Generation III: Hoenn and the modern foundation

Updated on 2026-09-02

Generation III — Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald and the remakes Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire (Gen VI) — is where modern Pokémon truly begins.

What changed

• Abilities: every species gained a passive ability (Levitate, Intimidate, Torrent…).
• Natures: 25 natures that raise one stat by 10% and lower another.
• EVs in their current form: each defeated Pokémon grants distributable effort points, capped at 510.
• Double Battles: two-versus-two entered as an official format.

Those four changes still govern competitive play today.

Which to play

Emerald is the complete version: it merges Ruby and Sapphire content, adds the Battle Frontier, and lets you catch both box legendaries. ORAS modernises everything with 3D graphics, Mega Evolution and free flight across the region.

Recommended team

• Starter: Mudkip is the safest (Swampert is Water/Ground, with no exploitable double weakness except Grass 4×).
• Gardevoir or Gallade (via Ralts): versatile special/physical attackers.
• Aggron (via Aron): Steel/Rock with sky-high Defense.
• Flygon (via Trapinch): Ground/Dragon, immune to Electric.
• Salamence (via Bagon): a Dragon/Flying pseudo-legendary, one of the strongest of the generation.
• Metagross: the other pseudo-legendary, Steel/Psychic, an offensive wall.

Full list on the Generation III page.