Pro tips for starting Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

So, you've picked up either Pokémon Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire - perhaps even both - and you want to optimise your first playthrough. Look no further than these handy tips!

Which starter?

Mudkip is best. Swampert can use the HMs Surf, Strength, and Waterfall, while Blaziken and Sceptile can only learn Cut and Strength. Swampert also learns the insanely overpowered move Earthquake at level 52 or via TM to round off its moveset nicely.

After a while, the battle animations may start to grate. For me, that was back in Pokémon Yellow. Ever since then, I've always started my game by using the above options, accessible from the main menu (X button).

Set the text speed to fast, battle effects to off, and battle style to set, and away you go! Battle style refers to whether you wish to be asked to change your Pokémon after defeating a trainer's Pokémon when they have multiple Pokémon.

Note that you can also set the L button to work as the A button for one-handed gaming.

Zigzagoon is one of the first Pokémon you can catch in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. Around half of them will have the Pickup Ability, enabling them to nab items like Rare Candies, Nuggets, and Revives as you play.

The higher your Zigzagoon's level, the greater your chances of getting a better item. Don't worry about it evolving either - Linoone also has the Pickup Ability.

Also, Linoone learns Cut, Surf, Strength, Secret Power, Dig, and Rock Smash, making it a very useful Pokémon in the field once you've received the HM and TM for each move.

If you set off with your starter Pokémon and five Zigzagoons with Pickup, you'll net loads of items in no time. These can be used in battle, or sold to buy other bits and bobs. Which brings us to...

Healing items, battle items... just about everything outside of Poké Balls and rare hold items aren't really needed through the course of the game until you fight the Elite Four.

I recommend you sell any medicine and battle items you get until you're rolling in cash towards the end of the game. Use this money to buy Poké Balls in sets of 10, which gives you a bonus Premier Ball.

Any time you pass by a berry tree, pick them all, then plant the berries you have the least of. You can sort your berries in the item screen by tapping the button that looks like a refresh icon in the bottom-right corner and choosing "from fewest".

I also recommend growing plenty of Leppa berries as they restore 10PP to moves. If you tend to take a while between each Pokémon Center visit, they'll prove mighty useful.

I tend to choose just one Pokémon - often my starter - and stick with it for battling each and every Pokémon in the game. If you mix up your moveset enough, you'll be able to steamroll the Pokémon Champ by the end of the game without an issue.

You can still train the rest of your troupe with the Key Item Exp Share, which is recommended if you're bringing a bunch of Zigzagoons.

Once you receive the PlayNav, you'll have access to the Player Search System from Pokémon X and Y. This opens up the world of Wonder Trading, where other Pokémon players recycle their unwanted Pokémon for new ones.

For the most part these will be quite rubbish Pokémon, but every so often you'll get a well-bred Pokémon that's just not quite perfect enough for their Original Trainer.

Traded Pokémon earn experience 50% faster than your own. It might be worth the gamble just to round out your team's typing or fill up your Pokédex.

The Cosplay Pikachu you receive after entering your first Pokémon Contest is already well-rounded for each contest type. You can max out its stats quite easily once you have a good selection of berries and the Pokéblock Kit.

Try to use Pokéblocks marked with the "+" if possible. When each stat is maxed it'll sparkle on Pikachu's contest screen. Next, go and visit the Pokémon Fan Club President at Slateport City.

Show him your Pikachu five times and you'll receive five scarves - each one boosts a particular Contest stat.

Now, just make sure Pikachu changes into the right costume for each Contest, teach him a few extra moves via TM, and equip the correct scarf. You can't lose!

The move False Swipe is key to catching Pokémon easily. It always leaves 1HP on the opposing Pokémon.

It's best to have a Pokémon with both this move, and a move that'll either cause the Sleep or Paralysis effect.

Breloom is my favourite due to its high Attack stat, and access to the move Spore. Spore is guaranteed to inflict the Sleep status, making it a doddle to catch even Legendary Pokémon.

To get yours catch a Shroomish in Petalburg Woods near the start of the game. It learns Spore at Level 45, but evolves at Level 23, so keep bashing the B button every time it tries to evolve!

Reddit has a handy database of QR codes for Super Secret Bases, including some from Pokémon developers! Many are custom made to help you train your Pokémon. Stay tuned for a full guide next month.