Are you confused as to how to get hidden ability in Pokemon Emerald? Let’s find out if this is achievable in the game.
Back when Pokemon Emerald was released, there were many exciting and game-changing features that came with it. From the new phone feature and Pokemon contests to the 2v2 battles and the Battle Frontier.
But are hidden abilities one of them? Trainers all over the world have been searching for how to get hidden abilities in Pokemon Emerald.
In this article, we’ll be answering this query, from the availability of hidden abilities in this generation to what you can do to “get” it. So grab your Pokegear and let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How to Get Hidden Ability in Pokemon Emerald?
The short answer is you can’t. Hidden Abilities were first introduced in Gen 5 (Black and White) so you can’t legally get them in Pokemon Emerald, which is a Gen 3 game.
However, there are Pokemon Emerald ROM hacks with updated game mechanics, such as hidden abilities.
Another thing you can do if ROM hacks aren’t your thing is to use PKHex. Read our tutorial on the related articles to learn how to use the save editor application.
Related Articles:
- How to Use Pokemon Emerald Cheats
- 10 Best Pokemon Emerald ROM Hacks
- Pokemon Mega Hoenn Adventures Cheats
- How to Do Pokemon Emerald’s Pokemon Duplication Glitch
- How to Use PKHex
Here are awesome ROM hacks that I’ve played that incorporated hidden abilities into their gameplay:
- Pokemon Moon Emerald – A great ROM hack with Pokemon from various gens and hidden abilities added.
- Hyper emerald 807 – This is a Chinese ROM hack partially translated into English. Some Pokemon have hidden abilities in this game.
- Nameless FireRed Project – A Gen 3 ROM hack that features grottos where you can get Hidden Ability Pokemon just like in Black 2 and White 2.
- Dark Rising Series – They incorporate hidden abilities into these hacks and egg moves are learnable without breeding as well.
What Is a Hidden Ability?
Hidden Abilities are super rare abilities that a Pokemon does not normally have. It works like the normal abilities we know, but not all Pokemon have it.
It is an extra ability option that is harder to acquire and sometimes better than the standard ability of the Pokemon.
Standard abilities can change as the Pokemon evolves. Similarly, their hidden ability can also change.
For example, a Caterpie has the standard ability Shield Dust. But starting in Generation 5, there’s a chance that a Caterpie will have a Hidden Ability called Run Away.
This Hidden Ability is useless at first and when it evolves into Metapod, it goes back to its standard ability Shed Skin.
However, when it evolves into Butterfree, it won’t get its normal ability Compound Eyes. Instead, it will gain a new Hidden Ability called Tinted Lens, which doubles the damage from any moves Butterfree uses that are “not very effective”.
The Hidden Ability feature is still used in newer generations like Scarlet and Violet but is unavailable in Emerald or older games.
How to Get a Hidden Ability?
Across different generations, there have been various methods of getting hidden abilities. But so far, there are two main ways.
First, you can get or capture a Pokemon that already has a hidden ability or you can breed one.
Pokemon MMOs and competitive battle simulators allow you to modify your Pokemon’s abilities anytime.
Here are different ways of getting Hidden Ability Pokemon on different Pokemon games:
Generation V (Black, White, Black 2, White 2)
- Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 featured Hidden Grottos where players can find Pokemon with hidden abilities or items. However, the contents or encounters are random.
- Getting a Pokemon from Entree Forest (Obtained through Pokemon Global Link). They always have it as long as that specific species has a hidden ability.
- Getting a Pokemon from the Pokémon Dream Radar. However, this was discontinued in 2023.
Generation VI (Pokemon X and Y)
- Pokemon encountered in herds have a chance of having their hidden ability.
- Hidden Pokemon. Sometimes a Pokemon will partially reveal itself to the trainer’s view in the overworld. These hidden Pokemon have a ⅓ chance of having their hidden ability.
Generation VII (Pokemon Sun and Moon)
- Transferring Pokemon from Generation I or Generation II. Gen 7 allowed players to transfer their Pokemon from the virtual console versions of Generation I or Generation II games. All Pokemon transferred through this feature are equipped with their hidden ability.
Generation VIII (Pokemon Sword and Shield)
- Pokemon in Max Raids Battles have a chance of having their hidden ability. After each raid, you will be given a chance to catch it.
- Use an Ability Patch and the Pokemon will gain its hidden ability as long as its species have one.
- Grass Patches. Sometimes grass patches will have more grass shaking off via the Pokeradar. These Pokemon always have their hidden ability.
Generation IX (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet)
- Catching a Terra Raid Battle Pokemon. After defeating a Terra Raid Battle Pokemon, you and your team have a chance to catch it. These Pokemon can have their hidden ability.
- Check out this guide to learn how to get hidden ability in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Hidden Ability in Emerald: Conclusion
Unfortunately, even though many still love old-school Gen 3 games and still search for stuff like how to get hidden ability in Pokemon Emerald, the feature was just not yet created during the time.
It wasn’t even on the horizon when Gen 3 was released.
But who says you need to limit yourself to vanilla and mainstream Pokemon games only? Check out the ROM hacks we mentioned and enjoy Pokemon Emerald with hidden abilities.
Competitive MMOs and battle simulators also allow you to alter the Pokemon’s abilities anytime.
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