Pokemon Crystal Ultimate Full Documentation

Fly August 01, 2021

Pokemon Crystal Ultimate Documentation

Pokemon Crystal Ultimate Cover

Category: Documentation
Language: English

Author: Major Agnostic

Note: Search within the Page by pressing Ctrl+F or using the "Search" option in your browser to find a specific area. No changes were made to the original text of the author. 

Pokémon Crystal Ultimate — Documentation v1.0.8

By Major Agnostic

Navigation Table

Introduction

The goal of this ROM hack is to be the ultimate Pokémon Crystal experience for fans — a faithful yet ambitious remake: the same Pokémon in largely the same world, but the game is more playable, balanced and challenging. The core battle system remains largely the same as well (e.g. no phys/spec split).

There is a grand new main questline in Kanto that follows and intersects with the generator quest, and includes new maps, items and trainers to account for the lack of content in Kanto originally, as well as brand new side quests, all inspired from the game's existing lore and characters. There are also many QoL improvements (infinite use TMs), from music to sprite work to brand new features (better rematch and call system, shiny charm, infinite use TMs, etc.) and battle system and AI upgrades!

Just about everything is viable now due to a thorough revision of moves, typing, learnsets, base stats, and Pokémon availability. The game's challenge has been increased by revamping the level curve and adding to trainer parties custom moves, DVs and stat experience, as well as providing a greater variety and number of Pokémon and moves to their teams.

More or less empty locations in the original game such as Ilex Forest, Ice Path and Victory Road (to say nothing of Kanto) now have extra trainers and items. I have also taken some liberties to spice up and rebalance gameplay, such as type changes to over a dozen Pokémon and type matchup changes inspired from other gens to balance out Poison and Steel.

Understandably, some players may find that some of these changes stray too far from what they want from this type of hack, so I made a Classic version (now outdated; see my Discord for more details) that removes most base stat changes, all Pokémon typing and type matchup changes and all evolution level changes (except for Magikarp and Grimer), among others. The specific differences for the Classic version will be noted in this documentation using the highlighted Classic tag.

Note that SPOILERS are highlighted in black; to view them, simply highlight the text with your cursor or paste it into some other text field. As well, if the location of an item or TM is NOT mentioned in this doc, assume that it is found in its original Crystal location. Finally, to access the hack files, my Discord channel and YouTube channel, please refer to the Files & Resources section of this document. Enjoy!

New and Improved Features

System

  • Hold B to run (with unique animation)
  • Saving is now almost instantaneous
  • Options: menu account off, set, stereo, and fast text by default
  • Added approximately 90 new trainers!
  • Evening has been added as a new time of day, thanks to Rangi's github tutorial! Evening is from 5PM–8PM (meaning day is one hour shorter and night now starts at 8PM instead of 6PM) and features a warm orange glow as well as most of the game's night features and events, such as Buena's Password, night encounter sets, and Eevee evolving into Umbreon (now starts at 5PM). Dialogue has been changed to reflect evening and the new night themes will also play during the evening as well, thanks to TriteHexagon's tutorial! Note that Officers and the PokéFan on Route 39 still only fight you at night
  • Restored Battle Tower; BT now features only 2 level tiers: 50 and 100 (available only after Hall of Fame). Ubers can be used for tier 100 and opponents at that level will also have access to them. New BT battle music and BT Pokémon have been revised and rebalanced
  • Improved rematch system: rematch trainers will automatically offer their phone number after first battling them, rather than requiring you to talk to them again. Also, rematch parties increase in level at more reasonable intervals and the trigger for their upgrades is simply the fly points you've unlocked or events completed, so no more fight count requirements to increase their levels
  • There is now an in-battle weather indicator to let you know when weather is active
  • Mystery Gift is now obtained automatically after defeating the E4 (to later unlock new title screen)
  • TMs are reusable and cannot be sold, and their methods of acquisition have been optimized
  • Nutrients can now be used up to about 54k stat exp
  • Added a Move Reminder (Olivine and Blackthorn City)
  • The Hidden Power man now tells you your Pokémon's HP type
  • Shinies: Pokémon with DVs of 12 or higher in every stat (except HP; it's not factored into shininess or HP type) are shinies, which yields a shiny rate of 1/256, based on popular request; now you know that a shiny Pokémon will be good!
  • Gender is no longer determined by Attack DVs (so you can now get female shinies; kudos to those who contributed to the pret tutorial)
  • Added gen 1 move tutors in Celadon City and the Goldenrod City tutor has been revised: he now appears after beating Pryce (Elm will tell you during the call) every day of the week except Sunday, only charges 400 coins per move, now also teaches Rock Slide, and there is no daily limit on learning moves
  • Instead of losing half of your money when you whiteout, you lose money based on a modified version of the formula in later gens (based on number of badges and highest level Pokémon)
  • The Pokédex's search function now ignores whether you own a Pokémon or not
  • Fishing rods will never fail to get a nibble
  • The lottery can now be done daily (thanks to Idain's tut)
  • Kurt's Balls: Kurt no longer takes a day to make balls, just talk to him again, and many balls have been fixed (see Bug Fixes)
    • Heavy Ball: now subtracts 20 from catch rate for Pokémon weighing below 50.4 kg, does not affect catch rate for those between 50.4 kg and 102.4 kg, adds 20 between 102.5 kg and 204.7 kg, adds 30 between 204.8 kg and 307.1 kg, and adds 40 for those weighing over 307.1 kg
    • Fast Ball: x4 catch rate multiplier on all fleeing Pokémon (as originally intended; a few additions to fleeing Pokémon such as Abra) except x8 for those that always flee (now includes Eevee in addition to the legendary beasts)
    • Lure Ball: x4 multiplier instead of x3 (code from Idain)
    • Love Ball: Now works on opposite gender Pokémon, as intended, but x4 multiplier instead of x8
    • Friend Ball: Sets starting happiness at 150 instead of 200

Graphics and Music

  • Tons of updated sprites: restored censored Japanese trainer sprites, new battle and overworld sprites for many gym leaders and major characters, and unique overworld sprites for Pokémon and Surfing (thanks to Polished Crystal). New Rocket and admin sprites primarily from SirWhibbles
  • Trainer card: badges are now in colour and better-looking and the tops of the leaders' heads are no longer cut off. Added a 3rd trainer card page for the Kanto badges (code and pngs adapted from Sour and Polished Crystal), accessible only once you obtain one, and you can flip through pages in any direction
  • Party menu icons in colour for EVERY Pokémon in the game (doll sprites are in colour too); see Credits section. These include different palettes for shinies (visible in the nickname screen!) and if an egg contains a shiny Pokémon, it'll be blue instead of red!
  • The above menu icons also replace the more generic overworld sprites (in colour as well); credit to Polished Crystal for the Rattata and Clefairy overworld sprites
  • Roof palettes changed to reflect each city's colour/theme
  • Overworld grass is now of a more pleasant green than lime
  • Updated some of the Gym Leader and special trainer sprites, in-battle and overworld (mostly thanks to Soloo993)
  • New battle HUD by Idain + red caught poké ball and gender symbols by KDL Pro
  • New overworld and in-battle ball sprites and capture animation (sprites from Polished and modified by Idain, animation and other HUD improvements by me)
  • Pokémon sprite and palette changes: The vast majority of Pokémon battle sprites (most of the changed ones by SoupPotato and some by FrenchOrange) and palettes (many by Idain) have been revised, including shinies. See the v.1.0.7.5 post in my server's #progress-updates for the revisions. Mewtwo, Shadow Mewtwo and Shadow Lugia by Seasick
  • Rocket trainers now have a unique battle transition animation (thanks to KDLPro and Idain)
  • Overworld item sprite improved (based on Polished Crystal's sprite)
  • Additional music to spice up and accent certain moments in the game: e.g. RBY Indigo Plateau theme is the Route 28/Mt Silver theme (by Mmmmmm), Zinnia's themes (also by Mmmmmm) used for Andrea (new superboss), and the SS Aqua theme was replaced with Pigu's SS Anne theme from TPP Anniversary Crystal
  • Added night themes for all outdoor areas as well as some Kanto themes that were omitted from gen 2 (such as Cerulean, Cinnabar, Viridian Forest (restored) and Route 25) courtesy of TriteHexagon
  • Surfing Pikachu is now always red, regardless of player gender
  • Surf music and some surfing wild encounters have been removed so as to not interrupt music (such as Lugia's Song in Lugia's chamber) and because it may be jarring when transitioning from the mellow night themes
  • Gold (previously Cal) and Crystal (new Trainer House trainer) play the RSE rival battle theme, Battle Tower fights use the Cipher Peon theme, while Red now plays the RBY Champion theme and an extra trainer before Red plays the Brendan and Hoenn Champion themes (Mmmmmm)
  • Some legendary battle themes have been changed: the Kanto legendaries, Ho-Oh and Lugia have new themes by Pigu and Raikou and Entei share Suicune's battle theme

Items

  • Max number of items in the "Items" Pack slot has been increased from 20 to 40
  • A Medicine pocket (thanks to Rangi's tutorial) has been added with a capacity of 40 as well. Note that you can no longer give items to Pokémon using the Pack menu; it must be done via the party menu
  • Max number of phone contacts has been increased from 10 to 25
  • Added a Sweet Charm (similar to the Shiny Charm in later gens)
  • Item effect changes:
    • Lucky Punch now ups Blissey's crit ratio instead of Chansey's
    • Gold Berry now heals 20 HP
    • Ragecandybar acts like a berry and now heals 30 HP
    • Mysteryberry now restores 10 instead of 5 PP
    • Gold Berry Juice has been added, which restores 140 HP
    • Berry trees now drop two berries instead of one
    • TM Roar is now Teleport
  • Increased item availability (see Notable Item Locations section), such as type-boosting and other held items (many can be stolen from strong trainers), evolutionary stones, berries, decorations, etc. In fact, every item from the original game is now obtainable, including decorations, through normal play
  • Type-boosting items like Dragon Fang (which has been fixed and Dragon Scale no longer has this effect) now provide a 20% boost, like in later gens, and some previously useless items now sell for a lot of money, such as the Leaf items

Difficulty and Balancing

  • The stat boost obtained from badges has been removed in order to even the playing field
  • Improved level curve, which can be gleaned from the 'Boss Trainer Level Ranges' subsection. In addition, the section of the story between Ecruteak City and the Radio Tower events has been given a more linear level curve (as has Kanto) rather than the stagnant/flat one where most of the trainers in this section are around the same level
  • To help with this, the guard in the gate area east of Ecruteak now turns you back if you have less than 6 badges; despite this restriction, Chuck and Jasmine can still be fought in either order. You may also still go to Blackthorn City prior to completing the Radio Tower
  • Trainer parties have been buffed with higher levels, more variety, custom DVs, stat exp, and even held items
  • Many Pokémon base stats have been revised in order to increase viability and balance the game (most are omitted from Classic; see the Base Stats section)
  • Many moves have been revised, HM Moves are much more useful, and learnsets have been expanded (e.g. most Fire-types now learn Flash, which has been buffed!)
  • The gym leader disobedience levels are now hard level caps (thanks to Idain's helpful tutorial) for all Pokémon: 30 (start), 40 (after Bugsy), 50 (Morty), 60 (Chuck), 70 (Clair), 100 (first E4 win)
  • Hidden Power always has a power of 70, but type is still determined the same way
  • Type and matchup changes (all omitted from Classic): Poison is now super effective against Bug, and Ghost/Dark hit Steel for neutral damage like in later gens. Sudowoodo is now Rock/Grass, Sunflora is Grass/Fire, Politoed is Water/Grass, Gyarados (who now evolves from Magikarp at level 30) is pure Dragon (uses red palette as default and a new colour for shiny), Corsola is pure Ice (palettes have also been swapped), Meowth/Persian are pure Dark (palettes have also been swapped and slightly modified), Girafarig is Dark/Psychic, Magcargo is pure Fire, Smeargle is Ghost/Normal, Cloyster is Water/Ghost, Charizard is Fire/Dragon, Blastoise is Water/Steel and Marill/Azumarill are Water/Normal, Octillery is Water/Dark, and Ninetales is Fire/Ghost
  • The Elite Four is stronger after obtaining all 16 badges and cannot be rematched until that time
  • Set battle style is forced for Lance and post-Hall of Fame boss trainers, including all Kanto gym leaders and the entire E4 rematch, and a few special trainers force both Set and no Pack access

Miscellaneous QoL

  • All original 251 Pokémon are obtainable in-game (there are also two additions, one of which can be caught (except in Classic)), all Johto Pokémon are available in Johto regions and all non-legendary/starter/baby Johto Pokémon can be obtained before the Pokémon League
  • New quests and new scenes for existing quests to flesh out the world of Pokémon Crystal (see "New/Updated Side Quests" and "Map and Quest Changes" for details)
  • Gym guides give useful hints for each gym leader's roster, moveset or strategy
  • In-game trades have been revised:
    • Violet: You now receive a Crystal Onix
    • Olivine: Trade a male Kingler for a Farfetch'd (DUX) instead of a Voltorb and it comes with a Stick
    • Blackthorn: Trade a female Dragonair for a Pupitar instead of a Dodrio
    • Route 14: Chansey is now received (instead of traded) in exchange for a Nidoking and comes with a Miracleberry
    • Traded Pokémon now have higher DVs and most are shiny
    • NOTE: Trading is still possible via Pokémon Yellow, allegedly
  • Fly:
    • You can now Fly to Battle Tower, Mt Moon Square and Rock Tunnel
    • You can Fly from all outdoor areas (including Goldenrod Dept Store Roof and Celadon Mansion Roof)
    • Cross-region Fly can be unlocked once you unlock all flypoints
  • Ultra Balls now have a catch rate of 2.5x instead of 2x
  • Pokémon Center: Dialogue is now shorter and the player automatically turns around after
  • The Lake of Rage Magikarp House minigame has been fixed so that Magikarp found in the Lake are bigger than usual
  • You will now be automatically prompted to reuse Repels of a given type once they expire
  • "ATK" in Move menu (from party menu) is now "POW" for power
  • Catching Pokémon now yields exp
  • Route 34 map changes to make breeding more convenient
  • Odd egg improvements: obtained at level 10 instead of 5, good DVs are guaranteed, there's a 33% chance to get a shiny, it only takes 10 egg cycles to hatch, and the odds of getting a given Pokémon vary less (all are 15% other than Tyrogue at 10%)
  • Togepi egg only takes 5 cycles to hatch instead of 10
  • Mom no longer explains how the PokéGear works if you say that you know how to use it and the items she buys with your money have changed (e.g. Clefairy doll now purchasable at Mt Moon) and she buys many dolls that were previously restricted to Mystery Gift
  • Mom now leaves decorations and items as gifts to pick up in your room after certain important story milestones (she'll call you). E.g.,: once you get your first badge you'll find a Pikachu Poster
  • Decoration carpeting now covers your entire room (thanks to Rangi's tutorial)

Evolution

Pokémon that evolved via trade evolution now do so with items from the Pack:

  • Fire Stone: Machamp
  • Water Stone: Slowking
  • Leaf Stone: Politoed
  • Thunderstone: Steelix
  • Moon Stone: Golem, Gengar, Alakazam
  • Sun Stone: Scizor
  • Dragon Scale (now used like evolutionary stones): Kingdra
  • Up-Grade (now used like evolutionary stones): Porygon2

Evolution level changes (omitted from Classic except for Magikarp and Grimer): Chikorita and Cyndaquil lines have swapped evolution levels to help players facing Falkner with Chikorita under a level cap; Slowpoke now evolves into Slowbro at level 34 instead of 37; Drowzee evolves at 31 instead of 26; Abra evolves at 26 instead of 16; Magikarp evolves at 30 instead of 20; Wooper evolves at 24 instead of 20; Houndour at level 42; and Grimer at 37 instead of 38 (for gym cap).

Friendship evolution occurs at 200 happiness rather than 220.

New/Updated Side Quests

Note that there are many changes to existing quests; see "Map and Quest Changes" for all details. Also, SPOILERS AHEAD!

  • New Areas: Not so much quests, but I restored Viridian Forest, Seafoam Islands and added a lot to Blaine's Gym. Also, I added new maps in Fuchsia for the new main story quest (new Roughneck trainer, sprites from Polished)
  • Legendaries: Celebi event restored and Kanto legendaries are all obtainable (see "Legendary Encounters" (SPOILERS) for details)
  • Ruins of Alph: Obtaining all Unown variants (which now appear with equal frequency) now nets you the Unown Doll upon speaking to one of the Ruins researchers. You can now find all 3 fossil Pokémon in their respective chambers
  • Goldenrod City: Once you've met him in Ecruteak and received Eevee, Bill will offer you a Pocket PC prototype in exchange for a Soft Sand (don't worry, there's more than one Soft Sand in the game)
  • Saffron City: The Fighting Dojo now features a side quest that you can start once you get the Brick Piece
  • Route 16: Added a new side quest that unlocks cross-region Fly
  • Lavender Town: New side quest from the elderly woman in the Soul House
  • Fuchsia City: The Cloyster Hoister money-making minigame has been added behind the Warden's home and a NEW main story quest has been added, featuring the Kanto Federation!
  • Tohjo Falls (temporary boss for v1.0.7): Must speak to the man in Tohjo Falls, then Andrea in Rock Tunnel, then speak to the man again
  • Post-Game Bosses: Once you've defeated Red, you can fight the following bosses with full teams of level 100s: Red (Rematch), Lance (Seafoam Islands), Andrea (Rock Tunnel; must also obtain the Diploma first). The latter two bosses only reset once you defeat Red again

Base Stat Changes

Listed below are all Pokémon whose base stats were changed; Pokémon in parentheses are not final forms and the stat format is: hp, atk, def, sp atk, sp def, spd. The first set shows stats changed for regular Ultimate, the second set for Ultimate Classic. The stat changes in Ultimate Classic are only those that I considered necessary for viability.

Ultimate

  • Aipom: 75, 100, 66, 60, 66, 115 (Ambipom stats)
  • (Ekans): 41, 66, 50, 46, 60, 61 (+6 to all stats)
  • Arbok: 70, 95, 79, 75, 89, 90 (+10 to all stats)
  • (Spinarak): 40, 60, 40, 40, 40, 90 (tripled spd stat)
  • Ariados: 70, 90, 70, 60, 60, 120 (tripled spd stat)
  • (Marill): 70, 35, 50, 35, 50, 40 (+15 atk and sp atk)
  • Azumarill: 100, 80, 80, 80, 80, 50 (+30 atk and sp atk)
  • Beedrill: 65, 90, 65, 45, 80, 95 (+10 atk, +25 def, +20 spd)
  • Butterfree: 60, 45, 75, 90, 80, 90 (+10 sp atk, +25 def, +20 spd)
  • Corsola: 60, 75, 105, 115, 105, 35 (partially inspired by Cursola)
  • Delibird: 75, 85, 75, 95, 75, 75 (+30 to all stats except spd)
  • (Seel): 65, 45, 55, 60, 70, 45 (+15 sp atk)
  • Dewgong: 90, 70, 80, 95, 95, 70 (+25 sp atk)
  • Ditto: 96, 96, 96, 96, 96, 96 (doubled all stats)
  • (Diglett): 20, 70, 35, 45, 55, 95 (+10 HP, +15 atk, +10 def, sp atk and sp def)
  • Dugtrio: 55, 100, 70, 70, 90, 120 (+20 to all stats except spd)
  • Dunsparce: 110, 80, 80, 75, 75, 55 (+10 to all stats)
  • Electabuzz: 75, 83, 72, 95, 85, 105 (+10 HP and +15 def)
  • Electrode: 60, 50, 70, 90, 90, 140 (+10 Sp Atk and Sp Def)
  • Farfetch'd: 62, 90, 95, 68, 82, 65 (Sirfetch'd stats except atk)
  • (Spearow): 50, 60, 35, 31, 31, 70 (+10 HP, +5 def)
  • Fearow: 80, 90, 65, 61, 61, 100 (+15 HP)
  • Feraligatr: 85, 79, 100, 105, 83, 78 (swapped atk/sp atk for whole family)
  • Flareon: 65, 95, 60, 130, 110, 65 (swapped atk and sp atk)
  • (Sentret): 50, 46, 34, 35, 45, 50 (+15 HP, +30 spd)
  • Furret: 85, 86, 64, 45, 65, 110 (+10 atk and sp def, and +20 spd)
  • Girafarig: 80, 80, 80, 90, 80, 85 (+10 HP, +15 def and sp def)
  • Gligar: 75, 95, 125, 45, 75, 85 (Gliscor stats except speed)
  • Gyarados: 95, 125, 79, 100, 100, 81 (+40 sp atk, like in gen 1)
  • Hitmonlee: 60, 120, 53, 35, 110, 97 (+10 HP and spd)
  • Hitmonchan: 60, 95, 89, 76, 110, 45 (+10 HP and spd, swapped spd and sp atk, gave 10 atk to def)
  • Hitmontop: 60, 105, 85, 35, 110, 80 (+10 HP and spd, gave 10 def to atk)
  • (Drowzee): 60, 48, 45, 60, 90, 42 (+17 sp atk)
  • Hypno: 85, 73, 70, 95, 115, 67 (+22 sp atk (half of gen 1 difference))
  • Jumpluff: 75, 55, 70, 75, 95, 110 (+20 sp atk and +10 sp def)
  • Jynx: 65, 50, 50, 115, 95, 95 (+15 def)
  • (Kabuto): 35, 85, 85, 55, 45, 65 (+5 atk, +10 spd, -5 def)
  • Kabutops: 60, 125, 95, 80, 70, 95 (+10 atk, -10 def, +15 sp atk and spd)
  • (Krabby): 40, 105, 80, 35, 25, 50 (+10 HP and sp atk, -10 def)
  • Kingler: 70, 130, 100, 65, 50, 75 (+15 HP and sp atk, -15 def)
  • Lanturn: 125, 58, 58, 90, 76, 67 (+14 sp atk)
  • (Ledyba): 40, 40, 30, 20, 80, 55 (swapped atk and sp atk)
  • Ledian: 75, 85, 50, 55, 110, 85 (+20 HP, +50 atk)
  • Lickitung: 90, 85, 95, 80, 95, 50 (Lickilicky stats except HP)
  • (Slugma): 50, 40, 60, 70, 50, 20 (+10 HP and sp def, +20 def)
  • Magcargo: 70, 50, 120, 100, 80, 30 (+20 HP and sp atk)
  • Magmar: 75, 95, 72, 100, 85, 93 (+10 HP and +15 def)
  • Magneton: 60, 60, 95, 120, 80, 70 (+10 HP and sp def; inspired by Magnezone)
  • Mantine: 85, 60, 70, 80, 140, 70 (+20 HP (gen 7 buff) and +20 atk)
  • Misdreavus: 60, 60, 60, 105, 105, 85 (+20 sp atk & sp def, similar to Mismagius)
  • Mr Mime: 50, 45, 65, 100, 120, 90 (+10 HP like Galarian form)
  • Murkrow: 70, 95, 52, 95, 52, 91 (+10 atk, sp atk, def, and sp def; inspired by Honchkrow)
  • Ninetales: 73, 67, 75, 90, 100, 109 (+9 sp atk and speed, -9 atk; inspired by Alolan form)
  • Noctowl: 100, 66, 50, 86, 96, 70 (+16 atk and +10 sp atk)
  • Octillery: 75, 105, 75, 105, 75, 75 (+30 spd)
  • (Omanyte): 45, 40, 90, 90, 70, 35 (+10 HP, +15 sp def and -10 def)
  • Omastar: 70, 60, 125, 115, 100, 55 (+30 sp def, similar to gen 1)
  • Onix: 45, 55, 160, 30, 45, 70 (+10 HP and atk)
  • (Paras): 45, 70, 55, 55, 55, 25 (+10 HP and sp atk)
  • Parasect: 90, 95, 80, 90, 80, 30 (+30 HP and sp atk)
  • (Meowth): 40, 50, 35, 60, 40, 90 (+5 atk and +20 sp atk)
  • Persian: 65, 80, 60, 95, 65, 115 (+10 atk and +30 sp atk)
  • (Pidgey): 46, 45, 40, 35, 35, 56 (+6 HP)
  • Pidgeot: 93, 80, 75, 70, 70, 91 (+10 HP)
  • (Swinub): 60, 50, 40, 40, 30, 50 (+10 HP and sp atk)
  • Piloswine: 110, 100, 80, 70, 60, 70 (+10 HP and sp atk, +20 spd, inspired by Mamoswine)
  • Pinsir: 65, 125, 100, 55, 70, 100 (+15 spd)
  • (Poliwag): 30, 50, 40, 50, 40, 90 (-10 HP and +10 sp atk)
  • (Poliwhirl): 65, 65, 50, 65, 65, 90 (+15 sp atk, swapped def and sp def)
  • Poliwrath: 100, 95, 95, 70, 90, 70 (+10 HP and atk)
  • (Porygon): 65, 65, 70, 85, 75, 40 (+5 atk)
  • Porygon2: 85, 90, 90, 105, 95, 60 (+10 atk)
  • Primeape: 75, 105, 70, 60, 80, 105 (+10 HP, def, sp def, and spd)
  • (Wooper): 55, 45, 45, 35, 45, 15 (+10 sp atk and +20 sp def)
  • Quagsire: 95, 85, 95, 65, 95, 35 (+10 def and +30 sp def)
  • Qwilfish: 65, 95, 85, 75, 55, 85 (+10 def like in gen 7 and +20 sp atk)
  • (Rattata): 40, 56, 35, 25, 35, 72 (+10 HP)
  • Raticate: 65, 91, 60, 50, 70, 97 (+10 HP and atk)
  • Sandslash: 75, 100, 120, 25, 65, 65 (Alolan stats)
  • (Goldeen): 45, 67, 60, 50, 50, 63 (+15 sp atk, like in gen 1)
  • Seaking: 80, 92, 65, 85, 80, 88 (+20 sp atk and spd)
  • Shuckle: 30, 10, 230, 10, 230, 5 (+10 HP)
  • Sneasel: 60, 35, 55, 110, 75, 115 (Weavile's stats -10 and atk/sp atk swapped)
  • Snorlax: 160, 110, 65, 65, 65, 30 (-45 sp def, like in gen 1)
  • Stantler: 73, 95, 62, 85, 82, 95 (+17 sp def and +10 spd)
  • Suicune: 100, 75, 115, 100, 115, 95 (+10 sp atk and speed; 600 BST to distinguish it from the other beasts, since it's the title Pokémon)
  • (Sunkern): 40, 30, 30, 50, 50, 30 (+10 HP and +20 sp atk and sp def)
  • Sunflora: 75, 75, 55, 105, 105, 40 (+20 sp def and +10 spd)
  • Tangela: 65, 55, 115, 100, 100, 60 (+60 sp def, like gen 1)
  • (Togepi): 45, 40, 65, 30, 65, 20 (+10 HP, +20 atk, -10 sp atk)
  • Togetic: 75, 80, 85, 65, 105, 80 (+20 HP, double atk & spd, -15 sp atk)
  • Unown: 48, 48, 72, 48, 72, 72 (inverted all stats except HP)
  • Venomoth: 70, 90, 60, 90, 90, 90 (gen 1 stats + atk matches sp atk)
  • Weezing: 75, 90, 120, 85, 70, 60 (+10 HP to tie with Muk's BST)
  • (Jigglypuff): 115, 45, 30, 55, 35, 20 (+10 def, sp atk and sp def)
  • Wigglytuff: 140, 70, 65, 85, 70, 45 (+20 def and sp def, +10 sp atk like later gens)
  • Xatu: 65, 85, 70, 105, 70, 95 (+10 atk and sp atk)
  • Yanma: 76, 96, 76, 76, 56, 95 (inspired by Yanmega stats)

Ultimate Classic

  • Aipom: 75, 100, 66, 60, 66, 115 (Ambipom stats)
  • (Spinarak): 40, 60, 40, 40, 40, 90 (tripled spd stat)
  • Ariados: 70, 90, 70, 60, 60, 120 (tripled spd stat)
  • (Marill): 70, 35, 50, 35, 50, 40 (+15 atk and sp atk)
  • Azumarill: 100, 80, 80, 80, 80, 50 (+30 atk and sp atk)
  • Beedrill: 65, 90, 65, 45, 80, 95 (+10 atk, +25 def, +20 spd)
  • Butterfree: 60, 45, 75, 90, 80, 90 (+10 sp atk, +25 def, +20 spd)
  • Corsola: 60, 75, 105, 115, 105, 35 (partially inspired by Cursola)
  • Delibird: 75, 85, 75, 95, 75, 75 (+30 to all stats except spd)
  • Dugtrio: 55, 100, 70, 70, 90, 120 (+20 to all stats except spd)
  • Farfetch'd: 62, 90, 95, 68, 82, 65 (Sirfetch'd stats except atk)
  • Feraligatr: 85, 79, 100, 105, 83, 78 (swapped atk/sp atk for whole family)
  • Flareon: 65, 95, 60, 130, 110, 65 (swapped atk and sp atk)
  • Gligar: 75, 95, 125, 45, 75, 85 (Gliscor stats except speed)
  • Gyarados: 95, 125, 79, 100, 100, 81 (+40 sp atk, like in gen 1)
  • (Ledyba): 40, 40, 30, 20, 80, 55 (swapped atk and sp atk)
  • Ledian: 75, 85, 50, 55, 110, 85 (+20 HP, +50 atk)
  • Lickitung: 90, 85, 95, 80, 95, 50 (Lickilicky stats except HP)
  • (Slugma): 50, 40, 60, 70, 50, 20 (+10 HP and sp def, +20 def)
  • Magcargo: 70, 50, 120, 100, 80, 30 (+20 HP and sp atk)
  • Mantine: 85, 60, 70, 80, 140, 70 (+20 HP (gen 7 buff) and +20 atk)
  • Octillery: 75, 105, 75, 105, 75, 75 (+30 spd)
  • (Paras): 45, 70, 55, 55, 55, 25 (+10 HP and sp atk)
  • Parasect: 90, 95, 80, 90, 80, 30 (+30 HP and sp atk)
  • Sneasel: 60, 35, 55, 110, 75, 115 (Weavile's stats -10 and atk/sp atk swapped)
  • Tangela: 65, 55, 115, 100, 100, 60 (+60 sp def, like gen 1)
  • (Togepi): 45, 40, 65, 30, 65, 20 (+10 HP, +20 atk, -10 sp atk)
  • Togetic: 75, 80, 85, 65, 105, 80 (+20 HP, double atk & spd, -15 sp atk)
  • Unown: 48, 48, 72, 48, 72, 72 (inverted all stats except HP)
  • Venomoth: 70, 90, 60, 65, 90, 90 (+15 sp def like in gen 1, swapped atk/sp atk)
  • (Jigglypuff): 115, 45, 30, 55, 35, 20 (+10 def, sp atk and sp def)
  • Wigglytuff: 140, 70, 65, 85, 70, 45 (+20 def and sp def, +10 sp atk like later gens)
  • Yanma: 76, 96, 76, 76, 56, 95 (inspired by Yanmega stats)

Move Changes

All moves not listed below are unchanged from Pokémon Crystal (this list may not be completely up-to-date). If you want to see the full list of moves with all info, check out the #data-tables channel in my Discord.

  • Doubleslap: Double hit, Pow 40
  • Comet Punch: Now Bug-type
  • Mega Punch: Pow 100, PP 10, 30% Flinch
  • Vicegrip: PP 10, 50% Flinch
  • Razor Wind: Now Flying type, no charge turn, Pow 70, Acc 95, Gust effect and high crit rate
  • Cut: Now Bug-type, Pow 60, PP 10, 20% Flinch
  • Whirlwind: Now Flying type
  • Fly: Now 80 Pow
  • Bind: Now Rock type, Pow 60, Acc 95, PP 15, 75% evasion down
  • Slam: Pow 100, PP 10, 30% paralysis
  • Vine Whip: Pow 45, PP 25 (like in X/Y)
  • Stomp: Never misses minimized foes (still does double damage to them as well)
  • Mega Kick: Pow 175, Acc 75, PP 1 (PP Ups don't increase it)
  • Rolling Kick: Acc 100, PP 10
  • Horn Attack: Now Poison type, 10% chance to poison
  • Fury Attack: Acc 95, PP 15
  • Tackle: Pow 40, Acc 100 like Scratch (and in later gens)
  • Take Down: Jump Kick effect, Pow 120, PP 15
  • Thrash: Pow 120, PP 10
  • Twineedle: Pow 40, Acc 90, PP 10
  • Pin Missile: Pow 18, Acc 98, PP 15
  • Bite: Flinch chance is now 10% instead of 30%
  • Roar: Increases user's attack by one stage (like Howl), PP 10
  • Sing: Acc 70, 10 PP
  • Supersonic: Acc 70, 15 PP
  • Sonicboom: 25 HP damage
  • Disable: Acc 100, PP 10
  • Peck: Pow 40, PP 30
  • Acid: Pow 50, PP 15, 10% burn chance
  • Blizzard: Acc 80
  • Psybeam: Effect chance 30%, PP 15
  • Bubblebeam: Effect chance 30%, PP 15
  • Aurora Beam: Effect chance 30%, PP 15
  • Hyper Beam: Pow 160
  • Drill Peck: PP 15
  • Submission: Pow 90, Acc 100, PP 15
  • Low Kick: Acc 100
  • Strength: Now Fighting type
  • Absorb: PP 25
  • Mega Drain: PP 15
  • Poisonpowder: Acc 100, PP 15
  • Petal Dance: Pow 120, PP 10
  • String Shot: Lowers speed by two stages (like in gen 8)
  • Dragon Rage: Pow 60 (does non-fixed DRG type damage), 30% Burn chance
  • Fire Spin: Acc 85, no more trap effect; instead does no damage and causes burn (essentially Will-O-Wisp)
  • Thunder Wave: Acc 90 (like in gen 7+)
  • Dig: Pow 80
  • Toxic: Acc 90 (like in gen 5+)
  • Confusion: Pow 50, PP 15, 20% confuse chance
  • Rage: Pow 30
  • Night Shade: Pow 80, PP 10, now uses the Sp Atk stat and deals special damage, despite ghost being a physical type
  • Recover: PP 10 (like later gens)
  • Selfdestruct: PP 1
  • Egg Bomb: Now Fire type, 30% chance to burn
  • Lick: Acc 95, PP 10, 50% chance to paralyze
  • Smog: Acc 95, PP 10, 50% chance to poison
  • Bone Club: Now multi-hit (2–5x), Pow 30, PP 10
  • Waterfall: 20% Flinch chance (like in gen 4+)
  • Clamp: Pow 65, Acc 100, PP 15, 75% evasion down
  • Skull Bash: Now Steel type, Pow 150, Acc 95, PP 5
  • Spike Cannon: Now Steel type, Pow 25, PP 10
  • Constrict: Now Grass type, Pow 65, Acc 95, PP 15, 50% speed down one stage
  • Kinesis: Now lowers Acc by 2 stages, PP 5
  • Hi Jump Kick: Pow 100 (like in gen IV)
  • Glare: Acc 100, PP 15
  • Poison Gas: Badly poisons, Acc 100, PP 5
  • Barrage: Now Fire type and has False Swipe effect, Pow 140, Acc 90, PP 5
  • Leech Life: Pow 60, PP 10
  • Sky Attack: Acc 95, now has a high crit rate and 30% flinch chance like in gen 3
  • Dizzy Punch: Pow 85, 30% confuse chance
  • Flash: Acc 95, PP 10
  • Psywave: Acc 100, PP 10
  • Crabhammer: Pow 120
  • Explosion: PP 1
  • Fury Swipes: Acc 95
  • Bonemerang: Pow 55
  • Rock Slide: 15 PP and never misses during a Sandstorm
  • Triple Kick: Pow 28 (2 hits = 75, 84 hits = 168), Acc 95
  • Thief: Pow 60, PP 15
  • Flame Wheel: 20% burn chance, PP 15
  • Snore: Pow 70
  • Cotton Spore: Pow 60, Acc 100, PP 10, 10% chance of All stats up
  • Spite: Now always decreases PP by 4, like in gen 5+
  • Powder Snow: PP 10, 20% freeze chance
  • Mach Punch: Pow 60, PP 15
  • Scary Face: Acc 100 (like in gen 8)
  • Sweet Kiss: Acc 100
  • Octazooka: Acc 100 and now Dark-type
  • Detect: PP 20 (cuz why not?)
  • Bone Rush: No longer multi-hit and has priority, Pow 65, PP 15
  • Outrage: Pow 120, PP 10
  • Giga Drain: PP 10
  • Fury Cutter: Pow 20, Acc 90, PP 15
  • Steel Wing: Pow 80, Acc 100, PP 15
  • Mean Look: Now Ghost type (simply aesthetic, has no bearing on effectiveness)
  • Present: Acc 100, PP 10, Pow 75, 90, or 200 (same odds as before)
  • Megahorn: PP 5
  • Dragonbreath: Pow 80, PP 15
  • Iron Tail: Acc 90, PP 10
  • Metal Claw: Pow 70, Acc 90, PP 15, 30% chance Atk up
  • Hidden Power: Pow is always 70; DVs only determine type
  • Twister: Pow 55, no longer flinches/hits during Fly but never misses
  • Psych Up: Calm Mind effect, PP 20
  • Ancientpower: PP 10
  • Shadow Ball: Lowers Def instead of Sp. Def
  • Future Sight: Pow 150 (because no STAB), Acc 100, PP 10
  • Rock Smash: Pow 40 (like later gens), PP 10, 100% chance to lower Defence
  • Whirlpool: Now like a stronger Aqua Jet: Pow 50, Acc 100, PP 10
  • Beat Up: Multi-hit (2–5x), Pow 27, Acc 95, PP 10 (damage is no longer typeless & STAB is applied; also uses the Mega Punch animation now)

Economy

The economy has been revamped in order to incentivize the player to be more selective with their purchases and there is now a greater variety of items to be purchased.

Mart Changes

Prices have mostly increased across the board to incentivize resource management and contribute to the difficulty increase:

  • Essential restorative items: Potion price has not changed, Super Potion/Energy Powder are ~1.3x, Hyper Potion, Energy Root and Max Potion are about x1.5
  • Drinks are more expensive, but still a better deal than regular and herbal restoratives: Fresh Water $650, Soda Pop $750, Lemonade $900, Moomoo Milk $1000 (purchasable by the dozen)
  • Status-healing items (not counting Full Heal/Restore) have increased by 1.5–2x in price
  • Non-essential restorative items (e.g. Full Heal/Restore, Heal Powder, Revive, Revival Herb) have increased in price by 2–2.5x
  • Non-essential miscellaneous items: Battle items (e.g. X-Accuracy) increased by 2–3x, all Repels x2, Escape Rope and Poké Doll by 1.5x
  • Nutrients are now $2000 each due to the higher cap and trainers having stat exp. This is helpful for when you catch a new Pokémon, since it'll be behind in terms of stat exp, which can be crippling later into a Nuzlocke
  • Poké Balls are half price and Great Balls are slightly cheaper ($400)
  • TM prices have increased significantly because they are now reusable. TMs 02 (Headbutt) and 08 (Rock Smash) can no longer be purchased from the Goldenrod Dept Store. TM 10 (Hidden Power) and the weather TMs are no longer sold in Celadon. TM 32 (Double Team) can now be purchased from the Celadon Dept Store. TMs 14, 25, and 38 (Blizzard, Thunder, and Fire Blast) are now found throughout Kanto
  • Note: you obtain more cash from trainers and there are more of them now, treasures sell for more, and more of them are found throughout your adventure

Treasures

Nuggets now sell for $7,500 and other treasures sell for more than before.

Bargains

  • Goldenrod Dept Store Rooftop Sale: items and prices have been adjusted and all nutrients are available every sale ($1,500 each during the sale)
  • Goldenrod Underground Bargain Mart: prices have been changed to reflect the updated treasure prices
  • Evolutionary stones (except Sun and Moon Stones) are now available for purchase on the 4th floor of both dept stores for $15,000

Mart Inventory Changes

  • Cherrygrove City: Now carries Bluesky Mail
  • Violet City: Super Potion replaces Flower Mail
  • Azalea Town: Awakening replaces Charcoal, Flower Mail removed, X Attack, Defend and Speed added
  • Goldenrod City: See above + Underground mart (old lady that sells herbs) now carries all 3 plant decorations, Dept Store now carries Pink and Polkadot Beds, Blue and Red Carpets, and the NES (2nd floor); some medicine/general utility items have swapped clerks
  • Olivine City: Now carries Ultra Balls
  • Cianwood: Now carries Great Balls
  • Mahogany Town (after Rocket Hideout): Now carries Ultra Balls, Ice Heals replace Parlyz Heals, Flower Mail has been replaced with Mirage and Morph Mail. Ragecandybar is $500 (now heals 30HP and can be held/activated like a berry; costs $350 from the guy blocking the east exit before you clear the hideout)
  • Blackthorn City: Now carries Music Mail
  • Indigo Plateau (Mart inaccessible while E4 are away): Now carries Rare Candies for $2400
  • Pewter City: Ultra Balls replace Great Balls and Hyper Potions replace Super Potions
  • Mt Moon Square: Now carries Jigglypuff and Clefairy Dolls and Posters
  • Cerulean City: Hyper Potions replace Super Potions
  • Vermilion City: No longer carries Super Potions
  • Lavender Town: Ultra Balls replace Great Balls and Hyper/Max Potions replace Potions/Super Potions
  • Celadon City: See above + Dept Store now carries the N64 and Virtual Boy, Green and Yellow Carpets, and a Pikachu Bed (2F); some medicine/general utility items have swapped clerks
  • Fuchsia City: Max Potions replace Super Potions
  • Saffron City: Now carries Escape Rope

Other Changes

  • Buena's point prizes: Changed point requirements (Ultra Ball and Rare Candy 2, Full Restore 3, and the rest 1) and removed Nugget
  • Move tutor costs have been revised (see New and Improved Features' "System" subsection)
  • A new minigame has been added to Fuchsia City: Cloyster Hoister! It's a money-making minigame where you fish for Pearls and Big Pearls, one of the best ways to get money in the game

Game Corner

  • Can now buy 2,500 coins at a time for $50k
  • Adjusted Pokémon prize costs. Adjusted item/TM prizes as follows:
    • Goldenrod: 3 elemental TMs now obtained in various spots around Kanto; replaced with Endure, Sweet Scent and Defense Curl (1–3k coins each)
    • Celadon: Hyper Beam now costs 9,500 coins; Psychic and Double Team have been replaced with Scope Lens and Brightpowder (6,000 coins each, listed as "????")
  • Increased game payouts (e.g. triple 7s gives 777 coins now)
  • Adjusted prize Pokémon:
    • Goldenrod: Cubone at level 20, Slowpoke at 20 & Wobuffet at 25
    • Celadon: Pikachu at 25 (comes with a Light Ball, the only way to get it without Thief), Porygon at level 10 (comes with a Polkadot Bow, the only way to get it without Thief)
    • Starters (replacing Larvitar in Celadon): They are at level 5 and listed in the prize menu as "STARTER": Bulbasaur is available Sunday and Monday, Charmander on Tuesday, Squirtle on Wednesday, Chikorita on Thursday, Cyndaquil on Friday, and Totodile on Saturday. Each starter comes with a Normal Box, which gives the Silver Trophy when used, and you can sell the extra boxes for 10k each

Wild Encounters

You can see the encounter lists (wild_encounters.txt) in the #documentation channel of my Discord server.

Legendary Encounters

  • Raikou and Entei: Unchanged
  • Suicune: Level 60
  • Celebi: Level 50, GS Ball can be obtained upon entering the Goldenrod Pokémon Centre after defeating the E4 for the first time (quest proceeds like in original game)
  • Lugia: Level 90
  • Ho-Oh: Level 85, must now defeat Misty and get Eusine to leave Celadon, in addition to catching all legendary beasts, before finding it in Tin Tower
  • Zapdos: Level 85, Saffron Magnet Train Station after power is restored
  • Articuno: Level 90, Seafoam Islands
  • Moltres: Level 95, Silver Cave
  • Mewtwo: Level 50, obtained from Celadon Mansion rooftop house once you've captured all other Pokémon
  • Mew: Level 95, Silver Cave (must have Clear Bell in your inventory)

Trainer and Battle Changes

AI & Battle System Upgrades

See the Bug/Glitch/Oversight Fixes section for all of the battle-related fixes.

  • AI: Every trainer now has the smarter AI used by 'boss trainers' and their 25% chance to miss status moves has been removed, along with some bugs (see the 'Bug Fixes' section), and challenging trainers now switch and use items more often. As well, the AI has been improved; among other things: Solarbeam and multi-hit moves are better used by AI, the AI is more likely to use OHKO moves if your evasion has been lowered and OHKO moves no longer miss if used against a higher-level opponent; AI no longer uses status moves on a Substitute, is likely to swap out if a stat other than spd has been significantly lowered, all trainers swap out at a Perish count of 1, AI factors in move power when assessing type matchup for switching, Thief is now used by the AI, etc.
  • Text has been improved when using status or substatus moves on a Substitute or an already-statused opponent and missing these moves due to failing the accuracy check will print "attack missed" text rather than "didn't affect"
  • King's Rock now applies to all moves, including those that already flinch
  • Weather: Like Sandstorm (and like in gen 3+), Rain Dance and Sunny Day now fail when used while the same weather is already in effect. Rock Slide never misses during a Sandstorm, like Thunder when it's raining. Sandstorm raises Rock-types' Sp Def by 50% (like in gen 4+, thanks to Idain's tut)
  • Grass-type Pokémon are now immune to Spore, Stun Spore and Sleep Powder
  • Fire-type Pokémon are immune to the modified Fire Spin (aka Will-O-Wisp)
  • Synthesis, Morning Sun and Moonlight are no longer affected by the time of day. Harsh sunlight will cause Synthesis and Morning Sun (rain for Moonlight) to restore ⅔ HP and any other weather effect = ⅓ HP restored. If there is no weather effect, ½ HP is restored
  • Sleep: Now lasts 2–3 turns, including in Battle Tower (like newer gens — thanks to Idain)
  • Freeze: Now a 20% chance to defrost per turn (like gen 3+) rather than 10%
  • X-Acc now just raises accuracy by one stage
  • Custom Parties: Trainers now have a greater variety of Pokémon and much stronger teams with custom DVs and stat experience, in addition to the more challenging level curve. Boss trainers also have held items and meta-lite movesets as the game progresses

Trainer Changes

Johto

  • Route 29: Once you've defeated your rival for the first time, Tuscany can be fought if you speak to her prior to getting her Pink Bow and on a day other than Tuesday. The same applies to all other siblings for their respective days of the week, so I will not list them all in this section
  • Route 31: Added Lass Janet
  • Slowpoke Well: Final grunt is much stronger. Super Nerd on B2F now fights you
  • Ilex Forest: Added Picnicker Beth, Bug Catcher Tobias and Bug Catcher Adam
  • Ecruteak City: Kimono girls are more challenging and their Pokémon now better match their dress colours
  • Burned Tower: Firebreathers Dick and Ned have been added back from Gold/Silver, Eusine has a new overworld sprite (adapted from Polished Crystal)
  • Route 35: The Cooltrainers that give you Soft Sand are tougher and there is no break before the third fight
  • Union Cave (2nd visit): Cooltrainer Nick has added dialogue in Union Cave referencing his 1st place Pokémon in the Bug Contest, which has perfect DVs; also refers to you as "Bro" (Space World '97 reference) and has his unique blue palette from the contest
  • Cianwood City: Eusine is much more powerful than before, so be prepared!
  • Mt Mortar: Blackbelt Kiyo can be rematched as part of the new Brick Piece quest
  • Ice Path: Added Boarders Theo and Jordan, and moved Skier Clarissa here (from Mahogany Gym)
  • Tin Tower: Added a fight against Morty on the roof before facing Ho-Oh
  • Mt Silver (outside part, renamed from Silver Cave): Added Psychic Carl, Cooltrainer Callum and Youngster Joey (once defeated, will leave and be rematchable on Route 30 with this team)
  • Silver Cave:
    • Red is now dubbed "PKMN MASTER RED" instead of "PKMN TRAINER RED"; team has been changed a bit, inspired by RBY and Pokémon Adventures
    • There is a new boss trainer (sprites adapted from Polished Crystal) before facing Red (new sprite from Polished) and a few other new trainers in Mt Silver
    • Added Camper Patrick, Hiker Leroy, Guitarist Harvey, Boarder John, and Firebreather Seph

Kanto

  • Victory Road: Added Blackbelt Bobby, Swimmer Claire, Biker Gryphon, Cooltrainer Christ, and Super Nerd Brady
  • Pokémon League: Elite Four has a second tier of parties (and new dialogue) once you obtain all 16 badges
  • Fast Ship: Cooltrainer Sean, Schoolboy Ricky, Beauty Cassie and Psychic Rodney now appear during the first voyage rather than subsequent ones
  • Route 6: Added Picnicker Selina, Bug Catcher Day, and Camper Vergil
  • Route 8: Added Teacher Lulu and Firebreather Tod
  • Route 9: Added Youngster Conner, Camper Drew and Picnicker Alicia
  • Rock Tunnel:
    • Added the following regular trainers: Super Nerd Shawn and Pokemaniac Ethan (both moved from subsequent Fast Ship trips), Pokemaniacs Winston and Steve, Picnickers Sofia and Leah, Hiker Lenny, and Camper Sekher
    • Once you've obtained the Diploma (requires all Pokémon owned except for Mewtwo and the two new ones) and defeated Red, you can fight a secret boss in the cave's depths; he (as well as another hidden boss) can be rematched after beating Red again
  • Underground Path: Added Officer Grant (battle at night only)
  • Route 12: Added Guitarist Luca, Fisher Kyler and Camper Justin
  • Route 13: Added Teachers Piper and Ginger and Pokéfan Boone
  • Route 15: Added Schoolboy Connor and Teacher Clarice
  • Route 17: Added Bikers Dal, Reese, Dan, Teddy, Markey, Jacob, Theron
  • Saffron City Gym: Added Psychic Idain
  • Viridian City:
    • Trainer House: Gold (formerly Cal) and Crystal (newly added) now have much stronger teams; Crystal appears instead of Gold on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
    • Viridian Gym: Added a gym trainer
  • Viridian Forest: Added Bug Catchers Dane, Dion, Ellis, and Abner
  • Route 3: Added Bird Keeper Ander, Cooltrainer Antona and Hiker Dante
  • Route 1: Added Schoolboy Sherman and Youngster French
  • Route 20: Moved two trainers from Route 19 here (to the east side) and added Swimmers Mina and Frankie, and Fisher Murphy
  • Route 21: Added a landing and Bird Keeper Kinley
  • Seafoam Gym: Added Super Nerd Cary and Scientists Lowell, Daniel, Linden, Oscar, Waldo, Merle and Einstein
  • Seafoam Islands: Added Lance in training (he can be fought once after each victory against Red)
  • Route 28: Added Fisher Wilkinson, Bird Keeper Tanner and Bug Catcher Darimi

Boss Trainers

Level Ranges

(approximate; see Trainer Parties for exact levels)

Rival:

  • Cherrygrove City: 7
  • Azalea Town: 20–23
  • Burned Tower: 31–34
  • Goldenrod Underground: 52–55
  • Victory Road: 61–65
  • Mt. Moon: 84–87
  • Indigo Plateau (only after E4 rematch and Mt Moon encounter): 91–94

Gym Leaders:

  • Falkner: 13–15
  • Bugsy: 21–24 (has a different ace based on your starter)
  • Whitney: 29–32
  • Morty: 34–37
  • Chuck: 42–45
  • Jasmine: 44–47
  • Pryce: 51–53
  • Clair: 57–60
  • Lt Surge: 71–73
  • Erika: 73–76
  • Misty: 77–79
  • Janine: 83–85
  • Sabrina: 83–86
  • Brock: 85–88
  • Blaine: 86–89
  • Blue: 88–91

Elite Four & Champion:

  • Will: 64–66
  • Koga: 65–67
  • Bruno: 66–68
  • Karen: 67–69
  • Champion: 69–71
  • Will (rematch): 89–91
  • Koga (rematch): 90–91
  • Bruno (rematch): 90–92
  • Karen (rematch): 91–92
  • Champion (rematch): 91–95

Special Trainers:

  • Eusine: 41–43
  • Radio Tower Boss: 54–57
  • Morty 2: 80–83
  • Gold: 81–86
  • Crystal: 81–86
  • Karate King Kiyo (rematch for quest): 84–86
  • New Mt Silver Boss: 94–97
  • Red: 96–100 (has a special ace in Classic)
  • Lance (Seafoam): 100
  • New Super Boss (Rock Tunnel): 100
  • Red (rematch): 100

Trainer Parties

Please see the link below to view all trainer parties and exact, up-to-date party levels. Note that the file contains HEAVY SPOILERS and Classic parties may differ slightly.

https://github.com/MajorAgnostic/Pokemon-Crystal-Ultimate/blob/main/data/trainers/parties.asm

Map and Quest Changes

Listed below are all quest changes and some notable map changes. See "New Side Quests" in the table of contents for a list of new quests or quest rewards to take note of.

Johto

  • New Bark Town: Items now appear in your room upon reaching certain story milestones, so check often (your mom will also call you)! A man in town will now stop you from heading east if you've beaten Clair but haven't claimed all of the gifts available in your room up 'til that point
  • Cherrygrove City: The old guide now initiates the tour automatically so that players don't miss the Town Map
  • Route 30: Mr Pokémon now gives you a Lucky Egg instead of an Exp Share (now obtained from Kurt after the Well) in exchange for the Dark/Red Scale
  • Violet City: Togepi now hatches at level 10
  • Ruins of Alph:
    • The three fossil Pokémon can now be found in their respective hidden item chambers (Kabuto (level 10) replaces Berry, Omanyte (30) replaces Stardust, and Aerodactyl (50) replaces Gold Berry)
    • The Aerodactyl chamber can only be accessed with Whirlpool and a Twistedspoon can now be found in the grass near Psychic Nathan
    • Once you catch all 26 Unown variants, you can speak to a scientist in the Ruins' research centre to receive an Unown Doll for your room
  • Route 32: Added shortcut to Route 35, but blocked until you reach Goldenrod City for the first time; TM Roar is now TM Teleport and Cut tree is gone
  • Route 33: New one-way shortcut from Route 34
  • Azalea Town: Kurt now gives you an Exp Share instead of a Lure Ball after clearing the Slowpoke Well and you no longer have to wait a day for him to make balls!
  • Ilex Forest: Silverpowder can now be found using Surf (modified map slightly) and Hidden Ether has been replaced with a Tinymushroom. Added 3 extra hidden items: 1 Big Mushroom and 2 Tinymushrooms
  • Route 34–Ilex Forest Gate: Sweet Scent lady now gives you a Lucky Egg
  • Goldenrod City: PP House is now the new Move Deleter's House, with a sign beside it to reflect this, and Eevee is now obtained at level 25. Once you've met him in Ecruteak and received Eevee, Bill will offer you a Pocket PC in exchange for a Soft Sand (don't worry, there's more than one Soft Sand in the game)
  • Route 35/Goldenrod Gate: Kenya (Spearow given to you by the gate officer) is now level 20 and, upon completing the quest, you receive instead of a PP Up an Eon Mail (can still be exchanged for a Revive like in the original game)
  • Route 35: Cut tree has been removed and map modified for shortcut to Route 32
  • Dark Cave: The no-return portion of the Blackthorn side can no longer be accessed from the Violet side as soon as you obtain Surf, since a ledge has been added
  • Route 46: TM Rollout now found here
  • Route 42/Ecruteak Gate: The guard now lets you pass only once you've obtained 6 badges
  • Burned Tower: Sacred Ash can now be found where Suicune was, TM Endure replaced with TM Sludge Bomb
  • Slowpoke Well (2nd visit): Can now find two Slowpoketails (one is hidden)
  • Route 39: Miltank only requires a single Berry instead of 7 to become healthy. Moomoo Milk can now be purchased even if you already have some in your inventory and you can buy either a bottle or a dozen at once
  • Olivine City: Added the Olivine Beta House, which now features a move reminder
  • Battle Tower:
    • Only 2 tiers: lv. 50 and 100; ubers can only be used at lv. 100, which is only selectable after entering the Hall of Fame
    • Instead of nutrients (due to how cheap they now are), the prizes for beating 7 trainers in a row is 3 of either PP Ups, Max Revives, or Max Elixers (random and irrespective of tier)
    • Revised all enemy Pokémon and added ubers to lv. 100 tier
    • New Battle Tower battle music
  • Route 40: A hidden Soft Sand and Star Piece can now be found on the shore
  • Route 41: Added a small grassy isle that houses a hidden Water Stone
  • Cianwood City: Shuckle is now level 35 (Berry Juice heals 40 HP instead of 20) and can only be returned after defeating Clair
  • Route 42: Added an extra patch of grass just outside Ecruteak
  • Mt Mortar: TM Defense Curl (now available at the Goldenrod Game Corner) has been replaced with a Nugget
  • Route 43: Hidden Power guy now checks your Pokémon's HP type, TM Sludge Bomb replaced with TM Giga Drain
  • Lake of Rage: Gyarados is now level 50 (shiny colour differs by version)
  • Whirl Islands: Changed the layout of Lugia's chamber: it is much bigger and contains a new item
  • Blackthorn City: The move deleter's house now also has a move reminder
  • Dark Cave (Blackthorn side): TM 13 (Snore) has been replaced with Rare Candy
  • Victory Road Badge Gate: The Mt Silver (left) guard only disappears once you've beaten the E4 rematch and the Route 22 (right) guard only disappears once you've spoken to Oak after obtaining all 16 badges
  • Tin Tower: Added new cutscenes and boss encounter
  • Mt Silver: Master Ball added
  • Silver Cave: Moltres now appears (static encounter), with the map having been slightly adjusted to accommodate this new area

Kanto

Note that the order of progression in Kanto has been changed up a bit. The intended progression (as reflected by trainer levels and the badges page) is: Vermilion > Route 6/Route 8/Celadon (passing through Saffron, can get Pass right away, but no gym; Cycling Road and Lavender's western entrance are blocked off) > Cerulean > Restore power > Defeat Misty > Rock Tunnel > Lavender. Upon reaching Lavender, the remaining gyms can be tackled in any order (except for Blue being last) as all roads are/can be unblocked at this point, but the intended order is Fuchsia <-> Saffron > Pewter > Cinnabar > Viridian. Note that Janine can only be challenged upon completing the new Fuchsia City quest.

  • Route 26: Once you've obtained all 'day of the week' items, the empty house will contain Leftovers
  • Victory Road:
    • Added TM47 Steel Wing and TM03 Curse
    • Added a boulder puzzle and adjusted the environment (now requires Waterfall). Once you enter, you can no longer return the way you came until you've reached the Indigo Plateau; the badge gate guard gives ample warning
  • Vermilion City: Guy who gives you an HP Up after obtaining all badges now gives you a PP Up, Snorlax is now level 80, and a Leftovers can be found in the gym
  • Cerulean City: Guy dowsing for Berserk Gene can now replicate it for you on Sunday once you've used it up (but only if you show it to him first! Don't use up the first one before speaking with him or you'll have to use Thief to find another one). Guy in long house now gives you a Thick Club once you've obtained all badges
  • Celadon City: Former Curse guy gives you Mewtwo instead of TM03 Curse and tells you about a superboss, Erika no longer gives TM Giga Drain
  • Route 16: Cycling Road is blocked off until you reach Lavender
  • Saffron City:
    • Zapdos can be encountered in the Magnet Train Station after restoring power to Kanto (TM Thunder appears here after defeated) and an invisible Magnet can now be found in the upper part of the train station
    • The Magnet Pass can be obtained as soon as you reach Saffron (power need not be restored)
    • A new scene triggers once you enter the city
    • Saffron Gym and the route to Lavender Town are blocked until the power is restored
    • Upon defeat, Sabrina gives TM Psych Up
    • There is now a move deleter and reminder in the city
    • The Fighting Dojo features a side quest that you can start once you get the Brick Piece: The guy in the dojo now gives you the Focus Band instead of it being picked up. Once you complete the quest involving the Karate King, you can choose between an Elekid and Magby that know Cross Chop
  • Route 25: Protein has been replaced with Lucky Punch (now works on Blissey)
  • Rock Tunnel: TM47 Steel Wing has been replaced with a Full Restore. You can no longer Dig/Escape Rope from the dungeon and there is a one-way ledge halfway through
  • Lavender Town: New side quest that starts within the Soul House. Elderly woman starts quest, will need to go to Lavender Radio Tower then back to Soul House to complete. This allows you to catch Alolan Marowak (Shiny Marowak in Classic)
  • Route 13: Added two Full Heals
  • Route 14: Added a Ylw apricorn tree
  • Fuchsia City: BIG CHANGES: Map has been notably edited (e.g. added mons to the pens like 3 years ago) and the Safari Zone Main Office is now the Silph Co. Delivery Center, inside which a new quest takes place (required to enter the gym). Cloyster Hoister has been added as a new minigame. Cut tree on the way to the Mart has been removed, added a Pnk Apricorn tree and a Rare Candy
  • Routes 19–21: Path from Fuchsia City is no longer blocked (this may change). Added more terrain to make the routes more interesting. Route 19 now has grass encounters and a new non-trainer NPC
  • Seafoam Islands: Restored with an ice theme replacing the currents! Houses Articuno. Items include TM Blizzard, Nevermeltice, Ice Heal, Water Stone, and hidden Nugget, Big Pearl, Ultra Ball and Max Elixer
  • Route 1: Added a tree that yields Miracleberries
  • Route 2: Added two new gates for Viridian Forest and Oak's aide in the original gate now gives an Exp Share if you've caught at least 100 Pokémon; berry tree yields Grn apricorns instead of Psncureberries
  • Viridian Forest: Restored! Used the Ilex tileset though, so the map looks different. Route 2's items have been relocated here (Dire Hit replaced with Full Restore) and added a Leaf Stone and Big Mushrooms (some are hidden)!
  • Route 4: New items, including TM Sleep Talk
  • Cinnabar Island: Blue won't leave until you get all other Kanto badges (dialogue changed slightly)
  • Seafoam Gym: Now much bigger and quizzes and trainers have returned! Blaine now gives TM Fire Blast as a reward
  • Route 28: Steel Wing house girl now gives 3 PP Ups instead of Steel Wing (now found in Victory Road instead)
  • Pokémon League: After his defeat, Blue now tells you to go see Oak, who suggests that you rechallenge a stronger Elite Four in order to access Mt Silver. E4 cannot be rechallenged before this point

Notable Item Locations

If a unique item is not listed here, its location is likely unchanged from the original game.

TMs: See Map and Quest Changes for changed TM locations.

  • Master Ball: Elm's Lab, Radio Tower 1F (lotto), Silph Co., Mt Silver
  • Brightpowder: Celadon Game Corner Prize
  • Scope Lens: Celadon Game Corner Prize
  • Dragon Scale: Mt Mortar, wild Dragonairs
  • Up-Grade: milestone gift in your room (Silph Co has a new item instead), wild Porygons
  • Moon Stone: Mom gift from saving, Tohjo Falls (pre-Waterfall), Ruins of Alph Aerodactyl Item Room, Victory Road, Mt Moon Square (repeatable via Clefairy event from OG Crystal), Silver Cave
  • Sun Stone: Bug Contest (repeatable), Route 38
  • Decoration items: See Goldenrod and Celadon Dept Stores, Mt Moon Square, your room, and Mom's gifts for most of the decoration items
  • Big Onix Doll: Red's room once you defeat Blue
  • Brick Piece: Red's room once you restore power to Kanto
  • Unown Doll: Catch all Unown and speak to the researcher in the Ruins of Alph
  • Sweet Charm: Obtain the Diploma and visit Elm
  • Lucky Punch: Route 25
  • Metal Powder: Wild Ditto (no longer boosts Ditto's stats, only used in quest)
  • Exp Share: Speak to Kurt after rescuing him, also given by Oak's Aide in Route 2's east gate once you've obtained 100 or more Pokémon
  • Lucky Egg: Speak to the (former) Sweet Scent lady in the Ilex Forest/Route 34 Gate, also from Mr Pokémon in exchange for the Dark/Red Gyarados' Scale and wild Chansey
  • Slowpoketail: Hidden in Slowpoke Well
  • Soft Sand: Given by Cooltrainer Kate on Route 34, hidden on Route 40 beach
  • King's Rock: Slowpoke Well B2F
  • Silverpowder: Ilex Forest (requires Surf)
  • Twistedspoon: Near Psychic trainer in Ruins of Alph
  • Stick: Wild Farfetch'd, DUX from Olivine NPC trade
  • Thick Club: Wild Cubone and Marowak, Cerulean City long house guy gives it once you've obtained all 16 badges
  • Focus Band: Fighting Dojo upon starting quest (Brick Piece required)
  • Leftovers: Wild Snorlax, Day of the Week Siblings' House (Route 26), Celadon Cafe, Vermilion Gym, using Thief
  • Berserk Gene: Hidden in the water near Cerulean Cave; bring one to the youngster dowsing nearby for replication, otherwise obtained using Thief
  • Light Ball: Celadon Game Corner Pikachu holds it
  • Eon Mail: Reward for completing Kenya quest

Bug/Glitch/Oversight Fixes

The following is a list of bug fixes and improvements to flaws that were intentional:

  • Environmental sprites (such as water and flowers) now animate when textboxes are open, like in Gold/Silver
  • The artificial delay during saving has been removed, so the process is now much faster
  • King's Rock now applies to all damaging moves
  • HP bar no longer drains slowly for high-HP Pokémon and low HP sound only beeps 4x now
  • BRN/PAR/PSN now increase catch rate and FRZ/SLP further increase it, as intended
  • False Swipe/Barrage are greatly discouraged by the AI when the player's HP is below 25% to avoid trying to faint the player Pokémon with these moves
  • Dragon Fang now has its original intended effect of boosting Dragon-type moves by 10%
  • Moon, Love and Fast Balls (see New and Improved Features for details) now work as intended; Moon Ball also works on the new Moon Stone evos
  • Belly Drum no longer raises Attack despite HP being too low
  • Berserk Gene's confusion now works properly
  • No more DV-discrimination in breeding (not really a bug, but some weird and unnecessary anti-incest quirk)
  • Fixed Magikarp size calculation errors and Lake of Rage Magikarp are now larger than others, rather than smaller
  • Fixed Thick Club and Light Ball stat rollover glitches
  • Return and Frustration fixed to no longer deal miniscule damage at very low and very high happiness, respectively
  • Perish Song and Spikes no longer leave a Pokémon with 0 HP without fainting
  • Defence-lowering moves no longer reduce the stat after breaking a Substitute
  • Fixed glitch where a disabled but PP Upped move may not trigger Struggle
  • Fainting from Pursuit no longer causes the Pokémon to regain the status condition it had when it fainted
  • When using Mind Reader/Lock-On, all moves now hit the enemy during Fly/Dig
  • Teleport can now fail if the user has a lower level than the opponent, as intended
  • NPCs can now cure Nightmare and confusion
  • Fixed AI's false assumption about CheckTypeMatchup
  • Fixed grammar mistakes for Twins
  • Cannot jump from a ledge onto objects or NPCs
  • Fixed "Smart AI" bug where Mean Look was encouraged when the user was badly poisoned, rather than the enemy
  • Present's damage works correctly in link battles
  • Reflect/Light Screen can no longer cause def/sp def to wrap around
  • Fixed glitch where moves with a 100% secondary effect chance had a 1/256 chance to not trigger it
  • Catching a Transformed Pokémon that is not Ditto (aka Mew) no longer yields a Ditto
  • Evolution stone compatibility is reported correctly
  • Rocket Admins have unique battle themes courtesy of Mmmmmm's work
  • Future Sight is discouraged by AI if already in use
  • Conversion2 is no longer discouraged by the AI after the first turn

Playthrough Tips

The following is a list of general tips for your playthrough of Ultimate:

  • Talk to every gym guide as they have new tips
  • Don't evolve Pokémon right away; sometimes postponing a level will get you a good move earlier than if you evolved right away (especially useful if you're playing with level caps)
  • EXPLORE: you can get Unown and Kabuto by exploring the Ruins of Alph as soon as you get there (both very useful at that point) and you can also find more treasures now, especially early game, which will help with cash (especially for Nuzlockes). There are also new quests that reward curious players
  • Save with your Mom from the get-go; she gets you pretty good items, including an early Moon Stone
  • To unlock decoration items (such as the ones you pick up in your room), use them from the pack and you can then access them from your room's PC
  • Look up a move before not bothering to teach it to your Pokémon simply because it was bad in the original game; there's a good chance it's much better now
  • Cheaper nutrients (now 2k instead of 9.8k) help with keeping up with the stat exp curve, especially when grinding up a new Pokémon in Nuzlockes
  • If you're in Kanto and in need of cash, check out the new Cloyster Hoister minigame in Fuchsia City

Files & Resources

For hack files, updates, feedback, and discussion, please check out my Discord server: https://discord.gg/wDzr35mw2G

If you are interested in seeing my hack in action or the overview trailer, visit my YouTube channel using the following link: https://www.youtube.com/user/NicktheLP/videos

Credits

NOTE: If your name is missing and you feel as though it should be here, let me know.

I would like to credit the following people who helped me in the process of creating this hack and learning about asm and Crystal disassembly hacking (which wouldn't exist without iiMarckus and co's work on the project).

First of all, I would like to thank my friends on Patreon that have contributed to the sprite and music commissions that I've ordered for this hack; without them, the hack would not have such high-quality assets to elevate it. Thank you very much, Peter, Cade, Jake/Jassu, Sloth of Steel, Albinocat, and SirKittenTavo.

Second, the pret folks that form the backbone of the pokecrystal github community, including Rangi (made countless great tutorials and Polished Crystal), others who made tutorials (such as growlie777), Seasick, Electro, ax6, Idain (also gave me his tailless Slowpoke sprite and I adapted his Hidden Power Guru code, among other credits mentioned in this document), i0brendan0, potato, TriAttackDev, TriteHexagon (created the night themes and helped me integrate them and contributed other music), Stan40 (title screen), and Mmmmmm and Pigu (many music themes).

Thank you to SirWhibbles for Lance's second in-battle sprite, which SailorShirayuki improved upon, and French Orange for back sprites, Lance's overworld sprite and touching up Clair's, which I've modified slightly, giving tips for improving the title screen's Celebi sprite, and Karate King (Molly helped FrenchOrange with this one). SoupPotato for the vast majority of new Pokémon sprites (not palettes).

I'd also like to especially thank Seasick, KDLPro and Idain (him in particular), who helped quite a bit with some coding issues and have been good friends and collaborators.

Finally, I extend much gratitude to the members of my Discord community who have supported me and given feedback throughout the ongoing development process, namely Jason Biggson/Ben&Co, Silky Shine, Idain, Sir Kitten Tavo, Ping Pong, Vamsi, KingCoocuroo, Jassu, No_Honor, FyodorVoynich, and knight13117 (these last four helped notably with testing and feedback), Azurot, Animage, and KDLPro.

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