Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire/Gameplay
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire introduce a number of new features over previous games in the series.
- 135 new Pokémon introduced
- New region called Hoenn
- 2 on 2 battling
- Pokéblocks
- Berry blending
- Team Aqua and Magma
- PokéNav
- New TMs and HMs
- New Pokémon moves
- Pokémon abilities
- GBA graphics
- Origin Cave
Overworld[edit]
Catching Pokémon[edit]
- Tall grass: The most basic way to find Pokémon and the first possible way, grass is found on basically every route. The grass is really the best, most efficient way to capture Pokémon.
- Long grass: Found only on the few routes after and before Fortree City, tall grass is the most unavoidable of obstacles since bikes cannot clear it. Tall grass has a much better chance of Pokémon appearing than regular grass.
- Surfing: This method of finding Pokémon is not available until after you get HM03 and you get the fifth gym badge. The most common Pokémon to appear using this method is Wingull.
- Fishing: Fishing is the only catching method that never has to be used – this is because nothing in the game's main storyline requires you to fish. There are three rods: Old, Good, and Super.
- Rock Smash: Rock Smash can only be used outside of battle after you get the third gym badge. Occasionally when you use Rock Smash on a rock, a Pokémon will come out. This is the only way to get some Pokémon.
- Caves: In caves the Pokémon just appear – they usually aren't rare Pokémon, since they appear so often. For example, Zubat is a very common Pokémon that is found in caves.
Once you've encountered a Pokémon you'll need to work to catch it.
- Weaken the Pokémon: Trying to capture a full-health Pokémon the same level as you shouldn't be attempted unless you use the Master Ball. This is because you'll miss, and you'll waste a Poké Ball. What you need to do is weaken it. You can weaken it to 50% to make it vulnerable to capture, but lowering it to as low as 10–15% is the best. If you miss, try again. If you miss again, weaken the Pokémon more, and try again. You should capture it. If not, you might have encountered a strong-resistance Pokémon, or a rare Pokémon that'll need a stronger type of Poké Ball to capture. False Swipe is a good move to use, as it always leaves the Pokémon with 1 HP.
- Use the right Poké Ball: The standard Poké Ball will capture a vast majority of the Pokémon, as long as you've weakened them enough. For some Pokémon, a stronger ball will be needed, such as a Great Ball or Ultra Ball. Don't waste these stronger Poké Balls, however. Try your regular Poké Balls several times, try weakening the enemy more, and try capturing it again before you waste a more powerful ball.
- Be patient: If you kill a Pokémon when you're attempting to capture it, don't fret; it happens. With rare exceptions, you'll get the chance to capture that Pokémon again. Just simply run around the area where you originally ran into it, and chances are you'll run into it again. As a last resort, if you can't seem to find that Pokémon again, use the Hoenn Map in your Pokénav, or check out the entry for that Pokémon in your Pokédex to find more locations, as well as more vital stats and information that might be of assistance in capturing it.
- Once captured, don't neglect!: Some Pokémon might not look like much. Some might not even have any attacks. But use that Pokémon in battle (switching it out after the battle starts if you have to, to get it half of the battle's experience and/or use an Experience Share) and build it up. Eventually, these weak Pokémon evolve into stronger Pokémon.
Trainer battles[edit]
Evolution[edit]
Evolution is when Pokémon change form. There are many different ways this happens:
- Leveling-up
Sometimes when a Pokémon levels up it evolves. To grow levels, your Pokémon must get a certain amount of experience points (EXP). Obviously the only way to do that is to have it participate in battle (EXP share also works).
- Trading
Using a GBA link cable you can trade certain Pokémon to other trainers. Some Pokémon evolve when this happens.
- Items
When some Pokémon are given items they evolve.
- Trading with items
Rare items are known to evolve Pokémon, but only if they are traded with the item.
- Stones
Leaf, Sun, Moon, Fire, Thunder and Water Stones also evolve Pokémon, but these are rare.
- Random
Random evolution occurs when one Pokémon may turn into one of two different Pokémon.
- Specific conditions
When it doesn't fit one of the other categories, it is considered a special condition.
- Taming
When Pokémon are happy enough, they might evolve. In Verdanturf Town there is a lady who can rate your Pokémon's happiness.
- Spectral
Once one Pokémon becomes two, it enters this category.
- Combination
If it fits two or more categories it goes here.
Trading[edit]
Characters[edit]
Menus[edit]
The Menu appears on the right side of the screen when you press 
any time outside battle. Below is a list of parts of a fully unlocked menu.
- Pokédex: Allows you to view in-depth information on all of the Pokémon you have seen. They are found in order of their designated number.
- Page: Page has picture of that Pokémon that includes weight, height, and a description. If a Pokémon isn't captured, an Oly picture is seen.
- Area: Area is where you can capture the Pokémon
- Cry: Cry represents the sound the Pokémon makes. No use in game, just for fun.
- Size: Size shows size of the Pokémon in relation to you.
- Pokémon: Brings you to a visual list of the up-to six Pokémon you currently carry with their leftover HP before fainting, status and picture.
- Bag: Has all items you own. Its five pouches are Items, Poké Balls, TMs & HMs, Berries, and Key Items.
- Pokénav (Pokémon Navigator): Serves three purposes. Once selected, you have the option to view the Hoenn Map, see condition of your Pokémon (contest related statistics only), or see trainers fought so far.
- Your Name: A card with your Playtime, badges, number of Pokémon caught and money owned.
- Save: Save game any time outside battle.
- Options: Change text speed, sound here.
- Exit: Close the menu.
