Tall grass
Tall grass (Japanese: 草むら tall grass) is a mechanic in the Pokémon core series, and the habitat for many species of wild Pokémon. By moving around in patches of tall grass, a wild Pokémon may appear and begin to battle the player.
Tall grass is found on most routes of the Pokémon world, with some routes containing more tall grass patches than others. If the player enters a patch of tall grass, they may randomly enter a wild Pokémon battle. People are warned to stay out of tall grass if they don't have a Pokémon, due to the possibility of being attacked by wild Pokémon.
In Generation I and Generation II, using Cut causes the tall grass tile directly in front of the player to be cut down. In Generation III, this instead cuts down a 3×3 area around the player. In Generation II, long grass, such as that in the National Park, requires multiple uses to be cut down; in Generation III, it is instantaneous. From Generation IV onward, Cut has no effect on tall grass.
Differences between games
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Technical mechanics
Determining the rate of encounter
The probability (P) of encountering a Pokémon after taking a step in an area is determined by a simple mathematical formula:
P = x / 187.5
where x is one of the values below describing how rare Pokémon are in the area.
| Encounter rarity | x |
|---|---|
| Very common | 10 |
| Common | 8.5 |
| Semi-rare | 6.75 |
| Rare | 3.33 |
| Very rare | 1.25 |
Poké Radar
- Main article: Poké Radar
The Poké Radar is a device introduced in Generation IV that is used to seek out wild Pokémon hiding in long grass. If the Pokémon that is found is knocked out or captured in a Poké Ball, a chain will begin. These chains consist of multiple members of the same Pokémon species encountered one after another. The only catch is this: a player must not encounter any Pokémon just by walking through non-wiggling grass, only by walking into the grass that shakes. Therefore, it is recommended that Repel is used in order to ensure this and achieve a higher chain. Entering the same type of grassy patch the chain was started in that is the farthest away increases the chances of meeting the same kind of Pokémon consecutively. Long chains increase the chance of finding a Shiny Pokémon, which is indicated by the patch of grass glowing white twice rather than shaking. In Generation IV, long grass does not shake when the Poké Radar is used.
Alternative areas
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This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Long rustling grass; tall flowers; missing overworld sprites of long grass and seaweed from Generation VI |
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The picture used in this section is unsatisfactory. Please feel free to replace it so it conforms to Bulbapedia conventions. Reason: dark long grass for spring and summer are duplicates, even though they shouldn't be |
Long grass
Long grass (Japanese: 長い草むら long grass) is a type of tall grass that is taller than usual. These patches of grass have grown longer than the usual grass patches, containing different species of Pokémon. Prior to Generation VI, it was impossible to ride a bicycle through this type of grass (and impossible to run through it in Generation III). Some Trainers hide in the long grass patches, concealing themselves from view and surprising the player to a battle. Long grass was introduced in Generation II. In Johto, it appears in National Park; in Hoenn, it appears on Route 119, Route 120, Route 121ORAS, and the Hoenn Safari ZoneORAS; in Sinnoh, it appears on Route 210 and Route 214; in Unova, it appears on Route 7; and in Kalos, it appears on Route 6 and Route 16. It also appears on Faraway Island.
In Generation V, long grass can be normal or dark, and behaves just like standard grass: normal long grass can rustle, while dark long grass may cause double wild encounters to occur.
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Seaweed
Seaweed (Japanese: 海草 sea grass) is located underwater in Hoenn as an underwater equivalent to tall grass on land. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, seaweed can be found underwater on Routes 124 and 126. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, it appears underwater on Routes 107, 124, 126, 128, 129, and 130. The chance of encountering Pokémon in seaweed is lower than that of tall grass.
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Dark grass
Dark tall grass (Japanese: 濃い色の草むら dark tall grass) is exclusive to Generation V. In dark grass, not only are Pokémon found usually at much higher levels than those in regular grass, but there is a chance of encountering two wild Pokémon at a time, in a Double Battle. Pokémon encountered in dark grass are often similar to those found in normal grass areas of the route, but not identical (in particular, Pokémon encountered in dark grass may be slightly more difficult to catch). Often, Pokémon which are rare in normal grass are more common in dark grass.
Patches of dark grass are typically separated from patches of normal grass. Dark grass does not rustle. There is also long dark grass, which behaves like both types of grass simultaneously.
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Rustling grass
- Main article: Phenomenon
Rustling grass (Japanese: 揺れる草むら rustling tall grass) is found in Generation V, in virtually any area with patches of tall grass. Occasionally, a patch of grass can be seen shaking. Entering such a patch triggers a battle with a wild Pokémon. The Pokémon found in rustling grass differ from route to route, but all areas (except Route 19) contain Audino. In most areas, it is possible to encounter in rustling grass the evolved forms of Pokémon found in regular grass. Regular tall grass has a chance to start rustling for every step the player takes. Rustling grass will stop shaking if the player enters a battle, or if they leave the area (even if that specific grass patch remains on the screen). Dark grass does not rustle.
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Flowers
Flowers (Japanese: 花畑 flower bed) are a kind of overworld tile introduced in Generation VI that function like tall grass. Flowers may be found on Routes 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, along with the Pokémon Village, and can be yellow, red, or purple. The Pokémon that can be found in one color of flowers may be different than those found in another color or in tall grass; especially with Flabébé (whose flower generally matches which patch it is found in).
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In battle
Certain moves have special effects when used in a battle on a grass tile.
- Secret Power
- In Generation III
- In tall grass: has a 30% chance of poisoning its target and the appearance of Needle Arm
- In long grass: has a 30% chance of putting its target to sleep and the appearance of Magical Leaf
- In seaweed: has a 30% chance of lowering its target's Defense and the appearance of Waterfall
- In Generations IV and V: has a 30% chance of putting its target to sleep and the appearance of Needle Arm
- In Generation VI: has a 30% chance of putting its target to sleep and the appearance of Vine Whip
- In Generation III
- Nature Power
- In Generation III
- In tall or long grass: turns into Stun Spore
- In seaweed: turns into Hydro Pump
- In Generations IV and V: turns into Seed Bomb
- In Generation VI: turns into Energy Ball
- In Generation III
- Camouflage
- In grass: makes the user Grass-type
- In seaweed: makes the user Water-type
In other languages
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Tall grass
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Long grass
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Seaweed
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Dark tall grass
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Rustling grass
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Flowers
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| Special tiles in the Pokémon games |
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| Cave tile • Hole • Ice tile • Ledge • Marsh tile • Puddle • Sand tile • Snow tile Spin tile • Soft soil • Tall grass • Trap • Warp tile • Water tile Dungeon tile |
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This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |
