H1 Find Rayquaza in Pokémon Ruby: A Comprehensive Guide
Pokémon Ruby, a classic Game Boy Advance title, is a beloved entry in the Pokémon franchise. One of the most sought-after legendary Pokémon in this game is Rayquaza, the Sky High Pokémon. Rayquaza’s power and majestic design make it a desirable addition to any trainer’s team. However, encountering and catching Rayquaza requires specific steps and conditions. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every detail, ensuring you can find and capture this legendary dragon.
### Prerequisites
Before you even think about finding Rayquaza, you need to fulfill certain prerequisites. These steps are crucial for unlocking the events that lead to Rayquaza’s appearance.
1. **Defeat the Elite Four and Champion Wallace:** This is the most important step. You cannot access the events that trigger Rayquaza’s appearance until you’ve proven your worth by defeating the Elite Four (Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, and Drake) and the Champion, Wallace. This signifies the completion of the main storyline.
2. **Obtain the National Pokédex:** After defeating the Elite Four, you need to get the National Pokédex. This is obtained from Professor Birch in Littleroot Town. This upgrade to your Pokédex allows you to encounter and register Pokémon from other regions, which is essential for Rayquaza.
3. **Complete the Team Magma/Aqua Events:** This is often overlooked, but it’s essential. You need to have resolved the crisis involving Team Magma (in Ruby) or Team Aqua (in Sapphire). This involves stopping their plans to awaken Groudon (in Ruby) or Kyogre (in Sapphire). This is because the subsequent event triggering Rayquaza’s appearance involves these two legendary Pokémon.
### Understanding the Story Context
After defeating the Elite Four and obtaining the National Pokédex, you’ll witness a significant event that ties directly to Rayquaza’s appearance. Team Magma/Aqua will have successfully awakened Groudon and Kyogre. These two legendary Pokémon, representing land and sea, will engage in a cataclysmic battle that threatens to destroy Hoenn. Understanding this context is important for knowing why Rayquaza appears.
### Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Rayquaza
Once you’ve met all the prerequisites, follow these detailed steps to find Rayquaza:
**Step 1: Go to Mossdeep City**
Your journey begins in Mossdeep City. This city is located on an island in the eastern part of Hoenn and is home to the Mossdeep Space Center and the Gym led by Tate and Liza (the Psychic-type Gym Leaders).
* **How to get to Mossdeep City:** Fly there directly if you’ve already visited. If not, you can surf east from Route 124, which is east of Lilycove City. You’ll need the HM Surf to traverse the water routes.
**Step 2: Visit the Space Center**
In Mossdeep City, head to the Space Center. This is a large building located in the northern part of the city. Enter the Space Center.
**Step 3: Talk to Steven Stone**
Inside the Space Center, you’ll find Steven Stone, the former Champion of the Hoenn region. He’s typically located on the second floor. Steven will inform you about a crisis involving Groudon and Kyogre, who are battling and causing massive weather disturbances across Hoenn. He’ll explain that the only Pokémon capable of stopping them is Rayquaza.
**Step 4: Witness the Cutscene at Sootopolis City**
After speaking with Steven, he will direct you to Sootopolis City. Sootopolis is a hidden city located inside a volcanic crater. To reach it, you need to:
* **Have a Pokémon with Dive:** You’ll need a Pokémon that knows the HM Dive. This is crucial because Sootopolis City is located behind a deep underwater trench.
* **Travel to Route 126:** Surf to Route 126, which is located southwest of Mossdeep City. You’ll find several deep-sea diving spots.
* **Use Dive:** Look for a dark patch of water. Use Dive here to descend underwater.
* **Navigate the Underwater Route:** Follow the underwater route until you find an opening that leads into Sootopolis City.
* **Surface in Sootopolis City:** Surface once you find the opening. You’ll now be in Sootopolis City.
Once in Sootopolis City, you’ll witness a cutscene where Groudon and Kyogre are locked in a fierce battle, causing immense destruction. Rayquaza will descend from the sky and use its immense power to calm both Pokémon, stopping their fight and restoring balance to the region. This cutscene confirms Rayquaza’s existence and its ability to control the weather.
**Step 5: Rayquaza’s Location: The Sky Pillar**
After the events in Sootopolis City, Rayquaza will return to its home: the Sky Pillar. The Sky Pillar is an ancient tower located on Route 131. This is where you’ll find and have the opportunity to capture Rayquaza.
* **Getting to Route 131:** Route 131 is located east of Pacifidlog Town. Pacifidlog Town is a small town built on floating logs, located on the southern edge of the Hoenn region. Surf east from Pacifidlog Town along Route 131.
* **Finding the Sky Pillar:** The Sky Pillar is an island with a tall, dilapidated tower. It’s hard to miss.
**Step 6: Navigating the Sky Pillar**
The Sky Pillar is a challenging area to navigate. It’s filled with crumbling floors and strong winds that can push you off course. You’ll need to use the Mach Bike to navigate the cracked tiles and reach higher levels. Here’s a breakdown:
* **The Mach Bike:** You MUST have the Mach Bike. This bike allows you to ride over cracked tiles without falling through. You obtain the Mach Bike from Rydel’s Cycles in Mauville City.
* **Cracked Tiles:** The Sky Pillar is filled with cracked tiles. If you walk or use the Acro Bike on these tiles, you’ll fall to the floor below. Use the Mach Bike and ride over these tiles at full speed to cross them.
* **Windy Areas:** Some floors have strong winds that push you in a certain direction. Carefully adjust your movement to counteract the wind and stay on course.
* **Multiple Floors:** The Sky Pillar has several floors, each with its own set of challenges. Take your time and plan your route carefully.
**Detailed Floor-by-Floor Navigation:**
* **Floor 1:** This floor is relatively straightforward. Just head north to the stairs leading to the second floor.
* **Floor 2:** This is where the cracked tiles begin. Use the Mach Bike to cross the cracked tiles to the north and reach the stairs to the third floor.
* **Floor 3:** More cracked tiles. Plan your route carefully and use the Mach Bike to cross them. Be mindful of the placement of the tiles and the direction you need to go.
* **Floor 4:** This floor introduces wind currents. These winds will push you in a specific direction. Adjust your movement to compensate for the wind and reach the stairs to the fifth floor.
* **Floor 5:** A combination of cracked tiles and wind currents. This is one of the most challenging floors in the Sky Pillar. Use the Mach Bike to cross the cracked tiles while compensating for the wind. It may take several attempts to get it right. The stairs to the next floor are in the top-left corner.
* **Floor 6:** Another floor with wind currents. This floor is relatively short, so you can quickly reach the stairs to the final floor.
* **Rooftop (Final Floor):** On the rooftop, you’ll find Rayquaza waiting. Save your game before approaching it!
**Step 7: Encountering and Catching Rayquaza**
Finally, you’ve reached Rayquaza. This is the moment you’ve been preparing for. Here’s how to approach the battle:
* **Save Your Game:** Before interacting with Rayquaza, save your game. This allows you to reset and retry the battle if you accidentally knock it out or run out of Poké Balls.
* **Prepare Your Team:** Make sure you have a team of strong Pokémon capable of dealing damage and withstanding Rayquaza’s attacks. Pokémon with Ice, Dragon, Rock, and Fairy-type moves are super effective against Rayquaza.
* **Use Status Conditions:** Inflicting status conditions like Sleep or Paralysis makes it easier to catch Rayquaza. Use moves like Sleep Powder, Thunder Wave, or Stun Spore.
* **Weaken Rayquaza:** Reduce Rayquaza’s health as much as possible without knocking it out. Moves like False Swipe (which always leaves the opponent with at least 1 HP) are ideal.
* **Use Ultra Balls:** Ultra Balls have the highest catch rate in the game. Bring plenty of them. Timer Balls are also effective if the battle lasts many turns.
* **Patience is Key:** Catching a legendary Pokémon like Rayquaza can take time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if it breaks out of Poké Balls repeatedly. Keep trying, and eventually, you’ll succeed.
### Rayquaza’s Stats and Moveset
Knowing Rayquaza’s stats and moveset can help you prepare for the battle.
* **Level:** Rayquaza is at Level 70 when you encounter it.
* **Type:** Dragon/Flying
* **Ability:** Air Lock (Negates weather effects)
* **Possible Moveset:**
* Extreme Speed
* Outrage
* Fly
* Rest
### Tips and Strategies for Catching Rayquaza
Here are some additional tips and strategies to improve your chances of catching Rayquaza:
* **False Swipe User:** Having a Pokémon with False Swipe is invaluable. This move ensures you won’t accidentally knock out Rayquaza.
* **Status Inducers:** Pokémon with moves like Sleep Powder, Thunder Wave, or Stun Spore can greatly increase your chances of success.
* **High-Level Team:** Bring a team of Pokémon around Level 60-70 to withstand Rayquaza’s powerful attacks.
* **Revives and Potions:** Stock up on Revives and Hyper Potions to keep your Pokémon healthy during the battle.
* **Timer Balls:** If the battle drags on, Timer Balls become increasingly effective. Use them after several turns.
* **Quick Balls:** Try throwing a Quick Ball at the start of the battle. Sometimes, you’ll get lucky and catch Rayquaza instantly.
* **Understand Rayquaza’s AI:** Rayquaza will often use Rest to heal itself. This can be frustrating, but it also gives you opportunities to inflict status conditions or weaken it further.
### What to Do After Catching Rayquaza
Congratulations, you’ve caught Rayquaza! What’s next?
* **Train Rayquaza:** Rayquaza is a powerful Pokémon, so invest time in training it. Level it up and teach it powerful moves to make it a valuable asset to your team.
* **Use in Battle:** Rayquaza excels in both in-game battles and competitive play. Use it to challenge other trainers and test its strength.
* **Complete the Pokédex:** Register Rayquaza in your Pokédex to complete your collection.
* **Consider Breeding:** While Rayquaza cannot breed, you can still enjoy having this legendary Pokémon in your team.
### Troubleshooting Common Issues
* **Can’t Find the Sky Pillar:** Make sure you have completed the events in Sootopolis City. The Sky Pillar won’t be accessible until after Rayquaza stops the fight between Groudon and Kyogre.
* **Falling Through Cracked Tiles:** Use the Mach Bike and ride over the cracked tiles at full speed. If you’re still falling, make sure you’re going fast enough.
* **Rayquaza Keeps Breaking Out of Poké Balls:** This is normal. Legendary Pokémon are notoriously difficult to catch. Be patient and keep trying. Use status conditions and weaken Rayquaza to improve your chances.
* **Accidentally Knocked Out Rayquaza:** If you accidentally knock out Rayquaza, you can reset your game and try again, provided you saved before the encounter.
### Conclusion
Finding and catching Rayquaza in Pokémon Ruby is a rewarding experience that requires patience, preparation, and skill. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the Sky Pillar, battle Rayquaza, and add this legendary Pokémon to your team. Good luck, and happy hunting!