How to play Route 81

Route 81 is a logic grid. Nine rules run across the top, nine run down the side, and every one of the 81 squares needs a Pokémon that fits both its row rule and its column rule. You can only use each Pokémon once per board.

The basics

  1. Read the two rules for a square. A square under "Fire" in a row labelled "Kanto" needs a Fire-type Pokémon first introduced in Kanto, like Charmander or Vulpix.
  2. Tap the square and type a name. Suggestions appear as you type; pick one and confirm.
  3. Right answers lock in. The square shows the Pokémon and, on the Daily board, how many other players picked the same one.
  4. Wrong answers cost a life. You get three. Run out and the board locks, and you can tap any square to see what would have fit.
  5. Hints reveal one valid answer for the square you're on. You get three per board.

The three modes

Daily

One shared board a day, the same for everyone. Every correct pick is added to your Pokédex, and after you finish you can see how rare your answers were compared with everyone else's. Picking an answer few people found is the real challenge.

Draft

Build your own board. Choose the size (anything from 1×1 up to 9×9, rectangles included) and switch whole groups of categories on or off. Want a board of only types and regions? You can deal one. Draft boards are for practice and don't count toward your Pokédex.

Reverse

The grid comes already filled in, and the rules are hidden. Look at the Pokémon in a row or column, work out what they all have in common, and name the category. Any category that fits every Pokémon in the line counts, not only the one we had in mind. The daily Reverse board adds each category you name to your Category Index.

Tips that actually help

Every category, explained

These are all the rules a board can use right now.

Types (18)

The Pokémon must have that type, as either its first or second type. Dual types count for both.

Regions (10)

The Pokémon must have been introduced in that region.

RegionFirst appeared in
KantoRed, Blue & Yellow (Gen 1)
JohtoGold, Silver & Crystal (Gen 2)
HoennRuby, Sapphire & Emerald (Gen 3)
SinnohDiamond, Pearl & Platinum (Gen 4)
UnovaBlack & White (Gen 5)
KalosX & Y (Gen 6)
AlolaSun & Moon (Gen 7)
GalarSword & Shield (Gen 8)
HisuiLegends: Arceus (Gen 8)
PaldeaScarlet & Violet (Gen 9)

Evolution (10)

Base Stage
The first stage of an evolution line, the one everything else evolves from.
Middle Stage
Evolves from something and into something else.
Final Form
The last stage of its line; it doesn't evolve any further.
Doesn't Evolve
Has no evolutions at all. It neither evolves nor is evolved from.
Baby Pokémon
A baby pre-evolution added in a later generation, like Pichu or Igglybuff.
Branched Evolution
Belongs to a line that splits into more than one possible evolution, like Eevee's.
Evolved by Level Up
Reached by leveling up its previous stage.
Evolved by Trade
Reached by trading its previous stage.
Evolved by Friendship
Reached once its previous stage has high friendship.
Evolved by Item
Reached with an item: an evolution stone, or an item held during a trade or level-up.

Special categories (12)

Legendary
One of the Legendary Pokémon.
Mythical
One of the Mythical Pokémon, usually given out at events.
Starter Pokémon
A first-partner Pokémon or one of its evolutions.
Fossil Pokémon
A Pokémon revived from a fossil, like Omanyte or Aerodactyl.
Ultra Beast
One of the Ultra Beasts from Sun & Moon.
Paradox Pokémon
An ancient or future Paradox form from Scarlet & Violet.
Mega Evolution
A Mega Evolved form.
Gigantamax
A Gigantamax form.
Regional Form
An Alolan, Galarian, Hisuian or Paldean variant.
Single Type
Has exactly one type.
Dual Type
Has two types.
Baby Pokémon
Also appears under Evolution above.

Moves (78)

"Learns [move]" means the Pokémon can learn that move in any way: by level-up, TM or a move tutor.

Abilities (16)

"Ability: [name]" means the Pokémon can have that ability, including as a hidden ability.

Play today's board