How to Get a Pokéblock Case in Pokémon Ruby: A Comprehensive Guide

Pokémon Ruby, a beloved classic in the Pokémon franchise, offers a rich and engaging experience. One of the interesting mechanics it introduces is the Pokéblock system, which allows you to feed your Pokémon special treats to boost their Contest stats. To effectively manage and carry these Pokéblocks, you’ll need a Pokéblock Case. This guide will walk you through the detailed steps to acquire this essential item in Pokémon Ruby.

Understanding Pokéblocks and Their Importance

Before diving into how to get the Pokéblock Case, it’s crucial to understand what Pokéblocks are and why they’re important. Pokéblocks are special treats made from Berries, and they are used to increase your Pokémon’s Contest stats: Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Smartness, and Toughness. These stats are essential if you plan to participate in Pokémon Contests, a fun and rewarding side activity in the game.

Each Pokéblock has a color and a flavor that corresponds to a specific Contest stat. For example, a Red Pokéblock increases Coolness, a Blue Pokéblock increases Beauty, a Pink Pokéblock increases Cuteness, a Green Pokéblock increases Smartness, and a Yellow Pokéblock increases Toughness. The quality and effectiveness of a Pokéblock depend on the Berries used to make it.

Feeding your Pokémon Pokéblocks increases their sheen, which is a visual indicator of how much they’ve been trained for Contests. The higher the sheen, the more impressive your Pokémon will be in Contests. However, there’s a limit to how much sheen a Pokémon can have, so you’ll need to be strategic about the Pokéblocks you feed them.

Prerequisites for Obtaining the Pokéblock Case

Before you can obtain the Pokéblock Case, you need to fulfill a couple of prerequisites:

1. **Reach Lilycove City:** You need to progress through the main storyline until you reach Lilycove City. This city is located on the eastern side of the Hoenn region.
2. **Defeat Team Aqua/Magma at Mt. Pyre:** You will need to have addressed the Team Aqua/Magma situation at Mt. Pyre. This involves battling through the mountain and foiling their plans to steal the Red/Blue Orb (depending on your version).
3. **Acquire the Pokémon Contest Pass:** You need to have spoken to the receptionist at the Lilycove City Contest Hall to receive your Contest Pass. This pass allows you to participate in Contests.

Once you’ve met these requirements, you’re ready to get the Pokéblock Case.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting the Pokéblock Case

Follow these detailed steps to obtain the Pokéblock Case in Pokémon Ruby:

**Step 1: Head to the Lilycove City Contest Hall**

Your first destination is the Contest Hall in Lilycove City. It’s a prominent building located in the northern part of the city, easily recognizable by its large size and ornate design. If you haven’t been there yet, explore the city until you find it.

**Step 2: Enter the Contest Hall and Speak to the Receptionist**

Once inside the Contest Hall, walk up to the receptionist standing behind the counter. If you haven’t already, she will give you a Contest Pass. This pass is required to participate in any Pokémon Contests in the Hoenn region.

**Step 3: Locate the Little Girl near the Vending Machines**

After speaking with the receptionist, look around the Contest Hall. You should see a little girl standing near the vending machines on the right side of the hall. She is the key to getting the Pokéblock Case.

**Step 4: Talk to the Little Girl**

Approach the little girl and talk to her. She will mention something about wanting to make Pokéblocks but not having a case to store them in. This is your cue to help her out.

**Step 5: Answer Her Question**

After her initial dialogue, the little girl will ask you a question, something along the lines of: ‘Do you know about Pokéblocks?’

* **Answer “YES”:** It is crucial to answer “Yes” to her question. If you answer “No”, she will not give you the Pokéblock Case, and you’ll have to talk to her again to get the prompt.

**Step 6: Receive the Pokéblock Case**

Upon answering “Yes”, the little girl will be delighted that you know about Pokéblocks and will reward you with the Pokéblock Case. She’ll say something like, “Oh, you know about Pokéblocks? Great! Here, take this Pokéblock Case!”

Congratulations! You now have the Pokéblock Case in your inventory. You can access it through the Key Items pocket of your bag.

Making Pokéblocks: A Brief Overview

Now that you have the Pokéblock Case, you’ll want to start making Pokéblocks. Here’s a brief overview of the process:

1. **Find a Berry Blender:** Berry Blenders are located in Contest Halls and Lilycove Museum. You’ll need to find one to make Pokéblocks.
2. **Insert Berries:** Interact with the Berry Blender, and you’ll be prompted to insert Berries. You can mix up to four Berries at a time. The combination of Berries will determine the type and quality of the Pokéblock.
3. **Spin the Blender:** Once you’ve inserted the Berries, you’ll need to spin the blender. This requires timed button presses. The faster and more accurate you are, the better the resulting Pokéblock will be.
4. **Collect Your Pokéblock:** After the blending process is complete, you’ll receive your Pokéblock. It will automatically be stored in your Pokéblock Case.

Tips for Making High-Quality Pokéblocks

To create the best Pokéblocks possible, consider these tips:

* **Use High-Quality Berries:** The better the Berry, the better the Pokéblock. Look for rare and high-quality Berries to use in your blends.
* **Blend with Friends:** In Pokémon Ruby, you can connect with friends via the Game Boy Advance link cable to blend Berries together. Blending with multiple people often results in higher-quality Pokéblocks.
* **Time Your Button Presses:** Pay close attention to the timing during the blending process. Accurate and fast button presses will result in better Pokéblocks.
* **Experiment with Different Berry Combinations:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different Berry combinations to discover new and effective Pokéblock recipes.

Using the Pokéblock Case

The Pokéblock Case is a Key Item, which means it can be accessed from the Key Items pocket of your bag. Open the Key Items, select the Pokéblock Case and select ‘Use’. This will display the Pokéblocks currently stored within the case. From here you can view the details of each Pokéblock including its color, flavor, and the berries that were used to make it. You can also see how many of each type of Pokéblock you have.

To feed a Pokéblock to one of your Pokémon, you need to:

1. Open the menu and select ‘Pokémon’.
2. Choose the Pokémon you want to feed.
3. Select “Feed”.
4. The Pokéblock Case will open, allowing you to select the Pokéblock you wish to give to that Pokémon. The Pokémon will then eat the selected Pokéblock, raising its contest stats and sheen.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble getting the Pokéblock Case, here are some common issues and solutions:

* **Have you reached Lilycove City?** Ensure you’ve progressed far enough in the game to reach Lilycove City.
* **Have you defeated Team Aqua/Magma at Mt. Pyre?** You need to complete the Mt. Pyre event before the little girl will appear.
* **Did you answer “Yes” to the little girl’s question?** Answering “No” will prevent her from giving you the case. Talk to her again and answer “Yes”.
* **Is your bag full?** Although rare, if your bag is completely full, she may not be able to give you the case. Try removing an item to make space.

Exploring Pokémon Contests

With your Pokéblock Case in hand, you’re now well-equipped to participate in Pokémon Contests. These contests are a fun and rewarding way to showcase your Pokémon’s skills and earn prizes.

**Contest Categories**

There are five contest categories, each focusing on a different stat:

* **Coolness:** Judged on how cool and stylish your Pokémon is.
* **Beauty:** Judged on how beautiful and elegant your Pokémon is.
* **Cuteness:** Judged on how cute and charming your Pokémon is.
* **Smartness:** Judged on how smart and clever your Pokémon is.
* **Toughness:** Judged on how tough and powerful your Pokémon is.

**Contest Ranks**

Each contest category has four ranks:

* **Normal Rank:** The entry-level rank for beginners.
* **Super Rank:** A step up from Normal Rank, requiring more training.
* **Hyper Rank:** A challenging rank for experienced trainers.
* **Master Rank:** The highest rank, reserved for the best of the best.

**Contest Process**

Each contest consists of two rounds:

* **Visual Competition:** In this round, your Pokémon’s appearance is judged based on its Contest stat and sheen. The higher the stat and sheen, the better your score.
* **Talent Round:** In this round, your Pokémon performs moves to appeal to the judges. The moves you choose and how well they match the contest category will determine your score.

**Contest Rewards**

Winning contests can earn you various rewards, including ribbons, which can be displayed on your Pokémon’s summary screen. Ribbons are a symbol of your Pokémon’s accomplishments and can be a source of pride.

Alternative Methods for Improving Contest Stats

While Pokéblocks are the primary method for improving Contest stats, there are other ways to enhance your Pokémon’s performance:

* **Grooming:** Grooming your Pokémon can slightly increase its sheen, making it more appealing in the Visual Competition.
* **Move Selection:** Choosing moves that match the contest category can significantly boost your score in the Talent Round. Research which moves are best suited for each category.
* **Nature:** A Pokémon’s Nature can influence how easily it gains Contest stats. Certain Natures are more conducive to specific stats.

Berry Farming

To consistently make Pokéblocks, you’ll need a reliable source of Berries. Here’s how to effectively farm Berries in Pokémon Ruby:

* **Locate Berry Trees:** Berry trees are scattered throughout the Hoenn region. Look for small trees with colorful berries growing on them.
* **Plant Berries:** When you find a Berry tree, you can plant Berries in the soft soil nearby. This will allow you to grow your own Berry trees.
* **Water Your Berries:** Water the planted Berries regularly to ensure they grow properly. You can use the Wailmer Pail to water them.
* **Harvest Berries:** Once the Berries have fully grown, you can harvest them. Be sure to harvest them before they wilt.

Specific Berry Recommendations

Here are some specific Berry recommendations for creating effective Pokéblocks for each contest category:

* **Coolness:** Dry Berries like Pecha Berries and Rawst Berries.
* **Beauty:** Sour Berries like Chesto Berries and Wiki Berries.
* **Cuteness:** Spicy Berries like Cheri Berries and Bluk Berries.
* **Smartness:** Bitter Berries like Aspear Berries and Razz Berries.
* **Toughness:** Sweet Berries like Leppa Berries and Nanab Berries.

Experiment with different combinations of these Berries to find the perfect Pokéblock recipes for your Pokémon.

Advanced Strategies for Contest Domination

Once you’ve mastered the basics of Pokéblock creation and contest participation, you can explore advanced strategies to truly dominate the competition:

* **Sheen Management:** Be mindful of your Pokémon’s sheen level. Once it reaches its maximum, feeding it more Pokéblocks will have no effect. Plan your Pokéblock usage carefully.
* **Move Combos:** Some moves can be combined to create powerful effects in the Talent Round. Experiment with different move combinations to find synergistic pairings.
* **Appeal Strategies:** Learn the appeal strategies for each judge. Different judges are impressed by different types of moves. Tailor your move selection to appeal to the judges’ preferences.

The Role of Pokémon Nature

A Pokémon’s Nature plays a subtle but significant role in Contest performance. Certain Natures make it easier for a Pokémon to gain specific Contest stats.

* **Adamant:** Increases Coolness, decreases Smartness.
* **Bold:** Increases Toughness, decreases Coolness.
* **Brave:** Increases Coolness, decreases Speed.
* **Calm:** Increases Smartness, decreases Attack.
* **Careful:** Increases Smartness, decreases Special Attack.
* **Gentle:** Increases Smartness, decreases Defense.
* **Hardy:** Neutral (no effect).
* **Hasty:** Increases Speed, decreases Defense.
* **Impish:** Increases Defense, decreases Special Attack.
* **Jolly:** Increases Speed, decreases Special Defense.
* **Lax:** Increases Defense, decreases Smartness.
* **Lonely:** Increases Attack, decreases Defense.
* **Mild:** Increases Special Attack, decreases Defense.
* **Modest:** Increases Special Attack, decreases Attack.
* **Naive:** Increases Speed, decreases Special Defense.
* **Naughty:** Increases Attack, decreases Special Defense.
* **Quiet:** Increases Special Attack, decreases Speed.
* **Rash:** Increases Special Attack, decreases Special Defense.
* **Relaxed:** Increases Defense, decreases Speed.
* **Sassy:** Increases Special Defense, decreases Speed.
* **Serious:** Neutral (no effect).
* **Timid:** Increases Speed, decreases Attack.

Choose Pokémon with Natures that align with the Contest categories you want to focus on.

Legacy and Nostalgia

Pokémon Ruby, along with its sister game Pokémon Sapphire, holds a special place in the hearts of many Pokémon fans. The introduction of features like abilities, natures, and double battles marked a significant evolution in the series. The Pokéblock system and Pokémon Contests added a new layer of depth and complexity to the gameplay, providing a unique and engaging experience.

Conclusion

Obtaining the Pokéblock Case in Pokémon Ruby is a simple but essential step for trainers who want to delve into the world of Pokémon Contests. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating high-quality Pokéblocks and training your Pokémon to become contest champions. So, go forth, gather your Berries, and start blending your way to victory!