Gotta Catch 'Em All? Top 10 Pokedex Strategies

04. Pokedex Grinding

So far we have mostly been ranking and adding the strategies for obtaining the rare, mythical, and the legendary, but those only make up a tiny percentage of the huge number of Pokemon that we are going to need to really Catch 'Em All, so it is time to look at what is pretty much the Meat and Potatoes of the Pokemon Trainer's world: Pokedex Grinding.

Obviously you are going to want to keep an eye out for any and every opportunity to scoop up a Legendary or two - even if that means trading your uber-rare Shinies for one. But that said, filling in the gaps of your Pokedex is largely going to happen by employing pretty much ALL of the following tactics.

Oh and remember there are THREE Regional Pokedex's you have to fill in the main games of Pokemon X and Y because the Kalos Region is HUGE. And as we do not have Khal Drogo standing by to order up a hunting party...

(a) Working the Standard Zones

Perhaps the most obvious - and simple - methods are the best when you are first approaching the long and arduous journey to Pokedex completion.

In fact there is a reason it is the first one listed here - this process is your first strategy and your best strategy for non-legendary, non-mythical Pokemon.

As you work your way through the entire region during your journey to the Elite 4 and Regional Champion you will very likely obtain most of the Pokemon from each of the Routes you travel through.

Now you want to retrace your steps, systematically clearing out any Pokemon you did not obtain on your first run through. That is how us blue collar Pokemon Trainers get'er done!

The most effective means for doing this is to systematically clear the different types by making a list (or finding one online) of the Pokemon obtained on each Route and then ticking off the ones you have to determine the ones you still need.

(b) Working the Corners

In addition to the Grasses, Water, and the like there are some more complicated processes that you will need to complete in order to obtain a small number of unusual Pokemon - but when you look up the Dex Entries for each you will see the details that are required.

Some require breaking rocks apart in caves, others require rattling some trashcans, and still others require that you scientifically process fossils to turn them into Pokemon. You do it because it is required to claw and force your way to another Pokedex entry, right?

(c) In-Game Trades

When you stop to consider that these are basically set up for you already this is a no-brainer for every one that you do not yet have in your Dex... The following list should give you an idea:

1. Shauna in Vaniville Town (post Elite 4) - While she will take most anything in trade, make note of the following facts with respect to your Starter Pokemon:

- - If you chose Chespin she will trade her L5 #656 Froakie;

- - If you chose Fennekin she will trade her L5 #650 Chespin;

- - If you chose Froakie she will trade her L5 #653 Fennekin.

2. Diantha at Café Soleil on South Boulevard - This former-champion is happy to trade with you, and will trade her L5 #280 Ralts (Held Item: Gardevoirite) for any type of Pokemon.

3. The Hiker in Santalune - In Santalune (a place ou hit early) there is a Hiker in the house south-west of the Trainer School who is willing to trade you his L10 #083 Farfetch'd for your #659 Bunnelby, as he feels that such a trade will assist you two in becoming better acquainted.

4. Pokemon Mum in Snowbelle City -- in the house to the west of the north bridge you will find a Mum who is willing to trade you a Level 50 #625 Bisharp for your #039 Jigglypuff.

5. Pokemon Trainer Farris in Cyllage City: hanging about the Pokemon Center, this Trainer will be happy to trade you his L20 #208 Steelix in return for your #370 Luvdisc.

6. Hiker Caveat in a random hotel somewhere - once you have had a number of conversations with him over a number of days, the Hiker will offer to trade you his L5 #129 Magikarp for your #130 Gyarados... That seems like a bit of an uneven trade at first, but considering that the traded Magikarp gets all of the bonuses that traded Pokemon get, when it evolves into #130 Gyarados and then perhaps Mega-Gyarados, well... Something to think about.

7. Elena in a hotel somewhere - she is happy to trade you her L5 #133 Eevee (Held Item: Rare Candy) for any of your Pokemon... You need to chat her up several times over several days to induce her to offer the trade for the very nice fluffy Eevee that she admits was caught in the Trophy Garden at Mr. Backlot's Sinnoh Chateau.

(d) Obtaining the Unobtainable

This list includes all of the Pokemon you will need to obtain from an outside source - the Pokemon that are not available from either Pokemon X or Y. To be helpful we have included potential sources for you to use.

Note that some of these are Legendary and Mythical, others are Rare, but most come from Regions other than the local Region, which is why they are not easily obtained in this Region. Of the total count of 719 in the current National Dex there are 125 Pokemon in this list that are not obtainable for capture in Pokemon X and Y.

#019 Rattata (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#020 Raticate (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#052 Meowth (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#053 Persian (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#109 Koffing (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#110 Weezing (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#137 Porygon (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#151 Mew (Legendary) Currently Obtainable from My Pokemon Ranch

#152 Chikorita (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#153 Bayleef (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#154 Meganium (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#155 Cyndaquil (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#156 Quilava (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#157 Typhlosion (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#158 Totodile (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#159 Croconaw (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#160 Feraligatr (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#200 Misdreavus (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#201 Unown (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#233 Porygon2 (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#234 Stantler (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#243 Raikou (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#244 Entei (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#245 Suicune (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#249 Lugia (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire

#250 Ho-Oh (Legendary) Omega Ruby.

#251 Celebi (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

#252 Treecko (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#253 Grovyle (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#254 Sceptile (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#255 Torchic (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#256 Combusken (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#257 Blaziken (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#258 Mudkip (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#259 Marshtomp (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#260 Swampert (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#287 Slakoth (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#288 Vigoroth (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#289 Slaking (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#343 Baltoy (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#344 Claydol (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#349 Feebas (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#350 Milotic (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#351 Castform (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#377 Regirock (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#378 Regice (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#379 Registeel (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#380 Latias (Legendary) Omega Ruby.

#381 Latios (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire

#382 Kyogre (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire

#383 Groudon (Legendary) Omega Ruby.

#384 Rayquaza (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#385 Jirachi (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

#386 Deoxys (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#387 Turtwig (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#388 Grotle (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#389 Torterra (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#390 Chimchar (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#391 Monferno (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#392 Infernape (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#393 Piplup (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#394 Prinplup (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#395 Empoleon (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#401 Kricketot (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#402 Kricketune (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#420 Cherubi (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#421 Cherrim (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#427 Buneary (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#428 Lopunny (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#429 Mismagius (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#431 Glameow (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#432 Purugly (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#456 Finneon (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#457 Lumineon (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#474 Porygon-Z (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#480 Uxie (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#481 Mesprit (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#482 Azelf (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#483 Dialga (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire.

#484 Palkia (Legendary) Omega Ruby.

#485 Heatran (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#486 Regigigas (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#487 Giratina (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#488 Cresselia (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#489 Phione (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Breed from Manaphy.

#490 Manaphy (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Pokemon Ranger.

#491 Darkrai (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

#492 Shaymin (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

#493 Arceus (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

#494 Victini (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

#495 Snivy (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#496 Servine (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#497 Serperior (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#498 Tepig (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#499 Pignite (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#500 Emboar (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#501 Oshawott (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#502 Dewott (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#503 Samurott (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#546 Cottonee (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#547 Whimsicott (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#554 Darumaka (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#555 Darmanitan (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#562 Yamask (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#563 Cofagrigus (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#592 Frillish (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#593 Jellicent (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#602 Tynamo (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#603 Eelektrik (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#604 Eelektross (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#605 Elgyem (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#606 Beheeyem (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#626 Bouffalant (Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby)

#638 Cobalion (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#639 Terrakion (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#640 Virizion (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#641 Tornadus (Legendary) Omega Ruby.

#642 Thundurus (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire.

#643 Reshiram (Legendary) Omega Ruby.

#644 Zekrom (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire

#645 Landorus (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#646 Kyurem (Legendary) Alpha Sapphire / Omega Ruby.

#647 Keldeo (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

#648 Meloetta (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

#649 Genesect (Legendary) Obtain from an Event or Trade for.

The way that this breaks down is simple: 101 Pokemon can be directly obtained if you own Alpha and Omega.. An additional 6 from Omega and 6 from Alpha exclusively.

There is 1 you either get from Pokemon Ranger or an Event - or you Stuff for it. Mew can be had either by Stuffing or if you have a Wii, via My Pokemon Ranch.

Finally there are 5 that you will outright either need to wait for an event, or Stuff them. That total climbs to 6 if you don't have Manaphy, since you need it to breed Phione.

Once you have obtained all that can be obtained via this strategy all that is left is for you to make the list of Pokemon that need to be evolved and then start that grind in earnest. Good luck to you mates!

Posted: 31st Mar 2015 by CMBF
Tags: Pokemon Omega Ruby, Nintendo DS, Gameboy Advance,