Skip to content

Latest commit

 

History

History
226 lines (143 loc) · 16.5 KB

FAQ.md

File metadata and controls

226 lines (143 loc) · 16.5 KB

FAQ

If you have a question about playing Polished Crystal, or think you've found a bug, please read this FAQ first.

At the time, I was asking really obvious questions like: "So 'wireless' means you're getting rid of the wires, right?"

— Tsunekazu Ishihara, "Iwata Asks – Pokémon HeartGold Version & SoulSilver Version"

Contents

Which file do I need to play?

The 3.1.1 release provides .gbc files and .sym files. You only need a .gbc file to play; they're ROMs, not patches. I recommend playing polishedcrystal-3.1.1.gbc, or polishedcrystal-faithful-3.1.1.gbc if you want a more faithful canon experience, without changes to Pokémon base stats or types.

Don't download the debug ROMs; they're for beta testing, not start-to-finish playthroughs. If you're aware of this and you want to help test for bugs, get a debug ROM, talk to your room's radio to unlock many things, and hold A+B to walk through walls.

The 2.2.0 release is not recommended for general play (it is very old, not supported for bugfixes and not the latest stable release). Only make use of this if you have an existing 2.x save and don't want to start over, since 2.x saves are not compatible with version 3.0.0 and above and cannot be patched.

This is the ROM you should use for patching 2.2.0:

  • Pokémon - Crystal Version (UE) (V1.0) [C][!].gbc (md5: 9f2922b235a5eeb78d65594e82ef5dde)

It's identical to the one built by the pokecrystal project.

Which emulator should I use?

Not every emulator is compatible with Polished Crystal. With the exception of the Virtual Console emulator, we do not offer any support if an emulator has a bug that isn't reproducible on official hardware. As such, we recommend the following emulators to limit compatibility issues:

PC:

  • mGBA - most popular emulator, no known incompatiblities, can also conveniently play GBA games
  • SameBoy - one of the most accurate emulators, also has an iOS release
  • BGB - Polished Crystal developers use this emulator, more accurate than mGBA, powerful debugger

Android:

  • RetroArch - use SameBoy or Gambatte core, do not use VBA-M core

iOS:

Conversely, the following emulators are known to have issues and should not be used to play Polished Crystal:

PC:

  • VBA - this emulator has not been updated since 2004, do not ever use
  • VBA-M - despite being actively updated, still is an extremely inaccurate emulator, use mGBA instead

iOS:

  • Delta - despite using the fairly accurate Gambatte core, this emulator has reported issues that haven't been reproduced on any other emulator. Until there is more clarity on the issue, we encourage using SameBoy instead

Other:

  • Goomba Color - used to play GB/C games from a GBA flashcart, this emulator can't even run vanilla Crystal

If you have a preferred emulator that isn't listed above, using it should be fine. Most modern emulators can indeed run Polished Crystal just fine. Be aware, though, that if you're consistently having an issue that isn't reproduced on either official hardware or the most accurate emulators, you will not be provided any support.

What are the .sym files for?

The .sym files are created when you build Polished Crystal. They list the memory address of every label in the source code. These can be useful for discovering GameShark cheat codes. You can compare the addresses for Polished Crystal with the same labels for pokecrystal to find the equivalents of old Crystal cheats.

Cheat codes are not officially supported: new updates may change or break old codes, disable cheats before complaining that there's a bug in the game, and don't ask for pre-made cheat codes.

Is there documentation for all the {Pokémon, items, moves, etc}?

A wiki is provided with various info. For things not present in the wiki, the game's data files do a fairly good job of listing things you'll want to know. Some highlights:

You can also just use in-game features! The Pokédex has a lot more information, including base stats and detailed wild locations.

Why is shiny Gyarados gold? Is the red Gyarados shiny?

I like the anime explanation that red Gyarados was forced to rapidly evolve from a Magikarp and kept its previous red coloration. So here, red Gyarados is a variant form, with its own color and different sprite. It's shiny locked, meaning it can't be shiny. Shiny Gyarados are gold, like shiny Magikarp.

My Pokémon is a different color, is it shiny?

There's usually only a 1 in 4,096 chance to encounter a shiny Pokémon (which can be raised with the Shiny Charm or using the Masuda method), and they'll be marked with a star next to their name. You're probably noticing the effect of the IVs vary colors option (see below).

What are the options at the start of a new game?

  • Natures: Enables natures from Gen 3 onward.
  • Abilities: Enables abilities from Gen 3 onward.
  • Phys/Spcl split: Enables the Physical/Special split from Gen 4 onward.
  • EV gain: Changes how EVs behave. You can choose "All", which allows maxing every stat, "510" which features the modern 510 EV limit, or "No" which disables their effect completely, and will also cause Tyrogue's evolution to depend purely on its IVs.
  • Exp. scaling: Enables the experience formula from Gen 5, 7 and 8, which scales experience by the ratio of the opponent's level to your level.
  • Affection bonus: Enables the modern Affection system, which can do things like make your Pokémon survive at 1 HP, cure themselves of status problems or evade attacks.
  • Real-time clock: Enables the game to keep track of time even when you are not playing. Some cartridges or emulators may not support this. Disabling it will cause time to only tick when you play, and a day will last 4 hours.
  • Perfect stats: All Pokémon stats, for you and the opponent, are calculated as if they had maximum IVs. The actual IVs are still random, so color variation and Hidden Power type are not affected. Note that this has no impact on EVs in any way.
  • Traded PKMN obey: All differences in traded Pokémon go away: they always obey you, don't gain boosted experience, and can be nicknamed.
  • Evolve in battle: Allows your Pokémon to evolve in the middle of a battle if their evolution conditions are met.
  • Color variation: Enables color variation inspired by Stadium. DVs will subtly vary Pokémon colors. This applies to normal and shiny Pokémon.

If you need to change these options after starting a game, press Left+B at the title screen to reset them.

What happened to Nuzlocke Mode?

Having a built-in Nuzlocke Mode led to assumptions that the game catered specifically to the Nuzlocke community, and was balanced accordingly. The problem is that this led to a lot of people complaining that we didn't, for example, offer a built-in level cap or infinite Rare Candies. In the end, we chose to remove the Nuzlocke Mode option to make it clear that, while we have nothing against people doing self-imposed challenges, we have no plans to specifically design the game around them.

Polished Crystal also has no support for in-game level caps, popular in Nuzlockes and other challenge runs. If you'd like to set a challenge for yourself by using them, see this Wiki page.

I don't recognize this move, what is it?

There's only room for 255 moves, including Struggle. I wanted to fit in as many useful new moves as possible, so some similar moves were combined to free up space.

  • "Fury Strikes" = Fury Swipes + Fury Attack
  • "Healing Light" = Morning Sun + Moonlight + Synthesis
  • "Fresh Snack" = Softboiled + Milk Drink

Their animations in battle still depend on the Pokémon using them, e.g. Chansey's Fresh Snack looks like Softboiled, while Miltank's looks like Milk Drink. That's also the case for some moves that were consolidated: for example, Withdraw and Harden were removed, but Defense Curl has the animation of Withdraw for Squirtle, and of Harden for Geodude.

Here's a table of all the moves available in the 3.0.0 beta.

How do I evolve my Pokémon?

  • Ask Professor Elm! Give him a call with the Pokemon you have a question about in the lead slot in your party!
  • Gen 1's trade evolutions now evolve by using the Linking Cord item.
  • Item trade evolutions (like Seadra into Kingdra while holding a Dragon Scale) now evolve while holding the item.
  • Yanma, Tangela, and Piloswine evolve while knowing AncientPower.
  • Eevee evolves into Leafeon either with a Leaf Stone or by leveling up in Ilex Forest, site of the Moss Rock.
  • Eevee evolves into Glaceon either with an Ice Stone or by leveling up in the Ice Path, site of the Ice Rock.
  • Eevee evolves into Sylveon with a Shiny Stone.
  • Magneton evolves into Magnezone in Magnet Tunnel or Rock Tunnel, sites of the Lodestone.

Where do I get the legendary Pokémon?

  • Articuno is in the Seafoam Islands.
  • Zapdos is above the Power Plant after you fix the generator.
  • Moltres is inside Cinnabar Volcano.
  • Their Galarian counterparts can be found by summoning them to the great cherry tree in Cherrygrove Bay. In order to do this, you need Lures which you can obtain from battles in the old Rocket Hideout in Celadon City.
  • Raikou and Entei are roaming Johto after you awaken them.
  • Suicune is in the Bell Tower after you get the Clear Bell.
  • Lugia is in the Whirl Islands after you visit Shamouti Island and then get the Silver Wing there.
  • Ho-Oh is atop the Bell Tower after you catch all three legendary beasts and then get the Rainbow Wing in Bell Tower.
  • Mewtwo is in Cerulean Cave.
  • Mew is a secret; look around Cinnabar Island!
  • Celebi is a secret; try Wonder Trading after beating the Elite Four! (And after you catch it, take it to the Ilex Forest shrine!)

Where do I get this item?

  • Helix Fossil and Dome Fossil are in Mt. Moon, or may appear from breakable rocks.
  • Old Amber is in Pewter City, or may appear from breakable rocks.
  • Razor Claw is in Quiet Cave, or held by some wild Sneasel.
  • Razor Fang is in Victory Road, or held by some wild Gligar.
  • Electirizer is in Rock Tunnel, or held by some wild Electabuzz family.
  • Magmarizer is on Cinnabar Island, or held by some wild Magmar family.
  • Protector is in Mt. Mortar, or held by some wild Rhyhorn/Rhydon.
  • Upgrade is given to you in Silph Co. after fixing the Power Plant generator.
  • Dubious Disc is in Celadon City.
  • King's Rock is in Slowpoke Well, or held by some wild Slowpoke family and Poliwhirl/Poliwrath/Politoed.
  • Metal Coat is in the Goldenrod Dept. Store basement, or held by some wild Magnemite family and Steelix.
  • Hard Stone is given by Arthur on Route 36 on Thursdays, found by breaking rocks via Brick Break (Rock Smash in faithful) or held by some wild Happiny, Kantonian Corsola and Onix.
  • Dragon Scale is in Mt. Mortar, or held by some wild Horsea family and Dratini family.
  • Dusk Stones are in Cerulean Cave, Dark Cave, Dim Cave, Mt. Moon, Quiet Cave, Scary Cave or Union Cave. Bill's grandpa also gives you one, and you can win one in Bug-Catching Contest in the evening.
  • Shiny Stones are in Cherrygrove Bay, Mt. Moon or National Park. Bill's grandpa also gives you one, and you can win one in Bug-Catching Contest in the morning.
  • Bill's grandpa lives in Goldenrod City and gives you one of each Evolution stone. Also, certain trainers will call you up to give you stones, just like in regular Crystal. The Celadon Dept. Store sells several evolution stones and the Linking Cord.

Where do I get Silver/Gold Leaves?

Silver Leaves are like Shards in future generations: they can be given to Move Tutors to learn moves. Wild Oddish and Gloom have a 50% chance of holding Silver Leaves, and there are some hidden on the ground in Ilex Forest.

Gold Leaves can be given to the Move Maniac in Cianwood City to relearn moves. Wild Bellsprout and Weepinbell have a 50% chance of holding Gold Leaves, and there are some hidden on the ground in Yellow Forest.

Where do I get this TM/HM?

  • HM02 Fly is given to you after a certain battle in Yellow Forest, at the end of Route 47+48, which become accessible after beating Chuck.
  • HM04 Strength is given to you by the Gym Guide hiding in Cianwood City's Pokémon Center.
  • HM06 Whirlpool is given to you after a battle with Lyra on Route 42, which becomes accessible after beating Jasmine.
  • TM46 Thief is given to you by Lance after completing Team Rocket's Base in Mahogany Town.

What do blessings and photographs do?

Daily blessings in Ecruteak City and photographs in Cianwood City make your Pokémon happier, just like haircuts or grooming. Using enough of them will raise your Pokémon's affection, which works similarly to affection mechanics in modern generations.

What is the Judge Machine?

The Judge Machine in Goldenrod City's PokéCom Center shows your Pokémon's EVs (effort) and IVs (potential). To unlock it, breed at least one Egg and then talk to the engineer working on it.

What are the "door-shaped grooves" in the Ruins of Alph and Route 47?

Those are opened up after you catch all 28 Unown and talk to the scientist who gave you the Unown Dex.

I don't like non-canon Pokémon types!

I was hesitant to make original changes like this, because the goal is to be an improved Crystal version, not a new game. In the end I made two versions, one regular and one "faithful".

The regular version makes creative changes to Pokémon base stats and types, and to some move properties, mostly inspired by Drayano's Sacred Gold and Storm Silver. It also improves some translated terms that Nob Ogasawara complained about.

The faithful version does not change those things, besides updating stats to the latest canon generation.