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Pokémon X / Pokémon Y – Cheats, Tips, and Tricks Guide

It's finally arrived – the newest addition the Pokémon franchise. Over 4 million gamers have picked up the game and are already starting their quest to become the best Pokémon trainer in Kalos. To help out our fledgling Pokémon trainers, we've created a guide including some of the best cheats, tips, and tricks found in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Whether you are a Pokémon novice or seasoned expert, you'll find something useful below.

Pokemon X and Y (3DS) Guide Screenshots

Choose Your Starter Wisely

Like the other Pokémon games, you have to choose one of three starting Pokémon. They are Grass, Fire, and Water type. Each Pokémon will also get a second type when they get to their third and final evolution: Fennekin will be Fire/Psychic, Froakie will be Water/Dark, and Chespin will be Grass/Fighting. Keep this in mind when you are deciding which Pokémon to raise as you go along, and remember that these elements may come handy in certain Pokémon battles.

Choose Your Second Starter Wisely!

Yes, you read that right. When you meet up with Professor Sycamore, he'll let you choose another starter Pokémon – Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. Choose wisely – getting one that is the opposite of your first starter can give you an excellent advantage.

Be Prepared for the First Gym

The first gym battle can be tricky. Be aware that the first gym leader will use Bug-type Pokemon, which are weak to fire. Fennekin can destroy them if you have a fire attack already, but the gym leader will also occasionally use water attacks, which will be super effective. Come up with a strategy before you rush in.

Take Advantage of Experience Boosts

Unlike the other Pokémon games, you will now get experience when you catch Pokémon in a Poké Ball. EXP Share is also available in X & Y, but it has a twist. Instead of equipping a Pokémon with it, placing it in your bag distributes experience to the whole team, as long as they aren't fainted. You can turn the item on and off as needed. Use this to your advantage.

Check the Shops Daily

Pokémon X and Pokémon Y are the first games in the series to let you change your avatar's clothing. Clothing boutiques are located in five cities in Kalos: Santalune, Cyllage, Laverre, Anistar, and Snowbelle. The stock in the shops will change daily, so make a trip if you want to find some unique clothes for your trainer.

Use O-Powers

O-Powers are a new addition to this game. O-Powers give you a special effect, and you can also give effects to other players. They can be really beneficial for your Pokémon. Find O-Powers in the Player Search System and use them right from the start.

Have Fun With Hordes

Hordes are another new addition to the Pokémon series. Sometimes, in tall grass, trainers may encounter a Pokémon battle with up to 5 enemy Pokémon. This is an interesting new way to battle. You can still catch Pokémon you encounter in a horde, but you must defeat the other four first.

Pokemon X and Y (3DS) Guide Screenshots

Evolving Eevee

Similar to the previous Pokémon games, you'll need to find the Moss Rock and Ice Rock to evolve Eevee into Leafeon or Glaceon. In X & Y, the Ice Rock can be found first, in the Frost Cavern. It's in the deepest part of the cave. The Moss Rock is later on, found on Route 20. Enter Route 20 from Snowbelle City to find it.

Eevee also has a new fairy type evolution called Sylveon. To get this evolution, you need to use the Pokemon-Amie system. First, make sure your Eevee has a fairy type move. Then, max out their affection using Pokemon-Amie. Level up Eevee in any battle and they will evolve into Sylveon. 

Super Training Mode

If you hit the L button on your 3DS or 2DS, you will enter Super Training Mode. In this mode, your Pokémon train using punching bags, and you can play mini-games to help them gain stat boosts. If your Pokémon are asleep, tap them to wake them up.

Getting the Master Ball

The Master Ball allows you to catch any Pokémon without bringing their health down. It is an instant success, assuming the Pokémon can be caught (so don't use it in a trainer battle!). In X & Y, the ball is give you to by the boss at the Pokémon Factory if you help him out. You have the choice between a Gold Nugget and the ball – take the ball and he'll give you the nugget anyway!

Use Pokemon-Amie

If you want to give your Pokémon a better edge in battle, use the Pokémon-Amie. Choose a Pokémon you want to bond with and pet them. Experiment how and where to pet the Pokémon, as they all like something different. Look for little hearts floating off them to know you're doing it right. If your Pokémon has had enough petting, you can also play with them or feed them Poké Puffs. Look at their status to see what they want. A fully bonded Pokémon will excel in battle!

Free Berries

There is a stall in Courmarine City where you can get a free berry daily. The berry is free, but you will be asked if you want to leave a tip after you grab it!

Find Sky Battles

Sky Battles are another new Pokémon X and Pokémon Y feature. You'll find them all across Kalos, and in order to participate in them, you need at least one flying Pokémon in your party. Find your first Sky Battle at Route 11, near the Glittering Cave, or by the Ice Cavern.

Pokemon X and Y (3DS) Guide Screenshots

Acquiring the Elusive Mewtwo

Mewtwo can be found and captured in this Pokémon game. You'll find him at the Pokémon Village after you defeat the Elite Four. Use surf to cross the stream and find the cave beyond. He's waiting right inside, so be prepared. At level 70, he's tough to capture – use your Master Ball or stock up on Ultra Balls and whittle him down as much as possible.

Discover the Fossils

Like other Pokémon games, X & Y has two fossil Pokémon you can discover. You will only be able to pick one: Tyrunt or Amaura. You'll get to choose in the Glittering Cave. The Jaw Fossil gives you Tyrunt, and the Sail Fossil gives you Amaura.

Checking Out the Past

In Laverre City, there is a woman who will tell you how you beat all the Gym Leaders and what Pokémon you used. This is a neat way to look back at your progress. It can also help you determine which Pokémon are your strongest for upcoming battles.

A Free Lapras

Lapras is a water type Pokémon, and players could get it for free in Pokémon Red and Blue. You can get another free Lapras in X & Y. Go to Route 12, and there will be a man who no longer has room for his Lapras. Make sure you have a space in your team and he'll give the Pokémon to you!

The Daily Pokemon

Professor Sycamore's aide likes to see a different Pokémon daily. After defeating the Elite Four, visit him on the second floor of the Pokémon Lab in Lumiose City. Bringing him the Pokémon he wants to see will earn you special items.

Use Incense

Like other Pokémon games, you can use incense to help your Pokémon breed at the Pokémon Daycare. You can purchase incense and learn more about the different kinds in Coumarine City.

Learn Your Pokémon's Memories

The Memory Girl in Anistar City will talk to your Pokémon and learn their memories. She might tell you what your Pokémon thinks about decisions you made or how they felt during a certain battle. 

Finding Legendary Pokémon Zygarde

Pokémon X & Pokémon Y each have their own respective legendary Pokémon, but there is a third legendary Pokémon on both games. Zygarde is in the Terminus Cave off of Route 18. This is a really long dungeon, so bring items and strong Pokémon. Zygarde is level 70, so be prepared for a long battle. You could also use your Master Ball.

Daily TM Moves

In Anistar City, there is a girl who will a free TM if you talk to her. If you return to talk to her daily, she'll have more TMs for your Pokémon. Make sure you don't visit her at the same time each day. 

Explore the Friend Safari

After defeating the Elite Four, you can explore the Friend Safari in Kiloude City. For every friend code you have registered, you can go to a different safari location and catch Pokémon. The friend codes don't have to be Pokémon X & Y specific, although if you friend plays Pokémon, you'll get a chance to catch more Pokémon.

The Poke-Radar

The Poke-Radar is a very handy key item that you can get after defeating the Elite Four. After becoming the champion, go back to the Pokémon Lab in Lumiose City and talk to Professor Sycamore's aide. He'll give you the radar, which tells you where Pokémon are hiding in the tall grass.