Should you choose Ruby or Sapphire for Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn?

Daniel Megarry
Ruby and Sapphire badges in Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn

Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn offers players the choice between Ruby and Sapphire experiences, but which one is best? Here are all of the version differences you need to know about.

Following in the footsteps of Kanto and Johto, the next Pokemon Go Tour event takes players to the Hoenn region with themed Special Research quests and the debut of Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre.

Before you can get into the fun, you’ll have to make a big decision: Ruby or Sapphire? Just like the original Gen 3 games on Game Boy Advance, your choice will slightly impact your gameplay experience.

You’ll be asked to choose a version once you’ve finished the Primal Rumblings Special Research, which all players get for free. Finishing this quest is important if you want to enjoy Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn.

Below, we’ve rounded up the differences between Ruby and Sapphire including the boosted wild spawns and the Legendaries you can encounter.

A poster for Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn

Differences between Ruby and Sapphire in Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn

The main difference between the Ruby and Sapphire experiences is the badge you’ll get and the ability to influence the wild Pokemon and the Primal Raid Bosses that you’ll encounter during the Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn events.

Every hour during Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn, you’ll be able to complete special Field Research tasks for your team. The team that completes the most tasks will then influence the Pokemon that all players will encounter.

Team Ruby boosted spawns

If Team Ruby completes the most special Field Research tasks during an hour, there will be an increase in Primal Groudon appearing in Primal Raid Battles for all players.

There will also be boosted wild spawns for the following Pokemon:

  • Plusle
  • Volbeat
  • Trapinch
  • Solrock
  • Castform (Sunny Form)
Team Sapphire spawns

Team Sapphire boosted spawns

If Team Sapphire completes the most special Field Research tasks during an hour, there will be an increase in Primal Kyogre appearing in Primal Raid Battles for all players.

There will also be boosted wild spawns for the following Pokemon:

  • Minun
  • Illumise
  • Wailmer
  • Lunatone
  • Castform (Rainy Form)
Primal Kyogre in Pokemon Go

The other major difference is that players who choose Ruby will have a chance of encountering Latios in the wild. If you take a snapshot of it, you’ll be given another Latios encounter for free.

On the other hand, players who choose Sapphire will instead have a chance of encountering Latias in the wild. Taking a snapshot of it will lead to another Latias encounter for free.

Should you choose Ruby or Sapphire in Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn?

There’s no right or wrong answer to this question as it really depends on the Pokemon you’re most interested in catching during the event, but if we had to choose, we would recommend choosing the Ruby Badge experience.

This is because Groudon caught during Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn will know the exclusive move Precipice Blades, which is expected to push it to the top of the Master League. Primal Groudon will also be an incredible attacker for Raid Battles.

By choosing the Ruby Badge experience, you’ll be able to increase Team Ruby’s chance of winning the hourly Field Research task battles. If this happens, you’ll get more chances to encounter Primal Groudon in Primal Raids.

Having said all of that, Primal Kyogre with the event-exclusive move Origin Pulse will also be a brilliant addition to your team, so if you think you’d prefer the Sapphire Badge experience, then go for that one!

Outside of the differences we’ve mentioned above, the Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn experience will be the same for all players regardless of which version you choose. There’s definitely less to think about than in previous events that made you choose an experience.

Hopefully we’ve helped you decide between Ruby and Sapphire. To get the most out of this event, make sure you check out our Pokemon Go Tour Hoenn guide.

About The Author

Daniel graduated from university with a degree in Journalism and English Language, before spending five years at GAY TIMES covering LGBTQ+ news and entertainment. He then made the switch to video game journalism where he produces news, features, and guides for Pokemon, Fortnite, Nintendo, and PlayStation games. Daniel also has a passion for any games with queer representation.