Appendix:Crystal walkthrough/Section 13

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Blackthorn City

Blackthorn City

Blackthorn City is located in the northeast part of Johto, between the Ice Path and Route 45. It is a mysterious mountain village cut directly into the rock face. Many residents go on to become Dragon-type specialists, perhaps due to the proximity of the Dragon's Den, a large cave underneath the city. Only those with the Gym Leader's permission may enter this cave, by crossing the lake behind the Gym.


Time for a Trade

Visit the eastern house to find a girl who would like to trade Pokémon. She is willing to part with her Dodrio in exchange for a female Dragonair. Dragonair can only be found with a high-end fishing rod, but its pre-evolved form, Dratini, can be found in the Dragon's Den and on Route 45.

Move Deleter

The southern house belongs to a man known as the Move Deleter. Using his free service allows a Pokémon to forget one of its moves. This is especially useful for removing moves taught by HM, as they would normally be permanent. This can also be used to prepare a Pokémon introduced in Generation I to be traded through the Time Capsule, as any moves introduced in Generation II would need to be removed first.

Blackthorn Gym

Blackthorn Gym, 1F
Blackthorn Gym, 2F
Blackthorn City Pokémon Gym
Leader: Clair

The Blessed User of Dragon Pokémon


The Blackthorn Gym specializes in Dragon-type Pokémon. Dragon-type moves are super effective against Dragon-type Pokémon, while Dragon-type Pokémon are weak to Dragon- and Ice-type moves.

The Gym is notably the only one to feature a second floor, as several boulders must be dropped into the lava pits to form a path. Battle Cooltrainer Paul and climb upstairs. Go south to fight Cooltrainer Fran and reach two more boulders in the southeast corner. Use Strength to move the right-hand boulder southward, then the left-hand boulder northward and drop it through the east-central hole. Battle Cooltrainer Cody to the north and push the final boulder to the northeast hole, then go down the eastern stairs. Fighting Cooltrainer Mike on the center platform is optional, but Cooltrainer Lola must be defeated in order to reach the Gym Leader.

Clair's team features three Dragonair and a Kingdra. Her three Dragonair have nearly identical movesets, except for a single attack. Having access to Ice Beam, Surf, and Thunderbolt gives Clair an advantage when facing the Pokémon that you received from Professor Elm. As a part-Water Pokémon, her Kingdra takes serious damage only from Dragon-type attacks. Bring Paralysis-healing items, and use HP-restoring items often to keep from being caught off-guard by Kingdra's Hyper Beam.

Blackthorn Gym
Rising Badge





After the battle, Clair is left in disbelief. She admits that she lost, but claims that you are still not ready for the Pokémon League, and insists that you take the "dragon user challenge". She informs you of the Dragon's Den, a large cave located under the city, and instructs you to visit the shrine found inside. Only then will she give up the Rising Badge. Bring a Pokémon with Surf and Whirlpool, and cross the lake to reach the cave entrance behind the Gym.

Dragon's Den

Dragon's Den
Inside the shrine

The Dragon's Den is a large cavern located underneath Blackthorn City. It is a sacred home of Dragon-type Pokémon, and where the city's residents train to become Dragon-type specialists. A large shrine is located on an island to the south.


Main cavern

When you enter the main cavern, you are immediately challenged by Cooltrainer Darin. Go east to reach a Calcium, then use Surf to collect a Max Elixer on the west side of the cavern. Use Whirlpool to calm the waters and continue southward. Collect the Dragon Fang from the patch of land on the east side of the cavern, then backtrack and enter the shrine.

Dragon Shrine
The Trial

When you enter the shrine, you are met by the clan's elder. He realizes that you were sent by Clair, and explains that you must pass a quiz to determine your perception of Pokémon.

Question Answers
What are Pokémon to you? Pal Underling Friend
What helps you to win battles? Strategy Raising Cheating
What kind of Trainer do you wish to battle? Weak person Tough person Anybody
What is most important for raising Pokémon? Love Violence Knowledge
Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. Which is more important? Tough Both Weak
Correct answers are marked in bold.


The elder reviews your answers, and determines that you care deeply for Pokémon. He stresses the importance of never losing that conviction, as it will assist you at the Pokémon League. Clair enters a moment later, assuming that you have failed. She is shocked to learn that you passed the elder's test, as even she has not done so. The elder scolds her, telling her to admit defeat and award the Rising Badge, or else he will inform Lance of her behavior. She reluctantly complies; this Badge ensures obedience from all Pokémon and enables the use of Waterfall in the field. Shen then leaves the shrine without a word.

When you step outside, Clair approaches you again. She apologizes for her behavior, and gives out TM24 (Dragon Breath) as a prize. Now that you have earned all eight Badges in the Johto region, Clair tells you that your next step will be the Pokémon League at Indigo Plateau. She advises you to Surf east from New Bark Town, but warns that the path ahead will be tough, and if you lose at the Pokémon League then she will feel even worse for having lost to you.

The Prize

Having passed the elder's trial, you may return at any point with no more than five Pokémon in your party. Speak to the elder, and he entrusts you with a Dratini as proof that he has recognized your worth. If every question was answered correctly, the Pokémon will know a special move, ExtremeSpeed, that it cannot otherwise learn. If not, it will know the move Leer instead.

Elm's Request

Upon leaving the cave, Professor Elm calls to ask that you visit him at the Lab, as he has something for you.

Route 45

Route 45

Route 45 is a rugged road leading down from the mountains around Blackthorn City. The path splits and recombines multiple times, and the uneven terrain makes northbound travel impossible; this also forces travelers to visit multiple times to reach every area. The eastern entrance to Dark Cave is located on the north end of the route. The path eventually turns west at a small pond, where it connects to Route 46.


Dark Cave, from Route 45
Dark Cave, from Route 31

Dark Cave

Dark Cave is a pitch-black cave network that runs underneath the eastern part of the region. Despite being first accessible from Route 31, these tunnels are impossible to navigate without the field moves Surf, Strength, and Rock Smash, and difficult to do so without Flash, as well. Alternate entrances exist on Routes 45 and 46.


Northeast chamber

Turn east and use Surf to continue southward. Pick up the Revive on the southeast ridge, then go west along the water's edge to find TM13 (Snore) on top of a ledge. Backtrack a bit and swim northward across the water, then walk westward along the ridge. Visit the northwest corner to find a shady man; you surprised him with your presence, and he gives you a pair of BlackGlasses to forget that you saw him here. Head south from here and jump a pair of ledges to reach the cave's western chamber.

Southwest chamber

To the west, there is a group of rocks arranged in a quarter-circle; there is a Potion in the middle, if you have not collected it by now. Use either Rock Smash or Surf to move southward, then use Rock Smash to continue to the east. Clear away another rock and loop around the northeast corner to reach a Hyper Potion. Jump the ledge and continue southward to pick up a Full Heal, then move southwest for a Dire Hit. The exit to Route 46 is located to the south.

Don't Miss Marill!

Defeat Hiker Parry on the second ledge south of Dark Cave, then be sure to trade phone numbers with him. He will call occasionally to alert you about a swarm of a certain Pokémon species. Marill are usually difficult to find, but will be more likely to appear in Mt. Mortar for a short time. The swarm only lasts until midnight, so be quick!

Route 46

Route 46

Route 46 connects Route 45 and Route 29. The rugged mountain road from Blackthorn City comes to an end here, as the mountains give way to hills. A small grove of Berry trees grows in a secluded field, to the west of the Dark Cave entrance.


← Part 12 Radio Tower, Goldenrod Underground, Route 44, Ice Path
Crystal
walkthrough
Route 27, Route 26, Victory Road Part 14 →


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