How to Find Rayquaza in Pokémon Ruby

Rayquaza is one of the most powerful legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Ruby, known as the guardian of the sky and a member of the Weather Trio alongside Groudon and Kyogre. Unlike the other two, Rayquaza is not part of the main story in Ruby, but can still be found and captured after completing certain tasks. This guide walks you step-by-step through locating and catching Rayquaza, who awaits you atop the mysterious Sky Pillar.

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Table of Contents

Step 1: Defeat the Elite Four and the Champion

The Sky Pillar will only be accessible after you’ve completed the main story, which means defeating the Elite Four and the Pokémon League Champion. You’ll also need two key items: the Mach Bike, which you can get from Rydel’s Bike Shop in Mauville City, and a Pokémon that knows Surf. Since these are required to finish the game, you should already have them by this point.

Step 2: Travel to Pacifidlog Town

The quickest route to Sky Pillar starts at Pacifidlog Town. Use Fly to get there, then Surf east along Route 131. Stay near the top edge of the water route until the path curves to the left. After navigating a few turns, you’ll reach a small island with a cave entrance. This is the base of the Sky Pillar. Enter the cave and make your way up the initial set of stairs to begin your ascent.

Step 3: Reach the Second Floor of Sky Pillar

Upon entering Sky Pillar, you’ll start on the ground floor. Getting to the second floor is straightforward—simply walk clockwise around the center structure to find the stairs. While not mandatory, using Repels can reduce the number of wild Pokémon encounters, making navigation easier. Continue moving clockwise until you ascend to the next floor.

Step 4: Navigate the Cracked Floor Tiles

On the second floor, you’ll encounter cracked floor tiles. These fragile tiles will break and send you back down if you walk or cycle slowly over them. To proceed, ride the Mach Bike at full speed and maintain momentum. The trick is to go around the floor in a clockwise direction without stopping until you reach the stairs to the third floor. Be sure to save your game before attempting this section to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Step 5: Master the Tricky Fourth Floor Section

The third and fourth floors contain more cracked tiles and obstacles. On floor four, you’ll find rocks blocking the path to the stairs. Use the Mach Bike again and aim to stop precisely on the middle cracked tile—landing on the incorrect one will make you fall and restart part of the route. If you fall, simply retrace your steps and go back up the staircases. Eventually, you’ll reach floor five where no cracked tiles are present. From here, walk, run, or ride your bike counter-clockwise to reach the stairs leading up.

Step 6: Save Your Game Before the Battle

Once you arrive at the top of Sky Pillar, Rayquaza will be waiting. Before you interact with it, save your game immediately. Rayquaza is a high-level Legendary Pokémon, and you only get one chance to catch it. If you accidentally knock it out or something goes wrong, you’ll want to reload your save and try again.

Step 7: Initiate the Battle with Rayquaza

Walk up to Rayquaza and press the A button to begin the battle. It appears at level 70, making it the highest-level wild Pokémon in the game. Be prepared for a tough fight—it has powerful moves and a strong stat distribution. Your battle strategy needs to account for its strength, speed, and resistance to many move types.

Step 8: Catching Rayquaza Successfully

To increase your chances of capturing Rayquaza, consider using status effects and HP-reducing moves. A move like False Swipe can reduce its HP to 1 without fainting it. Freezing or putting it to sleep will boost your catch rate significantly. Confuse Ray can also help to disrupt its attacks. Use Ultra Balls or Timer Balls depending on the length of the battle. Be patient—the capture may take several attempts, but with the right strategy, you’ll eventually catch it.

Conclusion

Capturing Rayquaza in Pokémon Ruby is a rewarding challenge that adds a powerful Legendary to your team. With careful planning, the right tools, and a little persistence, you can scale Sky Pillar and add this majestic dragon to your Pokédex. Don’t forget to save regularly and come prepared—you’ll want every advantage you can get.