Pokémon Emerald Squared v1.2 Changes
Author: shibarianne
Source: https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=444925
Type Changes
Attack Changes
Evolution Changes
For Nuzlockers
Doubles battles are inherently difficult for Nuzlockes, and this hack is intentionally slightly harder than vanilla Emerald. It is not recommended as a casual Nuzlocke — only attempt it if you're fully committed.
The clone glitch triggers if you enter a double battle with only one Pokémon. Triggering this glitch counts as a Nuzlocke failure. If you ever have one Pokémon remaining and no more encounters before a forced trainer battle, you lose.
Route Changes
Several water routes have been merged to reduce encounter cheesing and add more variety:
105 + 106 → 105 107 + 108 + 109 → 109 124 + 126 + 127 + 128 → 124 129 + 130 + 131 → 129 132 + 133 + 134 → 132
Mirage Island is permanently accessible on Route 129 but is not classified as a separate area (same as the original). Using a Repel to reach it is optional.
Important Notes
Gym Leader Levels
Rock — 13–15 Fighting — 17–19 Electric — 28–30 Fire — 37–39 Normal — 39–41 Flying — 45–47 Psychic — 53–55 Water — 59–61 Champion — 65–66
Critical Bugs
There is a hardcoded Emerald bug that cannot be fixed. Entering a doubles trainer battle with only one living Pokémon will spawn a clone of it. You can play around it, but it is strongly advised you never let this happen unless you're okay with the jank.
There is also a bug with obtaining your second starter that causes nickname jankiness. To work around this, the Name Rater has been moved to Oldale Town. A fix may come in a future version.
Starter Alternatives
Hoothoot, Makuhita, and Rhyhorn have been reworked to function as starter Pokémon. They share the same BSTs and XP curves, all evolve at level 25, and all begin as monotype.
General Changes
A new rival has been added, though all battles with them are optional.
HM moves have been made semi-viable in battle — no longer a complete slog.
TMs are now obtained in pairs. Some have been modified, but compatibility remains identical to the originals.
Weak Pokémon such as early rodents and bugs have received minor stat buffs, mostly to better fulfil their intended roles.
Snubbull.
Some Pokémon have had their Physical and Special Attack stats swapped to better match their type — Special for Dark types, Physical for Ghost types. This applies to select Pokémon, not all.
Stat Overhauls
A handful of Pokémon have been updated to reflect their post-Gen III counterparts:
Porygon — now has Porygon2's stats Porygon2 — now has Porygon-Z's stats Lickitung — now has Lickilicky's stats Yanma — now has Yanmega's stats Murkrow — now has Honchkrow's stats Misdreavus — now has Mismagius' stats (Physical Attack, not Special) Sneasel — now has Weavile's stats (Special Attack, not Physical) Luvdisc — reworked to resemble Pyukumuku Mawile — now has Mega Mawile's stats Sableye — now has Mega Sableye's stats Volbeat — evolves into Illumise, which is quite viable
Evolution Changes
Trade evolutions and happiness evolutions have been replaced with level-up evolutions (between levels 25–45) or Elemental Stone evolutions. A full set of Elemental Stones can be found off Route 110 and on Route 119.
Weather Setters
Drizzle — Politoed, Pelipper, Tropius Drought — Torkoal, Ninetales, Sunflora Sand Stream — Tyranitar, Steelix, Relicanth Air Lock — Noctowl, Grumpig, Exploud Snow Warning — not present, because Game Freak hate Ice types
