SoulGold FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Basics

Where do I download Pokémon SoulGold?

Only from Hackdex. The official FAQ says other sources are unofficial and may be out of date. You patch your own Pokémon Emerald ROM in the browser. Download guide

Are saves compatible between versions?

Saves are always forward-compatible: you can update to v1.2 and keep your save. Going back to an older version from a newer one is not supported. Changelog

Are there any cheats?

No. The official FAQ says cheats are not supported, are likely to corrupt your save, and third-party sites offering them should not be trusted. Legit in-game shortcuts

What are the level caps?

12, 19, 26, 34, 42, 45, 48, 55 (Rocket takeover event cap), 58, 62 (Until you catch Ho-Oh or Lugia), 70 (Until you become the Champion). Level caps are optional. Walkthrough

What does Hard mode change?

Gym battles are double battles unless another setting forces singles, and trainers without pre-assigned moves generate slightly smarter movepools based on your progress.

Is there a Kanto region?

No. Official FAQ: “No kanto, pure Johto focus.”

When is morning, day, evening, and night?

Morning 06:00–10:00, Day 10:00–19:00, Evening 19:00–20:00, Night 20:00–06:00, in game time.

When does DexNav unlock?

After obtaining the first set of Poké Balls. Unregister a species from the DexNav screen.

Story progression and key items

Do HMs need to be taught?

No. You only need to own the HM and the matching badge. After getting Fly, you can also fly from the Region Map in the Pokégear.

Where are Strength and Waterfall?

Strength is in the Olivine Cafe. Waterfall is in the Ice Path.

How do I open Whitney’s gym?

Complete the quiz on the first floor of the Radio Tower.

How do I remove the tree after the third gym?

Get the Squirtbottle from the Goldenrod Flower Shop next to the gym.

What is the Candy Jar?

After the first gym, Elm’s aide gives it with the egg. It stores extra battle EXP and converts it to Exp Candy when used. The Exp. Share comes right before Violet City.

When do I get the Mega Ring?

After the Team Rocket takeover in Goldenrod. Mega evolve by pressing Start on the move select screen while holding the matching stone. Elm gives your starter’s Mega Stone or Bondstone later in the story. Mega Evolutions

When do the Safari Zone expansions unlock?

The second area opens before you enter the Ice Path; the third after you exit Tohjo Falls.

Pokémon, shinies, and encounters

How do I get the other starters?

From the Gachapon in the Goldenrod Casino, behind the rewards counter. 3,000 coins is the minimum; more coins lower the chance of a duplicate. The Coin Case is in Goldenrod Underground. Starters guide

What are the shiny odds?

1/256 by default, adjustable to 1/512 or 1/1024 in the options. Eggs show blue dots if shiny. There are no shiny locks, and NPC trades can be shiny. Since v1.2, shiny parents boost egg odds. Shiny hunting

How do Hidden Grottos work?

Contents respawn once a day, or with the Beckoning Bell from the Battle Factory after Gym 3. Grotto Pokémon have their Hidden Ability and at least two perfect IVs. Grotto locations

Where are regional forms and fossils?

Most regional forms are in Baoba’s Safari Zone, though several appear earlier. Smash rocks in the Ruins of Alph for fossils and revive them in the nearby lab. Baby forms need incense when breeding.

How do I change Rotom’s form?

Show a Rotom to the guard on the first floor of the Goldenrod Apartment building to open the basement with the appliances.

Training and customization

Do types or base stats change?

No type or BST changes during the main game; some Pokémon gain an extra type from an innate in the postgame. Some Pokémon learn extra moves, such as Attack Order on Beedrill.

Why do innates unlock so late?

They are postgame progression. You can turn them on early from the bookcase behind the starter case in Elm’s lab (not the intended experience), or disable them with the Artifact of Order on the right bookcase.

How do I raise IVs and EVs?

Feathers from fishing and the Battle Factory raise an IV by 5 per use; Hyper Training with Bottle Caps is in Rinto Village. Power items are buffed and sold in Goldenrod, vitamins are not capped at 100 EVs, and EX vitamins max a stat instantly.

Where are mints, tutors, and ability changes?

Mints: Olivine beach cafe. All tutor moves: Olivine top-right house, 44,444. All egg moves: Blackthorn, 88,888. Abilities: Battle Factory after Gym 3.

Postgame and optional battles

How do I get Dive?

Complete the Mt. Silver event in the postgame, then talk to your rival in their house to start the questline that ends with Dive.

Where are the Gym Leader rematches?

Falkner: Violet City school. Bugsy: National Park. Whitney: Goldenrod Dept. Store. Morty: Bellchime Trail. Chuck: Route 47 bridge. Jasmine: Olivine cafe. Pryce: Lake of Rage. Clair: Dragon’s Den cave.

Where are the Route Experts?

Route 31, Goldenrod Shore, Route 47, Route 43, and Route 27.

How do I get Arceus?

Complete the Pokédex by catching all 608 non-legendary, non-mythical Pokémon, then see Professor Oak in Radio Tower 2F. Legendary locations