How Many Pokémon Are In Pokémon Alpha Sapphire?

Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, a loving return to the Hoenn region, boasts a robust roster of pocket monsters for aspiring trainers to collect and battle. The definitive answer: Pokémon Alpha Sapphire features a National Pokédex count of 721 Pokémon. However, the number of Pokémon obtainable directly within the game is less, requiring trading with other games or using transfer services to complete the entire Pokédex. Let’s dive into the details!

The Hoenn Region and Its Pokémon

Alpha Sapphire is a remake, so it naturally keeps many elements from the original games, including a good number of Gen III Pokémon. While the game allows you to encounter many Hoenn native Pokémon, it also introduces Pokémon from other regions, some new Mega Evolutions, and the opportunity to capture legendary and mythical creatures through events and in-game interactions.

Regional Dex vs. National Dex

Understanding the difference between the Regional Pokédex and the National Pokédex is crucial. The Regional Pokédex of Hoenn contains the list of Pokémon that can be encountered directly in the game’s world. This number is significantly smaller than the full 721 available overall. The National Pokédex represents every Pokémon up to Generation VI, which Alpha Sapphire belongs to.

Post-Game Content and Expanding Your Collection

The true scope of available Pokémon in Alpha Sapphire unfolds in the post-game. After defeating the Elite Four and becoming the Champion, a whole new world of possibilities opens up. This includes accessing new areas, triggering special events that introduce previously unavailable Pokémon, and gaining the ability to utilize the Pokémon Bank and Pokémon Transporter to bring Pokémon from older generations to your game.

Understanding How Many Pokémon Are Available

While Alpha Sapphire supports the existence of 721 Pokémon, realistically, without extensive trading and utilizing external sources, trainers will only be able to directly catch and collect a subset of this total number within the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To fully understand the Pokémon availability in Alpha Sapphire, let’s address some common questions.

1. Can I catch all 721 Pokémon in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire alone?

No, you cannot catch all 721 Pokémon in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire by playing the game in isolation. Many Pokémon are exclusive to Pokémon Omega Ruby, the sister game. Others require trading with other games from previous generations or utilizing the Pokémon Bank and Transporter service, which, while once free for initial transfer, now requires a paid subscription to Pokémon HOME.

2. Which Pokémon are exclusive to Alpha Sapphire?

Several Pokémon are exclusive to Alpha Sapphire, meaning they cannot be found in Omega Ruby without trading. Some notable examples include:

• Kyogre (The box art legendary)
• Sableye
• Seviper
• Lotad evolution line (Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo)
• Zangoose
• Lunatone
• Shelgon
• Dialga

3. What role does trading play in completing the Pokédex in Alpha Sapphire?

Trading is crucial for completing the National Pokédex. You will need to trade with players who own Omega Ruby to obtain the Pokémon exclusive to that version. Additionally, some Pokémon require trade evolutions, meaning they only evolve when traded to another player. A reliable online community can be a huge asset.

4. What is the Pokémon Bank and how does it help?

Pokémon Bank was a paid cloud service for the Nintendo 3DS that allowed players to store up to 3,000 Pokémon. Players could deposit Pokémon from older generation games (like Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2) and then transfer them to Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby. While the service itself is no longer active for new subscriptions, Pokémon Bank still allows transferring Pokémon to Pokémon HOME.

5. How do Pokémon HOME services help to get more Pokémon in Alpha Sapphire?

Pokémon HOME is a cloud-based service that connects with various Pokémon games, including Pokémon Bank. By transferring Pokémon from older games to Pokémon Bank, then to Pokémon HOME, and finally to compatible Nintendo Switch games, you can complete your National Pokédex in those Switch titles. While it doesn’t directly put those transferred Pokémon into Alpha Sapphire, it allows for completing the National Dex overall, which is intertwined with the Alpha Sapphire game data.

6. Can I get Mythical Pokémon like Mew or Celebi in Alpha Sapphire?

Generally, Mythical Pokémon like Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Deoxys, and others are distributed through special events or promotions. These events are typically time-limited. Older games like Pokémon Alpha Sapphire can receive these Pokémon through older event distributions (if the download periods are still active), or through Pokémon Bank or Pokémon HOME if they were obtained in other games originally.

7. What are Hidden Abilities and how do they affect Pokémon in Alpha Sapphire?

Hidden Abilities are special abilities that Pokémon can possess in addition to their normal abilities. They are often obtained through methods like Horde Encounters and the DexNav. These abilities can significantly affect a Pokémon’s performance in battle, and obtaining Pokémon with Hidden Abilities is a key part of competitive battling.

8. How does the DexNav feature impact Pokémon availability?

The DexNav is a new feature in Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby that allows you to search for specific Pokémon in an area. It also indicates whether a Pokémon has a Hidden Ability or high IVs (Individual Values), making it easier to find rare and powerful Pokémon.

9. What are the implications of Pokémon rarity in Alpha Sapphire?

Certain Pokémon are rarer than others, meaning they are less likely to appear in the wild. This can make completing the Pokédex a challenging but rewarding experience. Methods like chaining Pokémon with the DexNav or using specific items like the Amulet Coin can help increase your chances of finding rare Pokémon.

10. What role do Legendaries play in Alpha Sapphire?

Legendary Pokémon are powerful and rare Pokémon that are often central to the game’s story. Alpha Sapphire features a wide range of Legendary Pokémon that can be captured after completing certain conditions, some only available after beating the Elite Four and seeing the Delta Episode.

11. Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Alpha Sapphire?

Unfortunately, you cannot directly transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Alpha Sapphire. Pokémon GO can only connect to Pokémon HOME. From there, Pokémon can then be transferred to current-generation Switch games if they appear in the game.

12. How does the post-game content unlock more Pokémon?

The post-game content of Alpha Sapphire unlocks a wealth of new opportunities to catch Pokémon. You gain access to new areas, trigger special events that introduce previously unavailable Pokémon, and gain the ability to utilize the Pokémon Bank and Pokémon Transporter to bring Pokémon from older generations to your game. The Delta Episode, specifically, introduces the legendary Pokémon Rayquaza and the mythical Pokémon Deoxys.

In summary, while Pokémon Alpha Sapphire features a total of 721 Pokémon in its National Pokédex, the number you can directly catch within the game is much smaller. Trading, utilizing the Pokémon Bank, Pokémon Transporter, and Pokémon HOME services, and engaging with post-game content are essential for completing your Pokédex and catching ’em all!