by Nelson Chitty
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (1) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (1)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/00-featured-pokemon-crystal-facing-a-pokemon-tablet-puzzle-in-the-ruins-of-alph.jpg)
The Ruins of Alph is a mysterious location in Pokémon Crystal where you can encounter and catch Unown.
You’ll find the Ruins of Alph southwest of Violet City. There are entrances to the site on Route 32 and Route 36.
Summoning Unown requires you to visit one of four Puzzle Chambers around the Ruins and reconstruct a stone tablet depicting a Pokémon from smaller pieces. Here’s a quick overview of every Puzzle Chamber:
SCROLL
Chamber | Entrance Location | Puzzle Image | Associated Unown Forms |
---|---|---|---|
Top Right Chamber | Northeastern Ruins of Alph | Kabuto | A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K |
Bottom Right Chamber | Southeastern Ruins of Alph | Aerodactyl | S, T, U, Y, W |
Top Left Chamber | Union Cave, B1 | Ho-Oh | X, Y, Z |
Bottom Left Chamber | Union Cave, B1 | Omanyte | L, M, N, O, P, Q, R |
In each of the Puzzle Chambers, there are Hidden Rooms filled with items that can only be accessed by performing a secret action.
There’s a clue written in Unown characters at the back of every Chamber, but they can be hard to interpret.
Don’t worry; we’ve figured it out for you:
SCROLL
Chamber | Clue | Solution | Hidden Treasure |
---|---|---|---|
Top Right Chamber | ESCAPE | Use an Escape Rope. | Berry PSNCureBerry Heal Powder Energy Powder |
Bottom Right Chamber | LIGHT | Use Flash. | Heal Powder Energy Root Gold Berry Moon Stone |
Top Left Chamber | HO-OH | Have Ho-Oh as your Party Leader. | Revival Herb Charcoal Gold Berry MysteryBerry |
Bottom Left Chamber | WATER | “Use” a Water Stone from your Bag in front of the WATER sign. | Stardust Star Piece MysteryBerry Mystic Water |
Keep reading for more details on finding each Puzzle Chamber in the Ruins of Alph and tips on how to catch all 26 Unown forms.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Where Are the Puzzle Chambers?
- The Eastern Chambers: Ruins of Alph Site
- The Western Chambers: Union Cave Basem*nt
- Locating the Top Left Puzzle Chamber
- Locating the Bottom Left Puzzle Chamber
- What To Do in the Ruins of Alph Chambers
- All Puzzle Solutions + Hidden Rooms
- Top Right Puzzle Chamber
- Kabuto Puzzle
- Hidden Room
- Bottom Right Puzzle Chamber
- Aerodactyl Puzzle
- Hidden Room
- Top Left Puzzle Chamber
- Ho-Oh Puzzle
- Hidden Room
- Bottom Left Puzzle Chamber
- Omanyte Puzzle
- Hidden Room
- Top Right Puzzle Chamber
- Completing the Unown Dex
Where Are the Puzzle Chambers?
The Ruins of Alph are divided into two halves that house two Puzzle Chambers each.
The eastern side (cyan) is accessible from Violet City, while the western side (magenta) can be reached through Union Cave.
The Eastern Chambers: Ruins of Alph Site
You can easily access the eastern side of the Ruins of Alph from Violet City.
- North West Exit (Route 36): Go south at the first opportunity to enter the ruins.
- South West Exit (Route 32): Go west at the first opportunity to enter the ruins.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (3) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (3)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/02-pokemon-crystal-map-of-johto-indicating-the-location-of-the-ruins-of-alph.jpg)
Once inside, you’ll find the first Puzzle Chamber in the Top Right corner of the map. It’s the first thing you’ll see to your right after coming in from the northern gate (Route 36).
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (4) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (4)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/03-pokemon-crystal-entering-the-top-right-puzzle-chamber.jpg)
The second Puzzle Chamber is in the Bottom Right corner of the map, past a small water stream. You’ll need a Pokémon with Surf to cross it and reach the entrance.
Tip: You can get HM03 Surf at Ecruteak City’s Dance Theater. Just be sure to first defeat Ecruteak’s Gym Leader, Morty, so your Pokémon can use it outside combat.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (5) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (5)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/04-pokemon-crystal-entering-the-bottom-right-puzzle-chamber.jpg)
The Western Chambers: Union Cave Basem*nt
To reach the western chambers you’ll need to travel through Union Cave.
Union Cave connects Routes 32 and 33, but it’s easier to reach the Puzzle Chambers from the southern entrance (Route 33). This entrance is located east of Azalea Town.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (6) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (6)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/05-pokemon-crystal-entering-union-cave-from-the-azalea-town-side-route-33.jpg)
Once inside, follow the only available road up & then curve west.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (7) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (7)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/06-pokemon-crystal-union-cave-near-the-southern-exit.jpg)
Keep going westward until you hit a wall, then go up the stairs.
You’ll find a ladder leading down to the basem*nt just past an NPC.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (8) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (8)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/07-pokemon-crystal-approaching-the-ladder-leading-to-the-union-cave-basem*nt.jpg)
Climb down the ladder, then go into the water to the northeast.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (9) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (9)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/08-pokemon-crystal-entering-the-water-in-the-union-cave-basem*nt.jpg)
Surf right and follow the water. You’ll find more dry land to the north here.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (10) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (10)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/09-pokemon-crystal-exiting-the-water-in-the-union-cave-basem*nt.jpg)
Disembark here and follow this road until you come across a fork.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (11) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (11)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/10-pokemon-crystal-fork-in-the-union-cave-separating-2-puzzle-chambers.jpg)
Locating the Top Left Puzzle Chamber
The northern path leads to the Top Left Puzzle Chamber.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (12) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (12)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/11-pokemon-crystal-exiting-the-union-cave-on-the-way-to-the-top-left-puzzle-chamber.jpg)
You’ll come out in a formerly inaccessible area of the Ruins of Alph. Enter the cave on the left to access the Top Left Chamber.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (13) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (13)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/12-pokemon-crystal-approaching-the-top-left-puzzle-chamber.jpg)
Locating the Bottom Left Puzzle Chamber
Back at the fork in Union Cave, if you go south it leads to the Bottom Left Puzzle Chamber. You’ll have to use Strength to remove a boulder on yourway outside.
Tip: You’ll acquire HM04 Strength from a sailor at Olivine City’s Café.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (14) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (14)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/13-pokemon-crystal-exiting-the-union-cave-on-the-way-to-the-bottom-left-puzzle-chamber.jpg)
Once you move the boulder and exit via the south, just jump down a ledge to the left to reach the Bottom Left Chamber in the Ruins of Alph.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (15) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (15)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/14-pokemon-crystal-approaching-the-bottom-left-puzzle-chamber.jpg)
What To Do in the Ruins of Alph Chambers
Each Puzzle Chamber has a regular puzzle to solve and a hidden room to unlock & access.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (16) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (16)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/15-pokemon-crystal-parts-of-a-puzzle-chamber.jpg)
Correctly solving the puzzle opens a hole in the ground and drops you into the Ruins’ main hall. This also summons new Unown forms that will roam this area from now on.
Tip: Solving all four puzzles is required to catch all Unown forms and complete the Unown Dex.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (17) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (17)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/16-pokemon-crystal-unown-are-summoned-into-the-main-hall-of-the-ruins-of-alph.jpg)
In addition, you can unlock a hidden room by performing a specific task at every Puzzle Chamber. The word written on the wall opposite the entrance offers a clue about how to unlock the hidden room.
Once you’ve fulfilled the secret ritual, a passage opens up in the back where the clue used to be.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (18) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (18)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/17-pokemon-crystal-entering-the-hidden-room-after-opening-it.jpg)
These hidden rooms are full of useful items, some extremely rare. There’s also a hole leading down at the back of the room so you can get out.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (19) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (19)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/18-pokemon-crystal-entering-the-chamber-below-the-hidden-room.jpg)
Going down the hole reveals a message from an ancient civilization written down in Unown characters.
Another hole at the bottom right corner of that room leads to the main hall.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (20) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (20)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/19-pokemon-crystal-1-of-the-cryptic-messages-left-by-an-ancient-civilization.jpg)
Let’s look closer at each specific chamber’s puzzle and hidden room.
All Puzzle Solutions + Hidden Rooms
Top Right Puzzle Chamber
Kabuto Puzzle
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (21) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (21)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/20-pokemon-crystal-complete-kabuto-stone-tablet-puzzle.jpg)
Finishing this puzzle will drop you into the main hall and summon the following Unown forms: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K.
Hidden Room
The text in the back of the Puzzle Chamber reads “ESCAPE.”
Use an Escape Rope to exit the Puzzle Chamber, then return inside. You’ll hear the hidden room open in the back.
Inside the hidden room you’ll find the following items:
- Berry
- PSNCureBerry
- Heal Powder
- Energy Powder
The cryptic message from the ancient civilization in the room below reads:
“Our words shall remain here for the ages.”
Bottom Right Puzzle Chamber
Aerodactyl Puzzle
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (22) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (22)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/21-pokemon-crystal-complete-aerodactyl-stone-tablet-puzzle.jpg)
Finishing this puzzle will drop you into the main hall and summon the following Unown forms: S, T, U, Y, W.
Hidden Room
The text in the back of the Puzzle Chamber reads “LIGHT.”
Have a Pokémon use Flash in the chamber to open the way into the hidden room.
Tip: You can get HM05 Flash at the Bellsprout Tower in Violet City. Defeating the local Gym Leader, Falkner, lets your Pokémon use it outside combat.
Inside the hidden room you’ll find the following items:
- Heal Powder
- Energy Root
- Gold Berry
- Moon Stone
The cryptic message from the ancient civilization in the room below reads:
“Thus we shall erect a Pokémon statue outside.”
Top Left Puzzle Chamber
Ho-Oh Puzzle
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (23) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (23)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/22-pokemon-crystal-complete-ho-oh-stone-tablet-puzzle.jpg)
Finishing this puzzle will drop you into the main hall and summon the following Unown forms: X, Y, Z.
Hidden Room
The text in the back of the Puzzle Chamber reads “HO-OH.”
To unlock this hidden room you must catch Ho-Oh at the Tin Tower and have it as your Party Leader, then enter the Puzzle Chamber.
Tip: To find Ho-Oh at the Tin Tower, you must obtain the Rainbow Wing. You’ll get it from a monk at the Tin Tower after catching all three Legendary Beasts (Suicune, Entei, Raikou).
Inside the hidden room you’ll find the following items:
- Revival Herb
- Charcoal
- Gold Berry
- MysteryBerry
The cryptic message from the ancient civilization in the room below reads:
“We humans must learn to walk in harmony with them. We depart for their sakes.”
Bottom Left Puzzle Chamber
Omanyte Puzzle
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (24) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (24)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/23-pokemon-crystal-complete-omanyte-stone-tablet-puzzle.jpg)
Finishing this puzzle will drop you into the main hall and summon the following Unown forms: L, M, N, O, P, Q, R.
Hidden Room
The text in the back of the Puzzle Chamber reads “WATER,” which can be tough to interpret in a game with so many things with “Water” in the name.
To open this hidden room you need a Water Stone. Once you have a Water Stone in your bag, approach the wall at the back of the room and use the stone on it. This will unlock the hidden room.
Tip: The fastest way to get a Water Stone is from Bill’s Grandfather at the Sea Cottage northeast of Cerulean City in Kanto. You just have to show him a Staryu!
Inside the hidden room you’ll find the following items:
- Stardust
- Star Piece
- Mystery Berry
- Mystic Water
The cryptic message from the ancient civilization in the room below reads:
“They possess great insight and refuse the outside world.”
Completing the Unown Dex
After completing all four Puzzle Chambers, you can catch all 26 different Unown forms in the main hall. Each of them corresponds to a letter of the Latin alphabet.
Catching your first three unique Unown forms will make a Scientist appear outside the main hall. He’s there to install the Unown Mode on your PokéDex so you can track them all.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (25) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (25)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/24-pokemon-crystal-scientist-approaches-us-outside-the-main-hall.jpg)
You can access the Unown Dex by pressing SELECT in the regular PokéDex screen, then choosing Unown Mode from the options list.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (26) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (26)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/25-pokemon-crystal-accessing-the-pokedexs-unown-mode.jpg)
The Unown Dex lists every Unown form you’ve caught in the order you’ve caught them.
So it would actually take a lot of effort if you want an alphabetically-sorted Unown Dex.
![All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (27) All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal - Guide Strats (27)](https://i0.wp.com/static.guidestrats.com/images/08/31584/26-pokemon-crystal-complete-unown-dex-with-all-26-different-forms-available-in-gen-ii.jpg)
Guide Navigation
- Pokémon Crystal
- All Ruins of Alph Puzzles + Hidden Rooms in Pokémon Crystal
Nelson Chitty is a Venezuelan expat living in Argentina. He’s a writer and translator passionate about history and foreign cultures. His ideal weekend is spent between leisurely playing games of Civilization VI and looking for the next seinen anime to marathon.
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