Do wild Pokemon change between day and night in Gold and Silver?

Yes, and it's new to the series. Gold and Silver run on a real clock split into morning, day, and night, and the grass swaps species along with it. Hoothoot only turns up after dark, for instance, where the daytime route hands you Pidgey. If something won't appear, come back at a different hour.

What are the Apricorn trees along Gold and Silver's routes for?

Material for custom Poke Balls. Routes 37 and 42 and Azalea Town have trees that each drop one Apricorn a day, and Kurt in Azalea turns a color into a matching ball by the next morning. A white one becomes a Fast Ball for skittish Pokemon, a black one a Heavy Ball for heavy catches like Snorlax.

Gold & Silver Route 40

Open water separates Olivine from the island gym at Cianwood, crossed only on a Pokemon's back.

Route 40 is in Johto, with Olivine City to the north. In the story it comes after Olivine Lighthouse and continues south to Route 41.

ROUTE 40 MAP

Pokemon Encounters

Smash the rocks on this sea route for a Shuckle or two, then fish the water for Corsola and a nighttime Staryu. Tentacool swarm the surface for anyone Surfing across to Cianwood.

Type

Surf2

#072Tentacool

90% - Lv 15–24

#073Tentacruel

10% - Lv 20–24

Fish10

Old Rod2

#129Magikarp

85% - Lv 10

#098Krabby

15% - Lv 10

Good Rod4

#098Krabby

55% - Lv 20

#129Magikarp

35% - Lv 20

#222Corsola

10% - Lv 20

#120Staryu

10% - Lv 20

Super Rod4

#098Krabby

60% - Lv 40

#222Corsola

30% - Lv 40

#120Staryu

30% - Lv 40

#099Kingler

10% - Lv 40

Rock Smash2

#098Krabby

90% - Lv 15

#213Shuckle

10% - Lv 15

#098

Krabby

Water

Evolves into Kingler at Lv 28

Encounter rate

90% Common

Level

EV yield

1 Attack

1 in 1wild encounters

will be Krabby — about 36s of walking through grass to catch one.

Catch odds

~2m

to catch one

Poke Ball30%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score60

PickRisky

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected45h 31m

Also found in 11 other locations

Dark CaveLv 15–15

90%Cianwood CityLv 10–40

90%Cherrygrove CityLv 10–40

60%Goldenrod CityLv 10–40

60%Route 34Lv 10–40

60%Olivine CityLv 10–40

60%Union CaveLv 10–40

60%Route 19Lv 10–40

60%Route 14Lv 10–40

60%Cerulean GymLv 10–40

60%Whirl IslandsLv 10–40

55%

Krabby page →

#072

Tentacool

WaterPoison

Evolves into Tentacruel at Lv 30

Encounter rate

90% Common

Level

15–24

EV yield

1 Sp. Def

1 in 1wild encounters

will be Tentacool — about 36s of surfing to catch one.

Catch odds

~2m

to catch one

Poke Ball25%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score40

PickRisky

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected45h 31m

Also found in 19 other locations

Cherrygrove CityLv 15–24

90%New Bark TownLv 10–24

90%Cianwood CityLv 15–24

90%Route 34Lv 15–24

90%Olivine CityLv 10–24

90%Cinnabar IslandLv 10–39

90%Route 21Lv 10–39

90%Route 19Lv 30–39

90%Route 20Lv 10–39

90%Pallet TownLv 10–39

90%Route 26Lv 10–34

90%Route 27Lv 10–24

90%Vermilion CityLv 10–39

70%Union CaveLv 15–19

60%Whirl IslandsLv 20–24

60%

Tentacool page →

#129

Magikarp

Water

Evolves into Gyarados at Lv 20

Encounter rate

85% Common

Level

EV yield

1 Speed

1 in 1wild encounters

will be Magikarp — about 36s of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~2m

to catch one

Poke Ball34%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score20

PickLottery

SourceEstimated

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected48h 11m

Also found in 51 other locations

Blackthorn CityLv 5–40

100%Dark CaveLv 5–40

100%Dragon's DenLv 10–40

100%Lake of RageLv 10–40

100%Route 45Lv 5–24

100%Route 43Lv 10–40

100%Fuchsia CityLv 10–40

100%Cherrygrove CityLv 10–20

85%Goldenrod CityLv 10–20

85%Ecruteak CityLv 10–40

85%Ilex ForestLv 10–40

85%Mt. MortarLv 10–40

85%New Bark TownLv 10–20

85%Cianwood CityLv 10–20

85%Route 30Lv 10–40

85%Route 31Lv 10–40

85%Route 34Lv 10–20

85%Olivine CityLv 10–20

85%Route 32Lv 5–40

85%Mt. SilverLv 10–40

85%Route 41Lv 10–20

85%Route 44Lv 10–40

85%Route 42Lv 10–40

85%Slowpoke WellLv 10–40

85%Ruins of AlphLv 10–40

85%Union CaveLv 10–40

85%Whirl IslandsLv 10–20

85%Violet CityLv 10–40

85%Route 35Lv 10–40

85%Cerulean CityLv 10–40

85%Cinnabar IslandLv 10–20

85%Pallet TownLv 10–20

85%Tohjo FallsLv 10–40

85%Viridian CityLv 10–40

85%Vermilion CityLv 10–20

85%Cerulean GymLv 10–20

85%

Magikarp page →

#098

Krabby

Water

Evolves into Kingler at Lv 28

Encounter rate

60% Common

Level

EV yield

1 Attack

1 in 2wild encounters

will be Krabby — about 54s of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~2m

to catch one

Poke Ball30%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score60

PickRisky

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected68h 16m

Krabby page →

#098

Krabby

Water

Evolves into Kingler at Lv 28

Encounter rate

55% Common

Level

EV yield

1 Attack

1 in 2wild encounters

will be Krabby — about 54s of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~2m

to catch one

Poke Ball30%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score60

PickRisky

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected74h 29m

Krabby page →

#129

Magikarp

Water

Evolves into Gyarados at Lv 20

Encounter rate

35% Common

Level

EV yield

1 Speed

1 in 3wild encounters

will be Magikarp — about 1m of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~3m

to catch one

Poke Ball34%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score20

PickLottery

SourceEstimated

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected117h 2m

Magikarp page →

#222

Corsola

WaterRock

Encounter rate

30% Common

Level

EV yield

1 Defense, 1 Sp. Def

1 in 3wild encounters

will be Corsola — about 1m of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~8m-15m

to catch one

Poke Ball8%

Great Ball12%

Ultra Ball16%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score20

PickLottery

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected136h 32m

Also found in 9 other locations

Cherrygrove CityLv 20–40

30%Goldenrod CityLv 20–40

30%Cianwood CityLv 20–40

30%Route 34Lv 20–40

30%Olivine CityLv 20–40

30%Union CaveLv 20–40

30%Route 19Lv 20–40

30%Route 14Lv 20–40

30%Cerulean GymLv 20–40

30%

Corsola page →

#120

Staryu

Water

Evolves into Starmie with an item

Encounter rate

30% Common

Level

EV yield

1 Speed

1 in 3wild encounters

will be Staryu — about 1m of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~4m

to catch one

Poke Ball30%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score40

PickRisky

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected136h 32m

Staryu page →

#098

Krabby

Water

Evolves into Kingler at Lv 28

Encounter rate

15% Uncommon

Level

EV yield

1 Attack

1 in 7wild encounters

will be Krabby — about 3m of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~6m-7m

to catch one

Poke Ball30%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score60

PickRisky

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected273h 4m

Krabby page →

#222

Corsola

WaterRock

Encounter rate

10% Rare

Level

EV yield

1 Defense, 1 Sp. Def

1 in 10wild encounters

will be Corsola — about 7m of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~19m-38m

to catch one

Poke Ball8%

Great Ball12%

Ultra Ball16%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score20

PickLottery

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected409h 36m

Corsola page →

#120

Staryu

Water

Evolves into Starmie with an item

Encounter rate

10% Rare

Level

EV yield

1 Speed

1 in 10wild encounters

will be Staryu — about 7m of fishing to catch one.

Catch odds

~9m-10m

to catch one

Poke Ball30%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score40

PickRisky

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected409h 36m

Staryu page →

#099

Kingler

Water

Encounter rate

10% Rare

Level

EV yield

2 Attack

1 in 10wild encounters

will be Kingler — about 7m of fishing to catch one.

Also found in 10 other locations

Whirl IslandsLv 40–40

20%Cherrygrove CityLv 40–40

10%Goldenrod CityLv 40–40

10%Cianwood CityLv 40–40

10%Route 34Lv 40–40

10%Olivine CityLv 40–40

10%Union CaveLv 40–40

10%Route 19Lv 40–40

10%Route 14Lv 40–40

10%Cerulean GymLv 40–40

10%

Kingler page →

#213

Shuckle

BugRock

Encounter rate

10% Rare

Level

EV yield

1 Defense, 1 Sp. Def

1 in 10wild encounters

will be Shuckle — about 7m of walking through grass to catch one.

Catch odds

~9m-12m

to catch one

Poke Ball25%

Great Ball34%

Ultra Ball34%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score80

PickReliable

SourceEstimated

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected409h 36m

Also found in 2 other locations

Dark CaveLv 15–15

10%Cianwood CityLv 15–15

10%

Shuckle page →

#073

Tentacruel

WaterPoison

Encounter rate

10% Rare

Level

20–24

EV yield

2 Sp. Def

1 in 10wild encounters

will be Tentacruel — about 7m of surfing to catch one.

Catch odds

~19m-38m

to catch one

Poke Ball8%

Great Ball12%

Ultra Ball16%

Nuzlocke

community tier

Score80

PickReliable

SourceDerived

Shiny hunt

1/8,192

full odds

Base1/8,192

Expected409h 36m

Also found in 19 other locations

Route 41Lv 20–40

30%Whirl IslandsLv 20–24

30%New Bark TownLv 20–40

20%Olivine CityLv 20–40

20%Cinnabar IslandLv 35–40

20%Route 21Lv 35–40

20%Route 20Lv 35–40

20%Pallet TownLv 35–40

20%Route 26Lv 30–40

20%Route 27Lv 20–40

20%Vermilion CityLv 35–40

20%Cherrygrove CityLv 20–24

10%Cianwood CityLv 20–24

10%Route 34Lv 20–24

10%Route 32Lv 20–24

10%Union CaveLv 20–24

ITEMS

A Sharp Beak waits on Route 40 to strengthen any bird's Flying moves. A Hyper Potion hides along the water.

Item ball1

Sharp Beak

Hidden1

Hyper Potion

ITEM BALL

Sharp Beak

From Monica on Mondays

Effect

Powers up flying-type moves. (HOLD)

Item ball1

Sharp Beak

ITEM BALL

Sharp Beak

From Monica on Mondays

Effect

Powers up flying-type moves. (HOLD)

Hidden1

Hyper Potion

HIDDEN

Hyper Potion

Under a breakable rock (requires Rock Smash) (hidden)

Effect

Restores Pokemon HP by 200.

TRAINERS

A short swim off Cianwood, Route 40 has four Swimmers fielding Water-types up to level 21. Surf past or fight through, either way it is over fast.

Swimmer4

SimonLv 20₱160

ElaineLv 21₱420

PaulaLv 19₱380

RandallLv 20₱144

SWIMMER

Simon

Party

Highest Lv

Reward

₱160

Party

Ability-NatureFixedItem-

Poison Sting

Supersonic

Constrict

Acid

Ability-NatureFixedItem-

Poison Sting

Supersonic

Constrict

Acid

Type

ELECTRIC

GROUND

PSYCHIC

Win: ₱160

SWIMMER

Elaine

Party

Highest Lv

Reward

₱420

Party

Ability-NatureFixedItem-

Harden

Water Gun

Rapid Spin

Recover

Type

ELECTRIC

GRASS

Win: ₱420

SWIMMER

Paula

Party

Highest Lv

Reward

₱380

Party

Ability-NatureFixedItem-

Harden

Water Gun

Rapid Spin

Recover

Ability-NatureFixedItem-

Tackle

Withdraw

Supersonic

Aurora Beam

Type

ELECTRIC

GRASS

Win: ₱380

SWIMMER

Randall

Party

Highest Lv

Reward

₱144

Party

Ability-NatureFixedItem-

Tackle

Withdraw

Supersonic

Aurora Beam

Ability-NatureFixedItem-

Bubble

Withdraw

Water Gun

Bite

Ability-NatureFixedItem-

Tackle

Withdraw

Supersonic

Aurora Beam

Type

ELECTRIC

GRASS

Win: ₱144

Route 40 Guide

Yes, and it's new to the series. Gold and Silver run on a real clock split into morning, day, and night, and the grass swaps species along with it. Hoothoot only turns up after dark, for instance, where the daytime route hands you Pidgey. If something won't appear, come back at a different hour.
Material for custom Poke Balls. Routes 37 and 42 and Azalea Town have trees that each drop one Apricorn a day, and Kurt in Azalea turns a color into a matching ball by the next morning. A white one becomes a Fast Ball for skittish Pokemon, a black one a Heavy Ball for heavy catches like Snorlax.