So after these years I have been stuck in Hoenn and Sinnoh, never got to get in Johto world until now! I also finally have my hands on a pokewalker- what are some cool things that you used could do with a pokewalker back then, and can you still do them today? What can I do to use them other than keeping them on my shelf. Thanks in advance!
The system records every time a step is taken, and the daily step count influences which wild Pokémon and items will appear. The player can transfer a Pokémon to the Pokéwalker from either HeartGold or SoulSilver, which gains experience for each step. Like the Pokémon Pikachu and Pokémon Pikachu 2 GS, the Pokéwalker uses a currency known as "Watts" (shortened to w); every 20 steps will earn the player one watt. Players can also catch various Pokémon and obtain items on the device, then transfer them to the game. Alongside the Johto Safari Zone, the Pokéwalker allows for Pokémon normally unavailable until after the player has travelled to Kanto, such as Murkrow, to be available before defeating the Johto League.
Pokéwalker gameplay is simply walking around with the device to charge up watts, then utilizing the watts to purchase the use of the Poké Radar and Dowsing Machine. The number of steps determines what items and Pokémon the player can find, and this number resets at midnight each day. Up to three caught Pokémon and up to three found items may be stored at once. After either limit is reached and given the player has caught another Pokémon or found another item, they will have to decide to replace either to make space for the new Pokémon or item. Watts is the mode of currency used within the Pokéwalker and can be earned in two different ways: every 20 steps the player takes 1 watt is earned, and Pokémon within the Pokéwalker can randomly find multiples of 10, 20, or 50 watts while on their walk. In total, a Pokémon can only gain one level every time they are sent to the Pokéwalker, and will not gain any more experience if it exceeds that level. Pokémon cannot learn moves or evolve by levelling up in the Pokéwalker.
Each Pokéwalker area has three advantageous types which vary between areas and influence the Pokéwalker's Poké Radar and Dowsing Machine. When a Pokémon of an advantageous type is brought into an area, then the chance of finding rarer Pokémon when using the Poké Radar and items when using the Dowsing Machine will slightly increase. In addition to making rarer Pokémon easier to find when using the Poké Radar, an advantageous type will lower the required step count for each Pokémon by 25%. This effect does not apply to the Dowsing Machine.
The Pokéwalker can be used without a Pokémon stored in it. It will continue to accumulate steps and watts. The Dowsing Machine can still be used, but the Poké Radar cannot, as no battle could take place. In addition, Pokémon from the route being walked may voluntarily join the Pokéwalker seemingly at random, taking the spot of the missing Pokémon, essentially being caught for free.
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