explains that you can dive in dark patches of deep water. You cannot use Dive outside battle until you have the Mind Badge.
  5. At the Space Center, a sailor in the viewing area gives you a Sun Stone.
  6. The Mossdeep Gym uses switches and moving floor panels. The Psychic trainers include Psychic Preston (Kirlia level 37), Psychic Samantha (Xatu level 37) and Psychic Fritz (Natu, Girafarig and Kadabra at level 35).
  7. Battle Tate and Liza in a Double Battle: Lunatone level 42 and Solrock level 42. You receive the Mind Badge, which lets you use Dive outside battle, and TM04 Calm Mind.
  8. Optional: Shoal Cave on Route 125 changes with the tide. Bring four Shoal Salt and four Shoal Shell to the old man at the entrance for a Shell Bell. TM07 Hail and the Focus Band are also inside.
  9. Try Dive in the dark water of Route 124 to reach Clamperl, Chinchou and the rare Relicanth.
Tate and Liza
Tate and Liza · Psychic · Mind Badge
LunatoneLunatone Lv. 42RockPsychicSolrockSolrock Lv. 42RockPsychic

Worth catching: Spheal Snorunt Clamperl Chinchou Relicanth Sharpedo

Lunatone and Solrock are Rock and Psychic types with Levitate, so Earthquake will not touch them. In this generation, Surf hits both opponents in a Double Battle and is super effective on both. Dark, Bug, Grass and Steel moves also work.

Part 12 Dive and the Seafloor Cavern

Route 127 Route 128 Seafloor Cavern

With Dive you follow the stolen submarine to an underwater cave on Route 128. At the bottom of the Seafloor Cavern, Maxie (Ruby) or Archie (Sapphire) awakens Groudon or Kyogre, and the weather across Hoenn goes to an extreme.

  1. Surf south from Mossdeep through Route 127 to Route 128. Trainers here include Fisherman Roger (Gyarados level 35 and three Magikarp) and Cooltrainer Alexa (Gloom and Azumarill at level 35).
  2. On Route 128, Dive into the dark water south of the ring of shallows and swim into the underwater cave. Surface inside to reach the Seafloor Cavern, where the stolen submarine is docked.
  3. The cavern needs Strength to push boulders and Rock Smash to break cracked rocks. If a boulder puzzle goes wrong, leave the room and come back to reset it.
  4. Grunts block the early rooms. In Ruby, they use Poochyena and Numel at levels 37 and 38; in Sapphire, Poochyena and Carvanha at the same levels. A later Grunt has Poochyena, Zubat and Numel (Ruby) or Carvanha (Sapphire) at level 36.
  5. Battle the Admin: Courtney in Ruby (Camerupt and Mightyena at level 38) or Shelly in Sapphire (Sharpedo and Mightyena at level 38).
  6. In the last room, pick up TM26 Earthquake on the upper ledge.
  7. Battle the leader. Maxie in Ruby: Mightyena level 41, Crobat level 41, Camerupt level 43. Archie in Sapphire: Mightyena level 41, Crobat level 41, Sharpedo level 43.
  8. The leader uses the Orb he stole to awaken the ancient Pokémon: Groudon in Ruby, Kyogre in Sapphire. It escapes, and the weather across Hoenn turns to extreme sunlight (Ruby) or heavy rain (Sapphire).
  9. Leave the cavern and head for Sootopolis City, where the weather is centered.

Worth catching: Luvdisc Corsola Sharpedo Wailmer Golbat

Maxie's Camerupt is Fire and Ground, so Water moves do four times damage. Archie's Sharpedo has low defenses and is weak to Electric, Grass, Fighting and Bug. Both leaders' Crobat are weak to Electric, Ice, Psychic and Rock.

Part 13 Sootopolis City, Cave of Origin and Wallace

Route 126 Sootopolis City Cave of Origin

Sootopolis City sits inside a crater that you can only reach by Dive. Steven and Wallace send you into the Cave of Origin with your Orb to face Groudon or Kyogre. Once the weather returns to normal, Wallace's Gym opens.

  1. From Mossdeep, Surf to Route 126 and Dive on the south side of the crater. Swim through the underwater passage and surface inside Sootopolis City.
  2. The extreme weather has driven everyone indoors, and the Gym is locked.
  3. Climb the stairs at the north of the city to meet Steven and Wallace. Because you carry the Red Orb (Ruby) or Blue Orb (Sapphire), Wallace lets you into the Cave of Origin.
  4. Go down through the Cave of Origin. HM07 Waterfall lies in a corner of B3F.
  5. On B4F, Groudon (Ruby) or Kyogre (Sapphire) waits at level 45. Save before you speak to it. Catching or defeating it ends the extreme weather.
  6. Back in town, people are outside again. A girl gives out Berries each day, and a man in one of the houses gives you TM31 Brick Break.
  7. Steven waits outside the Gym, encourages you, and leaves.
  8. Inside the Gym, cracked ice breaks after you step on it, so you must cross every tile exactly once to reveal the stairs. The trainers below include Beauty Tiffany (Carvanha, Wailmer and Sharpedo at level 39) and Pokéfan Marissa (Azurill level 36, Marill level 38, Azumarill level 40).
  9. Battle Wallace: Luvdisc level 40, Whiscash level 42, Sealeo level 40, Seaking level 42 and Milotic level 43. You receive the Rain Badge, which lets you use Waterfall outside battle and makes all Pokémon obey you, and TM03 Water Pulse.
Wallace

Worth catching: Groudon Kyogre Mawile Sableye Gyarados Golbat

Electric and Grass moves cover most of Wallace's team, but Whiscash is Water and Ground and is immune to Electric, so it needs a Grass move. Milotic is the strongest of the five, so save your best attacker for it. In the Cave of Origin, Mawile lives only in Ruby and Sableye only in Sapphire.

Part 14 Pacifidlog Town, the Sealed Chamber and the Regis

Route 129 Route 130 Route 131 Pacifidlog Town Route 132 Route 133 Route 134 Sealed Chamber Desert Ruins Island Cave Route 105 Ancient Tomb Route 108 Abandoned Ship

This optional part, open as soon as you have Dive, covers the sea routes west of Ever Grande City. It takes you to Pacifidlog Town and the Sealed Chamber, whose Braille puzzle unlocks the three legendary golems: Regirock, Regice and Registeel.

  1. Surf west from Route 128 through Routes 129, 130 and 131 to Pacifidlog Town. Wailord can appear while Surfing on Route 129, and Wynaut is the only Pokémon on Mirage Island, which appears on Route 130 only on rare days.
  2. In Pacifidlog, a woman trades her Corsola for a Bellossom, and a man gives TM27 Return or TM21 Frustration depending on how much your lead Pokémon likes you.
  3. Ride the westward currents through Routes 132, 133 and 134 toward Slateport. Fisherman Ronald on Route 132 has five Gyarados and a Magikarp; Dragon Tamer Aaron on Route 134 has a level 35 Bagon.
  4. On Route 134, Dive inside the ring of rocks and swim to the Sealed Chamber. Inside, use Dig on the north wall marked in Braille to open the inner room.
  5. In the inner room, put Relicanth first in your party and Wailord last, then read the north inscription. The ground shakes as three sealed doors open across Hoenn.
  6. Desert Ruins (Route 111 desert): from the center of the room, take two steps right and two steps down, then use Rock Smash to reveal Regirock (level 40).
  7. Island Cave (Route 105, reached by Surf): stand still for two minutes to open the inner wall to Regice (level 40).
  8. Ancient Tomb (Route 120): use Fly in the center of the room to open the wall to Registeel (level 40).
  9. Optional: the Abandoned Ship on Route 108 holds TM13 Ice Beam in a room on B1F, and Dive takes you to its flooded hidden rooms, where you find the Scanner. Captain Stern in Slateport trades a DeepSeaTooth or DeepSeaScale for the Scanner.

Worth catching: Regirock Regice Registeel Wailord Wynaut Horsea

You only get one try at each Regi, so save before each puzzle. All three are level 40 and have strong defenses. Bring a Pokémon that can put a target to sleep, plenty of Ultra Balls, and a few Timer Balls for long battles.

Part 15 Victory Road, the Elite Four and the Champion

Route 128 Ever Grande City Victory Road

Waterfall takes you up to Ever Grande City and the Pokémon League. After a last battle with Wally at the end of Victory Road, you face the Elite Four in a row and then the Champion, Steven Stone.

  1. Surf east from Route 128 and use Waterfall to climb up to Ever Grande City. Heal at the Pokémon Center.
  2. Victory Road needs Strength, Rock Smash and Surf; Flash is optional. Cooltrainers line the cave, including Cooltrainer Shannon (Claydol level 44) and Cooltrainer Vito (Swellow, Kadabra, Manectric and Shiftry at level 42). TM29 Psychic is on B1F.
  3. At the exit, Wally battles you: Altaria level 44, Delcatty level 43, Roselia level 44, Magneton level 41 and Gardevoir level 45.
  4. In the Pokémon League, guards check that you have all eight Badges. The Poké Mart here sells Full Restores. Once you enter Sidney's room, you cannot leave until you win or lose.
  5. Sidney (Dark): Mightyena level 46, Shiftry level 48, Cacturne level 46, Sharpedo level 48, Absol level 49.
  6. Phoebe (Ghost): Dusclops level 48, Banette level 49, Sableye level 50, Banette level 49, Dusclops level 51.
  7. Glacia (Ice): Glalie level 50, Sealeo level 50, Sealeo level 52, Glalie level 52, Walrein level 53.
  8. Drake (Dragon): Shelgon level 52, Altaria level 54, Flygon level 53, Flygon level 53, Salamence level 55.
  9. The Champion is Steven Stone: Skarmory level 57, Claydol level 55, Aggron level 56, Cradily level 56, Armaldo level 56 and Metagross level 58.
  10. Win to enter the Hall of Fame. After the credits, you wake up at home in Littleroot Town.
Steven Stone

Worth catching: Hariyama Lairon Medicham Mawile Sableye Golbat

Ice moves do four times damage to Drake's Flygon, Altaria and Salamence. TM13 Ice Beam from the Abandoned Ship or TM14 Blizzard from Lilycove is worth teaching to someone. For Steven, Fire or Electric moves handle Skarmory, Fire or Ground handles Metagross, and Water covers Aggron, Armaldo and Claydol.

Part 16 Post-Game

Littleroot Town Slateport City S.S. Tidal Battle Tower Route 131 Sky Pillar Southern Island

After the Hall of Fame, the S.S. Tidal starts sailing and the Battle Tower opens. A roaming Latios (Ruby) or Latias (Sapphire) appears, and Rayquaza waits at the top of Sky Pillar.

  1. At home in Littleroot Town, your father gives you the S.S. Ticket.
  2. Your mom asks about a TV report on a rare Pokémon. This releases a level 40 Latios in Ruby or a level 40 Latias in Sapphire to roam Hoenn. Use the Pokédex area map to find it.
  3. The roaming Pokémon flees on its first turn, so use the Master Ball, or a Pokémon with Mean Look, to stop it.
  4. Show the S.S. Ticket at the Slateport or Lilycove harbor to board the S.S. Tidal. Its cabins have trainers up to level 45, a hidden Leftovers on the lower deck and TM49 Snatch.
  5. The S.S. Tidal also stops at the Battle Tower, where you battle seven trainers in a row with three Pokémon at level 50 or level 100 to earn prizes and records.
  6. Sky Pillar on Route 131 opens once you are in the Hall of Fame. You need the Mach Bike to cross the cracked floors on the way up.
  7. Rayquaza waits at the top at level 70. Save first; if it faints, it does not come back.
  8. Southern Island is reached only with the Eon Ticket from a distribution event. There you meet Latias in Ruby or Latios in Sapphire at level 50, the opposite of the one that roams in your version.
  9. Places you passed earlier, such as the Safari Zone and the Trick House on Route 110, are still open. Keep battling rematch trainers and filling the Pokédex.

Worth catching: Rayquaza Latios Latias Claydol Dusclops Banette

Bring several Ultra Balls and a Pokémon that can put Rayquaza to sleep, and lower its HP with Ice, Rock or Dragon attacks without making it faint. On Sky Pillar's lower floors, Dusclops appears in Ruby and Banette in Sapphire.

FAQ

What is the Gym order in Ruby and Sapphire?

Roxanne (Rustboro City), Brawly (Dewford Town), Wattson (Mauville City), Flannery (Lavaridge Town), Norman (Petalburg City), Winona (Fortree City), Tate and Liza (Mossdeep City), Wallace (Sootopolis City).

Which starter should I pick?

Mudkip has the easiest game: its Ground typing after it evolves covers Wattson, and its Water moves handle Roxanne and Flannery. Treecko is strong against the first Gym but struggles later; Torchic gains Fighting moves that help against Norman.

What is the difference between Ruby and Sapphire?

The villain team (Team Magma in Ruby, Team Aqua in Sapphire), the legendary at the Cave of Origin (Groudon or Kyogre), which Lati roams after the Hall of Fame and a few wild Pokémon. See the version exclusives.

Sources & picture credits

Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon and encounter chances for both versions, items, trainers, gifts, trades and shops come from the pret/pokeruby decompilation (pret/pokeruby 5784633ce4). 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.