Route 4 is quite a departure from the buzz of Castelia City, with a constant sandstorm getting in the way of construction works. As soon as you leave the gate, Cheren arrives, wanting to know who is stronger now that you both have the Insect Badge.
- PKMN Trainer Cheren
- Pidove (Lv. 20, Normal/Flying) Quick Attack, Roost, Air Cutter, Leer
- If you chose Snivy
- Pansage (Lv. 20, Grass) Bite, Vine Whip, Fury Swipes, Leech Seed
- Pignite (Lv. 22, Fire/Fighting) Flame Charge, Arm Thrust, Smog, Defense Curl
- If you chose Tepig
- Pansear (Lv. 20, Fire) Incinerate, Bite, Yawn, Fury Swipes
- Dewott (Lv. 22, Water) Razor Shell, Water Sport, Fury Cutter, Focus Energy
- If you chose Oshawott
- Panpour (Lv. 20, Water) Bite, Water Sport, Water Gun, Fury Swipes
- Servine (Lv. 22, Grass) Wrap, Leaf Tornado, Growth, Leech Seed
- Regardless of starter
- Liepard (Lv. 20, Dark) Pursuit, Torment, Fury Swipes, Sand-Attack
2,200
Now, heal if needed, and continue north. Juniper will call you on the Xtransceiver, asking you to meet her at the gate of Nimbasa City. But we'll go later, so go on the road to the west. A worker in one of the houses gives out TM28 (Dig).
Pokemon Found on Route 4[edit]
Note that Route 4 (and the Desert Resort) have deep sand instead of tall grass.
- Sandile (Lv. 15-18)
- Darumaka (Lv. 15-18)
- Scraggy (Lv. 16-17)
#551 Sandile - Sandile is a useful Pokemon, with an interesting mix of Ground/Dark types. They can learn some useful moves such as Assurance (at level 16), Mud-Slap (at level 19), Embargo (at level 22), and after they evolve into Krokorok at level 29, Scary Face. They will later evolve into Krookodile at level 40 and become even more powerful. If you're looking for a good Pokemon against the coming-up Gym, this is the one to pick!
#554 Darumaka - Darumaka is an unusual Fire-type, which can be useful if you don't have the Tepig or Pansear lines. It has the potential to be an excellent source of offensive firepower for your team, but falls short in terms of defensive stats. It starts with Rollout and can learn Fire Punch, Superpower and Overheat by level-up. Once you evolve it into Darmanitan at level 35, it can also learn Hammer Arm.
#559 Scraggy - Scraggy is also quite unusual with a Dark/Fighting type combination, and the new ability Moxie which boosts its attack if an enemy Pokemon faints. It learns a solid set of moves such as Brick Break at level 20 and High Jump Kick at level 31. Once it evolves into Scrafty at level 39, it can learn the ultra-powerful Rock attack Head Smash. Scraggy’s unique typing gives it an advantage against 3 members of the Elite Four, and catching one is a great opportunity for team coverage.
Trainers on Route 4[edit]
- Fisherman Hubert
- Basculin (Lv. 18)
- Basculin (Lv. 18)
- 576
- Fisherman Andrew
- Basculin (Lv. 16)
- Basculin (Lv. 16)
- Basculin (Lv. 16)
- Basculin (Lv. 16)
- 512
- Parasol Lady April
- Tympole (Lv. 18)
- Tympole (Lv. 18)
- 576
- Worker Gus
- Roggenrola (Lv. 17)
- Roggenrola (Lv. 17)
- Timburr (Lv. 17)
- 680
- Worker Shelby
- Timburr (Lv. 19)
After Worker Shelby you can pick up TM41 (Torment)
If, at any time, you need to heal, visit the house just beyond the first sand patch and a lady will heal your Pokémon. This saves time from running all the way back through Castelia city to visit the Pokémon Center.
- Items on route:
- Burn heal
- Ether
- Super potion
- Backpacker Keane
- Darumaka (Lv. 19)
- 456
- Backpacker Anna
- Cottonee (Lv. 19)
- 456
- Backpacker Jill
- Petilil (Lv. 19)
- 432
- Backpacker Waylon
- Blitzle (Lv. 19)
- 456
- Backpacker Jerome
- Pidove (Lv. 19)
- 456
- Worker Scott
- Roggenrola (Lv. 18)
- Timburr (Lv. 18)
- 720
- Worker Zack
- Timburr (Lv. 19)
- 760
The Desert Resort[edit]
In the Desert Resort there is a constant raging sandstorm, which will damage all Pokemon unless they are Rock-, Ground-, or Steel-type. This is a good training location, as the Pokemon here are higher-leveled than on Route 4. Talk to Doctor Jerry if you need to heal.
- Sandile (Lv. 19-22)
- Darumaka (Lv. 19-20)
- Maractus (Lv. 20)
- Scraggy (Lv. 20, entrance only)
- Sigilyph (Lv. 20, main area only)
- Dwebble (Lv. 20-22)
- #556 Maractus: There is nothing spectacular about Maractus besides the fact that it is kind of cute. Even though it gets Giga Drain quite early, Maractus' horrendously low Defense and Special Defense stats makes using this cactus very difficult. Unova is a region filled with Pokemon that make quick work of the inherently vulnerable Grass type, and Maractus is no exception to this circumstance. If you wanted a Grass type so badly, you should have caught a Petilil/Cottonee back in Pinwheel Forest.
- #557 Dwebble: The Dwebble line boasts the unique Rock/Bug typing. Dwebble evolves into Crustle at level 34. The only thing Crustle has going for it is its high defensive stat, as all of its other base stats are mediocre at best. Its low Special Defense paired with its weakness to Water types means that Crustle will probably not survive many encounters with common enemies such as Swanna, Palpitoad, and Simipour. Simply put, there are just better options for both Bug and Rock types that are available earlier in the game.
- #561 Sigilyph: If there was a contest for weirdest Pokemon, Sigilyph would most likely not come home empty handed. Sigilyph is a non-evolving Psychic/Flying type, which means it won't do you any good for your upcoming battle in Nimbasa City. Sure, Sigilyph is better than Swoobat, but you are better off throwing it in your PC the moment you get your hands on a Solosis/Gothita, which can be found very soon in this point of the game.
The Relic Castle is towards the north, guarded by statues of Darmanitan.
- Doctor Jerry
- Solosis (Lv. 23)
- 1380, can heal if needed
- Backpacker Kelsey
- Tranquill (Lv. 23)
- 552
- Backpacker Liz
- Watchog (Lv. 23)
- 552
- Psychic Cybil
- Gothita (Lv. 24)
- 768
- Backpacker Nate
- Dwebble (Lv. 23)
- 552
- Backpacker Elaine
- Maractus (Lv. 23)
- 552
- Psychic Low
- Yamask (Lv. 22)
- Munna (Lv. 22)
- 704
- Ranger Mylene
- Ducklett (Lv. 24)
- 1,440, Rawst Berry x2
- Ranger Jaden
- Darumaka (Lv. 23)
- Blitzle (Lv. 23)
- 1,380, Rawst Berry x2
- Psychic Gaven
- Solosis (Lv. 23)
- Woobat (Lv. 23)
- 736
There are various items to find in the desert, such as a Soft Sand, Rare Candy, a Heart Scale, a Fire Stone (if you have Pansear, you can now evolve it; unless you picked one up from the Scientist in Castelia City), and TM39 (Rock Tomb), which will help against the gym.
Now head to Relic Castle.
Relic Castle[edit]
There's not much so far in the Relic Castle. You can get a Fossil and take it to Nacrene City to be revived (the Cover Fossil will become Tirtouga, and the Plume Fossil will become Archen), and you can find one new Pokemon, but other than that, there isn't much. Most of the Castle will become accessible later.
- Psychic Perry
- Sigilyph (Lv. 24)
- 768
- Psychic Dua
- Woobat (Lv. 23)
- Munna (Lv. 23)
- 736
Wild Pokemon[edit]
- Sandile (Lv. 19-22)
- Yamask (Lv. 19-22)
- #562 Yamask: Yamask is the only pure Ghost-type introduced in this generation. It evolves into awesomely designed Cofagrigus at level 34. Cofagrigus is often overlooked by players in favor of its ghastly counterparts Chandelure and Golurk due to their offensive capabilities. Those willing to take a chance with it will find that Cofagrigus is an efficient defensive wall in light of its pitiful Speed stat, with access to enough status and other non-damaging moves to give their opponents a hard time. It's signature ability, Mummy, is strange, but can negate the leverage some opponents have on their Pokemon's abilities if used strategically.
Now go back to R4 and continue north. In the Nimbasa City gate Cheren and Prof. Juniper will meet up with you and Juniper will give you 10 Ultra Balls. After they leave, head north to Nimbasa City!