Sky Pillar

1. Route 131 to Entrance Cavern

Travel east across Route 131 starting from Pacifidlog Town, then direct your path north through the tight reef opening into a small cave mouth. When you arrive inside this Entrance Cavern, walk straight across the empty chamber to reach the exterior exit.

Tip: You will not encounter any wild Pokémon or pick up items inside this cave.

2. Meet Wallace on the Exterior Island Path

Step through the cavern exit onto the narrow cliff path that leads toward the ancient structure. Speak with Wallace, who stands blocking the way, to have him unlock the tower door before he heads back to Sootopolis City. Then proceed directly through the newly opened doorway.

Tip: Wallace must unlock the tower door for you before you can enter.

3. Ascend the Lower Floors

Enter 1F, which presents an open space with no obstacles, and climb the staircase leading upward. On your first story trek through 2F up to 5F, you can walk freely across the floors without obstacle puzzles, though wild Pokémon ranging from levels 33 to 60+ will attack along the way. Stay alert for Claydol detonating with Selfdestruct or Explosion, Golbat causing confusion and flinching, Banette using Curse or Will-O-Wisp, Altaria boosting with Dragon Dance, and Sableye which has no weaknesses.

Tip: Use Bug, Ghost, Dark, Water, Grass, or Ice on Claydol; hit Golbat and Altaria with Ice; and exploit Ghost or Dark against Banette.

4. Awaken Rayquaza at the Summit

Ascend to the open-air 6F stone altar where Rayquaza lies asleep at the center. Walk directly up to the slumbering dragon to trigger a sudden screen tremor and a mighty roar. Watch as it takes flight toward Sootopolis City to end the catastrophic weather clash and unlock the Sootopolis Gym without initiating a battle.

Tip: Approaching Rayquaza during this crisis clears the regional weather anomaly immediately without requiring a fight.

5. Return with the Mach Bike to Confront Rayquaza

Come back to the tower after the weather crisis to face Rayquaza, making sure to bring a speedy Mach Bike to clear the cracked floor tiles on 2F through 5F. Climb to the 6F apex once more and interact with the level 70 Dragon/Flying titan to begin the encounter. Use a Master Ball or plenty of Ultra Balls while having Steel-type Pokémon resist its Normal, Fly, and Outrage moves. If you are catching it, stick to Thunder Wave for paralysis, avoid heavy Ice moves to prevent accidental knockouts, and use a cheap Poké Ball or healing item during its semi-invulnerable Fly turn.

Tip: Inflicting paralysis via Thunder Wave keeps status active even if Rayquaza heals with Rest.

The short version

What matters

• Waking Rayquaza to stop the catastrophic weather clash between Kyogre and Groudon and gain entry to Sootopolis Gym.
• Catching the level 70 legendary Rayquaza during your return visit.
• Bringing a high-speed Mach Bike on repeat visits to navigate the cracked floor tiles across 2F through 5F.

Common mistakes

• Knocking out Rayquaza or running from the battle on your return visit, which permanently eliminates your only chance to catch it.
• Relying on heavy Ice-type attacks while attempting to capture Rayquaza, which easily triggers an accidental one-hit knockout due to its 4x Ice weakness.
• Allowing Rayquaza's Outrage confusion or Selfdestructing wild Claydol to wipe out your team without keeping Steel types or proper counters ready.

What you can skip

• Attempting to fight or catch Rayquaza on your first trip, as it flies away automatically during the story event.
• Searching for items or wild battles inside the Entrance Cavern, as it is completely barren.