How to Catch Reshiram and Zekrom in Pokémon Black and White: A Comprehensive Guide
Pokémon Black and White, released for the Nintendo DS, introduced the Unova region and a host of new Pokémon, including the legendary mascots Reshiram and Zekrom. These powerful Dragon-type Pokémon play a significant role in the game’s storyline and are highly sought after by players. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to encounter and capture Reshiram in Pokémon Black and Zekrom in Pokémon White, as well as some useful tips to make the process smoother.
## Understanding Reshiram and Zekrom
Before diving into the catching process, it’s crucial to understand the significance and differences between these two legendary Pokémon.
* **Reshiram:** The mascot of Pokémon Black, Reshiram represents truth. It is a Dragon/Fire-type Pokémon known for its flowing white mane and powerful special attacks. Reshiram embodies the ideals of seeking truth and upholding justice.
* **Zekrom:** The mascot of Pokémon White, Zekrom represents ideals. It is a Dragon/Electric-type Pokémon characterized by its dark, spiked exterior and formidable physical attack prowess. Zekrom champions the pursuit of dreams and the strength of ideals.
In the storyline, these Pokémon are deeply tied to the legends of the Unova region and the conflict between truth and ideals. N, the main antagonist, seeks to separate humans and Pokémon, believing it to be the only way to achieve true justice. The player, as the protagonist, must confront N and either Reshiram (in Black) or Zekrom (in White) to prevent him from realizing his goals.
## Prerequisites
Before you can encounter Reshiram or Zekrom, you must meet specific requirements in the game:
1. **Progress Through the Story:** You must advance through the main storyline until you reach the point where N summons Reshiram (in Black) or Zekrom (in White) at Dragonspiral Tower.
2. **Defeat the Elite Four:** This is a significant milestone. You must defeat the Elite Four and the Champion to unlock the final stages of the game, including the ability to catch the legendary Pokémon.
3. **Prepare Your Team:** Ensure your Pokémon team is well-leveled (ideally in the level 60s or higher) and consists of Pokémon that can withstand powerful attacks. It’s wise to have a diverse team with various type advantages.
4. **Stock Up on Supplies:** Purchase plenty of Poké Balls, particularly Ultra Balls, as they offer the best chance of catching Reshiram or Zekrom. Also, stock up on Potions, Revives, and status-healing items like Paralyze Heals or Burn Heals.
5. **Pokémon with Status-Inflicting Moves:** Pokémon with moves that inflict status conditions like Paralysis or Sleep are invaluable. These conditions significantly increase the catch rate.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Reshiram (Pokémon Black)
1. **Reach Dragonspiral Tower:** After defeating the Elite Four and the Champion, head to Dragonspiral Tower. This tower is located in the north of the Unova region, specifically in the town of Icirrus City.
2. **Ascend the Tower:** Navigate through Dragonspiral Tower. The layout is relatively straightforward, but be prepared for trainer battles along the way. Heal your Pokémon as needed.
3. **Witness N Summon Reshiram:** At the top of Dragonspiral Tower, N will summon Reshiram using the Light Stone. A cutscene will occur, and Reshiram will emerge.
4. **Engage in Battle:** After the cutscene, you will automatically enter a battle with Reshiram. This is a mandatory battle; you cannot run away. Your primary goal is to weaken Reshiram without knocking it out.
5. **Weaken Reshiram:** Use Pokémon with moves that won’t cause super-effective damage (avoid Dragon, Ground, Rock, and Water type moves). Gradually reduce Reshiram’s health. A good strategy is to use moves that deal consistent, moderate damage.
6. **Inflict a Status Condition:** Once Reshiram’s health is sufficiently low (ideally in the red or orange zone), inflict a status condition. Paralysis is often preferred as it reduces Reshiram’s Speed, making it easier to manage the battle. Sleep is also effective, giving you multiple turns to throw Poké Balls without Reshiram attacking.
7. **Throw Poké Balls:** Begin throwing Ultra Balls. Be patient, as it may take several attempts. If Reshiram’s status condition wears off, reapply it to increase your chances. Continue throwing Ultra Balls until you successfully catch Reshiram.
8. **Reshiram Joins Your Team:** Once captured, Reshiram will automatically join your team. Congratulations!
## Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Zekrom (Pokémon White)
1. **Reach Dragonspiral Tower:** Similar to Pokémon Black, after defeating the Elite Four and the Champion, make your way to Dragonspiral Tower in Icirrus City.
2. **Ascend the Tower:** Battle through the trainers and navigate the tower to reach the summit.
3. **Witness N Summon Zekrom:** At the top of Dragonspiral Tower, N will summon Zekrom using the Dark Stone. A cutscene will play out, and Zekrom will appear.
4. **Engage in Battle:** You will immediately enter a battle with Zekrom. You cannot escape this encounter.
5. **Weaken Zekrom:** Employ Pokémon with moves that aren’t super effective against Dragon or Electric types. Carefully lower Zekrom’s health without causing it to faint.
6. **Inflict a Status Condition:** Once Zekrom’s health is low enough, inflict a status condition like Paralysis or Sleep. This will make it significantly easier to catch.
7. **Throw Poké Balls:** Use Ultra Balls to attempt to capture Zekrom. Be prepared to use a lot of them. Keep applying status conditions as necessary.
8. **Zekrom Joins Your Team:** After successfully capturing Zekrom, it will be added to your party. Well done!
## Preparing for the Battle: Essential Tips
To increase your chances of successfully catching Reshiram or Zekrom, consider the following tips:
### 1. Choosing the Right Pokémon
* **Type Advantages:** While you want to avoid super-effective moves, having Pokémon with type resistances to Dragon, Fire (for Reshiram), and Electric (for Zekrom) attacks is beneficial. Pokémon with high Special Defense (for Reshiram) or Defense (for Zekrom) can also withstand more hits.
* **Status-Inflicting Moves:** Pokémon with moves like Thunder Wave (Paralysis), Sleep Powder (Sleep), or Toxic (Poison) are incredibly useful. Paralysis and Sleep are the most effective for catching, as they directly increase the catch rate.
* **False Swipe/Hold Back:** These moves are learned moves that always leave the opponent with at least 1 HP. This ensures you won’t accidentally knock out Reshiram or Zekrom while trying to weaken them.
* **Example Pokémon:**
* **Parasect:** A Bug/Grass-type Pokémon that learns Spore (Sleep) at level 54 and False Swipe at level 23, making it an excellent choice for catching.
* **Breloom:** A Grass/Fighting-type Pokémon that learns Spore through breeding or level up in other games, and False Swipe via TM, offering similar advantages.
* **Galvantula:** A Bug/Electric-type Pokémon that learns Thunder Wave, providing paralysis support.
### 2. Stocking Up on Items
* **Poké Balls:** Ultra Balls are the most reliable for catching legendary Pokémon. Purchase as many as you can afford.
* **Potions and Revives:** Be prepared to heal your Pokémon during the battle. Super Potions, Hyper Potions, and Max Potions are recommended.
* **Status Healing Items:** Carry plenty of Paralyze Heals, Awakening, and Burn Heals to counter any status conditions inflicted by Reshiram or Zekrom.
* **Ether/Elixir:** These items restore PP (move points) of your Pokémon’s moves, ensuring you don’t run out of essential attacks.
### 3. Understanding the Catch Rate
Legendary Pokémon have notoriously low catch rates. Several factors influence the success of your capture:
* **Pokémon’s Remaining HP:** The lower the Pokémon’s health, the higher the catch rate.
* **Status Conditions:** Paralysis, Sleep, Freeze, Burn, and Poison all increase the catch rate, with Sleep and Freeze providing the highest boost.
* **Poké Ball Type:** Ultra Balls offer a higher catch rate than Great Balls or regular Poké Balls.
* **Critical Capture:** Rarely, a Poké Ball will shake more vigorously than usual, indicating a critical capture. This significantly increases the catch rate, often resulting in a successful capture.
### 4. Battle Strategies
* **Lead with a Tank:** Start the battle with a Pokémon that can withstand multiple hits. This gives you time to assess Reshiram or Zekrom’s moveset and switch to a more suitable Pokémon.
* **Use Status Conditions Early:** Applying a status condition early in the battle increases your chances of successfully catching the legendary Pokémon later on.
* **Monitor PP:** Keep an eye on the PP of your Pokémon’s moves, especially status-inflicting moves. Use Ethers or Elixirs as needed.
* **Be Patient:** Catching legendary Pokémon can take time and multiple attempts. Don’t get discouraged if your Poké Balls fail repeatedly. Stay persistent, and eventually, you will succeed.
## Dealing with Common Problems
During the encounter with Reshiram or Zekrom, you might face some common issues. Here’s how to address them:
### 1. Accidental Knockout
If you accidentally knock out Reshiram or Zekrom, don’t worry! In Pokémon Black and White, the legendary Pokémon will respawn after you defeat the Elite Four again. This allows you to retry the encounter.
### 2. Running Out of Poké Balls
If you run out of Poké Balls during the battle, you will be forced to forfeit. Return to the nearest Poké Mart to replenish your supplies and try again.
### 3. Pokémon Fainting
If your Pokémon faint during the battle, use Revives to restore them. If your entire team faints, you will be forced to return to the last Pokémon Center you visited, and you will need to make your way back to Dragonspiral Tower to re-challenge Reshiram or Zekrom.
### 4. Reshiram/Zekrom Using Roar/Whirlwind
Neither Reshiram nor Zekrom learn Roar or Whirlwind in Pokémon Black and White. These moves force the player to end the battle and are not a concern in this specific encounter.
## Post-Capture: What to Do Next
After successfully catching Reshiram or Zekrom, you can integrate them into your team and continue your adventure in the Unova region.
* **Battle N:** With Reshiram (in Black) or Zekrom (in White) in your party, you can now confront N at N’s Castle. This is the final showdown of the main storyline.
* **Explore Post-Game Content:** Pokémon Black and White offer a variety of post-game activities, including completing the National Pokédex, battling in the Battle Subway, and exploring new areas.
* **Train Your Legendary Pokémon:** Reshiram and Zekrom are powerful Pokémon. Train them to reach their full potential and use them in battles against other players or challenging trainers.
## Alternative Methods and Glitches
While the standard method of catching Reshiram or Zekrom involves battling them at Dragonspiral Tower, some players may be interested in alternative methods or glitches.
### 1. Using Action Replay or Other Hacking Devices
Using Action Replay or similar hacking devices can allow you to encounter and catch Reshiram or Zekrom outside of the intended storyline. However, this method is generally discouraged as it can disrupt the game’s intended experience and may lead to glitches or corrupted save data.
### 2. Exploiting Glitches (Not Recommended)
Some players may attempt to exploit glitches in the game to encounter or catch Reshiram or Zekrom early. However, these glitches are often unreliable and can potentially damage your game save. It is generally recommended to avoid attempting such exploits.
## Conclusion
Catching Reshiram in Pokémon Black or Zekrom in Pokémon White is a significant achievement that requires careful preparation and patience. By following this comprehensive guide, you can increase your chances of successfully capturing these legendary Pokémon and adding them to your team. Remember to stock up on supplies, choose the right Pokémon, and be persistent in your efforts. Good luck, and happy catching!
## FAQs
**Q: Can I catch both Reshiram and Zekrom in the same game?**
A: No, you can only catch Reshiram in Pokémon Black and Zekrom in Pokémon White during the main storyline. To obtain the other legendary, you would need to trade with someone who has the opposite version of the game.
**Q: What is the best Poké Ball to use for catching Reshiram or Zekrom?**
A: Ultra Balls are generally the most effective Poké Balls for catching legendary Pokémon due to their higher catch rate.
**Q: What happens if I accidentally knock out Reshiram or Zekrom?**
A: If you accidentally knock out Reshiram or Zekrom, they will respawn after you defeat the Elite Four again, allowing you to retry the encounter.
**Q: Are there any moves I should avoid using against Reshiram or Zekrom?**
A: Yes, avoid using super-effective moves against Dragon, Fire (for Reshiram), and Electric (for Zekrom) types, as you want to weaken them gradually without knocking them out.
**Q: What status condition is best for catching Reshiram or Zekrom?**
A: Paralysis and Sleep are the most effective status conditions for catching legendary Pokémon, as they significantly increase the catch rate. Paralysis also reduces their Speed, making it easier to manage the battle.