How To Get Nosepass In Pokemon Ruby

Okay, so picture this: I'm like, eight years old, glued to my Game Boy Advance SP, trying to beat Pokemon Ruby for the billionth time. I'm determined to build the ultimate team. Problem? I want a Nosepass. Why? Because, reasons! (Mostly because its nose points north, and I thought that was the coolest thing ever, don't judge.) But I spent hours wandering around, and this tiny rock dude was nowhere to be seen! The frustration! The agony! So, naturally, I’m dedicating this to all the would-be Nosepass trainers out there.

So, how do you snag yourself a Nosepass in Pokemon Ruby? Well, buckle up, because it's not exactly straightforward. It's not like Pidgeys which are, like, everywhere (seriously, why are there so many Pidgeys?).

The Rock Tunnel of Destiny (or, uh, Granite Cave)

Your Nosepass adventure begins, and ends, in Granite Cave. Now, before you start imagining a gigantic cavern filled with endless passages, it's actually a pretty manageable cave. You'll find it on Dewford Island. Remember Brawly, the Fighting-type Gym Leader? Yeah, that's the place.

Important! You're not going to find Nosepass the moment you step foot in the cave. Nope. You need the HM Flash first. Why? Because the cave is dark. Like, really dark. So dark that you can't see your own hands in front of your face, dark.

To get Flash, you need to rescue Mr. Briney (the sailor with the Wingull, Peeko – the sweetest). He's in a cave north of Dewford Town. Beat some Team Aqua Grunts, and he'll be eternally grateful (and, you know, actually give you the HM Flash, which is nice).

Using Flash (finally some light!)

Once you have Flash, teach it to one of your Pokemon. Zigzagoon is a popular choice since it's easy to catch and can learn it. Head back to Granite Cave, and use Flash. Hallelujah! Light! (Seriously, the relief is palpable.) Now you can actually see where you're going.

The Nosepass Hunt Begins

Okay, here's the kicker. Nosepass is only found on a specific floor of Granite Cave: the basement floor. You’ll need to find the ladders (or holes, more accurately) that lead you down there. And the encounter rate (that's the chance of actually finding a Nosepass) is... well, let's just say it's not super high. Think of it as a rare-ish spawn. You're going to have to do some wandering. A lot of wandering. Hope you like Geodude, because you're going to be seeing a lot of them.

Pro-Tip: Bring repels! Seriously. Trust me on this one. They prevent weaker Pokemon from appearing, increasing your chances of encountering a Nosepass. No one wants to waste their time fighting Zubats when they could be finding the Pokemon of their dreams (or, you know, just a quirky rock-nosed Pokemon).

Catching Nosepass

When you finally encounter a Nosepass, don't get too excited and accidentally knock it out! You'll want to weaken it first. Use moves that won't do too much damage. False Swipe is ideal if you have it (though you likely won't at this point in the game). Then, chuck some Pokeballs! Great Balls or Ultra Balls will increase your chances of success. You might get lucky with a regular Pokeball, but don't count on it.

And that's it! Congratulations, you've successfully caught a Nosepass! Now you can add this rock-nosed wonder to your team and brag to all your friends. (Or, you know, just admire its amazing nose that points North. No judgment here.)

Happy hunting, trainers! May the odds be ever in your favor (of finding that elusive Nosepass).