What Makes Polished Crystal Different?
Comprehensive comparison of Pokémon Polished Crystal vs vanilla Crystal. Discover 289 Pokémon, modern mechanics, restored content, and everything that makes Polished Crystal the definitive Gen II experience.
Looking for the bigger picture? Read What Makes Polished Crystal the Definitive Way to Play Johto to understand how these changes work together to create a better experience.
Pokémon Additions
Pokémon Polished Crystal expands the original roster from 251 to 289 unique Pokémon species, including later-generation evolutions, regional variants, and Hisuian forms.
New Evolutions
- Sylveon (Fairy-type Eeveelution, evolves with Friendship + Fairy move)
- Leafeon (evolve Eevee by leveling up in Ilex Forest)
- Glaceon (evolve Eevee by leveling up in Ice Path)
- Magnezone (evolve Magneton by leveling up in Magnet Tunnel)
- Probopass (evolve Nosepass by leveling up in Dark Cave)
- Weavile, Electivire, Magmortar, Rhyperior, and more Gen 4 evolutions
Regional Forms
Pokémon Polished Crystal includes variant forms from multiple regions:
- Alolan Forms: Alolan Vulpix, Alolan Ninetales, Alolan Raichu, Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Sandslash, Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian, Alolan Grimer, Alolan Muk, Alolan Geodude, Alolan Graveler, Alolan Golem, Alolan Diglett, Alolan Dugtrio, Alolan Exeggutor, Alolan Marowak
- Galarian Forms: Galarian Ponyta, Galarian Rapidash, Galarian Mr. Mime, Galarian Farfetch'd, Galarian Corsola, Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Linoone, Obstagoon
- Hisuian Forms: Hisuian Growlithe, Hisuian Arcanine, Hisuian Voltorb, Hisuian Electrode, Hisuian Typhlosion, Hisuian Qwilfish, Overqwil
Modern Battle Mechanics
Pokémon Polished Crystal brings Crystal into the modern era with mechanics from Generations III–VI:
| Vanilla Crystal | Polished Crystal |
|---|---|
| Moves classified as Special or Physical by type | Physical/Special split by individual move |
| No Fairy type (14 types total) | Fairy type added (18 types total) |
| No Natures system | 25 Natures affecting stats (±10%) |
| No Abilities | 188 Abilities implemented |
| Simple type chart | Updated type chart with Fairy interactions |
Physical/Special Split
Every move is now classified individually as Physical or Special, rather than being determined by type. This means:
- Fire Punch is Physical (uses Attack stat)
- Thunderbolt is Special (uses Special Attack stat)
- Shadow Ball is Special
- Crunch is Physical
This allows for much more strategic team building and Pokémon roles, as high Attack Pokémon can now use Physical Dark/Ghost/Dragon moves effectively.
Fairy Type
Updated Only The Fairy type from Generation VI is fully implemented:
- Strong against: Dragon, Dark, Fighting
- Weak to: Poison, Steel
- Immune to: Dragon
- Resists: Fighting, Bug, Dark
Existing Pokémon like Clefairy, Clefable, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Mr. Mime, Snubbull, Granbull, and Togetic are now Fairy-type or dual-type with Fairy. New Fairy Pokémon include Sylveon, Galarian Rapidash, and more.
Natures
Updated Only All 25 Natures are available (toggle in New Game options). Each Nature boosts one stat by 10% and lowers another by 10%, except for 5 neutral Natures. This adds a layer of strategy to team building and breeding.
Abilities
Updated Only 188 Abilities are implemented (toggle in New Game options), including popular ones like Intimidate, Drought, Drizzle, Speed Boost, Levitate, and more. Hidden Abilities are available through Hidden Grottoes and Wonder Trade.
New Moves
Pokémon Polished Crystal adds 73 new moves from later generations, expanding strategic options and giving Pokémon better coverage:
- Acrobatics
- Air Slash
- Aqua Tail
- Aura Sphere
- Brave Bird
- Bug Buzz
- Bullet Punch
- Close Combat
- Dark Pulse
- Dazzling Gleam
- Discharge
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Pulse
- Drain Punch
- Earth Power
- Energy Ball
- Flash Cannon
- Giga Impact
- Gunk Shot
- Hammer Arm
- Head Smash
- Ice Shard
- Iron Head
- Lava Plume
- Leaf Blade
- Leaf Storm
- Moonblast
- Nasty Plot
- Play Rough
- Power Gem
- Power Whip
- Rock Blast
- Rock Climb
- Rock Wrecker
- Scald
- Seed Bomb
- Shadow Claw
- Shadow Sneak
- Stone Edge
- Sucker Punch
- Superpower
- Thunder Fang
- U-turn
- Volt Switch
- Wild Charge
- Wood Hammer
- X-Scissor
- Zen Headbutt
- ...and 25 more!
These moves are learned through level-up, TMs, move tutors, or egg moves, dramatically improving moveset diversity across all Pokémon.
Restored Content
Several areas from Red/Blue/Yellow and HeartGold/SoulSilver that were absent from the original Crystal have been restored:
Viridian Forest
The classic early-game forest from Kanto returns with Bug Catchers and wild Bug Pokémon. Essential for early training and Bug-type encounters.
Pewter Museum of Science
Restored museum in Pewter City with NPCs, exhibits, and the Old Amber for obtaining Aerodactyl.
Silph Co. Building
The iconic Saffron City headquarters is back with trainers, items, and NPCs.
Seafoam Islands
The water-and-ice cave system between Cinnabar and Fuschia is fully explorable with wild encounters and puzzles.
Cerulean Cave
The post-game dungeon returns as a high-level challenge area with rare Pokémon and Mewtwo.
Battle System Changes
Numerous quality-of-life and balance changes improve the battle experience:
| Vanilla Crystal | Polished Crystal |
|---|---|
| Shiny odds: 1/8192 | Shiny odds: 1/4096 |
| Critical hit damage: 200% | Critical hit damage: 150% |
| Badge stat boosts active | Badge stat boosts disabled |
| Type immunities not always enforced | Type immunities strictly enforced |
Shiny Rate
Both Versions Shiny encounter rate is doubled from 1/8192 to 1/4096, matching Generation VI+ games. The Shiny Charm further increases odds.
Type-Based Immunities
Updated Only Pokémon are now immune to status conditions matching their type:
- Electric-types cannot be paralyzed
- Fire-types cannot be burned
- Ice-types cannot be frozen
- Poison and Steel-types cannot be poisoned
Badge Stat Boosts Removed
Updated Only In vanilla Crystal, badges gave passive 12.5% stat boosts (Attack, Defense, Speed, Special). These are removed in Polished Crystal for fair difficulty balancing.
Experience Gain from Catching
Updated Only Your Pokémon now gain experience when you successfully catch a wild Pokémon, encouraging catching over grinding.
Items & TMs
Unlimited-Use TMs
Both Versions All TMs can be used infinitely, allowing you to experiment with movesets without worrying about wasting resources.
| Vanilla Crystal | Polished Crystal |
|---|---|
| TMs: Single-use items | TMs: Unlimited uses |
| HMs: Required for field navigation | HMs: Optional, field moves usable from menu (Polished mode) |
Type-Enhancing Items Buffed
Updated Only Items like Charcoal, Mystic Water, Magnet, etc. now boost their respective types by +20% (up from +10%), making them more competitive alternatives to Choice items.
New Items
Several new items have been added:
- Linking Cord: Replaces trade evolutions (evolves Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, etc.)
- Ability Capsule: Changes a Pokémon's ability to its alternate ability
- Ability Patch: Changes a Pokémon's ability to its Hidden Ability
- Shiny Charm: Increases shiny encounter rates
- Oval Charm: Increases egg production rate
- Catch Charm: Increases catch rate
Related Guides
- Beginner's Guide - Complete setup guide for new players with mechanics and progression tips
- Quality-of-Life Improvements - Complete list of QOL enhancements in Polished Crystal
- Version History & Philosophy - Design philosophy and complete version changelog
- Type Chart & Effectiveness - Interactive type chart with all 18 types including Fairy
- Abilities Guide - Strategic guide to all 188 abilities in Polished Crystal
- Evolution Methods - Complete guide to evolution methods including location-based evolutions