PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Rayquaza is a Legendary Monster who will make mincemeat of the Elite 4, and any other trainer you face. Capturing it is a two-step process, as you can't actually get it the first time you see it. However, once you awaken it and see it in action in Sootopolis Town, you can return to the spot of your first meeting to capture Rayquaza.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Covering the Prerequisites

PDF download Download Article
  1. You won't unlock these two areas until later in the game, so if you can't yet go to Pacifidlog town as part of the main quest, you can't get Rayquaza just yet.
    • Pacifidlog town is west of Route 131, and is encountered later in the game than most areas.[1]
  2. If you don't have a Mach Bike, you can't catch Rayquaza at all, as there are weak spots in the floor that will sink you if aren't going full speed on the bike.
    Advertisement
  3. " You'll need to hit the ocean in order to get to Rayquaza, but this should be common by the time you're ready to fight the beast. If you don't have a Pokémon in your party with Surf, grab one from earlier in your adventures.
  4. Rayquaza is the most powerful natural Pokémon you'll find in the game and is already at lv70 when you encounter it. In order to weaken it enough to capture it, you'll need some Pokémon that can hold their own against a high-level monster.[2]
    • You can get Rayquaza either before or after the Elite 4, it is your choice.
  5. This is probably your best chance to use the Master Ball, which will capture Rayquaza automatically, no questions asked. But if you don't have it anymore, Ultra Balls will do, so long as you have a strong team capable of weakening it first.
  6. Status-effecting moves that inflict sleep, freeze, or paralyze make it much, much easier to successfully capture the Legendary Monster, and they prevent it from fighting back for a few turns. Note, of course, that the higher-level the Pokémon using the move is, the more likely it will succeed.
    • You can use moves like Sleep Powder, Blizzard, or Thunder Wave to inflict these statuses.
  7. In the main quest, you'll meet Rayquaza the first time you go to Sky Pillar. It'll immediately fly away, but you see it again later when he fights Kyogre and Groudon. In this necessary cut-scene (unlocked by flying to Sootopolis after awakening Rayquaza), Rayquaza appears and breaks up the fight, then flies away. As soon as this is finished, you can return to the Sky Pillar to catch Rayquaza for real.
    • If you haven't gotten this far in the quest, you can't catch Rayquaza.[3]
  8. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Capturing Rayquaza

PDF download Download Article
  1. From the Pokecenter in the middle of town, head up to the upper right, skirting through the small "maze" of rocks to reach the cave just northeast of town.[4]
  2. The Sky Pillar is a small stage, with two doors on the top of the screen. Use them to move up to the top layer. Whenever you see cracks on the floor, use the Mach Bike to quickly skate over them without stopping. You'll fall through if you try to walk or stop.
    • The Sky Pillar stages are filled with strong Pokemon, but they can be avoided if you use a Max Repel. This is a good way to save your Pokemon's HP for the big battle with Rayquaza later.
  3. You only get one chance to catch Rayquaza, so you need to make sure you save in case you fail the first time. If it escapes, defeats you, or faints, you're out of luck. That is, unless you can re-load the save right before the fight.[5]
  4. Moves like "False Swipe" and "Tackle" are good for dealing only a little damage at a time, preventing you from accidentally knocking it out and never catching Rayquaza.
    • If you're throwing the Master Ball, toss it out on the very first turn. It will capture Rayquaza automatically for you!
  5. Throw down one of these status-affecting moves, then just start chucking. Keep in mind that Ultra Balls don't get better the more you throw them—it ultimately depends on the Pokémon's HP going down in order for the catch rate to become more likely.
  6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Do I need to beat the Elite 4 before catching Rayquaza?
    Lugia2453
    Lugia2453
    Top Answerer
    No, you can do it before even facing Juan (the 8th gym leader).
  • Question
    What moves does Rayquaza have?
    Blubb lé Blubb
    Blubb lé Blubb
    Community Answer
    In the original Pokemon Emerald Edition, Rayquaza has Fly, Rest, Extremespeed, and Outrage. In ORAS, Rayquaza has Extremespeed, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Dance, and Dragon Ascent.
  • Question
    I have a Froakie. Do I need a Swampert to catch Rayquaza?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you're in ORAS, you can only get Ray after beating the game and getting to the end of Delta Episode.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Video

Tips

Show More Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Rayquaza has extremely good moves; Outrage, Fly, Extreme speed and Rest (All of the Emerald legend trio have Rest). Make sure you're ready.
  • Keep in mind that all three Pokémon of the land, sea, and air have a level of 70.
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • A lot of Ultra Balls, Timer Balls, or one Master Ball
  • Around 25 Full Restores or 20 Hyper Potions (it may depend on what level your Pokémon are)
  • Pokémon Emerald for Nintendo GBA
  • A compatible gaming system, a DS (lite or original), or a Game Boy Advance

You Might Also Like

Play on a Game Boy Advance SPPlay on a Game Boy Advance SP
Find Shiny PokémonFind Shiny Pokémon
Catch Rayquaza in Pokémon Ruby And SapphireCatch Rayquaza in Pokémon Ruby And Sapphire
Catch the Shiny Haxorus in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Catch a Shiny Haxorus: A Foolproof Tutorial
Get to the Sky Pillar in EmeraldGet to the Sky Pillar in Emerald
Get the Three Regis in Pokémon EmeraldGet the Three Regis in Pokémon Emerald
Get HM Rock Smash in Pokémon EmeraldGet HM Rock Smash in Pokémon Emerald
Get Cut in Pokémon EmeraldGet Cut in Pokémon Emerald
Catch Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre in Pokémon EmeraldCatch Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre in Pokémon Emerald
Catch Feebas in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and EmeraldA Complete Walkthrough to Catching Feebas
Find the Regis in Pokémon EmeraldFind the Regis in Pokémon Emerald
Get a Water Stone in Pokémon EmeraldGet a Water Stone in Pokémon Emerald
Get Crobat in Pokémon EmeraldGet Crobat in Pokémon Emerald
Catch the 3 Regis in Pokémon Sapphire or RubyCatch the 3 Regis in Pokémon Sapphire or Ruby
Advertisement

About This Article

Ishrak
Reviewed by:
Gaming & Video Expert
This article was reviewed by Ishrak. Ishrak is a Gaming & Video Expert specializing in sharing Pokémon and Minecraft videos. With over eight years of gaming and streaming experience, Ishrak has a follower base of over 35,000 YouTube subscribers and over 8 million views. He is also a Pokémon ROM-Hacker and some of his most popular videos highlight tips and advice for people learning how to play Pokémon games. This article has been viewed 913,316 times.
106 votes - 87%
Co-authors: 47
Updated: November 13, 2024
Views: 913,316
Article SummaryX

1. Fly to Pacifidlog Town.
2. Surf to the cave to the northeast.
3. Use the Match Bike to reach the top of the Sky Pillar.
4. Save the game before fighting.
5. Weaken Rayquaza to the lower yellow or red section.
6. Put it to sleep, paralyze, or freeze it.
7. Throw Ultra Balls until you capture Rayquaza.

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 913,316 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Ne

    Ne

    Jun 22, 2017

    "It helped me to find it and catch it!"
    Rated this article:
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Advertisement