- Pokemon Renaissance Chapter 1 covers Blue Coast Town, Route 1, and arrival at Clifton Sea
- Regional starters: Bulbasaur (Ice/Grass), Charmander (Ground), Squirtle (Steel) — all use new Odorus forms
- Side quests first: Completing Blue Coast quests before Route 1 makes your team overleveled in a good way
- Key boss: Rival Thomas blocks the Route 1 exit with a Level 7 team
- Chapter ending: Serpentine Cave teases the evil team planting explosives
Chapter 1 Overview: A Glimmer Over Odorus
Chapter 1, titled "A Glimmer Over Odorus," opens with one of the most stylish intros in any fan-made Pokemon game. You begin in a records office where a printing error produced three trainer files instead of two — this is how character selection works. You confirm one file belongs to Thomas, a 17-year-old rival, then pick your own avatar from the remaining two, customize name, skin tone, and eye color, and the Pokédex gets programmed for you.
Difficulty can be changed at any time in the options menu (except Nightmare mode), and the choice has no impact on content — Normal is a comfortable starting point.
Video Highlights:
- Full Chapter 1 playthrough from intro to Clifton Sea
- All three regional starter forms showcased in battle
- Every Blue Coast Town side quest completed on-screen
- Rival battle and double-freeze clutch moment against the Ruins duelist
Your first morning: your sister stops you at the door and hands you a map and journal — two core tools you'll use constantly. Before leaving, interact with the shrine in your home dedicated to your deceased parents for a poignant story beat. Professor Blackthorn's lab sits by the sea.
Blue Coast Town is packed with hidden items, one free gift from a Galarian NPC, and several side quests. Talk to every NPC — the town rewards thorough exploration with items, money, and battle experience before you ever touch Route 1.
Starter Selection: Odorus Regional Forms
Professor Blackthorn explains that the Odorus region hosts its own endemic regional forms. All three classic Kanto starters arrive with completely new typings:
| Starter | Odorus Typing | Strengths | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | Ice/Grass | Strong special moves, Powder Snow early | Special attackers, early-game catch utility |
| Charmander | Ground | Electric immunity, powerful physical moves | Aggressive physical playstyle |
| Squirtle | Steel | Metal shell defense, Bullet Punch priority | Defensive, slow-and-steady teams |
Bulbasaur (Ice/Grass)
- Powder Snow hits hard early
- Leech Seed + Absorb sustain
- Weak to Fire — watch for the Medi fight
Charmander (Ground)
- Electric immunity is unique
- Excellent physical damage
- Strong into the duelist in the Ruins
Squirtle (Steel)
- Bullet Punch priority attacks
- Best defensive bulk
- The rival's Steel Squirtle is a genuine threat
Note that the rival, Thomas, receives a starter that counters yours — if you pick Bulbasaur, his Steel Squirtle's Bullet Punch outpaces you with priority, so stock Potions before leaving town.
The Pokédex isn't handed out at the lab — a delivery problem means you must collect it at Clifton Sea, west past Route 1. Blackthorn gives you Poké Balls in the meantime, so catch freely along the way.
Blue Coast Town Side Quests
The starting town contains a surprising amount of optional content. Completing all of it before Route 1 leaves your starter evolved into Ivysaur (if Bulbasaur) by the rival fight.
| Side Quest | Giver | Location | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stolen Oran Berries | Mergin the merchant | Town square | Berry pack for battles |
| Artist's Inspiration | Paul Vincent | His house | Camera + compensation for 3 photos |
| Hide-and-Seek | Lisa | Blue Coast Ruins | Rare Candy, Full Heal, friendship item |
| Missing Mareep | Bruno | Farm/barn | Items + money, heartwarming reunion |
| A Dream Mareep | Lighthouse guard | Lighthouse | Old medicines |
| Berry Trail Follow-up | Kevin's mother | Pokémon Center | Quest chain continuation |
The Stolen Berries
Mergin says a brown-haired boy ran west with a crate of Oran Berries. Follow the trail to the Pokémon Center, where you learn Kevin took them to make juice for his sick mother. Return with the boy; the merchant lets him keep the berries in exchange for future help, and you receive a berry batch.
The Artist's Three Photos
Paul Vincent gives you a camera with room for exactly three shots: a shell-covered beach, a towering lighthouse, and a bridge into the unknown. The shell beach is on Route 1 past the fisherman — ask him to step aside for the shot. Plan carefully; the memory is nearly full.
Hide-and-Seek at the Ruins
Lisa and her Pokemon hide in the Blue Coast Ruins. Find four Pokemon plus Lisa herself, then battle her Level 6 team. Rewards include a Rare Candy and a Full Heal.
The Mareep Mystery
Bruno at the farm asks you to question his cold, distant worker Robin. Robin confides about his old friend Medi. Sleep at the Pokémon Center until night (Fedison the Blissey handles night healing), find Medi by the shore, pick the right dialogue options (ask about the farm, then mention the Mareep theft), battle his Level 8 team, deliver his letter to Robin for Dusk Balls, then investigate the ruins. The "thief" is Bruno's long-lost Ampharos protecting her Mareep children — a genuinely touching payoff.
A green-haired trainer near the ruins runs a Level 14 double battle. Do not engage on your first pass — return after Route 1 with a Level 12+ team. The rematch reward includes Dusk Balls and serious experience.
Route 1 and the Rival Battle
Route 1 offers branching paths, six trainers, and a gatekeeper: trainer Paval and his Burbble will only battle you after you defeat all six route trainers. Wild encounters include Burmy, Oddish, Genie-line Pokemon, and Marie (Mareep) — catching a Marie matters for the lighthouse side quest.
| Route 1 Challenge | Level Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard trainers | 3-6 | Great grinding, heal between fights |
| Fisherman (shell beach) | ~5 | Blocks the photo spot; battle first |
| Rival Thomas | 7 | Counter-type starter, uses Potions |
| Paval & Burbble | ~7 | Final gate; reward Soda Pop + Great Balls |
Rival Thomas battle tips:
- His starter counters yours by design; if you run Bulbasaur into Steel Squirtle, expect Bullet Punch priority to outspeed everything
- Open with Leech Seed to grind out the damage race, then heal through his Potions
- Bring 3-4 Potions and your strongest catch (an Oddish or Marie with status moves helps)
After the battle, Martin of Azor Corporation delivers your Pokédex, plus bonus Poké Balls. He warns that an organization is planting explosives in Serpentine Cave — your clear hook into Chapter 2 and the Vestilia Gym beyond.
Finishing all Blue Coast side quests before Route 1 puts your starter around Level 12-14 with an evolved form. The rival fight becomes nearly free, and you enter Serpentine Cave with confidence.
Chapter 1 Completion Checklist
Before Entering Serpentine Cave:
- Choose starter and clear all Blue Coast Town side quests
- Catch a Marie and deliver it to the lighthouse guard's son
- Take all three photos for Paul Vincent (beach, lighthouse, bridge)
- Defeat all six Route 1 trainers plus Paval
- Win the rival battle against Thomas
- Receive the Pokedex from Martin at the Route 1 exit
- Rematch the Ruins duelist for bonus rewards
FAQ
Q: Which starter is best for the Pokemon Renaissance Chapter 1 walkthrough?
Bulbasaur's Ice/Grass Odorus form performs excellently through Chapter 1 thanks to Powder Snow and Leech Seed sustain, though Fire-type enemies like Medi's Shinx-line counter it. Charmander's Ground form is the safest all-around pick with Electric immunity and strong physical damage.
Q: Can I change the difficulty after starting?
Yes. Aside from Nightmare mode, difficulty can be adjusted at any time in the options menu, and the choice has no impact on the amount of content you can access.
Q: How do I make it nighttime for the Mareep quest?
Book a room and sleep at the Blue Coast Town Pokémon Center hotel desk. At night, Fedison replaces Nurse Joy and heals your team. Medi only appears near the shore after dark.
Q: What is at the end of Chapter 1?
You arrive at Clifton Sea, receive the Pokedex from Martin, and get a trainer class briefing from the professor. Serpentine Cave — where an unknown organization is planting explosives — is teased as the gateway to Vestilia Gym in the next chapter.