Even though Route 38 maintains a pure east-west alignment as a whole, there are no fewer than four separate paths thatTrainers can take between Ecruteak and Route 39. The northern-most path leads Trainers into the path of three other Trainers, two of which offer to give out their phone number for rematches at a later date. InPokémon Crystal, one of these Trainers,Lass Dana, will also give Trainers who register her number an occasionalThunder Stone. Over half of this path is made up of grass patches.
The upper middle path is a branch of the northern path, separating near Dana and merging with the northern path near Route 39. There are no Trainers along this short stretch; there is, however, a patch of grass that is home to several species ofwild Pokémon.
Unlike the two upper paths, which allow for two-way traffic, the lower paths are configured to allow only one direction of passage. The lower middle path is designed for travelers heading west toOlivine City and is a viable alternative to the grass-lined northern path. The path heads due west from the gate and travels down a fence-lined walkway that is home to one Trainer. Past this Trainer, there is aBerryGSC orApricornHGSS bush just before a ledge that overlooks a grass-lined pathway. After hopping this ledge, Trainers are forced to head north along this passageway, encountering another Trainer before merging into the upper middle path.
The southern-most path is an "express route" from Olivine to Ecruteak and is designed so that only eastward movements are permitted. After breaking from the northern path near Route 39, the path heads south, passing asignpost before traversing a ledge that borders a T-intersection. At this junction, Trainers can either head north into the field of grass along the lower middle path or continue east along the southern edge of the ledge of the lower middle path and, eventually, along the fenced area to Ecruteak.
Trainers along this route may sometimes useMoomoo Milk in battles, in reference to the nearbyMoomoo Farm.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give theirPokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give theirPokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.
Trainer Tips
Generation II
TRAINER TIPS If a POKéMON is trying to evolve, you can stop it. Press the B But- ton during evolu- tion. That startles the POKéMON and stops its evolution.
Generation IV
Trainer Tips If a Pokémon is trying to evolve, you can stop it. Press the B Button during evolution. That startles the Pokémon and stops its evolution.
Route 38 first appeared inIndubitably Ditto, where theTeam Rocket Elite Trio tried to captureSuicune there, but they were put to sleep byCrystal'sParasee'sSpore before they could reach it. When they woke up, Suicune was gone andEusine appeared before them, challenging them to a battle. After defeating the trio, Eusine took theClear Bell they had and headed for theTin Tower, where Crystal was currently battling Suicune.
InPleased as Punch With Parasect, Crystal andSilver were traversing through the route on their way to Ecruteak City. However, along the way, they were attacked byTeam RocketExecutiveAriana, who was tasked with getting rid of any obstacles in Team Rocket's way. Using hisRhyperior and theEarth Plate, Silver managed to escape to Ecruteak to ask help fromMorty in locating the remaining Plates.
InWith a Little Help From Hitmonchan, Crystal was defeated by Ariana, shortly after which the other Executives,Archer,Petrel, andProton, also showed up. Following Archer's prediction,Arceus also showed up on the route, having descended back tothis world fromits heavenly residence. Realizing that Arceus was awild Pokémon, Crystal attempted tocapture it. After aLevel Ball had failed to have any effect on the Alpha Pokémon, Crystal used aHeavy Ball, which surprisingly managed to contain Arceus for a few seconds before it escaped. When Arceus fled, Crystal gave pursuit, but was soon blasted down from the sky by Arceus.
Route 38 appeared inA Promise Given to Miltank. AfterWhitney's Miltank had been diagnosed with a deadly disease,Gold,Whitney, andMorty set out to find theBerries required to cure her, only having time until sunset before the disease would claim Miltank's life. Their Berry-gathering was hampered bywild Pokémon appearing from the Berry trees, but ultimately, they managed to find a tree with lots of Berries on it. Gold used hisSudowoodo to lure away theHeracross that were swarming around the tree, while Whitney hadPikachu knock the Berries down withHeadbutt. The Berries were delivered to theEcruteak CityPokémon Center just in time, saving Miltank's life. Out of gratefulness, Whitney gave Gold aPlain Badge and returned his Pikachu to him.
Trivia
The music from this route was remixed and included in the coding ofPokémon Ruby and Sapphire, but is not found during normal gameplay. It was likely a test of the music system programmed for the GBA games, as it sounds very subdued compared to Hoenn's themes.
