Cracking the Case of Steven Stone: Your Go-To Guide in Pokémon Emerald
Alright, trainers, let’s talk about Steven Stone. He’s not a shiny rock from Route 106. He’s the steel-type enthusiast in the Pokémon world. We’re diving into his role in Pokémon Emerald, especially in the Sootopolis City saga. Navigating Hoenn can feel dark. Steven acts as your flashlight.
Steven’s Sootopolis City Hideout: Cave of Origin is the Key
The legendary weather crisis has started. Groudon and Kyogre fight, and Hoenn is in chaos. Who do you call? Steven! Post-incident, he guides you to Sootopolis City. Why? The **Cave of Origin** holds the real action.
Think of the Cave of Origin as Steven’s office in Sootopolis. It’s located in the eastern part and highlights plot points. If you’re lost after the 7th Gym’s Tate & Liza, head to Sootopolis after dealing with Team Magma at Mossdeep Space Center. Find Steven there, and he’ll escort you to the Cave of Origin.
When you reach Sootopolis, don’t wander. Head straight to the Cave of Origin. Inside, you’ll find Steven ready to introduce you to Wallace, the future Champion. It’s a gathering of Hoenn VIPs.
Steven’s Hoenn Hotspots: Beyond Sootopolis
Steven isn’t just a Sootopolis guy; he travels. Knowing where to find him can be useful, especially if you want to chat.
- Granite Cave (Dewford Town): Early bird gets Steelix! Steven hangs out deep in Granite Cave, Dewford Town. Pro-tip: bring Flash (HM05). It’s darker than a Koffing’s mood. You’ll need it to get through the first area.
- Mossdeep City: Do you need Dive (HM08)? Steven’s house is in the northwest corner of Mossdeep. Go upstairs, and he’ll hand over Dive. Gracious guy, that Steven.
- Route 118 & 120: Keep your eyes open. You’ll encounter Steven on Route 118 after crossing water. Then, on Route 120, he gifts you the Devon Scope. It’s like an item giveaway.
- Meteor Falls: Looking for a challenge post-game? Meteor Falls is where Steven awaits a proper battle after conquering the Elite Four. He isn’t the Champion in Emerald, but battling him is quite an honor.
- Ever Grande City: Remember the Pokémon League? Steven reveals his Champion title there in Ruby and Sapphire. But in Emerald, Wallace holds the title, though Steven remains iconic.
Sootopolis Gym: Locked and Loaded (Eventually)
Trying to enter Sootopolis Gym right away? Hold on, trainer. The door is locked tight initially. Why? Because of the main story and Hoenn’s weather crisis. You can’t just challenge the gym leader when ancient Pokémon are causing trouble.
The Sootopolis Gym is story-gated. Resolve the Groudon/Kyogre conflict in the Cave of Origin first. Think of it as your ticket to fight the gym leader. Once you solve the legendary spat, you’re not finished yet. Next step: Sky Pillar. You need to wake Rayquaza to stop Groudon and Kyogre from causing chaos in Hoenn.
Only after Rayquaza mediates the legendary clash will the Sootopolis Gym doors unlock. Then, you can face Gym Leader Wallace (or Juan, depending on the game version).
Legendary Pokémon Lockdown: Sootopolis Edition
Sootopolis is the hotspot for legendary encounters with Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza.
- Groudon (Omega Ruby): Want the land titan? In Omega Ruby, find Groudon in the Cave of Origin. Just descend those stairs. Think of it as an underground parking garage with a legendary Pokémon at the bottom.
- Kyogre (Alpha Sapphire): Same with Kyogre in Alpha Sapphire. Cave of Origin, downstairs, legendary encounter. Simple as pie if pie involved battling a primordial sea monster.
- Rayquaza (Emerald): Rayquaza is different. You catch it in Sky Pillar in Emerald after finishing the main story. It’s your post-game legendary reward.
Catching Legendaries 101: Sootopolis’ Big Three (and a Bonus!)
Legendary Pokémon aren’t easy to catch. You need strategy, patience, and many Poké Balls.
- Rayquaza:
- Status moves help a lot. Sleep or Paralysis can improve your catch rate. Think of it as Pokémon tranquilizers.
- HP in red! Lower Rayquaza’s health but don’t knock it out. Red HP is ideal.
- Ultra Balls are key here. Use quality Pokéballs; this is Rayquaza.
- Razz Berries help. A Razz Berry makes Rayquaza more cooperative.
- Groudon and Kyogre: Berries also work best here. Razz Berries give you an edge, while Golden Razz Berries offer a big advantage. If they jump, Nanab Berries can calm them down.
- Deoxys (Bonus – Emerald only, Birth Island): You’ll find Emerald-exclusive Deoxys on Birth Island. Getting it to appear is tricky, involving a rock puzzle.
Wallace: Master of the Sootopolis Waterworks
Don’t forget Wallace, the Sootopolis Gym Leader. He stands between you and your eighth gym badge.
- Wallace leads Sootopolis City and uses Water-type Pokémon.
- To reach Wallace, navigate an ice tile puzzle. Step on each tile once to raise stairs to the next level. Step twice? Back to trainers you go.
- Wallace’s aquatic team includes Luvdisc, Whiscash, Sealeo, Seaking, and his star, Milotic. Get ready for a watery battle.
Steven: Not Champion Material (in Emerald), But Still a Champ in Our Hearts
Quick Emerald trivia: Steven isn’t the Champion you face after the Elite Four in Emerald. That title goes to Wallace.
You can battle Steven in Emerald, but it’s a post-game bout in Meteor Falls. Think of it as a special boss battle for bragging rights. Sadly, no rematches exist. One chance only!
Random Tidbit: Not *That* Steven…
And to clear confusion for cartoon fans – we mean Pokémon Steven, not “Steven Universe” Steven. Beach City and Delmarva are nice places but not relevant to Hoenn battles. So there you have it! Your guide to Steven Stone in Pokémon Emerald, with a focus on his Sootopolis adventures. Go forth, catch ‘em all, and impress Steven with your skills!
