Quality-of-Life Improvements

Polished Crystal includes dozens of quality-of-life improvements that address the tedious parts of vanilla Crystal. Most are available in both Faithful and Polished modes. Below is a complete list.

Overworld Improvements

Running Shoes Both Versions

Hold B to run at 2× speed. You can also enable always-run mode in your Pack to run by default without holding B. Running Shoes are available from the start of the game instead of being unlocked later.

Continuous Repel Updated Only

When Repel wears off, you get prompted to use another from your bag. Saves you from being interrupted by wild encounters when you thought you were still protected. In vanilla, you'd just suddenly start getting encounters again with no warning.

Faster Surf Both Versions

Surf speed matches Bicycle and Running Shoes. In vanilla Crystal, surfing was significantly slower than running, making water routes tedious. Now it's the same speed.

Poison Doesn't Faint Updated Only

Poison damage stops at 1 HP instead of causing fainting outside battle. Vanilla Gen II would let poison knock out your Pokémon while walking around, potentially causing you to black out and lose money if your whole team fainted.

Eggs Hatch at Level 1 Updated Only

Hatched Pokémon start at level 1 instead of level 5. This lets you get level-up moves that would normally be missed, and gives you full control over the Pokémon's training from the start.

Random Berry Tree Yields Updated Only

Berry trees yield 1–3 berries (instead of always 2).

Increased Money Cap Both Versions

Money cap raised from $999,999 to $9,999,999.

Increased Coin Cap Both Versions

Game Corner coin cap raised from 9,999 to 50,000.

Battle Enhancements

Exp from Catching Pokémon Updated Only

Your Pokémon gain experience when you catch wild Pokémon, similar to Gen VI+. In vanilla, only defeating wild Pokémon gave exp, making catching less rewarding than just grinding battles.

Low-Pitched Faint Cries Updated Only

Fainted Pokémon cry at lower pitch. Audio cue makes it easier to track battle status without watching the screen constantly.

Gen VI Money Loss Formula Updated Only

Lose less money when you lose battles. Uses the Gen VI formula (base money × level of highest Pokémon) instead of Gen II's harsher formula. Still a penalty, just not as punishing.

Type-Enhancing Items Boosted Updated Only

Charcoal, Mystic Water, Magnet, and other type-boosting items now give +20% boost instead of +10%. Makes them more competitive with other held items like Leftovers or Choice Band.

Bag & Storage Upgrades

Expanded Bag Pockets

Both Versions All bag pockets expanded:

Bill's PC Warning Updated Only

Bill warns you when current PC box is nearly full. Prevents accidentally releasing Pokémon or losing catches because you weren't paying attention to box capacity.

Automatic Box Switching Updated Only

When a PC box fills up, the system auto-switches to the next available box. In vanilla, you had to manually change boxes or you'd lose catches when the box filled.

UI/UX Polish

Fast Text by Default Both Versions

Text speed defaults to Fast instead of Medium. You can still change it in options if you want slower text.

Stereo Sound by Default Both Versions

Stereo sound enabled by default instead of mono.

Third Trainer Card Page Both Versions

Third Trainer Card page shows Kanto badges separately from Johto badges. Keeps both regions' badges organized instead of cramming them together.

More Fly Destinations Both Versions

Fly to Pokémon Centers in Rock Tunnel and Power Plant. These are commonly visited locations that didn't have Fly points in vanilla, requiring extra walking.

Always Show Pokédex Numbers Updated Only

Pokédex numbers always displayed in the Pokédex interface. Makes it easier to find specific Pokémon and reference them.

Improved Fishing Success Rate Updated Only

Fishing success rate is 75% instead of 50%. Half the fishing attempts in vanilla failed for no reason, which was just annoying.

Item & Consumable Changes

Unlimited-Use TMs

Both Versions All TMs have unlimited uses. This is the biggest item change in Polished Crystal. In vanilla Gen II, TMs were single-use consumables, so you had to choose carefully which Pokémon to teach them to. Now you can teach TMs to your whole team, experiment with movesets freely, and try different strategies without permanently losing moves.

View all TMs →

HM Field Moves (Polished Mode)

Updated Only Field moves (Cut, Surf, Strength, Flash, Whirlpool, Waterfall, Rock Smash, Headbutt) can be used from the menu if any party Pokémon could learn them. You don't need to actually teach the HM moves, freeing up all four moveslots for battle moves.

In Faithful mode, you still need to teach HMs like in vanilla Crystal.

Related Guides

• Beginner's Guide - Complete setup guide for new players
• What Makes Polished Crystal Different? - Comprehensive comparison with vanilla Crystal
• Key Items Guide - Complete guide to all key items and their locations
• Hidden Grottoes Guide - Find hidden abilities and rare items
• Evolution Methods - Complete evolution guide including new methods
• Friendship Guide - Master the friendship system