Route Bosses
Complete guide to Route Boss trainers in Pokémon Polished Crystal - defeat all trainers on a route to challenge the boss and earn rare items
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Introduction
Route Bosses are special trainers found throughout Johto and Kanto. To challenge a Route Boss, you must first defeat all other trainers on that route and occasionally a neighboring route. Once you've done so, the Route Boss will accept your challenge. Defeating them rewards you with a rare and valuable item!
Route Bosses typically use teams that showcase the item they're about to give you - their Pokémon will often be holding the reward item, giving you a preview of its usefulness.
How Route Bosses Work
- Find the Route Boss - They're usually standing in a prominent location on the route
- Defeat all other trainers - The Route Boss won't battle you until everyone else is beaten
- Challenge the Route Boss - Talk to them after defeating all prerequisites
- Claim your reward - After winning, you'll receive a rare item
Route 31 - Air Balloon
The Air Balloon is a held item that makes the holder immune to Ground-type moves until it takes damage from an attack.
Route 32 - Miracle Seed
The Miracle Seed boosts the power of Grass-type moves by 20%.
Route 34 - Big Nugget
The Big Nugget can be sold for a substantial amount of money - perfect for funding your journey!
Route 36 - Binding Band
The Binding Band increases damage from binding moves (like Wrap, Bind, Fire Spin) from 1/8 to 1/6 of the target's max HP per turn.
Route 39 - PP Max
These trainers are across Route 38 and Route 39. One of the trainers on these routes will only battle at night time!
PP Max raises the PP of one of a Pokémon's moves to its maximum possible value.
Olivine Lighthouse - Protect Pads
The Protect Pads prevent the holder from receiving recoil damage and protect against contact-based abilities and effects.
Route 43 - Flame Orb
The Flame Orb burns the holder at the end of each turn. While this seems counterproductive, it's useful for activating abilities like Guts or preventing other status conditions.
Route 44 - Rocky Helmet
The Rocky Helmet damages attacking Pokémon that make contact with the holder, dealing 1/6 of their max HP.
Route 45 - Focus Sash
The Focus Sash allows the holder to survive any single attack that would knock it out from full HP, leaving it with 1 HP instead.
Route 27 - Choice Specs
These trainers are across Route 26 and Route 27. You can find Litvyak early, as soon as you get access to Surf. However, you need Waterfall and Whirlpool to beat all the required trainers.
Choice Specs boost the holder's Special Attack by 50%, but lock it into the first move used until it switches out.
Tips for Route Boss Battles
- Scout first - Route Boss teams are usually stronger than regular trainers on the route
- Notice held items - Their Pokémon often hold the reward item, showing you how it's used
- Badge-based levels - Many Route Bosses use Badge Level scaling, so their team strength matches your progress
- Come prepared - Bring healing items and a balanced team
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