How to Use the DexNav Feature in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Find hidden Pokémon, abilities, and items with the DexNav

Reviewed by Ishrak

Last Updated: December 27, 2023

In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the DexNav is a new feature that allows you to find hidden Pokémon, along with being able to find Pokémon with hidden abilities, egg moves, and specific items. This article will explain how to acquire and use the features of the DexNav.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Acquiring the DexNav

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He/she'll have either Torchic, Mudkip, or Treecko, depending on the starter you chose.
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You'll be given a Pokedex and some Poke Balls.

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You'll be stopped by Brendan/May, who will upgrade your PokéNav Plus with the DexNav feature.

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Searching for Hidden Pokémon

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The DexNav is the red square with a Poké Ball and Pikachu on the bottom screen.
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When a hidden Pokémon is nearby, a magnifying glass will appear on the screen. Touch it, and a target will appear. As you get closer to the Pokémon, it will glow red.
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Sneak up on it by lightly pushing the control stick in the direction you want to go. Once you've snuck up to it, you'll get into a battle with it. If you go too fast, it will spot you and disappear.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Finding Pokémon with Hidden Abilities, Egg Moves, Items, and High IVs

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This will make it appear on your DexNav.
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Press the search button, and the DexNav will search for it in the area. The target will glow red if the Pokémon is spotted nearby, otherwise, you'll be told it couldn't find the Pokémon.
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When you get near the Pokémon, you'll be told its level, type, ability, first move, the item it's holding, if any, and its IVs (Individual values, called "Potential" by the game). The higher the search level, the more likely you'll be to find Pokémon with hidden abilities (abilities a Pokémon wouldn't normally be able to have if you catch it normally in the wild), egg moves (moves it would normally learn by being bred), and high IVs. IVs determine how high a specific stat is. The higher an IV is, the higher the stat is. IVs are indicated by stars, and for each star filled in, the Pokémon has an IV of 31 (the maximum possible) in a specific stat. The DexNav indicates hidden abilities, egg moves, and high IVs with a red circle with an exclamation mark next to the info.
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Catching DexNav-exclusive Pokémon

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You get the National Pokédex from Professor Birch in his lab at Littleroot Town after defeating the 8th gym leader.
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Each area has three DexNav-exclusive Pokémon.
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Go around until the hidden Pokémon appears. You'll know if it's the Pokémon you want by hearing its cry.
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Tips

Some Pokémon hold items that they only hold when you find them with the DexNav, so if it holds an item you want, encounter it repeatedly to have a higher chance of finding one with that item.

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The more you successfully find and encounter the same Pokémon in a row, the higher the level you find it at.

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Use a Repel to ensure that you can sneak up to the hidden Pokémon without getting into a battle with an unrelated Pokémon.

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Warnings

Avoid getting into a trainer battle or finding non-DexNav wild Pokémon, as doing so will cause you to lose the hidden Pokémon.

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Don't go into spots with NPCs nearby. If they step near the hidden Pokémon, they'll scare it away.

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How to Use the DexNav Feature in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Steps

Acquiring the DexNav

Searching for Hidden Pokémon

Finding Pokémon with Hidden Abilities, Egg Moves, Items, and High IVs

Catching DexNav-exclusive Pokémon

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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