Latias, the Eon Pokémon, is a legendary creature that can be a challenging but rewarding catch in Pokémon Sapphire. Unlike static encounters, Latias roams the Hoenn region after you’ve defeated the Elite Four. This means its location changes each time you move to a new route or area, making it a test of patience, strategy, and perhaps a little bit of luck. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps necessary to encounter and successfully capture Latias in Pokémon Sapphire.
Prerequisites
Before you embark on your Latias hunt, ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Defeat the Elite Four: You must have completed the main storyline and become the Champion of the Hoenn region. This unlocks access to roaming Pokémon.
- Obtain the Eon Ticket: This is technically not *required* for encountering Latias *after* you choose the color at the beginning of the game but acquiring it simplifies the process significantly in the long run. However, in the absence of Mystery Events, this guide will focus on the original, intended method of encountering the appropriate Eon Pokémon.
- Have a Pokémon that knows Fly: This is absolutely essential for quickly moving between different locations to reset Latias’s position.
- Pokémon Level 50 or Higher: Having a Pokémon of this level (or higher) will help you withstand Latias’s attacks and potentially inflict status conditions more effectively. Ideally, this Pokémon should be faster than Latias.
- A Pokémon with Mean Look or Block (Optional, but Highly Recommended): These moves prevent Latias from fleeing the battle, making it significantly easier to catch. Pokémon like Wobbuffet (using Shadow Tag) can also achieve this.
- False Swipe or Hold Back (Optional, but Very Helpful): These moves guarantee that you won’t accidentally knock out Latias, leaving it at 1 HP for easier capture. A Pokémon like Scizor learns False Swipe.
- Timer Balls, Ultra Balls, and Net Balls: These are the primary tools for catching Latias. Timer Balls become more effective with each turn, Ultra Balls offer a decent catch rate from the start, and Net Balls are particularly useful if you’ve weakened Latias sufficiently.
- Repels: These are essential to control the encounters you have in the wild and prevent you from battling weak Pokémon constantly.
- Patience: Catching Latias can take a considerable amount of time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find it right away.
Step 1: Choosing Your Eon Pokémon
The most important step at the start of your adventure is to choose the right color when your mom asks which one you saw on TV. In Pokémon Sapphire, if you choose Red, Latias will roam Hoenn. If you choose Blue, Latios will roam Hoenn. Ensure you select the Red option to make Latias appear.
Step 2: Preparing Your Team and Inventory
Before setting out, make sure your team and inventory are properly prepared:
- Lead Pokémon: Your lead Pokémon should be Level 50 or higher and know either Mean Look, Block, or have an ability like Shadow Tag. If you don’t have one with those abilities, ensure it is faster than Latias (Speed stat of at least 330 with a neutral nature).
- False Swipe/Hold Back Pokémon: Have a Pokémon with False Swipe or Hold Back in your party to bring Latias down to 1 HP without knocking it out.
- Ball Stockpile: Buy a large number of Ultra Balls and Timer Balls. Consider a few Net Balls as well.
- Repel Strategy: Use repels to reduce random encounters. This is where your lead Pokémon’s level becomes critical. If your lead Pokémon is between level 40 and 49, use Repels. If it is level 50 or higher, use Super Repels or Max Repels. This will limit you to encountering Pokémon within a certain level range, increasing the odds of encountering Latias in appropriate areas.
Step 3: Understanding Roaming Pokémon Mechanics
Roaming Pokémon have specific behaviors that you need to understand to effectively track them:
- Location Reset: Latias’s location changes every time you enter a new route, town, or building.
- Initial Location: After defeating the Elite Four (and choosing the correct color), Latias will start roaming the Hoenn region.
- Random Movement: Latias moves randomly between routes, making it difficult to predict its exact location.
- Pokédex Tracking: The Pokédex is your most valuable tool for tracking Latias. After each route change, check the Pokédex to see what route Latias is currently on.
Step 4: The Tracking Method – The Route Cycling Technique
The most effective method for finding Latias involves a technique called “route cycling.” This method involves moving between two adjacent locations to quickly reset Latias’s position until it appears on a desired route.
- Choose Two Adjacent Locations: Select two locations that are directly connected, such as two adjacent routes or a route and a town. A popular example is Route 110 (Cycling Road) and Littleroot Town. Another common choice is Route 118 and Mauville City.
- Fly to One Location: Use Fly to travel to one of the chosen locations (e.g., Route 110).
- Check the Pokédex: Immediately open your Pokédex and check Latias’s current location.
- Move to the Adjacent Location: If Latias is not on the route you are currently on, move to the adjacent location (e.g., enter Littleroot Town).
- Recheck the Pokédex: Check the Pokédex again to see if Latias has moved to the new location.
- Repeat: Continue moving back and forth between the two locations, checking the Pokédex each time, until Latias appears on one of the routes. This might take several attempts, so be patient.
The Route Cycling technique efficiently forces Latias to move to different locations until it appears where you want it to.
Step 5: Controlling Encounters with Repels
Using Repels is crucial to increase your chances of encountering Latias once it’s on the same route as you.
- Activate a Repel: Use a Repel to prevent weaker Pokémon from appearing.
- Walk in the Grass: Walk through the tall grass on the route where Latias is located. The Repel will only allow Pokémon of a certain level or higher to appear, which will ideally include Latias.
- Random Encounter: Continue walking in the grass until you encounter a Pokémon. If it’s not Latias, repeat the process, ensuring the Repel’s effect is still active.
- Reapply Repel: Always reapply a Repel immediately after the previous one wears off to maintain control over the encounters.
Step 6: The Encounter – Preventing Escape
Once you encounter Latias, preventing it from fleeing is paramount. Latias has the tendency to flee on the first turn, making it frustrating if you’re unprepared.
- Use Mean Look or Block (or have Shadow Tag): Immediately use Mean Look or Block with your lead Pokémon (or rely on Shadow Tag if using Wobbuffet) on the first turn. This prevents Latias from escaping.
- Switch Pokémon (If Necessary): If your lead Pokémon is not suited for weakening Latias, switch to your False Swipe/Hold Back Pokémon after using Mean Look or Block. Be aware of the move order, as Latias could potentially escape if it’s faster than your Pokémon and you attempt to switch before using Mean Look or Block.
- Consider the Item Smoke Ball: If you want to guarantee that you can switch to a False Swipe user, equip your Mean Look/Block user with a Smoke Ball. This allows it to switch out even if trapped.
Step 7: Weakening Latias
Once Latias is trapped, weaken it to increase your chances of a successful capture.
- Use False Swipe or Hold Back: Use False Swipe or Hold Back to bring Latias down to 1 HP. This ensures you won’t accidentally knock it out.
- Avoid Status Conditions (Initially): While status conditions can help, be cautious. Paralysis can slow it down, making it easier to hit with Poké Balls. However, avoid Poison or Burn, as they can eventually knock out Latias. Sleep and Freeze are effective, but their duration is limited.
Step 8: Capturing Latias
With Latias weakened and unable to flee, it’s time to throw those Poké Balls!
- Start with Timer Balls: If the battle has gone on for several turns, start using Timer Balls. They become more effective the longer the battle lasts.
- Use Ultra Balls: If Timer Balls aren’t working, switch to Ultra Balls. They offer a decent catch rate and are a reliable option.
- Consider Net Balls: Though not particularly effective against Latias specifically, if you lowered Latias to 1 HP, Net Balls might still give you a slight edge as a low-cost option.
- Be Patient: Catching Latias can still take multiple attempts, even at low health. Keep throwing Poké Balls until you finally capture it.
Alternative Strategies and Tips
- Master Ball (Not Recommended): While you could use a Master Ball to guarantee a capture, it’s generally better saved for other hard-to-catch legendary Pokémon like Rayquaza (if you haven’t already caught it).
- Sleep or Freeze: Putting Latias to sleep or freezing it can significantly increase your catch rate. However, these status conditions are temporary, so you’ll need to reapply them if they wear off.
- Optimize Your Team: Build a team specifically designed for catching roaming Pokémon. This can include Pokémon with abilities like Shadow Tag, moves like False Swipe, and status-inducing attacks.
- Map Out Routes: Create a mental or physical map of the Hoenn region to help you quickly navigate and track Latias’s movements.
- Save Frequently: Save your game frequently, especially before encountering Latias. This allows you to reset if you accidentally knock it out or run out of Poké Balls.
- Synchronize Ability: If you have a Pokémon with the Synchronize ability (like Abra or Natu) at the front of your party, there is a 50% chance that Latias will have the same nature as your Synchronize Pokémon. This can be useful if you’re looking for a specific nature for competitive battling. The Pokémon with Synchronize must be in the lead spot *before* the encounter begins.
Dealing with Common Issues
- Latias Keeps Escaping: If Latias escapes before you can use Mean Look or Block, try using a faster Pokémon or a Pokémon with the Shadow Tag ability. Alternatively, the Smoke Ball strategy with Mean Look can guarantee a successful switch.
- Running Out of Repels: Buy a large supply of Repels before starting your hunt. Consider using Super Repels or Max Repels for longer-lasting effects.
- Accidentally Knocking Out Latias: Use False Swipe or Hold Back to avoid accidentally knocking out Latias. If you do accidentally knock it out, reset your game and try again. This is why saving before the encounter is critical.
- Can’t Find Latias: Be patient and persistent. Roaming Pokémon can take time to find. Make sure you are correctly using the Route Cycling technique and checking your Pokédex regularly.
Conclusion
Catching Latias in Pokémon Sapphire is a test of patience and strategy, but with the right preparation and techniques, it’s definitely achievable. By understanding the mechanics of roaming Pokémon, using effective tracking methods, and preparing your team and inventory accordingly, you can successfully add Latias to your collection. Remember to stay patient, save frequently, and enjoy the journey of hunting down this elusive legendary Pokémon. Good luck, and happy catching!