The Pokéathlon is one of the big new features of HeartGold and SoulSilver: sporting events where your Pokémon compete not in battle, but on their physical abilities, using the stylus. Here is how it works and how to shine.
Where and how
The Pokéathlon Dome is located north of Goldenrod City; its entrance is connected to that of the National Park. As in a Contest, four participants, the “Pokéathletes”, compete against each other. You pick a course, then three Pokémon, who take part in the course’s three events. The total score decides the ranking.
There are three modes: the standard mode, the advanced cup mode, unlocked by completing certain missions listed in the records museum, and Pokéathlon Link, for playing with friends, which offers six courses by combining two different courses.
The five courses
| Course | Events | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Hurdle Dash, Pennant Capture, Relay Run | Speed Medal |
| Power | Block Smash, Circle Push, Goal Roll | Power Medal |
| Skill | Snow Throw, Goal Roll, Pennant Capture | Skill Medal |
| Stamina | Ring Drop, Relay Run, Block Smash | Stamina Medal |
| Jump | Lamp Jump, Disc Catch, Hurdle Dash | Jump Medal |
By finishing first in a course, your Pokémon win the matching medal. One trophy rewards scores above 420, and a second one rewards scores above 450.
The performance stats
Each Pokémon has five performance stats, rated in stars on its summary screen: Speed, Power, Skill, Stamina and Jump. Each event draws on several stats. In Hurdle Dash, for example, Speed determines how fast you run, Jump the length of the leap and Skill the speed boosts. So choose your three Pokémon according to the course.
Performance stats can be boosted temporarily with Apricorn Juices, drinks made from Apricorns, which gives these fruits a second use, since Kurt in Azalea Town also turns them into Balls.
The rewards
Each course earns Athlete Points, with a bonus for winning: 100 points in standard mode, 300 in the advanced cup mode. They can be exchanged at the Athlete Shop for items or for Memo Cards.
Tips
- Practice with the stylus: precision matters as much as performance stats.
- Balance your trio: a Pokémon that excels in one stat but is weak in the others can lose the next event.
- Aim for the course that suits your best Pokémon to rack up points quickly.
