Hey guys! Want to snag those awesome Kanto starters – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (ORAS)? You're in the right place! This guide will walk you through exactly how to get your hands on these Gen 1 classics in the Hoenn region. Let's dive in!

Understanding the ORAS Postgame

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of acquiring these iconic Pokémon, it’s important to understand that you can only obtain them after you've completed the main storyline. That means you need to defeat the Elite Four and the Champion. Once you've done that, a whole new world of possibilities opens up, including the ability to catch these Kanto starters. The postgame in ORAS is rich with content, offering numerous legendary Pokémon encounters, challenging rematches, and of course, the chance to expand your team with some familiar faces from the Kanto region. Getting through the Elite Four is no small feat. Make sure your team is well-balanced, properly leveled (aim for level 50+), and equipped with appropriate moves to counter the diverse types you'll face. Don't forget to stock up on essential items like Hyper Potions, Full Restores, and Revives. It can be a tough battle, but trust me, it's worth it to unlock everything the postgame has to offer, including those Kanto starters we're all after. So, hang in there, trainers! Once you've conquered the Pokémon League, the real fun begins.

The Key: Professor Birch and the Starters

In ORAS, Professor Birch plays a crucial role in how you obtain the Kanto starters. After beating the Elite Four and watching the Delta Episode credits roll, return to Littleroot Town and visit Professor Birch's lab. He'll be in a bit of a pickle, as usual, being chased by a Pokémon. This time, he'll need your help to fend off either a Pikachu, a Torchic, or a Mudkip, depending on which starter you chose at the beginning of your adventure. After you rescue him, as a thank you, Professor Birch will let you choose one of the Kanto starters: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. This is a one-time opportunity, so choose wisely! Each of these Pokémon has its own strengths and weaknesses, and they can significantly impact your team composition. Bulbasaur evolves into Venusaur, a Grass/Poison type, which is great against Water, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon. Charmander evolves into Charizard, a Fire/Flying type, offering coverage against Grass, Bug, Steel, and Ice-type Pokémon. Squirtle evolves into Blastoise, a Water type, which is effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon. Consider which type you need most to balance your team, or simply choose your favorite – there's no wrong answer! Remember, this is your chance to add a piece of Pokémon history to your ORAS journey, so make it count!

Which Starter Should You Choose?

Choosing the right starter can be a tough decision, as each brings unique strengths to your team. Let's break it down:

• Bulbasaur: Venusaur, its final evolution, is a Grass/Poison type. This gives it an advantage against Water, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon. It's a solid choice if you need a reliable special attacker with good defensive capabilities. Venusaur also gets access to moves like Giga Drain and Sludge Bomb, making it a formidable opponent in battles. Furthermore, its Mega Evolution boosts its stats significantly, making it an even more powerful asset in your team.
• Charmander: Charizard, the Fire/Flying evolution, is a classic powerhouse. With a high Special Attack stat, it can deal significant damage with moves like Fire Blast and Air Slash. Charizard is particularly useful against Grass, Bug, Steel, and Ice-type Pokémon. Additionally, it has two Mega Evolutions: Mega Charizard X (Fire/Dragon) and Mega Charizard Y (Fire/Flying), each offering different stat distributions and abilities. This versatility makes Charizard a popular choice for many trainers.
• Squirtle: Blastoise, the Water-type final form, is a dependable choice with strong defensive stats. It excels against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon and can learn a variety of moves, including Water Pulse and Ice Beam. Blastoise's Mega Evolution further enhances its defensive capabilities, making it a tanky Pokémon that can withstand heavy hits. Its Mega Launcher ability boosts the power of pulse moves, adding another layer of strategic advantage.

Think about your current team composition and what type of coverage you need most. Do you lack a strong Grass-type? Bulbasaur might be the perfect fit. Need a powerful Fire-type attacker? Charmander could be your best bet. Or, if you're looking for a reliable Water-type with solid defenses, Squirtle is an excellent choice. Ultimately, the decision is yours, so go with the Pokémon that you feel will best complement your team and playstyle!

Breeding for More Starters

Okay, so you've picked your Kanto starter from Professor Birch. What if you want all three? Or maybe you want to get one with a specific nature or IVs? That’s where breeding comes in! Once you have your Kanto starter, you can breed it to get more. Here’s how:

1. Get a Ditto: Ditto is your best friend when it comes to breeding, especially if you want more of the same Pokémon. Ditto can breed with almost any Pokémon, regardless of its gender. You can find Ditto in the Mirage Cave near Fallarbor Town. Use the DexNav feature to make your search easier.
2. Head to the Day Care: Located on Route 117, the Day Care is where the magic happens. Deposit your Kanto starter (or its evolution) and Ditto. Make sure your starter and Ditto are compatible; Ditto can breed with almost anything. Leave them there for a while as you explore Hoenn.
3. Hatch the Egg: After walking around for a bit, the Day Care man will have an egg for you. Take the egg and keep it in your party. As you continue to explore, the egg will hatch. Voila! You have a new Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle.

Breeding is also a great way to get Pokémon with specific natures and IVs (Individual Values). Natures affect a Pokémon's stats, while IVs are like the Pokémon's genes, influencing how strong it can become. If you want to get really into competitive battling, breeding for the right nature and IVs is essential.

Using Everstones and Destiny Knots

To further optimize your breeding efforts, consider using Everstones and Destiny Knots:

• Everstone: If you want to ensure that the hatched Pokémon has the same nature as its parent, give the parent Pokémon an Everstone to hold. This will guarantee that the baby Pokémon inherits the parent's nature, which is crucial for competitive battling.
• Destiny Knot: IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that determine a Pokémon's potential. If you want to pass down IVs from the parents to the offspring, give one of the parents a Destiny Knot to hold. This will allow the baby Pokémon to inherit five IVs from either parent, making it much easier to breed Pokémon with high IVs.

With these tips, you can breed a whole team of Kanto starters with the perfect natures and IVs, ready to take on any challenge in the Hoenn region!

Trading with Other Players

Another way to get the Kanto starters in ORAS is through trading with other players. If you have friends who own ORAS or are part of online Pokémon communities, you can trade Pokémon to obtain the starters you're missing. Trading can be a quick and easy way to complete your collection of Kanto starters without having to rely solely on breeding.

Utilizing Online Forums and Communities

There are numerous online forums and communities dedicated to Pokémon trading. Websites like Reddit's r/PokemonTrades and various Discord servers provide platforms for players to connect and trade Pokémon. To find trading partners, you can create a post detailing which Kanto starters you need and what Pokémon you're willing to offer in return. Be sure to specify the nature, IVs, and any other relevant details about the Pokémon you're offering to make your trade more appealing.

Wonder Trade Considerations

While Wonder Trade is an option, it's generally not the most reliable method for obtaining specific Pokémon like Kanto starters. Wonder Trade involves randomly trading Pokémon with other players around the world, so the chances of receiving a specific starter are quite low. However, if you have extra Pokémon to spare and don't mind the element of surprise, you can try your luck with Wonder Trade. Just be prepared to receive a lot of common Pokémon before you find what you're looking for.

Transferring from Other Games

If you have access to other Pokémon games, such as the Virtual Console versions of Red, Blue, or Yellow, or even Pokémon X and Y, you can transfer Kanto starters to your ORAS game. This requires the use of Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter, which are services provided by Nintendo. Here's how to do it:

1. Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter: Pokémon Bank is a paid subscription service that allows you to store and manage your Pokémon online. Poké Transporter is a free application that works in conjunction with Pokémon Bank to transfer Pokémon from older games.
2. Transferring from Virtual Console Games: If you're transferring from the Virtual Console versions of Red, Blue, or Yellow, you'll need to use Poké Transporter to move the Pokémon to Pokémon Bank. From there, you can transfer them to your ORAS game using Pokémon Bank.
3. Transferring from Pokémon X and Y: If you're transferring from Pokémon X and Y, you can directly use Pokémon Bank to move the Pokémon to your ORAS game.

Keep in mind that transferred Pokémon may not have the same characteristics as Pokémon bred or caught in ORAS. For example, they may not have access to certain moves or abilities. However, transferring can be a convenient way to bring your favorite Kanto starters to the Hoenn region.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Getting the Kanto starters in ORAS is a fun and rewarding endeavor. Whether you choose to receive one from Professor Birch, breed your own, trade with friends, or transfer from other games, these classic Pokémon are well within your reach. Good luck on your Pokémon journey, and happy catching!