- Roria Unbound Route 2 is the second major route, sitting between the starter zone and your first gym town.
- Key mechanic: Route 2 introduces denser wild spawns than Route 1, making it the best early catching ground.
- Best strategy: Catch two or three coverage companions here before challenging the first gym.
- Critical tip: Talk to every NPC — several one-time reward quests are easy to miss.
- Top choice: Stock up on capture devices and healing items before entering the tall grass.
Route 2 Overview: What to Expect
Route 2 is where your Roria Unbound journey shifts from tutorial pacing to real adventure. You leave the quiet starting town behind and push through a longer corridor of tall grass, ledges, and trainer posts. The route serves three purposes: grinding your starter toward its mid-teens levels, rounding out your team with type coverage, and collecting the item pickups that fund your first shopping trip.
Compared with Route 1, expect noticeably higher encounter density and slightly tougher wild companions — most spawns sit in the level 8 to 14 range. If you rushed here straight from the intro, take a lap back through Route 1 first; an under-leveled starter makes the trainer battles on this route a slog.
Bring at least five capture devices and a couple of basic healing items. Route 2's shop access is limited until you reach the next town, and running dry mid-route means backtracking through respawning wild encounters.
Wild Encounters and Catchable Companions
Route 2's tall grass is the first place where team-building genuinely matters. The spawn pool mixes common early-route companions with a handful of rarer spawns that fill specific type roles. Because encounter rates vary by grass patch, rotate between patches if you are hunting a particular species.
The table below summarizes the encounter pool you should expect, organized by role so you can target gaps in your team rather than catching duplicates.
| Encounter | Approx. Level | Role | Catch Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common early-route species | 8–11 | Generic coverage, filler XP | ★★ |
| Common early-route species (secondary type) | 9–12 | Secondary type coverage | ★★★ |
| Rarer mid-route spawn | 10–13 | Strong attacker, solid stats | ★★★★ |
| Defensive-type spawn | 10–13 | Tank / frontliner material | ★★★ |
| Rare low-rate spawn | 12–14 | High long-term potential | ★★★★★ |
Rare spawns on Route 2 appear at a much lower encounter rate but are worth the hunt — several evolve into core mid-game team members. Do not release duplicates before checking their traits; a common species with a strong trait can outperform a rarer catch without one.
Based on your starter's type, your catching priorities change. Use the cards below to plan your Route 2 hunting session.
Defensive Starter
- Prioritize an offensive-type companion
- Covers your slow clear speed
- Take a coverage attacker for the gym
Offensive Starter
- Prioritize a defensive-type companion
- Absorbs hits during grinding
- Adds a frontliner for boss fights
Balanced Starter
- Prioritize whatever the gym is weak to
- Flexible team direction
- One attacker plus one tank works well
Item Pickups and Hidden Spots
Route 2 hides a respectable haul of free items along its edges. Most pickups sit off the main walking path — behind ledges, near signposts, and tucked against tree lines. Missing them costs you early currency and consumables you would otherwise have to buy.
| Pickup Type | Where to Look | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Capture devices | Grass patch corners, behind ledges | ★★★★ |
| Healing item | Near the route midpoint rest spot | ★★★★ |
| Currency pouch | Beside the route signpost | ★★★ |
| Held item / minor gear | Dead-end path off the main trail | ★★★★ |
| Evolution-related material | Endgame-adjacent ledge, guarded by a trainer | ★★★ |
Several Route 2 trainers patrol near item pickups. Walking directly past them triggers a battle — fine if your team is healthy, costly if you just left a tough fight. Weaken or defeat patrolling trainers first, then loot freely.
Trainer Battles: Step-by-Step Prep
Route 2 trainers bridge the difficulty gap between the tutorial and the first gym. Their companions sit around level 10 to 13 and usually run one or two evolved or semi-evolved forms. Follow this sequence to clear the route cleanly.
Grass Warm-Up
Run two or three laps of the first tall grass patch to push your starter to at least level 13 before engaging any trainer.
Catch Coverage First
Capture your priority Route 2 companions before battling trainers, so new catches absorb trainer XP without being overmatched.
Clear Patrolling Trainers
Fight the roaming trainers along the main path one at a time, healing between battles rather than chaining fights at low HP.
Loot the Route
Once the path is safe, sweep the item pickups listed above without triggering unwanted battles.
Exit Grind Check
Before leaving Route 2, confirm your full team is at least level 14 — the first gym leader comfortably handles anything lower.
Alternate between trainer rematches (where available) and grass laps. Trainers give the best XP per battle, while grass encounters keep your newer catches from falling behind the starter in levels.
Route 2 Completion Checklist
Track your route progress with this checklist before moving on. Completing everything here sets you up for a smooth first gym run.
Route 2 Milestones:
- Starter reaches level 13 or higher
- Catch at least two coverage companions
- Defeat all patrolling trainers on the route
- Collect every visible item pickup
- Complete all NPC side quests on the route
- Full team at level 14+ before the gym
Route 2 NPCs hand out one-time currency, item, and XP rewards. These quests are quick — usually a single battle or delivery — and skipping them wastes the easiest early income in the game. Redeem any active codes before your session as well, since free reward bundles stretch your shopping budget further.
FAQ
Q: What level should my team be for Roria Unbound Route 2?
Aim for level 13 or higher on your starter and at least level 10 on any new catches. Route 2 trainers run companions around level 10 to 13, and the route exit leads toward the first gym, which punishes under-leveled teams.
Q: Which companions should I catch on Route 2?
Prioritize whatever covers your starter's weaknesses. If you picked a defensive starter, grab an offensive-type attacker; if you picked an offensive starter, catch a tank. The rare low-rate spawn is worth hunting because of its strong long-term evolution potential.
Q: Are the item pickups on Route 2 missable?
No — pickups stay in place until collected, but some sit near patrolling trainers. Clear the trainers first, then sweep the route for capture devices, healing items, and the hidden held item near the dead-end path.
Q: Can I skip Route 2 and go straight to the gym?
You can walk through without grinding, but the first gym leader handles teams below level 14 reliably. Route 2's dense wild spawns and trainer XP are the intended power curve, so skipping it usually means backtracking later.