Gen 3 Pokémon are the 135 new Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, expanding the National Pokédex from 251 Pokémon to 386. Generation 3 introduced the Hoenn region and popular Pokémon such as Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Gardevoir, Absol, Metagross, Rayquaza, Kyogre, and Groudon.
The third generation also brought several major changes to Pokémon gameplay. Abilities gave Pokémon unique passive effects, Natures influenced their stats and personality, and Double Battles introduced battles involving two Pokémon on each side. Pokémon Contests, Secret Bases, Berries, and other features also gave players new ways to interact with their Pokémon outside traditional battles.
If you are exploring the interactive Pokémon directory on this page, you can browse the 135 Pokémon introduced in Generation 3, search for a particular species, filter Pokémon by type, and explore different categories from the Hoenn Pokédex.
What Are Gen 3 Pokémon?
Gen 3 Pokémon refers to the third generation of Pokémon introduced through Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, followed by the enhanced Pokémon Emerald. These games introduced 135 new Pokémon, taking the National Pokédex total from 251 to 386.
Generation 3 moved the main adventure to the Hoenn region, which has a very different environment from the Johto region of Generation 2. Hoenn contains large oceans, islands, volcanic areas, forests, caves, deserts, and underwater locations. Water is particularly important to the region because a large portion of the map consists of ocean routes.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire were originally released in Japan in November 2002 for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. Pokémon Emerald followed in Japan in 2004 and later received releases in other regions.
The third generation introduced many Pokémon families that remain recognizable today. The starter trio consists of Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip, while other notable species include Ralts, Aron, Trapinch, Bagon, Beldum, Absol, and the legendary trio associated with Hoenn's central story. Data for Hoenn Pokémon is maintained in databases like PokéAPI.
Unlike Generation 2, which focused heavily on connecting new Pokémon with species from Kanto, Gen 3 initially presented a much larger group of Pokémon that were new to the region. Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald also introduced several major gameplay mechanics that became important parts of the Pokémon series in later generations.
How Many Pokémon Are in Gen 3?
There are exactly 135 new Pokémon in Generation 3, numbered from #252 Treecko through #386 Deoxys in the National Pokédex.
Before Generation 3, the National Pokédex contained 251 Pokémon. After the 135 new Hoenn species were added, the total reached 386 Pokémon.
The first Pokémon introduced in Gen 3 is Treecko (#252), while Deoxys (#386) is the final Pokémon in the Generation 3 National Pokédex range.
The 135 Pokémon include three starter families, Legendary Pokémon, Mythical Pokémon, new evolution families, and many completely new species.
Generation 3 also introduced several Pokémon with multiple forms or different appearances depending on their characteristics or circumstances. Deoxys, for example, has different forms associated with different stats and roles.
📊 Hoenn Pokédex Range Progression:
- • #252–#260: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip and their evolution lines (Sceptile, Blaziken, Swampert).
- • #261–#300: Early and mid-game mainstays including Poochyena, Zigzagoon, Ralts (Gardevoir #282), and Slakoth.
- • #301–#370: Aron, Trapinch (Flygon #330), Feebas (Milotic #350), Absol (#359), and Spheal.
- • #371–#384: Pseudo-legendaries (Bagon/Salamence #373, Beldum/Metagross #376), Legendary Golems (Regirock, Regice, Registeel), Eon Duo (Latias, Latios), and Weather Trio (Kyogre #382, Groudon #383, Rayquaza #384).
- • #385–#386: Jirachi (#385 Mythical Wish Pokémon) and Deoxys (#386 Mythical DNA Pokémon).
Exploring This Gen 3 Pokémon List
The interactive directory on this page brings the Generation 3 roster together so you can browse the Pokémon introduced during the Hoenn era without having to manually search through separate pages. You can move through the complete list from Treecko to Deoxys and inspect the Pokémon available in the directory.
Browse the Complete Hoenn Roster
The list covers all 135 Gen 3 Pokémon, starting with Treecko (#252) and ending with Deoxys (#386). Browsing the complete roster can be useful when you want to remember a Pokémon's National Pokédex number, compare different species, or see which Pokémon belong to the third generation.
Search for a Pokémon
If you already know the Pokémon you want to find, the search feature lets you locate it directly rather than scrolling through all 135 entries. You can search for familiar Pokémon such as Blaziken, Gardevoir, Flygon, Salamence, Metagross, Kyogre, Groudon, or Rayquaza.
Filter by Type
Type filtering makes it easier to find Pokémon belonging to a particular type. You can use the available options to narrow the directory and focus on Pokémon that match the type you are interested in. This can be particularly useful when looking for Hoenn Pokémon from types such as Fire, Water, Grass, Dragon, Psychic, Dark, Steel, and others.
Explore Pokémon Categories
The directory can also make it easier to explore groups such as starter Pokémon, Legendary Pokémon, and Mythical Pokémon. If you are trying to decide which Pokémon is your favorite, browsing the complete list can also be a useful way to compare the different designs introduced in Generation 3.
Gen 3 Pokémon Starters
Generation 3 introduced three new starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip.
- Treecko (#252): Grass-type Pokémon that evolves into Grovyle (#253) and then Sceptile (#254). It is known for its lizard-like appearance, green body, and ability to climb vertical surfaces.
- Torchic (#255): Fire-type Pokémon that evolves into Combusken (#256) and then Blaziken (#257). Its final evolution became particularly well known for combining Fire and Fighting types.
- Mudkip (#258): Water-type Pokémon that evolves into Marshtomp (#259) and then Swampert (#260). Swampert becomes a Water/Ground-type Pokémon and is known for its strong physical capabilities.
The three starter families provide the familiar Grass, Fire, and Water choices seen throughout the main Pokémon series. Each also develops a distinctive final evolution with a different appearance and battle role. The Gen 3 starters became some of the most recognizable Pokémon from the Game Boy Advance era and have continued to appear in later games.
Major Gameplay Features Introduced in Generation 3
One of the biggest reasons Generation 3 stands out is the number of gameplay systems introduced or significantly expanded during this era.
Pokémon Abilities
Abilities were introduced in Generation 3 and gave Pokémon passive effects that could influence battles or other parts of gameplay. For example, some Pokémon could have abilities that changed the effectiveness of certain attacks, affected weather, prevented status conditions, or triggered effects upon entering battle. This mechanic became a fundamental part of Pokémon battles on The Official Pokémon Website.
Pokémon Natures
Generation 3 also introduced Natures. A Pokémon's Nature affects stat growth, increasing one stat while reducing another. Natures added personality and competitive training depth to team building.
Double Battles
Another major feature was Double Battles, allowing two Pokémon to participate on each side simultaneously. This changed battle strategy considerably because players had to consider multi-target moves and teammate synergies.
Pokémon Contests, Berries and Secret Bases
Generation 3 expanded Pokémon beyond Gym battles. Contests allowed players to compete in attributes such as Coolness, Beauty, Cute, Smart, and Tough. Berries received a major farming overhaul around Hoenn for crafting Pokéblocks, while Secret Bases gave players customizable bases across Hoenn's secret locations.
Did Gen 3 Introduce Any New Pokémon Types?
Generation 3 did not introduce any new Pokémon types. The third generation continued using the 17-type system established after Generation 2 added Dark and Steel.
The 17 types included Normal, Fire, Water, Electric, Grass, Ice, Fighting, Poison, Ground, Flying, Psychic, Bug, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, and Steel. The Fairy type did not exist in Gen 3; it was introduced later in Generation 6.
Although Gen 3 did not add a new type, many of its new Pokémon introduced interesting combinations of existing types: Swampert is Water/Ground, Gardevoir is Psychic, Absol is Dark, and Metagross is Steel/Psychic.
Legendary Pokémon in Gen 3
Generation 3 introduced several Legendary Pokémon that became central to the Hoenn storyline:
- Kyogre (#382): Water-type Legendary Pokémon associated with the sea and Pokémon Sapphire.
- Groudon (#383): Ground-type Legendary Pokémon associated with land and Pokémon Ruby.
- Rayquaza (#384): Dragon/Flying-type Legendary Pokémon that resolves the conflict between Kyogre and Groudon in Pokémon Emerald.
- Legendary Golems: Regirock (#377 Rock), Regice (#378 Ice), and Registeel (#379 Steel).
- Eon Duo: Latias (#380) and Latios (#381), Dragon/Psychic-type roaming Legendaries.
Mythical Pokémon in Generation 3
Generation 3 introduced two Mythical Pokémon: Jirachi (#385) and Deoxys (#386).
Jirachi is a Steel/Psychic-type Mythical Pokémon associated with wishes and long periods of sleep. Deoxys is a Psychic-type Mythical Pokémon associated with extraterrestrial origins and form-changing mechanics. Deoxys occupies position #386 in the National Pokédex.
Popular Pokémon Introduced in Gen 3
Generation 3 introduced many Pokémon that quickly became fan favorites:
- Gardevoir (#282): Psychic-type Pokémon evolving from Kirlia.
- Blaziken (#257): Fire/Fighting final evolution of Torchic.
- Sceptile (#254): Fast Grass-type final evolution of Treecko.
- Swampert (#260): Water/Ground final evolution of Mudkip.
- Flygon (#330): Ground/Dragon-type Pokémon evolving from Vibrava.
- Salamence (#373): Dragon/Flying pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
- Metagross (#376): Steel/Psychic pseudo-legendary powerhouse.
- Absol (#359): Dark-type Disaster Pokémon.
- Milotic (#350): Water-type Pokémon associated with beauty.
Pokémon 3 Gen and Evolution
Pokémon 3 Gen introduced several evolution families with unusual requirements. For example, Feebas evolves into Milotic through its Beauty condition, Wurmple evolves into either Silcoon or Cascoon depending on hidden personality values, and Nincada can yield Shedinja upon evolving into Ninjask if an open party slot and Poké Ball are available.
The Hoenn Region & Game Titles
The Hoenn region is defined by its vast ocean routes, volcanic peaks (Mt. Chimney), deserts, and underwater trenches. Key titles Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald were later remade for Nintendo 3DS as Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
Explore the Complete Gen 3 Pokémon Roster
Generation 3 added 135 new Pokémon, expanding the National Pokédex to 386 entries. From the Hoenn starters Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip to powerful Pokémon such as Metagross and Salamence and Legendary Pokémon such as Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza, the generation introduced a large collection of species that remain popular today.
It also changed the way Pokémon could be trained and used in battles. Abilities, Natures, and Double Battles added new strategic possibilities, while Contests, Berries, and Secret Bases provided activities outside the main Gym and League journey.
Use the interactive Pokémon directory above to browse all 135 Gen 3 Pokémon, search for individual species, filter the roster by type, and explore the different Pokémon categories available on the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pokémon are in Gen 3?
Generation 3 introduced 135 new Pokémon, beginning with Treecko (#252) and ending with Deoxys (#386). These Pokémon increased the National Pokédex from 251 entries to 386.
What are the Gen 3 starter Pokémon?
The three Gen 3 starter Pokémon are Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. They are Grass, Fire, and Water types respectively.
What region is Gen 3 Pokémon based in?
Generation 3 is primarily set in the Hoenn region. Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald allow players to explore cities, forests, caves, mountains, islands, underwater areas, and other environments throughout Hoenn.
What Pokémon were introduced in Gen 3?
Generation 3 introduced 135 Pokémon, including Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Ralts, Gardevoir, Absol, Flygon, Metagross, Salamence, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, and Deoxys.
Did Gen 3 introduce any new Pokémon types?
No. Generation 3 did not introduce a new Pokémon type. It continued using the 17 types established after Generation 2. The Fairy type was introduced in Generation 6.
What Legendary Pokémon are in Gen 3?
Generation 3 introduced Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, and Rayquaza as Legendary Pokémon.
What Mythical Pokémon are in Gen 3?
The two Mythical Pokémon introduced in Generation 3 are Jirachi (#385) and Deoxys (#386).
What is the first Pokémon in Gen 3?
Treecko (#252) is the first Pokémon introduced in Generation 3 in National Pokédex order.
What is the last Pokémon in Gen 3?
Deoxys (#386) is the final Pokémon introduced in Generation 3 and is the last entry in the original Hoenn generation range.