Zorua, the Illusion Fox Pokémon, is a highly sought-after creature in Pokémon White. Its unique ability, Illusion, allows it to disguise itself as the last Pokémon in your party, adding a layer of strategy and intrigue to battles. However, obtaining Zorua in Pokémon White is not a straightforward process and requires specific conditions to be met. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the exact steps you need to take to catch Zorua, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial details.
Prerequisites: Essential Requirements Before You Begin
Before embarking on your Zorua-catching journey, ensure you meet the following prerequisites:
- Obtain a Nintendo Event Pokémon: This is the most crucial step. You must have either a Celebi (from a Nintendo event or past distribution) or one of the Shiny Legendary Beasts (Raikou, Entei, or Suicune) that were distributed via Nintendo events. These Pokémon are the key to triggering the Zorua encounter.
- Transfer the Event Pokémon to Pokémon White: You need to transfer the Celebi or Shiny Legendary Beast from a Gen IV game (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver) to your Pokémon White version. We’ll cover the transfer process in detail later.
- Progress to Castelia City: You must have progressed far enough in the main story to reach Castelia City, the fourth major city in the Unova region.
- Have an Empty Slot in Your Party: Make sure you have at least one empty slot in your party to accommodate Zorua once you catch it.
- Poké Balls and Healing Items: Stock up on Poké Balls (Dusk Balls are particularly effective in caves and at night) and healing items like Potions and Super Potions.
Step-by-Step Guide: Catching Zorua in Pokémon White
Follow these steps carefully to successfully catch Zorua in Pokémon White:
Step 1: Transferring the Event Pokémon
This is arguably the most complex part of the process. You’ll need two Nintendo DS or 3DS systems to perform the transfer. One system will have your Gen IV game (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver), and the other will have your Pokémon White game.
- On your Gen IV Game (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver):
- Navigate to the Poké Transfer Lab on Route 221 (Diamond and Pearl) or Route 15 (Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver). These are post-Elite Four locations.
- Talk to the researcher inside the lab. He will explain the Poké Transfer process.
- Insert your Pokémon White game into the second DS/3DS system.
- Select the option to “Migrate from [Game Name]” (e.g., “Migrate from HeartGold”).
- You will be prompted to turn off the system. Do so.
- Turn the system back on. On the main menu, a new option will appear: “Download Play.”
- Select “Download Play.” The Gen IV game system will search for a DS Download Play game.
- On your Pokémon White Game:
- Start your Pokémon White game.
- On the main menu (where you select “Continue,” “New Game,” etc.), a new option will appear: “DS Download Play.”
- Select “DS Download Play.” The system will search for a game to download.
- The Gen IV game will transmit the Poké Transporter program to your Pokémon White system. This is a mini-game where you capture Pokémon with the stylus.
- Back on your Gen IV Game:
- You can now select up to six Pokémon from your PC boxes to transfer. Make sure your Celebi or Shiny Legendary Beast is among these six.
- Important: Pokémon holding items cannot be transferred. Remove any items from the Pokémon you wish to transfer. HMs do not count as items in this context.
- Confirm your selection. You will be warned that you cannot get these Pokémon back in your Gen IV game.
- On your Pokémon White Game (Poké Transporter Mini-Game):
- You will now play a mini-game where you use the stylus to flick Poké Balls at the transferred Pokémon as they appear on the screen. The goal is to “catch” them.
- The mini-game is relatively easy, but try to be accurate with your stylus flicks.
- After the mini-game, the Pokémon you caught will be transferred to the Transfer Box in your Pokémon White PC.
- In Pokémon White:
- Go to any Pokémon Center.
- Interact with the PC and select “Someone’s PC.”
- Choose “Transfer Box.”
- Withdraw the Celebi or Shiny Legendary Beast into your party or into a regular PC box. It needs to be in your party to trigger the Zorua event.
Step 2: Reaching Castelia City
If you haven’t already, progress through the main story until you reach Castelia City. This involves defeating the Striaton City Gym Leader and traveling through Route 4 and the Desert Resort. Castelia City is a large, bustling city located on the southern side of Unova.
Step 3: Locating N’s Hideout
In Castelia City, you need to find N’s Hideout. This hideout is located on a back alley street. From the main entrance of Castelia City (the one connected to Route 4), go directly north (up) until you reach the first street. Turn left and enter the first alley you see. It’s very narrow and easy to miss. The entrance to N’s Hideout will be at the end of this alley.
Step 4: Triggering the Zorua Encounter
This is where the magic happens! With either Celebi or a Shiny Legendary Beast in your party, enter N’s Hideout. A woman with green hair will approach you. She will recognize the Pokémon in your party (Celebi or the Shiny Legendary Beast). After a short cutscene, Zorua will appear in its illusion form and then reveal its true form. This triggers the battle.
Step 5: Battling and Catching Zorua
Now comes the crucial part: battling and catching Zorua. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
- Zorua’s Level: Zorua will be at level 25.
- Zorua’s Type: Zorua is a Dark-type Pokémon.
- Use Bug, Fighting, or Fairy-type Moves: These types are super effective against Dark-type Pokémon. However, be careful not to knock Zorua out in one hit.
- Weaken Zorua: Reduce Zorua’s HP to the red zone (low HP) without knocking it out. Paralysis or sleep is a good status condition to inflict to make it easier to catch.
- Use Poké Balls Strategically: Dusk Balls are excellent for catching Pokémon in caves or at night. Ultra Balls are a reliable choice as well. If you’re feeling lucky, you can try a Quick Ball at the beginning of the battle.
- Be Patient: Catching Pokémon can sometimes take multiple attempts. Don’t get discouraged if the first few Poké Balls fail. Keep trying until you succeed.
Important Notes on the Zorua Encounter:
- Only One Zorua per Game: You can only obtain one Zorua in Pokémon White using this method. Once you catch it, the event will not trigger again, even if you have multiple Celebi or Shiny Legendary Beasts.
- Soft Resetting: If you accidentally knock out Zorua, you can soft reset your game (press L+R+Start+Select simultaneously) to restart the battle. This allows you to try catching it again.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, players encounter issues when trying to catch Zorua. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- Zorua Doesn’t Appear:
- Solution: Double-check that you have a Celebi or a Shiny Legendary Beast in your party. Ensure that it was properly transferred from a Gen IV game using the Poké Transfer method. Make sure you are inside N’s Hideout in Castelia City.
- I Knocked Out Zorua by Accident:
- Solution: Soft reset your game (press L+R+Start+Select simultaneously) to restart the battle.
- I Don’t Have a Second DS/3DS:
- Solution: Unfortunately, you need two systems to perform the Poké Transfer. Borrow a system from a friend or family member. Alternatively, some local game stores may offer services to transfer Pokémon, though this is less common now.
- I Don’t Have Celebi or the Shiny Legendary Beasts:
- Solution: These Pokemon were only available through Nintendo Events. Without them, you unfortunately cannot legitimately obtain Zorua in Pokemon White. You might consider trading with another player who has a spare Zorua or one of the event Pokémon.
Why Zorua is Worth the Effort
While the process of obtaining Zorua in Pokémon White can be lengthy and require specific Pokémon, the reward is well worth the effort. Zorua’s unique ability, Illusion, can be a powerful asset in battles. By disguising itself as the last Pokémon in your party, Zorua can trick opponents into using ineffective moves, giving you a strategic advantage. This can be especially useful in competitive battles or during challenging sections of the game.
Furthermore, Zorua evolves into Zoroark at level 30. Zoroark retains the Illusion ability and has strong stats, making it a valuable addition to your team. Its Dark typing provides immunity to Psychic-type moves and offers offensive advantages against Ghost and Psychic-type opponents.
Tips for Using Zorua and Zoroark Effectively
Here are some tips for maximizing the effectiveness of Zorua and Zoroark in battle:
- Strategic Illusion: Consider the type matchups when choosing which Pokémon Zorua will disguise itself as. Disguising Zorua as a Pokémon with a type advantage over the opponent can bait them into using a move that will be ineffective against Zorua.
- Nasty Plot: Zoroark learns Nasty Plot, a move that sharply raises its Special Attack stat. Use Nasty Plot to boost Zoroark’s offensive power before unleashing powerful Dark-type moves like Dark Pulse.
- Coverage Moves: Teach Zoroark coverage moves like Flamethrower, Focus Blast, or Shadow Ball to deal with opponents that resist Dark-type attacks.
- Team Synergy: Build your team around Zoroark’s strengths and weaknesses. Include Pokémon that can cover its weaknesses and provide support.
Conclusion
Catching Zorua in Pokémon White is a unique and rewarding experience. While it requires a specific event Pokémon and a bit of effort, the strategic advantages and powerful potential of Zorua and Zoroark make it well worth the investment. By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well on your way to adding this elusive Illusion Fox Pokémon to your team.
Remember to be patient, persistent, and enjoy the journey. Happy hunting!
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