Pokemon X and Y FAQs
Assembled by and for /vp/, because we can’t make the Questions Thread OP longer.
Think there’s something wrong? Want to suggest something be added to the FAQ? Want to be awesome and confirm/deny some rumors? Send your emails to pokemonxyfaq@gmail.com. Suggestions can get lost in the threads, so that’s not the best way.
This FAQ is getting fairly large, so if you don’t know which section your question would be under, try Ctrl+F’ing for it.
Table of Contents
A few hints that didn't fit in anywhere else.
The lowdown on how to do anything and everything in this gigantic city
Halp I don't read in-game text and now I don't know what to do
Where do I find something? Evolution items, Mega Stones, held items, key items, TMs/HMs, and more!
Locations, BSTs, learnsets, evolution methods
EXP, money, EVs, BP
new gen, new movez
Battle Chateau, Battle Maison (not the same thing), Berry farming, Friend Safari, daily events
For you plebs who don't talk to everyone you come across.
All about affection and touching your Pokemon in inappropriate places.
O-Powers and online elements
EV grinding with repetitive games instead of repetitive battles
How the game works, with an emphasis on changes to the game since Gen V
General Hints/Tips
- The Lumiose Save Bug has been patched, download patch 1.1 from the eShop.
- Here’s a nice map of Kalos with mon listings for each route. http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/72/1382727565819.jpg
- Useful infographics:
IV breeding http://1-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/51/1382519730056.png
or
http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/12/1382128461329.png
Breeding/training in general
http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/71/1382713571491.png
EV training
http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/17/1382171445913.jpg Do note that where it says “100 per battle”, it should say “60 per battle”
Chain fishing for shinies using the Pokeradar
http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/46/1382463743344.jpg
- In the PC, use the Organize boxes option instead of Withdraw/Deposit. Organize lets you withdraw and deposit at the same time!
- On the topic of the PC, unlock more boxes by placing a pokemon in each and every one, closing the PC, and opening it again. You can repeat this to end up with 20+ boxes.
- Equip the Dowsing Machine and you can walk/run with the circle pad.
- Fletchinder and Talonflame (Fletchling’s evos) have Flame Body, for all you breeders out there.
- Tired of hitting left and right to hatch eggs? Go to the tower in Lumiose City and you can run in circles! Tape/clamp the circle pad or weigh down the d-pad and you’ll run forever. You can also try gently sliding a penny under the circle pad.
- After you beat the Elite Four, you can skip the credits by soft-resetting after the game saves prior to the Hall of Fame induction. DO NOT DO THIS THE FIRST TIME, as there is a special post-credits scene you need to watch.
- When battling, using certain moves in certain environments may yield an item after battle. Full list here: http://serebii.net/xy/wilditems.shtml
Lumiose City
I can't find [insert thing here] in Lumiose city!
Have some maps. http://1-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/11/1382113523752.png
or http://i.imgur.com/VEBQOmA.png
How do I get into the boutique in Lumiose? How do I get new hair styles?
- Getting into the Boutique: Getting various perks in Lumiose is tied to an invisible “stylishness” stat. Here is a list of ways to increase the stylishness stat. You won’t be able to get in until after the Power Plant. http://i.imgur.com/P0Wpe5x.jpg
- Note that doing everything only once is NOT enough to raise your stylishness to max. You’ll need to do things multiple times.
- The fast way to get your stylishness to max:
- Go to the Pokeball store on Autumnal Ave.
- Buy Premier Balls one at a time (i.e. completely exit the buying menu after each purchase). This will take a lot of balls, likely over 100 depending on what else you’ve done in Lumiose.
- Check your stylishness progress by either going on the Pokemon Global Link (Profile > Medals > Ctrl+F “stylish”) or checking the price of the Mega Stone on sale at the Stone Emporium on Vernal Avenue.
- Getting new hairstyles: I have heard “get lots of haircuts,” “wear new clothing,” and “wear clothing from Lumiose Boutique.” This is likely tied to stylishness as well. There are a total of 5 hairstyles for girls and 4 for boys.
What are all the available hairstyles?
Boys: http://1-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/80/1382805220598.jpg
Girls: http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/92/1382924559028.jpg
What’s the point of the turn limits in the restaurants?
If you hit the turn limits exactly, you get more reward mushrooms (read: more money, sell them at Pokemarts, since there are no item maniacs)
How do I play Lost and Found in Hotel Richissime?
Walk around constantly mashing A. Make sure you do not step on a square until you’ve searched it.
How do I ride Gogoat in Lumiose City?
Look for the black signs with blue screens on them. Fair warning: The Gogoat Shuttle is autopiloted (you cannot control it) and slow.
Common Stumbling Points
How the fuck do I get to Ambrette Town/Cyllage City?
You’ve most likely entered the Zubat Roost from the wrong entrance. Go outside, go south, try again.
What’s with the other doors to the Power Plant?
Nobody knows yet.
How do I get past the punk in the Lost Hotel?
You need to talk to and learn the skating tricks from the skaters in Lumiose city. Naturally, the next question is...
Who do I learn the skating tricks from?
- Swizzle: South Boulevard, in an office near the entrance to Estival Avenue
- Dash: Vert Plaza
- 360: Estival Avenue, Cafe Rouleau
- Backflip: North Boulevard, in front of Cafe Ultimo
Where does it rain?
Route 8, Route 14. Rain is not guaranteed at all times. On Route 14, rain is guaranteed if you set your system clock to a Monday between 12-1 PM.
If you don’t want to mess with your system clock and lock yourself out of daily events, your only recourse is to travel to every single route and city and see if it’s raining. If it isn’t raining, wait a while and try again.
Where was I supposed to go after the 7th gym?
Try talking to the Flare grunts that magically appeared outside the gym. Still stumped? Read on.
After defeating Olympia at the Psychic Gym in Anistar City, you must go to Lysandre’s cafe in Lumiose City. Check the shelf in the cafe afterwards.
How do I get through the Winding Wood (Route 20)?
http://i.imgur.com/STHwqyj.png
What is Sycamore’s special secret treasure in Couriway Town?
It’s a message that Sycamore wrote many years ago, near the woman who gives you the U-Turn TM in the train station. Stand between the two benches next to her. Go down once, right once, look up, and press A to inspect the bench.
Where is my rival in Kiloude?
At the very northern end of town.
Why can’t I start the Looker Missions?
Did you upgrade your Mega Ring yet? (See the Items section for how to upgrade the Mega Ring)
What’s the point of the bars/cafes where you need to pay one of several prices to sit down?
The patrons will show you a variety of Pokemon to help you fill your Pokedex. That’s all.
The cheapest will show you one Pokemon, the middle option will show you two, and the most expensive option will show you one Pokemon, but it is more likely to not be in your Pokedex yet.
Locations are Cyllage, Laverre, and Anistar. Look for the houses marked with a coffee cup sign.
My character’s mom won’t let me use the Pokeradar.
Get off your bike or rollerskates, you can only use the Pokeradar while walking. Use the D-pad to hop off the skates.
Why can’t I get into the Sushi High Roller Restaurant?
Beat the E4 and get a high style rating. In the end it’s not really worth it, as you lose money each run, unlike the other restaurants.
Items
How do I upgrade the Mega Ring?
- Beat the E4
- Finish one battle at the Battle Maison and defeat your rival at the very north of Kiloude afterwards.
- Examine the giant sundial in Anistar and talk to Sycamore to get an upgraded Mega Ring.
Where are the Mega Stones for [insert waifumon/husbandomon here]?
http://www.gamesradar.com/pokemon-x-and-y-mega-stone-location-guide/
Mega Stones marked “found at night” can only be found from 8-9pm game time after upgrading the Mega Ring.
Where do I find a Dusk stone?
(evolve Duoblade, Lampent, Murkrow, Misdreavus)
- Complete the Super Training Secret Mode with the Aegislash Balloon. Getting a Dusk Stone is nowhere near guaranteed, but fast times gives higher chances of getting a Dusk Stone as a reward. Super Secret Training requires a fully EV’d mon to unlock. http://www.serebii.net/xy/supertraining.shtml
- Talk to the Team Flare member in Laverre. Must be post-game.
- Terminus Cave. You will need Rock Smash to get to it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alKssPq38Ms (leave annotations on for this video)
...Shiny stone?
(evolve Floette, Togetic, Roselia, Minccino)
Route 12, ride the Skiddoo. Hop over the series of 3 ledges to the east, it will be right there. Also available via Secret Super Training, mission “An Opening of Lightning-Quick Attacks!”
Sun stone?
(evolve Helioptile, Petilil, Cottonee, Sunkern, Gloom -> Bellossom)
- Absolute earliest: The shadows in Glittering Cave have a small chance to spawn Solrock, which may have Sun Stones on them. Catch them or use Thief/Covet. Solrock can also be found on Route 8, in shaking areas.
- Earliest that doesn’t involve the RNG fucking you over: Give the Intriguing Stone Tierno gives you in Shalour City to the Hiker in the southeast part of town who is “looking for something.”
- Next: Route 13. Bring a Ghost-type so you can run from all the Dugtrio and Trapinch.
- Also available via Secret Super Training, mission “Drag Down Hydreigon.”
Other evolution stones?
Many others are also available through Secret Super Training. Completing these minigames faster increases the likelihood of getting a stone. Stones are not guaranteed prizes, it may require multiple tries. http://www.serebii.net/xy/supertraining.shtml
Additional, non-super training locations:
- Dawn Stone: Surf on Route 3
- Fire Stone/Water Stone/Leaf Stone: Sold at the Stone Emporium in Lumiose, on Vernal Ave.
- Leaf Stone: Route 8
- Fire Stone: Route 9
- Moon Stone: Steal from wild Lunatone. Lunatone spawns in the same places as Solrock, check the previous question for more info.
Metal Coat?
- In the Pokeball factory, right side, first floor. From above the female grunt who says “Don’t worry, be happy,” go straight right, then down. The item ball will be somewhat obscured by machinery.
- Wild Magneton in the Lost Hotel may be holding them.
Sachet and Whipped Dream for Spritzee and Swirlix?
- A man in a house in the southeast of Cyllage gives you the item for your version exclusive.
- Both are available in the Battle Maison.
- Independent of version, a Sachet can be found on Route 16 behind the farm house, while a Whipped Dream can be found on Route 12 in the Skiddoo riding area.
Specialty Pokeballs?
There is a Pokeball shop in Lumiose, on Autumnal Avenue. They sell Quick Balls, Dive Balls, Timer Balls, Premier Balls, Heal Balls, Net Balls, Nest Balls, Dusk Balls, Repeat Balls, and Luxury Balls. You cannot access this shop until the power in Lumiose is restored.
Lucky Egg/Eviolite/Everstone?
- Lucky Egg: NPC in Coumarine City Hotel. Steal from Chansey in Friend Safari
- Eviolite: NPC in a house in Shalour City.
- Everstone: NPC in a house in Geosenge City. Steal from Roggenrola or Graveler
Heart Scales?
1. Lead with a pokemon with Thief or Covet AND NO HELD ITEM. For best results, try a fainted Compound Eyes mon (Vivillon) in the first slot and a mon with Frisk and Thief (Sentret, Pumpkaboo, Noivern) in the second slot.
2. Use an Old Rod on Route 8 or Route 12 and fish up a Luvdisc.
3. Use Thief/Covet (Luvdisc have scales 50% of the time, chance is higher with a Compound Eyes lead)
4. Remove Heart Scale from pokemon after battle.
5. Repeat steps 2-4.
An alternative method also involves Route 8. There are several clusters of Rock Smash boulders on the beach immediately outside Ambrette Town that will occasionally give up Heart Scales. They will respawn every time you head back into Ambrette.
Leftovers?
Route 12, past a Cut bush.
If Pickup works the same way it did last gen, then a lv.81-100 mon with Pickup has a 1% chance of getting a Leftovers when it picks up an item (which itself has a 10% chance of occurring after every battle).
Destiny Knot?
Cyllage City Hotel, maid on the 2nd floor.
You may find Beauty Aimee while wandering around the alleyways of Lumiose. Upon defeat, she will give you another Destiny Knot. She will respawn after some time.
Light Clay?
Wild Golett may hold them.
Amulet Coin?
Parfum Palace, second floor, left side. Enter one of the rooms, you’ll see a Pokeball semi-hidden in one of the yellow grates. If you need more, buy Luck Incense instead (see next question)
Where can I buy incenses? Need more babby mons.
In the northern half of Coumarine City, the Incense vendor has set up shop in one of the stands.
Soothe Bell?
Shalour City, southwestern house. Show the woman in there a mon with high friendship/happiness.
Honey?
You don’t fucking need honey, Sweet Scent does the same thing. Early-game mons with access to Sweet Scent include Combee (Route 4), Oddish (Route 6), and Illumise (Route 7). All should have Sweet Scent when caught.
If you REALLY want some honey because fuck knows why, grab a team of Honey Gather Combee and run around fighting trashmons for a bit.
MooMoo Milks?
Buy them from the Hex Maniac NPC outside Dendemille’s pokemon center.
Vitamins?
- BP prizes from the Battle Maison (NOT the Battle Chateau, that’s a different thing)
- Laverre City Pokemon Center
Fishing rods?
- Old Rod: NPC at the bottom of the Ambrette Aquarium, by the Magikarp statue
- Good Rod: Fisherman on Coumarine City docks
- Super Rod: Route 16, NPC in the fishing shack
PokeRadar?
After beating the Elite 4, go to the 2nd floor of Sycamore’s Lab in Lumiose.
Type-boosting Gems? I want a Flying Gem for Acrobatics!
Aside from the one Normal Gem you get in-game, nobody’s seen any type gems. So your Unburden Hawlucha will have to wait.
Where do I find the TM/HM for [insert move here]?
Full list of TM locations here: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/tm-location-research-complete.3489771/
Commonly asked for:
- HM01 Cut: In one of the mazes in the backyard of the Parfum Palace.
- TM06 Toxic: Near the Laverre side of Route 14, talk to the Hex Maniac looking across the pond.
- TM29 Psychic: Pokemon Village. Go all the way east until you see water. Surf north up the stream until you see a waterfall, and use Waterfall to go up it. After that, the TM will be a little bit to the east
- TM46 Thief: Camphrier Town. In the house near the eastern exit; talk to the girl next to the server rack
- TM53 Energy Ball: Use this map. http://i.imgur.com/STHwqyj.png
- TM54 False Swipe: In Sycamore’s laboratory in Lumiose, there is a researcher who asks to see your Pokedex.
- TM71 Stone Edge: It’s actually outside the Frost Cavern. Explore the river with Surf and Waterfall.
- TM79 Frost Breath (Frost Cavern TM): You can now move diagonally. Do so.
- TM80 Rock Slide: Surf and Waterfall are needed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU-8_7K4nXk
- TM94 Rock Smash: Female NPC right outside the Ambrette Town Pokemon Center.
- TM97 Dark Pulse: Cut, Surf, and Waterfall are needed. There’s a secret entrance to Route 15 on Route 16. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j82cz_1YLE
- The Anistar City Pokemon Center Hex Maniac gives out the following TMs depending on the time of day:
- TM32 Double Team: morning
- TM35 Flamethrower: mid-day
- TM77 Psych Up: evening
- TM90 Substitute: midnight
How do I get the Pangoro hat?
First off, it’s male only, as females will get the Slurpuff dress instead. There is an artist NPC in Kiloude who requests a certain kind of outfit for inspiration - wear it, and she will give the item to you
How does the new EXP share work?
Say a battle normally gives 100 EXP. With EXP share on, any Pokemon that were involved in the battle will gain 100 EXP. Any benched mons will gain 50 EXP. The Lucky Egg stacks with the EXP share, but only for the Pokemon holding the egg.
EVs will be shared as well. Power Items and Pokerus will only affect the pokemon that have them.
What does the Ability Capsule do, and how do I get it?
It is a one-time-use item that switches between the Pokemon’s normal abilities, IF they have two of them. Will not work on pokemon with one normal ability. This does NOT change to hidden abilities.
You get it for 200BP at the Battle Maison.
Are there coupons for boutiques?
The official guide says the Pokemiles guy in Lumiose sells you one, but gives no information on how to make him sell it. At the moment, it is not known how to get it, although there is a rumor that it requires a large number of medals on the Pokemon Global Link.
How do I get the Strange Souvenir? What does it do?
Each day, a backpacker can be found in one of Kalos’ hotels. Hotels can be found in Lumiose, Camphrier, Cyllage, Ambrette, Geosenge, Coumarine, and Couriway. Once you talk to the hotel backpacker four times (on four different days, naturally), you will get the Strange Souvenir.
Nobody knows for sure what it does, we’re guessing something to do with future content.
Pokemon
Level-up movesets and TM/HM compatibility
http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-xy/
or http://www.smogon.com/forums/forums/research.251/
Base stat calculations for Gen VI pokemon
http://www.serebii.net/pokedex-xy/
or http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-xy-data-collection.3489182/
What Pokemon are exclusive to each version?
http://www.serebii.net/xy/exclusives.shtml
When should I evolve...?
Well first off you should check the learnset lists I linked to a couple questions ago and make your own goddamn decisions. Anyway, do keep in mind that the Relearner cannot be accessed until after the 6th gym.
- Doublade: Last notable moves learned are Sacred Sword at 51 and Iron Head at 45. Aegislash can relearn Sacred Sword at the Move Relearner if you evolve it earlier. King’s Shield is an Aegislash-only move, go to the Move Relearner if you hold off on evolving Doublade.
- Helioptile: After Parabolic Charge (25), Thunder Wave (31), or Volt Switch (40) if you want those moves in particular, otherwise evolve immediately and just pump it full of TM/HM moves. Helioptile does learn Thunderbolt at 49, but by the time you reasonably reach that level you’ll already have gotten the TM from Clemont.
- Floette: After Moonblast at 46, or Petal Dance at 51. It learns Solar Beam at 58, but why the hell would you want Solar Beam? And once again, if you have access to the Move Relearner, there’s not much point in waiting.
Where do I find Eevee?
Route 10. Encounter rates are different between flowers and grass, check all areas.
How do I evolve it into Sylveon, and when should I do it?
Get two hearts on the affection meter in Amie and teach it a fairy type move. Then level it up.
- Eevee learns Baby-Doll Eyes at lv.9 and Charm at lv.29
- Wild level 19 Eevees will still have Baby-Doll Eyes, lv. 20 ones will not unless you go to the move relearner.
- Sylveon learns Fairy Wind at 9 and Draining Kiss at 20, and those will be its only Fairy offensive moves until Moonblast at 37 or the Dazzling Gleam TM.
How do I get Leafeon/Glaceon?
The Moss Rock is found in Route 20, the forest immediately before the Pokemon Village.
The Ice Rock is found in the Frost Cavern.
Where do I find Ditto?
Pokemon Village, South of Route 20
Noibat?
Go to the Terminus Cave or Victory Road. They are only available through the “swooping shadow” encounters. You know, the ones where you only encountered Woobat before?
Rotom?
Lost Hotel. Look for shaking green trash cans on Tuesdays.
Where do I change Rotom formes?
Sycamore’s Lab in Lumiose.
Banette?
Trash cans in the Pokemon Village on Thursdays.
Porygon?
Not available in-game yet, you’ll have to wait until the Bank opens.
Fossils?
When you initially enter the Glittering Cave, you can only find Old Amber while Rock Smashing.
In the post-game, you will be able to find older fossils depending on your version:
In X, you can find all fossils except for Helix and Dome.
In Y, you can find all fossils except for Root and Claw.
Where can I find [Pokemon not already covered in FAQ]?
Locations for everything in the Kalos dex are on Serebii - http://www.serebii.net/xy/kalosdex.shtml
Some pokemon can only be found in the Friend Safari - http://www.serebii.net/xy/friendsafari.shtml
Serebii has compiled a list of Pokemon that you cannot access in-game until the Pokebank opens - http://www.serebii.net/xy/unobtainable.shtml
Some of the info on the Serebii lists may be incomplete/incorrect, the game has not been out for very long and people are constantly discovering new things.
If I restart my game, can I get another event Torchic?
Yes, as long as the distribution has not closed yet. The event ends January 15, 2014.
Articuno/Zapdos/Moltres keep running and I can't catch them, wat do?
Use the Pokedex to find where they’ve gone next. Keep chasing them and encountering them.
Important notes about the chase:
- Go on foot, do not use Fly. Flying will likely cause the bird to move to another route.
- Unfortunately, travelling through Lumiose seems to trigger movement of the legendary bird to another route.
- Use Repels to prevent random encounters, which may cause them to move.
-Remember, Repels don’t prevent encounters with pokemon with levels higher than your lead. Lead with a high-level mon under lv. 70
- After a lot of encounters (over a dozen, apparently), the bird will eventually stop at the Sea Spirit's Den, you can catch them there.
- Save before entering the den if you want to soft-reset for a desired nature or something autistic like that.
What bird you encounter is wholly dependent on the Kalos starter you chose at the very beginning. Articuno if you picked Chespin, Zapdos if you picked Fennekin and Moltres if you picked Froakie.
How do I evolve Inkay/Skrelp/Clauncher?
- Inkay: Starting after level 30, turn the 3DS upside-down after you hear the *ding* of it leveling up and hold it there until the evolution sequence is done.
- Skrelp: Level 48 (No, Camouflage has nothing to do with it)
- Clauncher: Level 37 (No, Crabhammer has nothing to do with it)
How do I evolve Magneton and Nosepass?
Both can be evolved at Route 13, in the dirt where digging pokemon ambush you.
What are some good HM slaves available reasonably early in-game?
There are lots of mons that learn 2-3 utility moves. Known ones that can learn 4+ and are available during the initial stretch of the game are listed below. This is mostly based off of Smogon’s research, drop me an email if something is missing/wrong.
Bibarel, Greninja: Cut, Surf, Strength, Waterfall, Rock Smash
Hawlucha, Charizard: Cut, Strength, Fly, Rock Smash
Blastoise, Psyduck, Vaporeon, Marill: Surf, Strength, Waterfall, Rock Smash
Barbaracle, Diggersby, Pangoro, Linoone, Furret: Cut, Surf, Strength, Rock Smash
Panpour: Cut, Surf, Waterfall, Rock Smash
Linoone and Diggersby with Pickup are especially attractive for the chance to find free items. Leave EXP share on, and they’ll find better items as the game progresses.
Yes, Rock Smash is a TM this gen, but breaking rocks and cracked walls are just as necessary as the other HMs for finding hidden/nifty things. Keep a Smasher in your party.
I keep hearing about Diancie/Volcanion/Hoopa. What are they?
They are rumored to be as-of-yet unreleased legendaries. Will likely be event-related.
Grinding
Where are the best places to level grind?
- Lumiose restaurant rotation battles. Lead with a strong mon and have the underleveled mons sit and do nothing in the 2nd and 3rd spots. 3* restaurant is best, as you actually lose money at the Sushi restaurant. Just two series of battles at the 3* is enough to take a mon from lv.1 to lv.50 with Lucky Egg, EXP O-Power, and the Amie EXP boost.
Inferior options include:
- Elite 4.
- In the Battle Chateau, certain Marquis/Duke level trainers (the furisode girls) will have Audino.
- People have also mentioned the hordes of Durant available in the Terminus Cave, hordes of Spinda on Route 21, and hordes of various evolved pokemon in Victory Road.
Past levels 60-70, your best option will likely be to Wonder Trade constantly to build up Pokemiles to cash in for Rare Candies. Use Game Sync to send your miles to the Global Link, where Rare Candies are cheaper.
Where are the best places to money grind?
By far the best way is the Battle Chateau, but it’ll take some time investment before the money really starts rolling in.
The Chateau is a mansion on Route 7 where rich trainers go to battle. They will regularly spawn throughout the day. In the Battle Chateau, you start off at the lowest rank, Baron. You’ll be fighting other Barons until you rank up by getting enough victories - the maid will inform you of your rank increase when you try to leave.
In order, the ranks are:
1. Baron/Baroness
2. Viscount/Viscountess
3. Earl/Countess
4. Marquis/Marchioness (Gym Leaders show up)
5. Duke/Duchess (E4 trainers show up)
6. Grand Duke/Grand Duchess (Champion shows up)
You’ll have to spend some time ranking up in the Chateau before you really start raking in the dough, so battle there every now and then while progressing through the game.
As you level up, you unlock Writs, which affect various aspects of the trainers within the Chateau. These Writs last until midnight, so use them early in the day and make multiple visits to the Chateau throughout the day. [SPAWN] writs increase the rate at which new trainers appear at the Chateau, the [PAYOUT] writ increases money gained from trainers, and [LEVEL] writs increase trainer levels, for those who like the added challenge/experience.
Writs are listed below.
The format is [TYPE] “Name of Writ” - Description of effect. Price. Rank unlocked at.
- [SPAWN] "Writ of Invitation"- Trainers spawn a bit quicker. 50k. Baron.
- [SPAWN] "Silver Writ of Invitation"- Trainers spawn faster than you can defeat them. 100k.
Marquis.
- [PAYOUT] "Gold Writ of Invitation"- Each trainer gives a higher payout. 100k. Viscount.
- [LEVEL] "Writ of Challenge"- Enemy Pokemon levels are increased by 5. 50k. Baron.
- [LEVEL] "Blue Writ of Challenge"- Enemy Pokemon levels are DEcreased by 5. 10k.
Duke.
- [LEVEL] "Red Writ of Challenge"- Enemy Pokemon levels are increased by 10. 100k.
Duke.
- [LEVEL] "Black Writ of Challenge"- Enemy Pokemon levels are increased by 20. 300k.
Grand Duke.
Always buy writs, even if your first investment of 150k at Viscount bankrupts you. If you're using the Amulet Coin and Prize Money O-Power Lv3, you will easily make your money back, and then the rest of the day you are just raking in profit. At Baron, you won't make great money yet, but at Viscount and Earl, you can buy the "Writ of Invitation" & "Gold Writ of Invitation" and you will be making amazing money. At Marquis & up you can swap out standard Writ of Invitation for the Silver, and just make absurd money.
Silver & Gold is the best money combo. Add a Challenge Writ if you also want extra XP.
With Silver & Gold Writs, Prize Money Lv3, & Amulet Coin/Luck Incense, trainers will start paying out 20k, 50k, 70k... and an E4 member will pay out over 100k
Another in-depth guide is available here: http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/696959-pokemon-x/67497700
Where are the best places to EV train?
If you want to go the old-fashioned EV training route, specific Horde battles with a Power Item and Pokerus are the best way. Use Sweet Scent to trigger, and use an AOE move to clear battles fast. With the proper setup, you can max out a stat in 5-6 horde battles.
EXP share also shares EVs across your entire party, so be careful. Or you can use this to your advantage, by leading and sweeping with a fully EV’d mon and letting the untrained mon(s) in your party reap the benefits.
EVs are now globally capped at 252, so 252/252/4 spreads no longer require careful counting to get.
Smogon has a list of hordes and EV yields here: http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/horde-battles-and-ev-yields.3490052/
What’s the best way to get BP in the Battle Maison?
Mega Kangaskhan, due to its excellent ability. Run the following moveset:
- Power-Up Punch
- Return
- Earthquake
- Sucker Punch/Crunch
Lead with Power-Up Punch if you feel safe doing so, then finish with the other moves. Its ability breaks through Substitutes, Focus Sashes, and Sturdy, and doubles up your attack boost from Power-Up Punch. Have team support for things it can't quite handle, like Gengar (immune to all of Kangaskhan’s attacks except Sucker Punch/Crunch. If you chose Sucker Punch, Gengars found in the Maison spam Hypnosis so Sucker Punch will not reliably hit).
Kangaskhan can be found in the shadows in the first room of the Glittering Cave, but it’s super-rare.
Be warned, the AI cheats a fuckton, especially as you build up your streak. If your MegaKhan stops winning, try other exploitable sets such as
Durant - Truant (hordes in Terminus Cave)
- Entrainment
Dugtrio - Arena Trap (Route 13)
- Protect
- Hone Claws
- Earthquake
- Rock Slide/Stone Edge
Lead with Durant, use Entrainment. Switch for Dugtrio. Use Protect on the attacking turns, Hone Claws on the slacking turns until you’re ready to sweep. Not only will this make Dugtrio stronger, but it will help minimize accuracy hax used by the AI. This particular set is only enabled by the AI’s refusal to switch out.
Other alternatives include any of the top teams from http://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/black-white-battle-subway-records-now-with-gen-4-records.102593/ Although many of these are specifically geared towards B/W Battle Subway threats, they can work pretty well.
What’s the best way to raise happiness/friendship?
In addition to the tried-and-true method of running around a shitload, the Berry Farm can be exploited to give you tons of EV-reducing berries, which give large friendship boosts when used. See the Sidequests section to learn how to get EV-reducing berries.
Without the use of either the Soothe Bell or the Luxury Ball, it will take 33 EV-reducing berries to get a pokemon from base happiness (usually 70) to 220. With a Soothe Bell, this number goes down to 23.
Moves and Abilities
What moves are boosted by Mega Launcher?
Confirmed: Water Pulse, Dark Pulse, Dragon Pulse, Aura Sphere.
Clawitzer learns all four by levelup.
Blastoise learns Water Pulse by levelup, Dark Pulse by TM, and can inherit Dragon Pulse and Aura Sphere from Clawitzer.
What are these new “terrain” moves?
Electric Terrain:
- Grounded Pokemon cannot fall asleep.
- Powers up Electric attacks of grounded Pokemon.
- Changes Nature Power to Thunderbolt
Misty Terrain:
- Grounded Pokemon are immune to status conditions.
- Halves power of Dragon attacks done to grounded Pokemon.
- Changes Nature Power to Moonblast
Grassy Terrain:
- Grounded Pokemon restore a 1/16th of their max HP per turn.
- Powers up Grass attacks of grounded Pokemon.
- Changes Nature Power to Energy Ball
Grounded means not Flying or under the influence of Levitate/Magnet Rise/Telekinesis. In short, if it can be hit by Earthquake, it will be affected by terrain moves.
Terrains are separate from weather, so they do not overwrite each other. Terrain moves last 5 turns. Terrain moves affect all grounded Pokemon, including enemies.
Is there a complete list of egg moves yet?
… the game just came out like a week ago, and we don’t have Pokebank for easy access to tutorable moves. It’ll take time for us to figure them all out. Currently discovered ones are usually listed within Smogon’s research threads. Link: http://www.smogon.com/forums/forums/research.251/
Do we know the new Hidden Power type calculation?
Not yet. And besides, without the ability to Pokecheck breeding for HPs is going to be very hit and miss.
Does the Move Relearner help relearn egg moves now?
As of Gen 6, yes, but of course only if the Pokemon was born with it.
Do sound-based moves penetrate substitutes now?
Yes. Pokemon with Infiltrator can penetrate substitutes as well.
Sidequests/Post-game
What is there to do post-game?
- Capture Zygarde, Mewtwo, Roaming Bird
- Looker Missions
- Collect all Mega Stones
- Get millions of Pokebucks from Battle Chateau
- Max your style
- Collect all TMs
- Collect BP items in Battle Maison & Institute
- Farm Berries
- Get the Strange Souvenir from the Hotel Backpacker
- Complete Pokedex
- Raise competitive Pokes & battle forever
Where can Waterfall be used to explore?
- Outside Frost Cavern (Stone Edge TM)
- End of Victory Road (Dragon Claw TM)
- Pokemon Village (Psychic TM)
- Route 15 (Stone Plate)
- Route 16 (Dark Pulse TM)
- Couriway Town (Rock Slide TM)
- Route 22 (Chamber of Emptiness & Earthquake TM)
What are the various once-a-day events?
Serebii has a list of daily events here: http://www.serebii.net/xy/dailyevent.shtml
Do note that changing your system time will likely screw these events over for 2 days.
What is the Battle Chateau?
The Battle Chateau is the fancy building on Route 7. Serebii has a good overview here: http://www.serebii.net/xy/battlechateau.shtml
The Chateau should primarily be used for money grinding as opposed to level grinding. See the grinding section for more info on how to properly exploit the Chateau.
What is the Battle Maison?
The Maison in Kiloude City is a post-game facility where you can battle for BP, much like the Battle Subway, PWT, or Battle Tower in previous games.
What items can I buy with my BP?
http://www.serebii.net/xy/battlemaison.shtml
Vitamins, Power Items, and many evolution-inducing held items (Protector, Whipped Dream, Sachet, Electirizer, Magmarizer, Reaper Cloth, Dubious Disc, Up-Grade, Razor Claw, Razor Fang) and in-demand competitive items (Toxic Orb, Flame Orb, White Herb, Power Herb, Choice items, Life Orb, Air Balloon, Focus Sash)
How does the Friend Safari work?
Serebii has a good overview of how it works, and also has a list of potentially available pokemon: http://www.serebii.net/xy/friendsafari.shtml
Basically, each friend in your PSS is randomly assigned a type (and 3 pokemon of that type) based on their friend code. By going into their Friend Safari, you are allowed access to the 3 pokemon. If the friend has not defeated the Elite 4 yet, only two will be available. You will need to be online at the same time as your friend to initially unlock the third pokemon.
Pokemon in the Friend Safari may have Hidden Abilities, but only if your friend has defeated the Elite 4 and has been online at the same time as you at some point.
The 3 Pokemon any given friend has do not change. Ever. Pokemon found in the Friend Safari are guaranteed to have two 31 IVs, making them great breeding stock.
How do I get started with the Berry Farm?
There’s a great guide here: http://www.marriland.com/forums/pokemon-6th-generation/pokemon-x-y/448581-the-berry-farm
You’ll have to start with berries given to you in-game. List of trees (AFAIK you can only get one a week from the tree, need to farm if you want more):
Route 5 - Oran Berry
Route 6 - Aguav Berry
Route 7 - Persim Berry
Route 8 - Mago Berry
Route 10 - Iapapa Berry
Route 11 - Sitrus Berry
Route 12 - Aspear Berry
Route 14 - Roseli Berry
Route 15 - Leppa Berry
Route 16 - Lum Berry
Route 18 - Wacan Berry
Route 19 - Yache Berry
Route 20 - Kasib Berry
Route 21 - Figy Berry
Route 22 - Tanga Berry
The official guide has some additional info - pics here:
http://1-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/09/1382099836952.jpg
http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/10/1382100018377.jpg
- The Amaze mulch mentioned here requires Kee (mutate Liechi and Ganlon) or Maranga (mutate Salac and Petaya) berries to make.
Serebii has discovered some of the mutations, but not all.
http://www.serebii.net/xy/berryfields.shtml
Important NPCs
Where is the IV/Happiness/Friendship/Hidden Power checker? Name Rater? Massager?
http://www.serebii.net/xy/useful.shtml
- IV: Kiloude City Pokemon Center. You can also try http://www.metalkid.info/Pokemon/Calculators/IV.aspx
- Happiness/Friendship: Laverre City, Pokemon Fan Club
- Hidden Power: Anistar City, southeast-most house
- Name Rater: Camphrier Town Pokemon Center
- Masseuse: Cyllage City, house next to Pokemon Center.
How do I interpret the IV checker’s statements?
The first thing he says relates to the total number of IVs. After that, he names your mon’s highest IV. If multiple IVs are tied for highest, he will state them all. He will then say something depending on the numerical value of the highest IV - notably, 31 is “simply can’t be beat.” If an IV is 0, he will also say something specific about that.
Where are the Move Relearner/Deleter? What Move Tutors are available in the game?
- Move relearner/deleter: Dendemille Town.
- Only tutors available are for Pledge moves, elemental Hyper Beams, Secret Sword, Relic Song, and Draco Meteor.
http://www.serebii.net/xy/movetutor.shtml
Where’s the Day-Care Couple?
Route 7, past the sleeping Snorlax.
Are there Item Maniacs for these Mushrooms/Nuggets/Star Pieces/Stardusts?
Not that we know of.
Pokemon Amie
How do I into affection?
1. Pet the pokemon until it emits a musical note instead of hearts.
2. Feed it until it’s full.
3. Play two minigames. Doesn’t matter which two, but Unlimited Head-It is good and fast for farming fancier Poke Puffs, which raise affection faster. If you’re good at the Picture game and don’t need high-end puffs, that works too.
4. Repeat ad nauseum. Check the Pokemon’s affection on the screen where you switch mons.
Don’t worry about the fullness/enjoyment ratings, with the method outlined above you don’t need to pay attention to them. Also don’t bother with the making faces thing, it’s buggy as all fuck.
Affection does not go down over time.
Why care about affection?
Depending on how many hearts you have, you get certain in-battle benefits. These benefits are for single-player only.
- Boosted EXP
- Increased evasion
- Increased crit rate
- Chance to endure attacks with 1 HP
- Chance to self-heal status effects.
Don’t recall how many hearts are needed for each effect, except for 2 hearts for the EXP boost.
Affection does NOT affect friendship or Return. I’ve debunked this myself with a Panpour (5 affection hearts) and a Pansear (0 affection hearts), both with Return. They did the same amount of damage with Return to the exact same Fletchling.
How do I get more furniture for the Amie screen?
- You find objects as you raise affection.
- Furniture can also occasionally be given to you by a passerby’s mon (the random mons that chill near the center of the Amie screen). If you decorate the Amie screen with Pokepuffs, you’ll get more items.
Player Search System
Can I ask for Pokemon I haven’t seen in the GTS?
Yes. Scroll all the way to the bottom and select the “What Pokemon” option.
Goddamnit all these GTS faggots want Yveltal or Mewtwo.
In the options, select “Don’t show special Pokemon.” Also, in general it’s much easier to offer reasonable trades for desired pokemon than trying to search for a trade you can fulfill.
Why is a person glowing in the PSS?
If they are glowing, they are using an O-Power on themselves. If you click on them, you can share their O-Power without paying the activation cost.
What are O-Powers?
They are special buffs accessed through the PSS. You can either use them on yourself or give them to friends/acquaintances/passerbys. They are cheaper when gifted.
How do I get new O-Powers?
Find Mr. Bonding in various places throughout Kalos. List of locations: http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/135856/where-is-mr-bonding
How do I get the final hatching O-Power?
You’ll need to become very, very stylish. Use the Premier Ball trick outlined earlier in the FAQ. Then Mr. Bonding should eventually turn up in Cafe Introversion. http://1-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1382/09/1382096941809.jpg
If Mr. Bonding doesn’t show up, do more stylish things and check back later.
You will need all the other O-Powers first, see previous question for Mr. Bonding locations.
How do I level up O-Powers?
Keep using them. It’ll take quite a few uses to level up. Giving powers to passerbys/friends will level them faster, as they are cheaper that way.
Each O-Power levels up individually, and they go up to level 3.
How long do O-Powers take to recharge?
Each bubble takes about 3 minutes to recharge at base. You can increase recharge rate by running around, the multiplier goes up as a function of the 3DS’s step counter. Not the number of steps taken in-game, but the number of physical steps registered by the pedometer. http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/135416/how-long-does-each-o-power-bubble-take-to-recharge
How much does the Prize Money O-Power increase winnings by?
From my own experience with the Elite 4, it’s 1.5x, 2x, 3x for levels 1, 2, and 3.
How do I turn off those goddamn popups in the PSS?
Unfortunately, nobody’s found a way just yet.
Super Training
What’s the difference between Super Training and EV training?
Super Training is just another way to get EVs onto your Pokemon. Thus, a combination of traditional EV training and Super Training can be used to get your desired spreads.
In fact, getting the first 100 EVs by vitamins makes Super Training much easier, as Super Training shots become more powerful the more EVs you have.
How many EVs does Super Training max out at?
Super Training stops giving you EVs at 252. This is the new cap throughout the game.
Why is my pokemon shooting all these shitty rapid-fire shots in Super Training?
Different Pokemon have different shot types in Super Training. Here’s an overview of the shot types. http://0-media-cdn.foolz.us/ffuuka/board/vp/image/1381/90/1381902681819.png
With the rapid-fire shots, the best strategy is to spray-and-pray on the white goals to quickly access red goals. Charged rapid-fire shots on red goals = SUCH POINTS
asdfjkl; HOW DO I GET STONES FROM SECRET SUPER TRAINING?
Find yourself a Pokemon with the green shots (see previous question), as it’s the best shot type to go for record times with. Make sure it’s fully EV’d as well, for maximum points.
Is there any way to reset my EVs?
Yes, there is an EV reset bag available through the Super Training interface. Have your Pokemon beat up the plain punching bag for a while, eventually a Reset Bag will appear. You can only hold 12 bags, so clear out any you don’t plan on using while doing this.
The Reset bag sets all EVs to 0 on the Pokemon it is used on.
An alternative method is to get Kee and Maranga berries through berry farming, and then have the Lumiose Juice Shop girl blend them together to get a Perilous Soup, which does the same thing.
Do Power Items or Pokerus increase EV gain from Super Training?
No.
What does the Team Flare bag do?
The Team Flare punching bag makes your mon well-rested, which dramatically increases bag drop rate from punching the plain bag.
Game Mechanics
Have breeding mechanics changed at all?
- Males can now pass down their Hidden Abilities (albeit at a much lower rate than females, and the partner must be a Ditto)
- Females can now pass down egg moves.
- Breeding with Dittos will now have a chance to pass down Hidden Abilities.
- Babies will now inherit the Pokeball type of the mother. Dittos will not pass down their balls if they act as the mother. The Master Ball CANNOT be inherited.
- Parent with an Everstone always passes down its Nature. This has been the case since B2/W2, but some of you may not have been aware of this change.
- If one parent holds the Destiny Knot while breeding, the child will inherit a total of 5 IVs from the parents, up from the 3 previously possible. Which stats are inherited and which parent each IV comes from is still random. Does not work in combination with Power Items.
- The Masuda Method of breeding shinies now works based on the language chosen in the game the Pokemon was originally from, not the region. Look for a 3-letter symbol next to the Pokemon’s name, which indicates it comes from a language not your own.
Where can I find breeding stock for perfect IV mons?
- Friend Safari pokemon are guaranteed to have 2 31 IVs
- Wild baby pokemon are guaranteed to have 3 31 IVs.
What are Pokemiles, and how do you get them?
Pokemiles are a currency of sorts gained by doing various things in the game, such as traveling or online gameplay.
The easiest way to get them is to engage in shitloads of Wonder Trades, which give you miles based on how far away your trade partner was.
Where do you spend Pokemiles?
Lumiose Pokecenter, South Boulevard. You can also upload them to the Pokemon Global Link using Game Sync - items are cheaper there. Once bought in the Global Link and you've resynced your game, an NPC will appear in a Pokemon center to give you said items.
Pokemiles may take a while to show up in the Global Link, as players are pounding the everloving fuck out of the Global Link servers.
Why are my Pokemiles disappearing?
You have Game Sync set up. They are being sent to the Pokemon Global Link, you will have to spend them there.
Game Sync is busy, and I can’t get my Pokemile rewards. What gives?
Shitty servers being pounded by millions of players. Unfortunately, all you can do is wait a while and try again.
Pokemon Global Link says my “membership info is being processed”?
As odd as this sounds, change your username on pokemon.com. It’ll likely work after that.
How do I get Hidden Abilities?
Pokemon encountered in horde battles may sometimes have hidden abilities. Use a Pokemon with Role Play, Skill Swap, or Entrainment to figure out which ability any given horde mon has.
- The Mr. Mime family and Meowstics of either gender get Role Play at 43, Greninja and Delphox can learn it via the Move Relearner.
- Reuniclus gets Skill Swap at 45.
- Audino learns Entrainment at 25, Durant at 46.
Use the move on one horde mon to find out what its ability is. If it isn’t what you want, KO it and move on to the next one.
Until Pokebank opens up, your only other source of Hidden Abilities is through the Friend Safari. See the sidequests section for more.
Are Amie affection and friendship/happiness related?
Short answer: no.
Long answer: Jesus tittyfucking christ on a pole, no.
What’s happening when my Pokemon shakes/jumps around/wiggles/feels uneasy/is interested in my bag/looks at me/[insert other pre-battle text]?
Nothing of any real consequence, it’s just fluff that changes somewhat based on Amie affection level.
Will time-traveling (i.e. changing the system date or time) mess with once-a-day events?
Yes. In my experience, it will take two days for daily events to start working as normal.
Where are all the photo spots?
http://www.serebii.net/xy/photospots.shtml
Does tipping increase shiny chance?
That is only a rumor, no confirmation on that.
I hear some older Pokemon have different BSTs?
Yes, some older mons have received small buffs to their base stats. List here: http://www.serebii.net/xy/updatedstats.shtml
How do breeding and EVs/IVs work?
These mechanics have been a part of Pokemon for YEARS. If you don’t know how they work, there are many, many better sources than this FAQ.
EVs: http://www.marriland.com/black_white/3906-how-to-ev-train
Breeding: http://www.marriland.com/black_white/3908-basic-breeding
Advanced breeding, IVs: http://www.marriland.com/black_white/3907-advanced-breeding
How do I check IVs?
Use the IV checker in Kiloude for qualitative statements, otherwise try http://www.metalkid.info/Pokemon/Calculators/IV.aspx
What rewards do I get for completing the Pokedex?
For each regional dex, if you see all pokemon in them you can get a certificate from the Game Director in the Coumarine Hotel.
If you see all Pokemon in all 3 Kalos dexes, you get an Oval Charm from Sycamore. The Oval Charm increases the likelihood of finding eggs at the Day Care.
Do item-affecting moves affect Mega Stones?
Moves like Trick, Covet, Thief, Knock Off, and Switcheroo cannot be used to remove a Mega Stone, either before or after Mega Evolution. Embargo does not prevent the activation of a Mega Stone.
What determines the nationality of my Pokemon?
The language you choose to play the game in. However, Vivillon forms are dependent on the 3DS region.
