Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions: Difference between revisions

Ruby and Sapphire introduced [[Ability|Abilities]] for each Pokémon, such as non Flying-type Pokémon being {{a|Levitate|immune to Ground-type attacks}}, or a Pokémon's [[Same-type attack bonus|STAB]] attacks being {{a|Blaze|boosted when}} {{a|Torrent|their HP}} {{a|Overgrow|is low}}, even the ability to absorb certain attacks and {{a|Volt Absorb|recover HP}} or {{a|Flash Fire|boost a stat}}. The introduction of Abilities added new depths of strategy to the battle system.

Ruby and Sapphire also introduced [[Nature]]s for Pokémon. Natures shift the stats (excluding HP) of Pokémon by subtracting 10% in one stat, and adding that 10% to another. For example, a Modest nature means 10% will be subtracted from the {{stat|Attack}} stat of a Pokémon, and 10% will be added to the {{stat|Special Attack}} stat. This mechanic allowed for levels of customization not previously seen.

Ruby and Sapphire are the games that introduced [[Double Battle]]s. These types of battles are heavier on strategy than usual because each Trainer battles using two Pokémon at a time, so the Abilities and moves of all Pokémon on the field have to be considered.

Ruby and Sapphire were the first in the series to offer a secondary means of interacting with Pokémon, in the form of Pokémon Contests. In Contests the goal is to show off the abilities of a Pokémon in the various categories ({{OBP|Beauty|condition}}, {{OBP|Cool|condition}}, {{OBP|Cute|condition}}, {{OBP|Smart|condition}} and {{OBP|Tough|condition}}) after winning a Contest in a certain category the player and Pokémon advance to the next rank in that category (Normal, Super, Hyper, and Master). This also brought about the first confectionery goods that could be made by the player and fed to their Pokémon, [[Pokéblock]]s.

These games were also the first to offer [[Ribbon]]s to the player's Pokémon for achieving various goals, or to commemorate special events in the game, including winning in Pokémon Contests, beating the Champion, and maxing out the EVs of a Pokémon.