Welcome to the Hoenn region! In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for the Nintendo 3DS, you'll embark on a grand role-playing adventure, starting in Littleroot Town and journeying to face gym leaders and uncover the region's secrets. You'll explore diverse landscapes, catch and train a vast array of Pokémon, and engage in thrilling battles.
This guide is your essential companion to mastering Hoenn. We'll help you navigate the main story, conquer challenging gym leaders, and dive deep into unique features like the DexNav for finding specific Pokémon and the dazzling Pokémon Contests. Whether you're aiming to complete your Pokédex, understand version exclusives, or learn how to identify legal Pokémon, we've got you covered.
A Must-Read Before the Basics
Navigate the essential mechanics and competitive strategies of Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. Learn what's crucial before diving deep into the game!
Hey there! So, you're diving into Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and you've stumbled upon the 'Basics' section. It's packed with info, and honestly, some of it might feel a bit much if you're just looking to play through the story. Think of this guide as your friendly heads-up on what's really important and what you can probably skip for now.
The 'Basics' section covers a lot, but the author mainly included details on Controls and Save Data because, well, everyone seems to look those up! The rest? Most of that stuff, like how to navigate menus, is already in the game's e-manual. So, don't feel like you need to memorize everything in there right away.
This guide, however, dives a bit deeper. It breaks down the game's mechanics, like how damage is calculated, and also touches on competitive play – how to really excel against other skilled players. If you're not planning on battling others online or spending hours in the Battle Maison, you can probably skip those more in-depth sections. The author has heard feedback that the 'Basics' can be quite long, so remember, this isn't mandatory reading unless you're curious about the nitty-gritty of game mechanics or just want some cool trivia. If your goal is just to enjoy the main story, the in-game e-manual is your best friend for the fundamental stuff.
Don't worry, though! There's a full Walkthrough available that will guide you through the game's plot, step-by-step, without getting bogged down in all the technical details.
Controls
Learn all the button controls for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, from basic movement and menus to advanced actions like Soaring and Acro Bike tricks.
Hey there! So you're diving into the world of Hoenn with Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire? Awesome! Let's get you familiar with how to actually play the game. It might seem a little overwhelming at first, but once you know what each button does, you'll be navigating menus and exploring like a pro.
This guide breaks down all the button inputs so you know exactly what to press for every action, whether you're just walking around, battling, or soaring through the skies on Latios or Latias.
| Button | Resultant Effects |
| D-Pad/Circle Pad | Move your character. Move the Circle Pad slightly to sneak around. Move cursors. |
| A Button | Confirm choices. Speak with people. Investigate the tile ahead. |
| B Button | Decline choices. Exit menus. Hold and use the D-Pad/Circle Pad to run. Also speeds up Latios/Latias when Soaring. Press during Pokémon evolution to cancel said evolution. Hold when using the Acro Bike to pop a wheelie. Hold while on it and stationary to hop, and use B and the Circle Pad to quick-jump over certain gaps. |
| X Button | Open the menu. Ascend while Soaring on Latios/Latias. |
| Y Button | Open a menu to choose a registered Key Item for quick use. Descend while Soaring on Latios/Latias. |
| L Button | Used to switch between the PSS, Super Training, and Pokémon Amie apps when using the PlayNav. Used to quickly go through item lists. Hold and tap a move in the move selection menu during battle to see its data. Do a trick when Soaring on Latios/Latias. |
| R Button | Used to switch between the PSS, Super Training, and Pokémon Amie apps when using the PlayNav. Used to quickly go through item lists. Do a trick when Soaring on Latios/Latias. |
| Start Button | Open a menu. |
| Select Button | N/A |
Just a heads-up, some of these actions can also be done using the Touch Screen or the gyro sensors, so don't feel like you *have* to use every button for everything!
Save Data & Erasure
Learn how to save your progress and erase your save file in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Essential tips for new and used game owners!
Hey there! So, you're diving into Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, huh? Awesome! Let's talk about saving your game, because this is super important, especially if you picked up a used copy. Unlike some games where you can have a bunch of save files, OR/AS sticks to the classic Pokémon tradition: just one save file per game. Yep, only one!
You save the game yourself whenever you want out in the world, and it only saves when you tell it to (except for a few moments like after the credits roll). So, the biggest piece of advice I can give you is to save often! Usually, just saving in each town is plenty for the main story. You really don't want to be in the middle of a tough Gym battle and have your 3DS battery die because you forgot to save, right? That would be a total bummer.
Now, the main reason this section exists is for folks who buy used copies. It's a question I get a lot! In older Pokémon games, starting a new game was easy – you'd just save over the old file. But these days, they've added some protection to stop people from messing with your game. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have this too.
So, if you want to start a fresh game, maybe because you got a used copy or just want a clean slate, here's what you gotta do to delete the current save file:
How to Delete Your Save File:
As the game is starting up from the Home Menu, hold down the Up button on your D-Pad, the B button, and the X button all at the same time. Keep holding them until you see instructions pop up on your screen. Just follow those directions, and you'll be able to start a brand new adventure!
Changes Since Ruby/Sapphire
Discover changes in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire since the original Ruby/Sapphire, including Mirage Spots, Soaring, and new Pokémon up to 721.
- 1Mirage Spots: These are sky-based locations accessible by Soaring on Latias or Latios. They allow you to catch legendary Pokémon, potentially completing your legendary collection (excluding event legendaries).
- 2Soaring: A new travel method where you ride Latias or Latios. It functions similarly to the Bicycle in Pokémon X/Y, allowing access to Mirage Spots and circumventing the grid-based movement system.
- 3Horde Trainer Battles: An expansion of the Horde Battle concept from Pokémon X/Y, where you battle against five Trainer-owned Pokémon simultaneously. Strategies often involve widespreading moves.
- 4New Pokémon: The National Pokédex now includes 721 Pokémon, with 719 available at the release of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, an increase of 335 (87%) from the original 386.
- 5New Formes: Similar to Deoxys and Pokémon from Diamond/Pearl onwards, some Pokémon now have multiple Formes that alter their abilities and stats. This includes superficial changes and more critical ones like Rotom's Formes.
- 6New Type: Fairy: Introduced in Pokémon X/Y, the Fairy type is weak to Poison and Steel, and strong against Dark and Dragon. New Fairy Pokémon include Florges, Sylveon, and Xerneas, while existing Pokémon like Wigglytuff, Gardevoir, and Azumarill also gained this type.
- 7Steel is Nerfed: The Steel type lost its resistances to Dark and Ghost in Pokémon X/Y, affecting Pokémon like Metagross, which is now weak to these types.
- 8New Abilities: Hidden Abilities, introduced in Pokémon Black/White, can often be obtained through breeding techniques and offer significant benefits, such as Speed Boost on Blaziken.
- 9New Items: Numerous new items have been added since Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, particularly those from Diamond/Pearl that are relevant to competitive play, like Choice items and Focus Sashes.
- 10TMs Have Changed: TMs can now be used an infinite number of times, and there are 100 TMs available, an increase from the previous 50.
- 11Mega Evolution: Introduced in Pokémon X/Y, Mega Evolution allows a Pokémon to temporarily evolve mid-battle when holding a species-specific item and the player has the Mega Bracelet. This grants stat boosts and can alter types or abilities. Nearly 50 Mega Evolutions are available.
- 12Primal Reversions: A special form of Mega Evolution exclusive to two specific Pokémon in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Primal Reversions are separate from Mega Evolutions, allowing a team to have both a Mega and a Primal Pokémon.
- 13New Battle Types: In addition to Single, Double, and Multi Battles from Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire, Pokémon Black/White introduced Triple Battles (three Pokémon per side) and Rotation Battles.
- Familiarize yourself with the new Fairy type's strengths and weaknesses.
- Understand how Mega Evolutions and Primal Reversions can alter battle strategies.
- Explore Mirage Spots to complete your legendary Pokémon collection.
- Utilize the infinite use TMs for more consistent move coverage.
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