Quick Guide:
- Enter Thundercap Mountain
- Confront the Shadow
- Free the Captured Pokémon
- Rescue Zapdos from Shadow Admin Marlon
- Find a Missing Electivire
- Return to Epidimy Town
Thundercap Mountain – 1F

Points of Interest | |
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Shadow Grunt A |
Exits and Passages | |
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Epidimy Town |
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Ladder Up to 2F |
Items
Items | |
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Elixir | ![]() |
Max Repel | ![]() |
Wild Pokémon
Wild Pokémon | |
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Cave | |
Nosepass Rock |
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Magnemite Electric/Steel |
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Magneton Electric/Steel |
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Cubone Ground |
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Klink Steel |
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Elekid Electric |
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Electabuzz Electric |
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Tynamo Electric |
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Surfing | |
Stunfisk Ground/Electric |
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Chinchou Water/Electric |
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Lanturn Water/Electric |
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Tynamo Electric |
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Eelektross Electric |
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Fishing | |
Magikarp Water (Old Rod) |
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Chinchou Water/Electric (Good Rod) |
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Lanturn Water/Electric (Super Rod) |
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Rock Smash | |
Alolan Geodude Rock/Ground |
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Alolan Graveler Rock/Ground |
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Nosepass Rock |
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Shuckle Bug/Rock |
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Trainers
Trainers | |
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Shadow Grunt | |
Inkay Dark/Psychic (Lv.32) |
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Trevenant Ghost/Grass (Lv.33) |
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Skorupi Poison/Bug (Lv.32) |
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You’re in Thundercap Mountain to rescue Zapdos from the Shadow Grunts.
And now that you can use Strength you can explore the caverns freely.
Thundercap Mountain is an area with an electromagnetic presence, so Pokémon like Magneton, Charjabug and Nosepass will be able to evolve into their final forms here if they gain a level.
Mel knocked a Shadow Grunt out with his Miltank before you got inside, and when you first enter he’s still unconscious.

However, when you head northeast to continue he suddenly wakes up and reveals he’s the Grunt you battled all the way back at the beginning of the game.
Luckily, he’s just as easy to beat now as he was then.
Push the Strength rock east and you’ll be able to proceed.

You’ll immediately see a ladder in the northeast corner – climb up it and you’ll be on 2F.
Thundercap Mountain – 2F

Points of Interest | |
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Bug Catcher Cary |
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Scientist Davita |
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Shadow Grunt B |
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Shocker Kirk |
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Battle Girl Alize |
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Shadow Grunt C |
Exits and Passages | |
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Ladder Down to 1F |
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Ladder Up to 3F (Main Chamber) |
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Ladder Up to 3F (Tablet Chamber) |
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Requires HM Surf |
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Requires HM Rock Climb |
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Requires HM Rock Climb |
Items
Items | |
---|---|
Dusk Ball | ![]() |
Yellow Shard | ![]() |
Dusk Stone | ![]() |
Star Piece | ![]() |
Zygarde Cell | ![]() |
Revive | ![]() |
Wild Pokémon
Wild Pokémon | |
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Cave | |
Nosepass Rock |
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Magnemite Electric/Steel |
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Magneton Electric/Steel |
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Timburr Fighting |
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Klink Steel |
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Elekid Electric |
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Electabuzz Electric |
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Tynamo Electric |
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Surfing | |
Stunfisk Ground/Electric |
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Chinchou Water/Electric |
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Lanturn Water/Electric |
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Tynamo Electric |
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Eelektross Electric |
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Fishing | |
Magikarp Water (Old Rod) |
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Chinchou Water/Electric (Good Rod) |
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Lanturn Water/Electric (Super Rod) |
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Rock Smash | |
Alolan Geodude Rock/Ground |
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Alolan Graveler Rock/Ground |
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Nosepass Rock |
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Shuckle Bug/Rock |
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Trainers
Trainers | |
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Bug Catcher Cary | |
Yanmega Bug/Flying (Lv.33) |
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Shuckle Bug/Rock (Lv.32) |
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Joltik Bug/Electric (Lv.33) |
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Scientist Davita | |
Probopass Rock/Steel (Lv.33) |
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Magnezone Electric/Steel (Lv.33) |
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Shadow Grunt B | |
Shuppet Ghost (Lv.31) |
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Skorupi Poison/Bug (Lv.31) |
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Gourgeist Ghost/Grass (Lv.33) |
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Golbat Poison/Flying (Lv.32) |
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Shocker Kirk | |
Joltik Bug/Electric (Lv.31) |
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Flaaffy Electric (Lv.33) |
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Pachirisu Electric (Lv.32) |
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Tynamo Electric (Lv.31) |
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Battle Girl Alize | |
Timburr Fighting (Lv.31) |
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Gurdurr Fighting (Lv.33) |
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Hitmontop Fighting (Lv.33) |
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Shadow Grunt C | |
Mightyena Dark (Lv.33) |
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Sandygast Ghost/Ground (Lv.31) |
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Crawdaunt Water/Dark (Lv.33) |
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The second floor of Thundercap Mountain is large and can be quite confusing, so make sure to consult the map above if you get lost.

After climbing the ladder, walk down the steps, cross the bottom of the cavern, and head east up another set of steps.

Once on the elevated platforms, go north across the short bridge and you’ll eventually run into a Shadow Grunt.

Take care of the Shadow Grunt, then walk north and east across the cave floor.

You’ll see a whole field full of Strength boulders.
It’s relatively easy to get past, there are only two that really block your way. Once you’re out of them keep going east.

After you’re out of the boulder field, you’ll see a staircase leading up east to another series of elevated platforms.
Ignore it, but remember where it is because you’ll need to come back here later.
For now, go northeast and hug the northern edge of the elevated platforms.

Continue through the narrow gap between platforms until you see a set of stairs leading north.

You’ll see a Shadow Grunt guarding a bridge – this leads to 3F, so head past him and climb the ladder.
Thundercap Mountain – 3F

Points of Interest | |
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Main Chamber | |
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Healing Nurse |
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Shadow Grunt D |
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Juggler Randall |
Tablet Chamber | |
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Hiker Earl |
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Ruin Maniac Stanley |
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Stone Tablet |
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Shocker Picard |
Exits and Passages | |
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Main Chamber | |
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Ladder Down to 2F |
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Requires HM Surf |
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Ladder Up to 4F (Main Chamber) |
Tablet Chamber | |
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Ladder Down to 2F |
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Ladder Up to 4F (Electivire Chamber) |
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Ladder Up to 4F (Far Chamber) |
Items (Main Chamber)
Items (Main Chamber) |
|
---|---|
Revive (hidden) |
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Iron | ![]() |
Max Repel | ![]() |
Wild Pokémon
Wild Pokémon | |
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Cave | |
Nosepass Rock |
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Magnemite Electric/Steel |
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Magneton Electric/Steel |
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Cubone Ground |
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Klink Steel |
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Elekid Electric |
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Electabuzz Electric |
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Tynamo Electric |
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Surfing | |
Stunfisk Ground/Electric |
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Chinchou Water/Electric |
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Lanturn Water/Electric |
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Tynamo Electric |
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Eelektross Electric |
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Fishing | |
Magikarp Water (Old Rod) |
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Chinchou Water/Electric (Good Rod) |
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Lanturn Water/Electric (Super Rod) |
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Rock Smash | |
Alolan Geodude Rock/Ground |
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Alolan Graveler Rock/Ground |
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Nosepass Rock |
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Shuckle Bug/Rock |
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Trainers (Main Chamber)
Trainers (Main Chamber) |
|
---|---|
Shadow Grunt | |
Cacnea Grass (Lv.31) |
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Honchkrow Dark/Flying (Lv.33) |
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Alolan Raticate Dark/Normal (Lv.33) |
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Juggler Randall | |
Voltorb Electric (Lv.32) |
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Hypno Psychic (Lv.31) |
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3F (Main Chamber)

This floor is full of boulders that need to be pushed onto buttons to form stone bridges.
Push one across to the east and head across the gap.

You’ll see a nurse on this island area. And unlike the others, she’ll heal you without needing to beat her first, which is very convenient.
After you’re all healed up, walk north and push the boulder there to the west button.

When you cross the stone here, a Shadow Grunt will challenge you on the other side.
Once taken care of, push another stone to the north button.

You’ll see a cavern opening here – go inside it.

There’s just a small path through here, with an optional trainer and item to the north.
Just head to the other exit and you’ll be on the other side of the main area.

Once you’re on the other side, just head south – you’ll see a boulder that can be pushed onto either a west or east button.
Make sure it gets pushed to the east.

Continue along the route – it’s straightforward enough at this point that you just need to push one boulder forward at a time, with very few branching paths.

The ladder to the fourth floor is in the southeast corner of the chamber.
Once you push enough boulders to get there, head on up the ladder.
Thundercap Mountain – 4F

Points of Interest | |
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Main Chamber | |
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Shadow Grunt E |
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Shadow Grunt F |
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Healing Chansey |
Electivire Chamber | |
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Super Nerd Miguel |
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Cyclist Issac |
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Switch Boulder |
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Electivire Nerd |
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Electivire Battle |
Exits and Passages | |
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Main Chamber | |
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Ladder Down to 3F (Main Chamber) |
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Ladder Up to 5F |
Electivire Chamber | |
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Ladder Down to 3F (Tablet Chamber) |
Wild Pokémon
Wild Pokémon | |
---|---|
Cave | |
Nosepass Rock |
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Magnemite Electric/Steel |
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Magneton Electric/Steel |
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Timburr Fighting |
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Klink Steel |
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Elekid Electric |
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Electabuzz Electric |
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Tynamo Electric |
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Surfing | |
Stunfisk Ground/Electric |
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Chinchou Water/Electric |
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Lanturn Water/Electric |
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Tynamo Electric |
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Eelektross Electric |
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Fishing | |
Magikarp Water (Old Rod) |
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Chinchou Water/Electric (Good Rod) |
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Lanturn Water/Electric (Super Rod) |
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Rock Smash | |
Alolan Geodude Rock/Ground |
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Alolan Graveler Rock/Ground |
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Nosepass Rock |
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Shuckle Bug/Rock |
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Trainers (Main Chamber)
Trainers (Main Chamber) |
|
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Shadow Grunt E | |
Woobat Psychic/Flying (Lv.32) |
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Gastly Ghost/Poison (Lv.32) |
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Ariados Bug/Poison (Lv.33) |
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Shadow Grunt F | |
Nuzleaf Grass/Dark (Lv.32) |
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Golbat Poison/Flying (Lv.33) |
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4F (Main Chamber)

You’re almost at the top, with just one more floor to go before the summit.
Luckily, this floor is just one long linear path.

Go north and the path will turn west under a waterfall, and beyond it is another Shadow Grunt to fight.

After defeating her, continue along to the south and you’ll soon run into another one.

As soon as you beat that one, you’ll see a Chansey which will probably be welcome healing at this point.

Climb the ladder and you’ll find yourself at the very top of Thundercap Mountain.
Thundercap Mountain – 5F

Points of Interest | |
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Main Chamber | |
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Shadow Grunt G |
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Shadow Grunt H |
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Shadow Grunt I |
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Shadow Grunt J |
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Shadow Grunt K |
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Summit Battle |
Main Chamber | |
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Ladder Down to 4F (Main Chamber) |
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Requires HM Rock Climb |
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Requires HM Rock Climb |
Items
Items | |
---|---|
Thunder Stone | ![]() |
Escape Rope | ![]() |
Trainers
Trainers | |
---|---|
Shadow Grunt G | |
Poochyena Dark (Lv.32) |
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Shiftry Grass/Dark (Lv.33) |
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Shadow Grunt H | |
Swoobat Psychic/Flying (Lv.33) |
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Murkrow Dark/Flying (Lv.32) |
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Golbat Poison/Flying (Lv.33) |
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Shadow Grunt I | |
Phantump Ghost/Grass (Lv.32) |
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Alolan Rattata Dark/Normal (Lv.31) |
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Sneasel Dark/Ice (Lv.33) |
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Sharpedo Water/Dark (Lv.33) |
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Shadow Grunt J | |
Misdreavus Ghost (Lv.33) |
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Houndour Dark/Fire (Lv.32) |
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Shadow Grunt K | |
Gengar Ghost/Poison (Lv.34) |
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Weavile Dark/Ice (Lv.33) |
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You’re suddenly in the open, and true to its name, Thundercap Mountain is capped by lightning and thunder.
There are no wild Pokémon here, however.

Walk north and you’ll be challenged by a Shadow Grunt. After him, there are three paths you can take:
- Left
- Up the stairs
- Right
Head right for now.

Keep going along this path – you’ll go down some stairs, then up some longer stairs, and finally get to where another Shadow Grunt waits for you.

After you beat this Grunt, head up the stairs behind her.
Freeing the Captured Pokémon

You’ll see an electric fence with captured Pokémon behind it – you’ll need a special key to disable it.
Beat the Grunt here, but don’t continue onward – the path ahead is blocked until you can free those Pokémon.

Walk all the way back to the entrance ladder and the first intersection. This time, head up the stairs and keep following the path.

You’ll see yet another Shadow Grunt, but luckily for you after him there’s only one more left.

The final Shadow Grunt at the end of the path has the Barrier Key, which you can use to disable the electric fences.

Free this group of Pokémon here, and you’ll also free the Pokémon on the other side when you do so.
Walk all the way back to the other electric fence, and you’ll find that they’ve already started repairing the way forward.

The Pokémon fix the way up to the summit, and you’re now free to climb it and face Marlon.

Zapdos is a little harder to wrangle than Articuno and Moltres, but Marlon eventually manages it. After he does, he sees us and isn’t happy we followed him.
Battle for Zapdos

Marlon challenges you to a fight, this time on his own – but he’s got Zapdos.
Shadow Battle | |
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Shadow Admin Marlon | |
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|
Zapdos Electric/Flying (Lv.35) |
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Cacturne Grass/Dark (Lv.36) |
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Krookodile Ground/Dark (Lv.37) |
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He’s got a formidable team, but if you’ve been training on the trainers in Thundercap so far you will have an easier time.
Marlon releases Zapdos when he is defeated, which is certainly unexpected.

With that, you’re instructed to go back to Epidimy Town – but there are a couple of important things to take care of in Thundercap before you leave.
Go back to 2F, and head to the elevated platforms with bridges in the middle of the chamber.
There’s another ladder there, and it used to be blocked by a sleeping Shadow Grunt.

The Grunt will be gone, and you are free to climb it to the Tablet Chamber on 3F.
3F (Tablet Chamber)

Items
Items | |
---|---|
Parlyz Heal (Rock Smash) |
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Trainers
Trainers | |
---|---|
Hiker Earl | |
Cubone Ground (Lv.32) |
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Alolan Geodude Rock/Electric (Lv.33) |
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Ruin Maniac Stanley | |
Golem Rock/Ground (Lv.34) |
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Lileep Rock/Grass (Lv.32) |
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Anorith Rock/Bug (Lv.32) |
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Shocker Picard | |
Stunfisk Ground/Electric (Lv.33) |
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Charjabug Bug/Electric (Lv.33) |
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You’ll arrive on a raised platform in between an electric fence and an ancient tablet.
Walk south across the bridge and then east across another one.

Hiker Earl will be waiting for you.
Once he’s been defeated, cross the north bridge and you’ll see a ladder up to 4F.
You won’t be able to make much progress up there yet however, as you need Surf.
So instead, walk down the stairs, go under the bridge to the west and you’ll fight Ruin Maniac Stanley.

The ancient tablet is north of Stanley, and it gives you the clue “PRESSURE ELSEWHERE IS THE KEY”.
You’ll be able to solve half of this puzzle at the moment, when you get to the Electivire Chamber in 4F.
Go back up to the elevated platforms and retrace your steps past Hiker Earl until you get to a bridge leading south. Cross that and head east.

You will run into Shocker Picard, and after he challenges you, you’re free to walk on the final bridge to head north.

There is a ladder here that leads to an area of 4F called the Electivire Chamber, and you’ll find out why it’s called that very shortly.
4F (Electivire Chamber)

Items
Items | |
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PP Up | ![]() |
Trainers
Trainers | |
---|---|
Super Nerd Miguel | |
Klink Steel (Lv.32) |
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Magneton Electric/Steel (Lv.34) |
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Alolan Geodude Rock/Electric (Lv.32) |
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Cyclist Issac | |
Hoothoot Normal/Flying (Lv.33) |
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Elekid Electric (Lv.32) |
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Shinx Electric (Lv.32) |
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After you climb the ladder, walk south until you see a tiny step up to a raised platform.
Head west along it until you see a bridge.

As you cross the bridge you’ll be confronted by Cyclist Issac, but he’s not too much trouble.
Go past him and you’ll see another bridge to the north.

Once you cross that one you’ll see a small area with a Strength boulder and a hole that it needs to be pushed into.
To do that, you’ll need to Rock Smash until the path is clear.

Pushing the Strength boulder in this hole solves one half of a puzzle we need for the tablet later – you’ll be coming back to this mountain again later to solve the other half.

After you’ve put the boulder in the hole, walk back to the ladder and then take the east passage.
You’ll see two tunnels on that side of the chamber blocked by breakable rocks. Head to the north one first.

You’ll see that a trainer’s Electivire is out of control and needs to be wrangled.
When you approach, the Electivire runs away, and you’ll have to chase it.

Go back and break the rock to the south, then head down that passage.
Eventually, you’ll come face to face with the unruly Electivire.
Pokémon Encounter | |
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Electivire Electric (Lv.44) non-catchable |
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After you defeat it, it goes back in its Poke Ball. Wanting to thank you, the trainer says he will meet you at the Epidimy Pokémon Center to give you a reward.
Leaving
You’ve done all you can in Thundercap Mountain for now.
To get outside quickly, use an Escape Rope. If you don’t have one, you’ve got a long walk ahead of you.
But either way, the next step is to exit the mountain and head towards Epidimy Town.
Return to Epidimy Town

Now that you’re outside, Jax appears and you tell him all about Zapdos.
He says he’s headed to Dehara City next, but that you should go to Tarmigan Mansion first to get the ability to Mega Evolve Pokémon.
But before that, head to the Epidimy Town Pokémon Center to check in on the trainer of the Electivire.

Unfortunately, by the time you get there, the Electivire has been stolen and the trainer can’t give you a reward just yet. You’ll have to find the thief in Seaport City whenever you end up there.
So for now, head west on to Route 11 for the next part of your journey.
Onward Through Cliff Cave

In order to get to Tarmigan Mansion, you’ll have to go through Cliff Cave (pictured above).
This can be accessed through Route 11.
Now that you can use Strength, your way through the cave will be free and clear.
