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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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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.
The Air Balloon is a held item that makes the holder immune to Ground-type moves until it takes damage from an attack.
The Miracle Seed boosts the power of Grass-type moves by 20%.
The Big Nugget can be sold for a substantial amount of money - perfect for funding your journey!
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.
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.
The Protect Pads prevent the holder from receiving recoil damage and protect against contact-based abilities and effects.
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.
The Rocky Helmet damages attacking Pokémon that make contact with the holder, dealing 1/6 of their max HP.
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.
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.