Conquering Victory Road’s Rocky Obstacles: A Comprehensive Guide to Moving Boulders (and Maybe Some Real Ones Too)
Victory Road brings images of triumph. But first, you must navigate a cave filled with boulders. Big, stubborn rocks block your path. Do not worry, trainer. Moving these rocks relies on skill, not just force. If you find some actual boulders in your backyard, we can help with that too. This is your ultimate guide to becoming a boulder-moving expert in the game and in real life.
Mastering Boulder Movement in Victory Road (Pokémon Games)
The boulders in Victory Road serve a purpose. They present puzzles, challenges, and frustration when moved incorrectly. But there is a method to this madness. It starts with a move called Strength.
The Essential Move: Strength
Staring at a boulder, hoping for it to move won’t work. You need Strength. This move is key for moving boulders. It is like a heavy-duty forklift, powered by your Pokémon’s might.
Obtaining Strength may require some chatting. In some games, talk to NPCs. In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, for instance, find a couple of old ladies in town. They give out TM96 Strength. Who knew grandmas had the secret?
In other games, Strength is hidden as HM04. In Black 2 and White 2, head north of the Battle Institute to find the blue-haired man who has it. Or, in the vintage Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, claim TM96 at the Lost Tower. Whether TM or HM, someone has Strength for you to use.
Having Strength isn’t always enough. In some classic games, like Red and Blue, you must earn a specific badge, the Rainbow Badge. It signifies that you’re ready to use your strength. Consider it a gym membership for heavy lifting.
Alternative Rock-Moving Techniques
Strength may be essential, but it’s not the only choice. Enter Rock Smash. This move won’t move big boulders but handles smaller, breakable rocks. A move like Rock Smash appears as a valuable ally. In Emerald, use it to clear weeds blocking your path. It’s finesse to Strength’s brute strength. Plus, breaking rocks reveals hidden items.
Some games introduce new mechanics. In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, we have Ride Pokémon. Use Machamp Shove. Instead of teaching Strength, hop on Machamp for boulder relocation. It’s like having a strong taxi service for your boulders.
Victory Road Boulder Puzzle Tactics
You have Strength, or Machamp, or Rock Smash. Now what? Victory Road isn’t random. It involves placing boulders on round switches. These switches act as puzzle pressure plates. Press a boulder onto one, and obstacles vanish. It’s simple yet complicated when sequences are tough.
The puzzles can stretch from simple to challenging. Once you grasp the main idea—placing rocks on switches—they become manageable. Yet simple does not equal easy when limited space makes movements tricky.
For example, let’s look at a boulder sequence in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Start by pushing the middle boulder down. Then, nudge the first boulder to the far right. Finally, push the northernmost boulder left. Path cleared! It’s like a dance with heavy objects.
If you reach Emerald, change tactics with Rock Smash. Start by taking care of the upper rock. Push the first boulder downwards. Next, use Rock Smash on the second rock. This gets you around the last boulder to find the ladder north. This will take some strategy and a Pokémon with Rock Smash.
What if you mess up? Don’t panic! Many Victory Road areas let you reset boulders. Just leave and re-enter the room. Boulders return to where they started, ready for another attempt. Use this reset as a strategy when things go awry.
Necessary Moves Beyond Strength
Strength rules the boulder-moving arena, but other challenges await. You cannot only rely on Strength. Your Pokémon need variety in their move set.
We have discussed Rock Smash. But expect to scale cliffs too with Rock Climb. This move helps you achieve higher ground in Victory Road and often leads to hidden trainers or items. If you see a climbable wall, know that Rock Climb is essential.
No cave system is complete without water. Use Surf and Waterfall. These Water-type moves help navigate wet areas of Victory Road. Surf lets you glide on water, while Waterfall helps ascend steps of water. They are critical for progression through obstacles. Fill your team with Water-type Pokémon; it may get wet.
To sum it up, mastering Victory Road requires various moves. Strength begins your journey; Rock Smash handles small rocks, Rock Climb scales cliffs, while Surf and Waterfall manage wet sections. Master these moves; then Victory Road becomes yours. Failing to prepare risks being stuck in a boulder mountain.
When Pixels Meet Reality: Moving Boulders in Your Backyard (The Real World)
Now, let’s switch from virtual to real boulders. You might encounter actual ones in your backyard…
About the real deal. Perhaps the talk of Victory Road inspired you to landscape your yard with rocks. Or maybe you inherited a property with geological features that are poorly placed. Moving boulders is a different game. No HMs or TMs, just old-fashioned or advanced methods.
Manual Muscle: DIY Boulder Moving
For smaller boulders, or if you’re feeling strong, you might want to go manual. It’s possible, but be cautious and realistic. Moving rocks by hand is hard work. Always prioritize safety.
One of the first steps is often digging around the boulder. Grab a shovel and excavate the soil around the rock. More digging exposes the boulder, loosening it from the ground. This makes lifting easier. Think of it as preparing the boulder for its move, like a dusty spa treatment.
After some digging, introduce leverage. A pry bar or pickaxe becomes essential here. Slip it under the rock and use it to lift and nudge the boulder. These tools amplify your force. It makes it possible to move heavy objects.
If the boulder is too large to move in one piece, consider drastic measures. A sledgehammer or hydraulic splitter can break boulders into smaller chunks. For smaller boulders, a sledgehammer might suffice. Just swing carefully, with eye protection. A hydraulic splitter applies pressure to crack rocks more efficiently.
After freeing the boulder or breaking it down, you’ll need to transport it. For smaller fragments, use a trusty wheelbarrow. Load pieces and wheel them to a new spot. For larger boulders, a skid-steer loader becomes necessary. Bobcats are compact and powerful machines perfect for moving heavy objects.
Another effective method for moving boulders is using a sled. Pry the boulder loose and hoist it onto a sled with padding. Drag the sled to your destination. It’s a frictionless method to move heavy things across the ground. Picture ancient Egyptians moving pyramid blocks on a smaller scale.
If you’re dealing with awkward or unstable boulders, use chains and tie-downs. These chains are strong and can secure boulders for lifting or dragging. Tie-downs stabilize the load during transport. Think of it as strapping your boulder in for a rough ride.
Heavy-Duty Help: Equipment for Boulder Relocation
Let’s face it, manual boulder moving is often best left to trainers in pixelated caves. In reality, heavy machinery is your friend when facing substantial rocks. Many specialized tools exist to make boulder relocation easier.
rock lifter grapple is essential. This attachment works with skid-steer loaders or excavators. It grips large boulders securely, allowing you to lift and place them accurately. It’s like having a robotic claw for boulders.
The skid-steer loader deserves another mention. These versatile machines aren’t just for smaller tasks. With a bucket or forks, they handle large rocks easily. They blend power and maneuverability for boulder moving at an affordable rental cost.
For truly massive boulders, excavators are your heavy hitters. These machines are built for digging and moving heavy items, including boulders. They come with attachments like grapples and buckets meant for hauling rocks.
For colossal boulders, there’s always cranes. Cranes excel in heavy lifting. They can move objects weighing tons. While they may seem excessive for backyard boulders, they are suitable for large landscape projects.
Nature’s Way (Sometimes): Flood Water
For a less practical but powerful method, consider flood water. You read correctly. While relying on flash floods to change landscaping isn’t advisable, it’s fascinating to consider nature’s force in moving rocks.
Flood water can exert strong forces. The volume and speed of water during a flood can dislodge and transport substantial boulders. Consider this: big boulders weigh less when submerged underwater. Their buoyancy and flood push can send rocks tumbling downstream easily.
Relying on flood water is hardly controlled or predictable. It’s an interesting natural phenomenon rather than a landscaping method. Yet, it reminds us of nature’s power to reshape landscapes and move large rocks over time.
Safety First: Boulder Moving Best Practices
Whether tackling virtual boulders or real ones, safety remains paramount. Moving heavy objects carries risks. However, taking precautions minimizes those risks for a safe boulder-moving experience.
First and foremost: wear appropriate clothing. This isn’t a fashion show. Sturdy shoes protect your feet from dropped rocks. Gloves guard your hands from abrasion while aiding grip. Eye protection is vital during rock breaking or when operating machinery.
When lifting, remember the golden rule: use caution while lifting. Lift with your legs, not your back. Keep your back straight and bend at hips and knees. Avoid twisting your body when lifting.
If a boulder feels too heavy or awkward to lift alone, don’t be a hero. Get help or break the boulder down into manageable pieces. Your back will appreciate your caution.
Lastly, always stay aware of your surroundings. Watch for utility lines, uneven ground, or obstacles. Clear tripping hazards from your work area. If using machinery, ensure you know how to operate it safely.
Boulder Aftermath: Disposal and Destinations
Congratulations, you’ve moved your boulder! But now, the journey continues. Decide what to do next with it. Luckily, boulders, unlike other landscaping debris, can have versatile afterlives.
Creative Reuse: Landscaping with Boulders
One eco-friendly option is to reuse the boulder in landscaping. They add a rugged touch to your yard, creating focal points. They define garden beds or build rock gardens and retaining walls. Also, once placed, they require almost no maintenance.
Boulders add a permanent piece of geological art to your property.
Boulders also serve practical uses in landscaping. They assist with drainage in wet areas, control water flow, and reduce soil erosion. They can conceal unsightly elements like foundation walls or utility equipment. Boulders provide beauty and utility.
Giving Away Your Giants: Donation and Removal
If you do not need a boulder in your landscaping, consider donating it to a landscape supplier. Many companies accept boulders, especially unique ones. They can resell them to others. This benefits you and gives someone else a cool rock.
If donation is not an option or you want it gone quickly, you can always hire a junk removal company to dispose of it. These companies remove unwanted items. They specialize in heavy materials like boulders. They charge a fee based on size, weight, and distance. This is simple but often expensive.
The Cost of Conquest: Boulder Removal Expenses
Now, let’s discuss the costs involved with boulder removal. If you hire professionals, prepare to spend money. Prices can differ based on boulder size, accessibility, removal method, and location.
Typically, boulder removal costs around $900, but this is an average. Most projects range from $650 to $1,200. Smaller, accessible boulders might cost less. Larger boulders needing machinery will increase the price. Get quotes from several companies to compare prices and services.
Victory Road and Beyond: Related Locations and Rock-Breaking Moves
Before concluding our discussion on boulders, let’s explore related locations and moves in the Pokémon world that connect to our rocky theme.
Navigating Victory Road: More Than Just Boulders
Victory Road is more than boulder puzzles. It’s a massive cave-like pathway serving as a final challenge before the Pokémon League. It is the ultimate obstacle course for champions.
Navigating Victory Road tests skill and strategy. Expect winding paths, hidden spots, and numerous trainers. It is a multi-level cave system with staircases and twists leading deeper. Prepare for a gauntlet of trainers as you ascend towards the exit.
Legendary Locales: Finding Rare Pokémon
Victory Road and similar locations are not just puzzles; they also house legendary Pokémon. These areas are prime spots for finding rare creatures.
In Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, you can find Moltres in Victory Road. It nests in the top-left of 2F, past a ladder. Heal your team for a tough battle. Victory Road leads to both the League and a legendary Pokémon.
Other rocky places also have legendary Pokémon. Cerulean Cave, accessed from Cerulean City after completing the game in multiple titles, is home to Mewtwo. This Psychic-type Pokémon waits at the end of the Unknown Dungeon in Cerulean Cave for challengers. It’s a post-game challenge for trainers.
Don’t forget Zapdos, the Electric-type legendary bird. In Pokémon Yellow, you find Zapdos in the Power Plant, near Route 9. The Power Plant has a rugged look, fitting for a legendary Pokémon lair. These areas show how rock-themed spots in Pokémon games offer legendary encounters.
Beyond Strength: Other Rock-Busting Moves
Let’s touch on other moves that break rocks in the Pokémon world beyond Strength and Rock Smash. While these moves might not directly relate to Victory Road’s boulders, they are notable for breaking rocks.
Rock Smash can break rocks revealing hidden items like Heart Scales, shards, and Fossils. It serves for clearing paths and treasure hunting. If you see a breakable rock, Rock Smash it – you might find something valuable.
Some games feature Poké Ride, introducing new environmental interactions. Tauros Charge lets you break rocks by charging into them with Tauros. It clears obstacles quickly.
Sharpedo Jet allows breaking rocks underwater by jetting through them with a Sharpedo. This ability reveals new paths in aquatic areas. These moves provide faster ways to overcome rocky obstacles.
This is a guide to moving boulders in both Pokémon and your backyard. Whether moving digital rocks or real ones, the principles are similar: knowledge, strategy, and sometimes heavy machinery. Go conquer those boulders!
