You're surfing Route 120, dodging the rain, and you see it. A tiny dark hole in the cliffside. Honestly, most people just sail right past the Scorched Slab in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire because it looks like another boring flavor-text cave. But if you're hunting for Legendaries or just trying to wrap up the post-game content, this humid little grotto is actually a massive deal. It’s not just a place to find a TM and leave. It’s a multi-layered puzzle that changes depending on where you are in the story.
Back in the original Ruby and Sapphire, this place was basically a one-room closet. You walked in, grabbed TM11 (Sunny Day), and wondered why the developers even bothered naming it. It felt unfinished. In the 3DS remakes, Game Freak finally gave it some teeth. They turned it into a multi-floor dungeon that houses one of the tankiest Legendaries in the franchise. But there's a catch. If you show up too early, you're going to be staring at a pile of rocks and wondering why some random NPC is talking about "distortions."
The Scorched Slab is a masterclass in Hoenn’s environmental storytelling, even if it is a bit cramped.
How to Actually Reach the Scorched Slab
First things first: you need Surf. You’ve probably got that by the time you're hanging out near Fortree City. The cave is tucked away on the northern stretch of Route 120. You'll see a small patch of water under the bridge; hop on your Pokémon's back and head east.
It’s easy to miss. Really easy.
The entrance is just a small opening in the rock face. Once you step inside, the atmosphere shifts. The music stays the same, but the layout is immediately different from the bright, rainy exterior. In the early game, you’ll find a few trainers and some wild Pokémon like Golbat and Machoke. Standard cave stuff. But the real reason you're here is downstairs.
The cave has three distinct levels. The top level is the "entrance porch." The second level is where things get interesting. The third level? That’s where the Lava Dome Pokémon waits. But you can't just stroll down there. You have to trigger the Primal Reversion events first. If you haven't dealt with Kyogre or Groudon yet, the lower depths are essentially locked off or empty of their "Legendary" resident.
The Flannery Connection and the Heatran Encounter
Wait, why is Flannery here? If you head to the Scorched Slab after the events of the Delta Episode, or specifically after the Primal Groudon/Kyogre fight, you’ll bump into Lavaridge Town’s Gym Leader. She’s standing there, looking confused, talking about a rare Pokémon she heard rumors about.
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It’s a nice touch. It makes the world feel alive.
She mentions that she's looking for a Pokémon that thrives in the heat. She won’t help you fight it, but she sets the stage. After she leaves, you can descend into the lowest basement. This is where the Scorched Slab in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire stops being a generic cave and starts feeling like a volcanic ritual site.
In the center of the bottom floor, you'll see a flickering, orange portal. This is a "mirage" distortion, similar to the ones Hoopa creates all over the Hoenn region in the post-game. Interact with it, and Heatran jumps out.
Heatran is Level 50. It’s a Fire/Steel type, which is a defensive nightmare if you aren't prepared. It has the Flash Fire ability, meaning if you try to use Fire-type moves against it, you’re just making it stronger. Don't do that. Use Water, Ground, or Fighting moves. But be careful—Heatran is surprisingly heavy and hits like a freight train with moves like Iron Head and Heat Wave.
Why Heatran Matters for Your Team
Basically, Heatran is a competitive staple. Even years after Alpha Sapphire's release, people still trade for these specific Gen 6 catches.
- Typing: Steel and Fire. It resists almost everything. Fairy, Ice, Grass, Bug, Steel... the list goes on.
- Stats: Its Special Attack is massive. You can run it as a tank or a wall-breaker.
- Movepool: It learns Magma Storm (if you’re lucky/transferring) or Earth Power.
If you’re playing Alpha Sapphire, you probably have a Kyogre. Use it. Drizzle lowers the power of Heatran’s fire moves, and a STAB Origin Pulse or Surf will take it down to "red" health very quickly. Just make sure you don't accidentally knock it out. Save your game right in front of the portal. Seriously.
Hidden Items and Wild Encounters
Most people grab the TM for Sunny Day and dip. Big mistake.
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The Scorched Slab in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire hides a few other goodies if you’re willing to use the Dowsing Machine. You can find a Full Heal and an Ultra Ball tucked away in the corners. But the real prize, other than the Legendary, is the Charizardite Y.
Yes, if you're looking to Mega Evolve your Charizard into its sun-summoning form, this is the place. It’s lying on the ground in the basement. It’s a literal game-changer for anyone running a sun team.
Wild Pokémon here aren't exactly ground-breaking, but they are consistent. You’ll run into:
- Golbat (Everywhere, obviously).
- Machoke (Good for Attack EVs).
- Boldore (Sturdy is annoying, bring a multi-hit move).
It's a small list. The cave isn't about variety; it's about the atmosphere and that singular, massive encounter at the bottom.
Navigating the Myth: Is Volcanion Here?
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Back in 2014 and 2015, the internet was convinced that Volcanion was hidden in the Scorched Slab in Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.
It made sense, right? A cave filled with steam and fire? Volcanion is the Steam Pokémon.
People spent hundreds of hours trying to "unlock" a secret door or trigger a special event with a specific team. I remember the forum posts. They were relentless. But let's be real: Volcanion was an event-only Pokémon. You couldn't find it in the wild, not even in the Slab. The Slab was built for Heatran.
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It’s a bit of a letdown if you were hoping for a mythical encounter, but Heatran is a much more practical addition to your Pokédex anyway. The "steam" rumors likely came from the fact that the cave is damp and hot—a literal scorched slab of earth where the rain of Route 120 meets the volcanic heat of the basement.
Expert Tips for the Capture
Catching Heatran isn't just about throwing Ultra Balls. It’s about strategy.
First, bring a Pokémon with False Swipe. Scizor is a great choice because it resists many of Heatran’s moves, though it hates the Fire-type ones. Gallade is another solid option. Get Heatran down to 1 HP.
Second, status conditions are your best friend. Sleep is better than Paralysis, but Paralysis is permanent. Bring a Pokémon with Spore (like Breloom) or Thunder Wave.
Third, use the right balls. Since this is a cave, Dusk Balls are your most effective tool. They have a 3.5x catch rate modifier inside caves, which is significantly better than an Ultra Ball’s 2x. If the fight drags on for more than 10 turns, start chucking Timer Balls.
Also, check the nature. If you’re into competitive battling, you want a Modest or Calm nature for Heatran. You can influence this by putting a Pokémon with the Synchronize ability (like Ralts or Abra) at the front of your party with the desired nature. It’s a 50% chance in Gen 6, which is better than nothing.
Actionable Steps for Your Hoenn Journey
To make the most of this location, follow this specific path:
- Defeat the Primal Pokémon: You can't get Heatran until the world-ending weather crisis is averted. Finish the Seafloor Cavern and the Sootopolis City events first.
- Clear the Delta Episode: While not strictly required for the portal to appear, having Rayquaza and the extra levels makes the trek much easier.
- Stock up on Dusk Balls: Fly to Fallarbor Town or the Pokémon League to buy them in bulk.
- Grab Charizardite Y: Even if you don't have a Charizard, get the stone. It’s valuable for trading or for later in the game.
- Talk to the NPCs: Don't ignore the girl outside or Flannery inside. They provide the context that makes the Scorched Slab feel like more than just a hole in the wall.
Once you've caught Heatran, take it to the Battle Resort. It’s one of the few Legendaries allowed in certain Battle Maison formats, and its utility is unmatched. The Scorched Slab might be small, but its impact on your post-game power level is massive. Don't let the rain on Route 120 wash away your chance to grab one of the best Steel types ever designed.