- This Pokemon Renaissance walkthrough covers Chapter 1 from Blue Coast Town to Clifton Sea.
- Regional starters change typing: Bulbasaur is Ice/Grass, Charmander is Ground, Squirtle is Steel.
- Side quests in the starting town give free Poké Balls, berries, and Rare Candy.
- Defeat all six Route 1 trainers to unlock Pavl's challenge battle.
- XP Share is enabled by default, so catching and side quests keep your team leveled.
Pokemon Renaissance Walkthrough: Getting Started in Blue Coast Town
This Pokemon Renaissance walkthrough begins in Blue Coast Town, a large starting area packed with optional content. After the record-office intro and character customization, you wake up in your room. Your sister gives you a map and journal before you head to Professor Blackthorn's lab by the sea. Along the way, talk to every NPC — several side quests start inside town itself.
Video Highlights:
- Full Chapter 1 gameplay from character creation to Clifton Sea
- All three regional starter forms shown and compared
- Every Blue Coast Town side quest completed, including the Marip farm mystery
- Rival battle vs Thomas and the Route 1 trainer gauntlet
Before leaving, buy a Potion from the street merchant, grab the free item from the Galarian NPC, and check the shrine behind your house for a short lore moment about your character's parents.
Blue Coast Town is unusually large for a starting hub. Explore every house, field, and the ruins to the north before heading west — most Chapter 1 side quests and free items are hidden here.
Starter Pokemon: Regional Forms Compared
Professor Blackthorn offers three Odorus regional forms. Unlike standard Kanto starters, these typings completely change early-game matchups, so choose based on your planned team rather than habit.
| Starter | Regional Typing | Strengths | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur | Ice/Grass | Strong special moves, Powder Snow early | Fire types, Steel bullet-punch moves |
| Charmander | Ground | Electric immunity, powerful physical attacker | Ice and Water coverage |
| Squirtle | Steel | Metal shell gives great defense, priority Bullet Punch | Fire and Ground moves |
Bulbasaur (Ice/Grass)
- Powder Snow hits hard early
- Leech Seed sustains long fights
- Weak to rival's Steel Squirtle
Charmander (Ground)
- Immune to Electric moves
- Best physical damage output
- Struggles vs Water routes ahead
Squirtle (Steel)
- Bullet Punch priority is excellent
- Top-tier bulk for a starter
- Slow offensive starts
The rival, Thomas, picks a starter strong against yours — if you choose Bulbasaur, expect a tough Steel-type Squirtle duel with priority Bullet Punch. Stock Potions and lean on Leech Seed.
Blue Coast Town Side Quests
Chapter 1's side quests reward berries, Poké Balls, Rare Candy, and useful battle items. Complete them before Route 1 to arrive overleveled.
The Stolen Oran Berries
Accept the merchant's request in the square. Track the brown-haired boy west, question the berry-loving grandmother, then confront Kevin at the Pokémon Center. Follow the trail to Matteo's house to learn his sick mother needed the berries. Return everything for a berry pack reward.
Paul Vincent's Photos
The artist in town gives you a camera. Photograph a shell-covered beach, a tall lighthouse, and a bridge to the unknown. The camera only holds three pictures, so take each target once and return for your reward.
Lisa's Hide-and-Seek
Find Lisa's four hidden Pokémon plus Lisa herself around the Blue Coast Ruins. Winning her follow-up battle earns a Rare Candy and a Full Heal.
The Marip Farm Mystery
Bruno's three Marip vanished. Question the withdrawn Robin, wait until nighttime (sleep at the Pokémon Center), then confront Medi near the water. Deliver his letter to Robin for Dusk Balls, then investigate the ruins — the "thief" is a protective Afrost reunion, netting you a generous reward.
The Lighthouse Guard's Wish
A guard's sick son dreams of owning a Marip. Catch one in the ruins area and hand it over for old medicines and story progression.
| Side Quest | Key Reward | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Stolen Oran Berries | Berry pack | ★☆☆ |
| Paul Vincent's Photos | Compensation + camera | ★☆☆ |
| Hide-and-Seek | Rare Candy, Full Heal | ★★☆ |
| Marip Farm Mystery | Dusk Balls, farm rewards | ★★★ |
| Lighthouse Marip | Old medicines | ★★☆ |
A duet-battle trainer near the ruins uses Level 14 Pokémon while you're likely around Level 6-8. Skip her initially, finish Route 1 and side quests, then return around Level 12+ for revenge.
Route 1: Trainers, Items, and the Rival Battle
Route 1 branches in multiple directions rather than a single linear path. Pavl, the route's strongest trainer, refuses to battle until you defeat all six other trainers first.
| Route 1 Stop | What to Do | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Beach (east) | Photograph shells, fight the fisherman | Shell Bell, X Attack |
| Bridge | Third photo target, trainer battles | Great Ball, items |
| North path | Extra trainer, wild encounters | XP, items |
| Route end | Rival battle vs Thomas | Story progress |
During the rival battle, Martin of Azor Corporation arrives afterward to deliver your Pokédex and Poké Balls. He warns that an organization is planting explosives in Serpentine Cave — your next destination after Clifton Sea.
Early bosses hit hard. Opening with Leech Seed and healing through Potions won both the Medi fight and the rival battle reliably in testing. Powder Snow's freeze chance is a bonus, not a plan.
Chapter 1 Completion Checklist
Before Entering Serpentine Cave:
- Choose your Odorus regional starter
- Complete all five Blue Coast Town side quests
- Catch a Marip for the lighthouse guard
- Defeat all six Route 1 trainers
- Beat the rival battle and receive the Pokédex
- Stock Poké Balls, Potions, and Repels
| Milestone | Recommended Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Town side quests | 6-10 | Bulbasaur evolves near quest completion |
| Rival battle | 8-10 | Leech Seed + Potions recommended |
| Return trainer fight | 12+ | Level 14 double battle in the ruins |
| Serpentine Cave | 12+ | Evil team explosives teased ahead |
FAQ
Q: Can I change the difficulty in Pokemon Renaissance?
Yes. Aside from Nightmare mode, difficulty can be changed at any time in the options menu, and the choice has no impact on the amount of content available.
Q: Which starter is best for this Pokemon Renaissance walkthrough?
Bulbasaur's Ice/Grass form performed strongly thanks to Powder Snow, Leech Seed, and early evolution into Ivysaur. Charmander's Ground form suits physical-attack players, while Steel Squirtle favors defensive playstyles.
Q: How do I switch to nighttime in Blue Coast Town?
Book a room and sleep at the Pokémon Center hotel. Nurse Joy only works during the day — at night, a Pokémon named Fedison handles healing duties. Nighttime is required to find Medi for the Marip farm quest.
Q: What happens after Route 1 in Chapter 1?
You reach Clifton Sea, receive a trainer-class briefing from the professor, and prepare to cross Serpentine Cave toward Vestilia Gym while an unknown organization plants explosives inside the cave.