How to Catch Rayquaza, Groudon & Kyogre in Emerald

How to Catch Rayquaza, Groudon & Kyogre in Emerald — Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald guide card

Cross Sky Pillar's cracked floors for Rayquaza, then use Emerald's weather reports to find Groudon in Terra Cave and Kyogre in Marine Cave.

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Pokémon Emerald lets you catch all three members of Hoenn’s weather trio. Rayquaza waits at the top of Sky Pillar, while Groudon and Kyogre become post-game weather hunts in Terra Cave and Marine Cave.

Game
Emerald
You need
Surf and the Mach Bike; Dive as well for Kyogre’s Marine Cave
Where
Sky Pillar, then the post-game Terra Cave and Marine Cave weather hunts
Encounters
Rayquaza, Groudon and Kyogre — all at level 70
Sky Pillar stands north of Route 131. The live map shows the tower and its entrance.

Open this place on the map

The player at the foot of Sky Pillar, facing the tower’s door
The entrance to Sky Pillar. The tower is taller than the screen; the door straight ahead leads to its first floor. Select the image to explore the whole tower on the map. In-game screenshot, Pokémon Emerald (Game Boy Advance). © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Reach Rayquaza: Sky Pillar and its cracked floors

Warning — One battle per visit: If Rayquaza faints or you lose, it does not return until your next Hall of Fame entry. Save at the apex so a slip only costs a reload — the same rule applies to Groudon and Kyogre.

  1. Resolve the Sootopolis crisis Follow Wallace to Sky Pillar, wake Rayquaza and return to Sootopolis. This story visit is not the catch.
  2. Bring the Mach Bike Return after the crisis: surf east from Pacifidlog Town along Route 131 and turn north. Floors 2F and 4F contain cracked tiles that collapse unless you cross them at full Mach Bike speed.
  3. Save at the apex Rayquaza is a level 70 encounter at the top. Save before starting the battle.
Rayquaza coiled on the summit of Sky Pillar, the player standing below it
Rayquaza on the Sky Pillar apex. Step up to it and press A to start the level 70 battle, after saving. Select the image to jump to it on the interactive map. In-game screenshot, Pokémon Emerald (Game Boy Advance). © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Tip — Rayquaza is available before the Elite Four: Once the Sootopolis crisis is resolved, Rayquaza returns to the apex. You do not need to enter the Hall of Fame first.

Each weather legendary: Groudon in Terra Cave, Kyogre in Marine Cave

After entering the Hall of Fame, visit the Weather Institute on Route 119. The scientist reports abnormal weather on one route. That report points to the currently active Terra Cave or Marine Cave.

Warning — Follow the latest weather report: The active cave can relocate if you wait too long. Return to the Weather Institute for the current route instead of searching every possible entrance.

Emerald weather trio encounters
PokémonLevelWhereWhen
Rayquaza70Sky PillarAfter the Sootopolis crisis
Groudon70Terra CaveAfter entering the Hall of Fame
Kyogre70Marine CaveAfter entering the Hall of Fame; bring Dive

For color-matching catches, these are the weather trio’s matching balls from Gen 3’s own lineup.

  • Rayquaza Normal: Nest Ball — Shiny: Ultra Ball, Luxury Ball
  • Groudon Normal: Timer Ball, Poké Ball — Shiny: Ultra Ball, Luxury Ball
  • Kyogre Normal: Great Ball, Dive Ball — Shiny: Master Ball, Luxury Ball

Rayquaza, Groudon and Kyogre: quick answers

Can I catch all three weather legends in Emerald?
Yes. Rayquaza, Groudon and Kyogre are all level 70 encounters.
Why do the cracked Sky Pillar tiles keep collapsing?
Use the Mach Bike and cross each cracked run without losing speed.
Where does the Emerald weather hunt begin?
Talk to the scientist at the Weather Institute after entering the Hall of Fame.