A Traveler's Guide to the World of Pokémon/Regions/Hoenn

Hoenn (ホウエン地方, Hōen-chihō) is a Pokemon region in the fictional universe of Pokémon and is the setting of the Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald games.

File:Hoenn.jpg

Hoenn map in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.

Hoenn is based on the island of Kyūshū in Japan and lies to the southwest of Kanto and Johto in the Pokémon world. According to Pokémon legend, the Hoenn region was formed by the legendary land Pokémon Groudon raising the land and the legendary ocean Pokémon, Kyogre, expanding the sea. The Hoenn region contains its own Pokémon League, called the Hoenn League, and its own Elite Four, unlike Johto and Kanto which share their Elite Four in the video games. The Advanced Generation series in the anime occur here, as protagonist Ash Ketchum and company explore this new region featuring more than 100 new Pokémon. LaRousse City, the setting for the animated film Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys, is in eastern Hoenn.

Cities and towns

Littleroot Town

Littleroot Town (ミシロタウン, Mishiro Taun, Mishiro Town in original Japanese language versions) is a small town home to Professor Birch and his child, the protagonist's rival. At the beginning of the story in the video games, the protagonist moves into this town. It is based on Sasebo, Nagasaki.

In the first Advanced Generation episode of the Pokémon anime, a new character joins Ash's group, May.

Oldale Town

Oldale Town (コトキタウン, Kotoki Taun, Kotoki Town in original Japanese language versions) is the second town that the player visits in the video games, just north of Littleroot town. It has a Pokémart and Pokémon Center.

In the anime, located north of Oldale Town are ruins that hold a secret to ancient Pokémon. Ash and May also first meet Team Magma in Oldale Town, who are attempting to discover the secret of the ruins.

Petalburg City

"Petalburg" redirects here. It is also the name of a town in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.

Petalburg City (トウカシティ, Tōka Shiti, Tōka City in original Japanese language versions) is located in the southwest of Hoenn, west from Oldale Town. The player first meets his second rival, Wally here. To the north of the city is the Petalburg Woods.

The Gym Leader of Petalburg City is the protagonist's father, Norman, who uses Normal-type Pokémon. The player may only battle Norman after collecting the first four gym badges in Hoenn.

In the anime, Norman is the father of May and Max. His family lives in Petalburg City.

Rustboro City

Rustboro City (カナズミシティ, Kanazumi Shiti, Kanazumi City in original Japanese language versions) is north of Petalburg City via the Petalburg Woods and houses the first gym leader that the player can battle, Roxanne, who specializes in Rock-type Pokémon. The Rusturf Tunnel is located to the east, and Meteorite Falls to north.

In the anime, the group visits a Pokémon Contest hall that is on the outskirts of Rustboro. It is here that May is inspired to become a Pokémon Coordinator, rather than a trainer.

Devon Corporation

The Devon Corporation, located in Rustboro City, is the Hoenn equivalent to the Silph Co. in the Kanto region.

The corporation plays an important role in the games, allowing the player to receive certain important items and revive fossils into Pokémon. The Devon Corp. headquarters are a target for robbery by Team Aqua and Team Magma.

In the anime, Ash and the gang visit the Devon Corporation's headquarters in the episode "Stairway to Devon." In this episode, Team Aqua is introduced.

Dewford Town

Dewford Town (ムロ島 or ムロタウン, Muro-jima or Muro Taun, Muro Island or Muro Town in original Japanese language versions) is the second town that features a Gym. The Leader is Brawly, who uses Fighting-type Pokémon. At first, the only way to reach the island is by boat, but once the player learns Surf, it is possible to travel there without help.

In the anime, Ash challenges Brawly to a battle but loses. After retraining, Ash challenges Brawly to a rematch in Brawly's Training Cave Center, where Ash prevails. Also, Dewford Island is the location of the Cave of Origin instead of Sootopolis City in the video games.

Slateport City

Slateport City (カイナシティ, Kaina Shiti, Kaina City in original Japanese language versions) is a large port city with a marketplace, a Pokémon Contest hall, and a ferry link to Lilycove City. Slateport City also features the Oceanic Museum, a museum full of items and objects recovered from the sea. There are many tiny islands and fast currents around Slateport. Team Aqua or Team Magma (depending on the game version a player is using) steals a submarine from Slateport City.

In Emerald, the Contest hall has been replaced with a Battle Tent. The player chooses three rental Pokémon to battle with, similar to the Battle Factory. Upon defeating an opponent, the player receives the option to swap one of their rented Pokémon for one of the opponent's rented Pokémon.

Mauville City

Mauville City (キンセツシティ, Kinsetsu Shiti, Kinsetsu City in original Japanese language versions) is a junction city. Roads from Mauville lead west to Verdanturf Town, south to Slateport City, east to Fortree City, and north to Fallarbor Town. The Gym Leader of the city is Wattson, an Electric-type trainer.

Mauville City also houses a bicycle shop, where the player can choose between Mach Bike or Acro Bike, and is able to swap them at any time. The Mach Bike is fast, but hard to turn; and the Acro Bike is slower and more versatile. Some areas require the use of a specific bike to reach.

Mauville City also features the Game Corner, similar to that in Celadon City, in Kanto. In addition to slot machines, it also features roulette, unlike the original Game Corners, which only had slots. Players can trade the coins they win for prizes.

During a renovation plan several years before the games' start, Wattson created an underground complex named New Mauville. After beating Norman, players may get the Basement Key from Wattson to complete an optional sidequest. The side quest involves turning off the facility's generator.

Verdanturf Town

Verdanturf Town (シダケタウン, Shidake Taun, Shidake Town in original Japanese language versions) is a small town, west from Mauville City, with a Contest hall. In Emerald, it is replaced by a Battle Tent, a test to see how loyal a player's Pokémon are. The town has an entrance to Rusturf Tunnel, linking it to Rustboro City.

Verdanturf is also home to Wally's aunt, uncle, and cousin. After the player defeats him at Mauville City, he resides here until the player defeats Norman before reaching Victory Road.

Fallarbor Town

Fallarbor Town (ハジツゲタウン, Hajitsuge Taun, Hajitsuge Town in original Japanese language versions) lies north of Mt. Chimney, an inactive volcano. Most of its inhabitants work in agriculture because the soil is very fertile due to its high content of volcanic ash. In Ruby and Sapphire, the town is home to a Pokémon Contest hall. In Emerald, it is replaced by a Battle Tent.

Professor Cosmo lives here, returning after he is ambushed by Team Magma/Aqua, who steal a Meteorite he was studying in Meteorite Falls.

Lavaridge Town

Lavaridge Town (フエンタウン, Fuen Taun, Fuen Town in original Japanese language versions) is located at the foothills of Mt. Chimney. The Pokémon Center is connected to a hot spring, which is what Lavaridge Town is famous for. The Gym Leader of the town is Flannery, who uses Fire-type Pokémon.

Located north of the town is Mt. Chimney. Team Magma/Aqua steals a meteorite in an attempt to control the volcano. Once the player defeats the team leader, the respective team leaves the location.

Fortree City

Fortree City (ヒワマキシティ, Hiwamaki Shiti, Hiwamaki City in original Japanese language versions) is a city built atop the trees (everything except the Pokémon Center, the Poké Mart and the Gym), giving it its name. The Gym Leader is Winona, who uses Flying-type Pokémon. Blending Kecleon are found near here.

West of the city is the Weather Institute, where scientists have invented the weather-controlling Pokémon, Castform. When Team Magma/Aqua invade the facility, the player must fight them off.

Lilycove City

Lilycove City (ミナモシティ, Minamo Shiti, Minamo City in original Japanese language versions) is a port city in northeast Hoenn. It houses a department store, an art museum, and a Contest hall. In Emerald, all of the Pokémon Contests are located here.

The S.S. Tidal, which was built in Slateport City, operates a ferry service between Lilycove City, Slateport City, and the Battle Tower (Battle Frontier in Emerald). This port can also ship players to special, event-only locations such as Southern Island and Birth Island.

Mossdeep City

Mossdeep City (トクサネシティ, Tokusane Shiti, Tokusane City in original Japanese language versions) is an island city in the northeast of Hoenn. It is based on Tanegashima, Japan. The Gym Leaders are the twins Tate and Liza, who specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon.

In Pokémon Emerald, after beating Tate and Liza at the gym, Team Magma will invade the Mossdeep Space Center in an attempt to get rocket fuel.

Sootopolis City

Sootopolis City (ルネシティ, Rune Shiti, Rune City in original Japanese language versions) is an island city, based on Santorini, Greece, built in the cone of an extinct volcano. The player enters the city for the first time from underwater. The last Gym is located here, although it is initially locked. The Cave of Origin is found here as well. If the player follows the plot, his or her first visit to Sootopolis City is during the time the weather in Hoenn has been disrupted by Groudon or Kyogre, though players can head to Sootopolis City at an earlier time.

Cave of Origin

The Cave of Origin is located at the north end of Sootopolis City. It is guarded by Wallace or Juan of the Sootopolis Gym and is said to be a cave where life originated. Its opposite landmark is Mt. Pyre, is said to be the place where life ends. Residents of Sootopolis City are not normally permitted to enter the Cave of Origin. The contents of the cave are different in each game: In Ruby and Sapphire, the player finds Groudon or Kyogre, respectively, and must defeat or capture it to proceed. In Emerald, Wallace is inside the Cave of Origin and knows how to stop the scuffle between Kyogre and Groudon.

After performing the necessary steps to quell the ancient Pokémon, players can enter the Gym and battle Wallace (Ruby and Sapphire) or his mentor Juan (Emerald). Both use Water-type Pokémon.

In the anime, Juan is the last Gym Leader that Ash battles. After winning, Ash earns the Rain Badge.

Sky Pillar

Sky Pillar is an abandoned tower to the northeast of Pacifidlog Town that is home to the legendary Pokémon Rayquaza. Though an optional place in Ruby and Sapphire, it plays a major role in Emerald, where the player needs to go there in order to summon Rayquaza to solve the fight between Kyogre and Groudon in Sootopolis City. When the player reaches the top of Sky Pillar (in Emerald, the second visit), Rayquaza can be fought and captured.

Ever Grande City

Ever Grande City (サイユウシティ, Saiyū Shiti, Saiyū City in original Japanese language versions) consists of two parts: the area before Victory Road, which has only a Pokémon Center, and the area after it, which contains the Hoenn Pokémon League building.

The Hoenn Pokémon League is where the player can challenge the Elite Four. Each member of the Elite Four also specializes in a single type.

Other locations

Petalburg Woods

The Petalburg Woods is an area north of Petalburg City, bridging to Rustboro City. When the player enters the woods, he or she sees a member of Team Magma/Aqua attempting to steal some research papers from a man working at the Devon Corporation.

Rusturf Tunnel

Rusturf Tunnel is a unfinished tunnel between Rustboro City and Verdanturf Town. Its name is a portamanteau of the first and last parts of the two cities that the tunnel joins. Construction has stopped because of concerns over disturbing the Whismur in the cave. Once the player has the Hidden Machine Rock Smash, he or she can break a rock to open the tunnel up .

Meteor Falls

Meteor Falls is a waterfall-filled cave located near Fallarbor Town. Though players will initially have to pass through the area to save Professor Cosmo from Team Magma/Aqua, the majority of the area is not accessible to players until later, when they have obtained Waterfall.

Mt. Pyre

Mt. Pyre is a Pokémon graveyard, similar to the Pokémon Tower of Kanto. It consists of two areas: the inside, a dungeon that functions as a graveyard, and the outer mountain, which can only be reached by exiting from inside. Mt. Pyre is considered the counterpart to the Cave of Origin, as Mt. Pyre is "the place where life ends." At the summit of the mountain is an old couple who guard two orbs, the Red Orb and Blue Orb. They are the grandparents of Phoebe of the Elite Four.

Team Magma/Aqua attempt to steal one of the two orbs in order to control Groudon or Kyogre. In Emerald, after Groudon and Kyogre disappear at Sootopolis City, Team Magma leader Maxie and Team Aqua leader Archie return both orbs to their respective perches at the summit of Mt. Pyre, providing closure to the game's main plot.

Victory Road

Victory Road (チャンピオンロード, Chanpion Rōdo, Champion Road in original Japanese language versions) is a large cave that leads to the Pokémon League. It holds many trainers aspiring to become Champion. At the end of Victory Road, Wally will challenge the protagonist to a battle.

Pacifidlog Town

Pacifidlog Town (キナギタウン, Kinagi Taun, Kinagi Town in original Japanese language versions) is an isolated settlement in the south of Hoenn. The entire town is said to have been built on top of a colony of Corsola. The town uses wooden planks to connect the buildings together.

Paciflidlog Town is very different in the anime. It is a much larger island town, and it also contains a Contest hall, where May competes to get her fifth ribbon.

Sealed Chamber

The Sealed Chamber is an underwater cave west of Pacifidlog Town. Inside, it holds a series of puzzles and directions that must be followed in order to unlock the caves that hold the three legendary Pokémon Regice, Regirock, and Registeel.

Mirage Island

Mirage Island, to the east of Pacifidlog Town, only appears under certain conditions. It is an island containing rare Pokémon and berries.

Battle Tower/Battle Frontier

In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, the Battle Tower (バトルタワー, Batoru Tawā) is located on a small island. Its motto is "Win it all and be the best, Trainers!" To access the facility, the player must first defeat the Elite Four, then receive the S.S. Tidal Ticket from Norman. After journeying on the newly completed ship, the player will gain the option to visit the Battle Tower.

In Pokémon Emerald, the Battle Tower is located in the Battle Frontier, and is also accessed after defeating the Elite Four. The Battle Tower's system has been dramatically changed since Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. There are four modes of battle, including Single Battle, Double Battle, Multi Battle, and Link Battle with another player.

Prizes are replaced with Battle Points (BP). Defeating the Frontier Brain will reward the player with an influx of BP.

Southern Island

Southern Island is a place in the Hoenn region that can only be unlocked using the Eon Ticket. This can only be obtained from a special Nintendo event, or by mixing records with someone who has the Ticket. Southern Island is located, in the south of the region, just west of the Battle Frontier. One cannot Surf to get to the island; instead, they must board the ferry at Lilycove City with an Eon Ticket to get there. The island only exists to enable the player to get both Latias and Latios. Once the player has successfully defeated the Pokemon league, a newsflash will appear on TV saying that a certain color Pokemon was seen in Hoenn. While in Ruby and Sapphire, the Pokémon was preset (Latias in Sapphire, and Latios in Ruby), in Emerald it is not. Instead, the player's mother will ask if the mysterious Pokemon was red or blue. If the player answers red, he or she will find Latias in the wild, and Latios at Southern Island; and vice-versa for blue. Similarly, other islands are located around the region (with use of the Old Map, obtained through use of Mystery Gift) that have Mew, Ho-oh & Lugia, Celebi, Deoxys, Jirachi, and Mewtwo.

See also

• List of Hoenn Gym Leaders
• List of Hoenn Elite Four members
• Hoenn crime syndicates
• Professor Birch