Chapter 1
Ever since I was a child, I've dreamed of embarking on my own Pokémon journey, with one ultimate goal: to catch them all. That dream stayed with me as I grew, and now, I'm proud to share the story of how I achieved the incredible milestone of completing a Living Dex. It wasn't easy—it took dedication, strategy, and countless hours across every Pokémon game. But today, I'll take you on that journey, step by step. Let's get started!
To tackle this monumental quest, I decided to focus on 12 games that span the Pokémon franchise. My lineup includes: Let's Go Pikachu, Soul Silver, Alpha Sapphire, Shining Pearl, Black 2, Y, Ultra Moon, Sword, Shield, Legends Arceus, Scarlet, and Violet. The Gen 8 and Gen 9 games include their DLC expansions to ensure I can catch every Pokémon. To add to the challenge, I've set a strict rule: no external trades allowed. The only trades I'll use are in-game trades, which means I have to capture even the trade-evolution Pokémon by myself. I'm confident that with careful planning and strategy, every Pokémon can be captured with ease.
One of the first challenges I had to address was acquiring the Paldea starters: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. With Scarlet and Violet, I could obtain Sprigatito in Scarlet and Fuecoco in Violet. However, Quaxly presented a problem. Thankfully, I had Pokémon Home at my disposal, which allowed me to acquire Hidden Ability versions of all three starters, solving the issue efficiently. This ensured that I wouldn't miss any of the Paldea starters for my Living Dex.
When it comes to Mythical Pokémon, one of the first on my list was Mew. Thankfully, I had a Let's Go Pikachu save file, which made acquiring this elusive Pokémon a breeze. In Shining Pearl, players with save data from Let's Go Pikachu or Let's Go Eevee can receive a Mew in Floraroma Town. I made sure to take full advantage of this opportunity, adding Mew to my collection early in my journey. It felt rewarding to see this iconic Mythical Pokémon join my Living Dex, especially as a tribute to the original Pokémon games.
Another Mythical Pokémon I needed for my Living Dex was Celebi. Fortunately, I already had one in my Alpha Sapphire save file. Back during the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, an event distributed Celebi to celebrate the milestone, and I made sure to claim it at the time. This timeless Mythical Pokémon has always been a favorite of mine, with its connection to time travel and the Johto region. Transferring Celebi into my Living Dex was not only a practical step but also a nostalgic reminder of that special anniversary event and my dedication to Pokémon over the years.
Jirachi, another essential Mythical Pokémon for my Living Dex, was thankfully easy to obtain. Since I had a save file from Sword or Shield, I could claim Jirachi in Shining Pearl by visiting Floraroma Town. This feature made the process straightforward, allowing me to add the Wish Pokémon to my collection without any complications. Jirachi's rarity and charm have always made it a standout in the Pokémon universe, so securing it for my Living Dex felt like a significant achievement. It's moments like these that remind me how interconnected the Pokémon games have become over time.
Some Mythical Pokémon, such as Deoxys, the Gen 4 Mythicals (Darkrai, Shaymin, and Arceus), Keldeo, and Meloetta, were easy to capture during my Living Dex journey. These Pokémon are available directly in their respective games, making them straightforward additions. Deoxys can be obtained in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire after the main story, while the Gen 4 Mythicals are accessible through in-game events in Legends Arceus. Keldeo is available in Sword and Shield, and Meloetta can be found in Scarlet and Violet. Their in-game availability ensured that completing this part of the Living Dex was a smooth process.
Genesect, another Mythical Pokémon on my Living Dex checklist, was acquired the same way as Celebi. During the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, an event distributed Genesect alongside other Mythical Pokémon to commemorate the occasion. I made sure to claim it in Alpha Sapphire back then, knowing how rare it would be to encounter otherwise. This futuristic Bug- and Steel-type Pokémon, with its unique history and powerful Techno Blast, has always been a fascinating addition to any collection. Transferring Genesect into my Living Dex was both a nostalgic nod to that anniversary event and a satisfying step in my journey.
When it came to the Legendary Pokémon Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Marshadow, and Zarude, I relied on special movie distributions to obtain them. These Mythicals were part of promotional events tied to Pokémon movies, and I've kept them safe over the years. Before starting any new save files for my Living Dex journey, I made sure to transfer them to Pokémon Bank and later to Pokémon Home, just as I did with Celebi and Genesect. This careful preparation ensured that these rare Pokémon remained a part of my collection, ready to join my Living Dex without any issues.
Zeraora, one of the standout Mythical Pokémon in my Living Dex, came from a special event in Sword and Shield. During the Wild Area News event, players were challenged to defeat Zeraora in Max Raid Battles. Thanks to the collective effort of over one million players, a Shiny Zeraora was distributed as a reward. To claim it, I ensured I met the event requirements by depositing a Pokémon in Pokémon Home or transferring one to Sword or Shield during the event window. Redeeming this Shiny Zeraora was a highlight of my journey.
Meltan and Melmetal were unique additions to my Living Dex journey. To obtain Meltan, I used the Mystery Box in Pokémon Go, which allows players to attract and catch this special Mythical Pokémon. After catching a Meltan, I transferred it to Pokémon Home. As a reward for this transfer, I received a Mystery Gift containing Melmetal, completing both entries with ease. This process not only added two fascinating Pokémon to my collection but also showcased the seamless integration between Pokémon Go and Pokémon Home, which made acquiring these Mythicals a straightforward and enjoyable experience.
And that's the story of how I obtained all the Mythical Pokémon for my Living Dex. From event distributions to in-game captures, each of these Pokémon carries a story and memory that makes my journey special. By carefully preserving these Pokémon—Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Marshadow, Zarude, Shiny Zeraora, Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Genesect, Meltan, and Melmetal—in Pokémon Home, I ensured they would remain a part of my collection as I embarked on this incredible challenge. Alongside them, I kept my Hidden Ability Quaxly in Pokémon Home, resolving the issue of acquiring all the Paldea starters.
With these Mythical Pokémon and Quaxly safely stored, I restarted all 12 games, ready to rebuild my Living Dex from scratch. Though it felt bittersweet to start over, I knew this challenge was the culmination of years of dedication and passion for Pokémon. Keeping these Mythical Pokémon in Pokémon Home was a reminder of all the milestones I had already achieved. They were more than just entries in my Dex—they were symbols of the effort and joy that define my journey.
As I began anew with Let's Go Pikachu, Soul Silver, Alpha Sapphire, Shining Pearl, Black 2, Y, Ultra Moon, Sword, Shield, Legends Arceus, Scarlet, and Violet, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. Completing the Living Dex wasn't just about catching Pokémon—it was about the adventure, the memories, and proving to myself that I could accomplish this dream. With Pokémon Home as my anchor, I took the first steps on this ambitious journey, determined to catch them all and create a story worth telling.
Rule 1: Forms don't count unless they have a different moveset. For example, Rattata and Alolan Rattata have distinct movesets, so I will capture each of them. However, Pokémon like Unown and Arceus don't have different movesets between their forms, so I won't capture 28 Unowns or 18 Arceus for the Living Dex.
Despite this rule, there are exceptions: I will not capture multiple forms of Pokémon such as Hoopa, Deoxys, or Shaymin, even though they have multiple movesets. This decision is based on practicality and maintaining focus on completing the Dex without unnecessary duplication.
This rule means that for each of the 12 games I play, I aim to capture around 90 Pokémon, ensuring a balanced and efficient journey toward completing the Living Dex. By following this guideline, I keep the challenge manageable while still honoring the variety and complexity of the Pokémon world. This approach helps streamline the process and makes every capture count toward achieving my ultimate goal.
Rule 2: I will play through each game from the beginning to the post-game. This means I will experience the full adventure of each title, from earning Gym Badges and challenging the Elite Four to exploring the additional content unlocked after the credits roll. The full journey is an essential part of completing my Living Dex, as many Pokémon are only available during specific stages of the game or in the post-game.
However, to keep the challenge manageable, I've decided to avoid Pokémon with encounter rates below 10%, unless they are absolutely necessary to complete the Dex. Hunting Pokémon with extremely low spawn rates can be incredibly time-consuming, and this rule allows me to focus on steady progress rather than getting bogged down by rare encounters. If an essential Pokémon happens to fall into this category, I will prioritize efficiency, using in-game tools like Repels or lures to streamline the process.
This rule strikes a balance between completing the Living Dex authentically and respecting my time. By adhering to this guideline, I can enjoy the full experience of each game without unnecessary frustration, ensuring that my journey remains fun and rewarding.
Rule 3: I will not use Wonder Trades or the Global Trade System (GTS) to complete my Living Dex. Every Pokémon in my collection will be captured or obtained within the game itself. This rule adds an extra layer of challenge and ensures that my journey is truly my own.
Trade evolutions, which typically require trading with another player, are no exception. Thankfully, I've devised strategies to capture these Pokémon directly in-game without relying on trades. In Ultra Moon, I can use the SOS mechanic, which allows certain Pokémon, including trade evolutions, to appear in wild encounters. In Sword and Shield, many trade-evolved Pokémon can be found in the wild, especially in the expansive Wild Area and Crown Tundra DLC. Finally, in Legends Arceus, the Link Cable item makes trade evolutions straightforward by eliminating the need for trading altogether.
This approach ensures that every Pokémon in my Living Dex is obtained authentically and independently, staying true to the spirit of my journey. It also highlights the creative solutions each game offers for players who prefer to complete their Pokédex without external assistance. By following this rule, I can enjoy the satisfaction of building my Living Dex entirely on my own terms.
With these rules in place, I feel prepared to tackle the monumental challenge of completing my Living Dex. Every aspect of this journey has been carefully planned to ensure it remains both rewarding and authentic. From preserving my Mythical Pokémon in Pokémon Home to strategizing around tricky trade evolutions and rare encounters, every step is part of a greater adventure.
The rules I've set—avoiding unnecessary forms, playing through each game thoroughly, and capturing trade evolutions independently—are designed to keep the process challenging yet manageable. They also honor the core spirit of Pokémon: exploration, determination, and the joy of discovery. By limiting shortcuts like Wonder Trades and GTS, I stay true to my goal of completing this Dex with my own efforts, ensuring every Pokémon has a story behind its capture.
As I stand at the beginning of this journey, restarting each of the 12 games with my plan in mind, I'm filled with excitement. This isn't just about catching Pokémon; it's about celebrating the adventure, the challenges, and the memories created along the way. With my rules as a guide and my passion driving me forward, I'm ready to begin this incredible challenge of completing the ultimate Living Dex.