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What is the Easiest Pokedex to Complete in Pokémon?

The crown for the easiest Pokedex to complete arguably belongs to Pokémon Sun and Moon (Generation VII). Several factors contribute to this title, making it a relatively stress-free endeavor for aspiring completionists. These include a smaller regional Pokedex compared to other generations, more lenient evolution methods for some Pokémon, and the introduction of features like Island Scan and the Global Trade System (GTS) making obtaining otherwise rare Pokémon significantly easier. Let’s delve deeper into why Sun and Moon offer a smoother Pokedex completion experience than their predecessors and successors.

Why Sun and Moon Reign Supreme

Several interconnected elements contribute to Sun and Moon’s reputation for having an accessible Pokedex.

Smaller Regional Dex: The Alola regional Pokedex contains just over 300 Pokémon. This is significantly smaller than the National Dex found in many other games, immediately reducing the scope of the challenge. While post-game options exist to access Pokémon outside the Alola Dex, you only need to complete the Alola Dex for certain in-game rewards.
Island Scan: This innovative feature allowed players to scan QR codes (found online or in official magazines) to encounter Pokémon that weren’t native to the Alola region. This significantly broadened the availability of Pokémon, including some that were previously version exclusives or only obtainable through trading.
Global Trade System (GTS): While the GTS has been present in previous generations, it’s arguably at its peak utility in Sun and Moon. The ability to request specific Pokémon in exchange for ones you have readily available makes filling gaps in your Pokedex far easier. No longer is the process completely reliant on having friends who play the same game.
Easier Evolution Methods (In Some Cases): While some Alolan Pokémon require specific conditions to evolve, other evolutionary lines are more streamlined than their counterparts in other games. This saves players time and effort in grinding and fulfilling obscure evolution requirements.
Availability of Version Exclusives: While version exclusives exist in Sun and Moon (and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon), the GTS again alleviates much of the burden. Trading for version exclusives becomes a readily accessible and relatively painless process.
Lower Legendaries Required for Completion: Some generations require obtaining multiple mythical and legendary Pokémon to complete the regional Pokedex. Sun and Moon demand fewer of these, further simplifying the overall task.

Contrasting with Other Generations

To truly appreciate why Sun and Moon are considered the easiest, it’s helpful to compare them to other Pokémon generations. Generation III (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen) is often cited as one of the most challenging due to the lack of a GTS, the need to trade between multiple Game Boy Advance games, and the reliance on external hardware (GameCube) and events to obtain certain Pokémon. Generations I (Red, Blue, Yellow) and II (Gold, Silver, Crystal) also present significant challenges due to limited trading capabilities and glitches. Even more recent games, such as Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet, have larger Pokedexes and sometimes more demanding evolution requirements than Sun and Moon. Generation VIII (Sword and Shield) requires Nintendo Switch online for access to many online features.

Impact on Gameplay and Accessibility

The relatively easy Pokedex completion in Sun and Moon has a positive impact on overall gameplay. It allows players to experience more of the game’s content without being bogged down in tedious grinding or frustrating trading roadblocks. It also makes the game more accessible to younger or less experienced players who may be intimidated by the prospect of completing a more extensive and demanding Pokedex. This contributes to a more enjoyable and rewarding Pokémon experience.

Completing the Pokedex can teach us valuable lessons about persistence, strategy, and resource management. Understanding the game mechanics and developing effective strategies are essential for achieving this goal, which aligns with the principles promoted by the Games Learning Society and on their website GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to Pokedex completion in Pokémon, covering various aspects and generations:

1. What is the hardest Pokémon game to complete the Pokedex in?

As mentioned earlier, Generation III (Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen) is widely considered the most challenging due to limited trading options, the lack of a GTS, and reliance on external hardware and events for certain Pokémon. This necessitates trading between all five GBA games, owning a Gamecube for the Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness bonus Pokémon and hoping for rare event distributions.

2. What is the reward for completing the Alola Pokedex in Sun and Moon?

The reward for completing the Alola Pokedex is the Shiny Charm. This charm significantly increases the odds of encountering shiny Pokémon in the wild, making it a valuable item for shiny hunters.

3. How does the GTS work in Pokémon Sun and Moon?

The GTS allows players to deposit Pokémon they are willing to trade and request specific Pokémon in return. You can filter your searches by region and language, and the system automatically matches players with compatible trades.

4. Are there any version exclusives that are particularly difficult to obtain in Sun and Moon?

While version exclusives can be a hurdle, the GTS generally makes them accessible. However, some rarer version-exclusive Pokémon may require more patience and persistence to obtain.

5. What is the difference between the Alola Pokedex and the National Pokedex?

The Alola Pokedex focuses on the Pokémon that are native to the Alola region. The National Pokedex, on the other hand, includes all Pokémon from every generation of the game. You don’t need a National Dex to complete any game anymore.

6. Do Mythical Pokémon count towards Pokedex completion in Sun and Moon?

No, Mythical Pokémon are typically not required for Pokedex completion in most Pokémon games, including Sun and Moon. However, they may be required for post-game awards.

7. How does Island Scan work in Pokémon Sun and Moon?

Island Scan allows players to scan QR codes to encounter rare Pokémon that aren’t normally found in the Alola region. Scanning different QR codes will attract different Pokémon.

8. Is it easier to complete the Pokedex in Sun and Moon or Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon?

Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have a larger regional Pokedex than Sun and Moon, adding some extra Pokémon to the hunt. This makes Sun and Moon slightly easier for Pokedex completion.

9. What are some tips for efficient Pokedex completion in any Pokémon game?

Some general tips include:

Catch every new Pokémon you encounter.
Use the GTS to trade for Pokémon you are missing.
Take advantage of version exclusives.
Explore every area thoroughly.
Breed Pokémon to obtain baby Pokémon.
Trade with friends (if possible).

10. How long does it typically take to complete a Pokedex in Pokémon?

The time it takes to complete a Pokedex varies depending on the game, the player’s experience, and their dedication. It can range from around 50 hours to over 200 hours for more challenging Pokedexes.

11. What role does trading play in Pokedex completion?

Trading is crucial for Pokedex completion, especially for version exclusives and Pokémon that evolve through trading. The GTS and local trading options facilitate this process.

12. What are some of the most difficult Pokémon to evolve?

Some of the most difficult Pokémon to evolve include those that require specific items, high friendship levels, or unique locations. Some evolutions are time gated to day or night only.

13. What Pokémon is number 151 in the Pokedex?

In the original Kanto Pokedex, Mew is the 151st Pokémon.

14. Do shiny Pokémon count towards Pokedex completion?

No, shiny Pokémon do not count towards Pokedex completion. They are simply alternate color variations of regular Pokémon.

15. How have Pokedex completion methods changed across different Pokémon generations?

Pokedex completion methods have evolved significantly across different generations. Early games relied heavily on local trading and limited information. Later generations introduced features like the GTS, online databases, and more streamlined evolution methods, making Pokedex completion more accessible.

What is the easiest Pokedex to complete?