Mantine Surfing is a fun and thrilling activity in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, and its inclusion adds a unique twist to the game’s adventure. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, learning how to unlock Mantine Surfing is key to experiencing one of the game’s most enjoyable mini-games. This guide will walk you through all the necessary steps to unlock and master Mantine Surfing.
What is Mantine Surfing?
Mantine Surfing is a surfing mini-game that involves riding a Mantine, a Water/Flying-type Pokémon, as it glides across the waves. You control Mantine by performing aerial tricks, catching waves, and completing challenges to score points. It is not only a great way to earn rewards but also a fun way to explore the waters of Alola.
Requirements to Unlock Mantine Surfing
Before you can start riding Mantine, there are a few key requirements you must meet:
Complete the Main Story up to the Postgame To unlock Mantine Surfing, you first need to complete the main storyline of Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon. This includes defeating the Elite Four and becoming the Champion of the Alola region. Once you finish the main story, you will unlock access to Mantine Surfing.
Reach the Postgame After you have become the Champion, you will be able to access the postgame content, which includes unlocking various side activities, such as Mantine Surfing. Once the credits roll and you return to the Alola region, your adventure will continue, and you’ll have the opportunity to try new activities.
Go to the Heahea City Mantine Surfing becomes available when you visit Heahea City on Akala Island. This is the city where you’ll find the surf station. The surf station is located by the beach and is the starting point for all your Mantine Surfing activities.
How to Find the Mantine Surfing Station
In Heahea City, head to the beach area. Near the edge of the water, you’ll find a building with a large sign featuring a Mantine. This is the Mantine Surfing station. Inside the building, you’ll meet an NPC who will give you instructions on how to begin surfing.
Once you approach the station, you’ll be prompted to try Mantine Surfing. However, remember that you won’t be able to start until you meet the necessary requirements mentioned earlier.
The Basics of Mantine Surfing
Once you unlock Mantine Surfing, it’s time to learn how to ride Mantine and start earning rewards. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the basic gameplay mechanics.
Boarding the Mantine After speaking with the instructor at the surf station, you’ll board your very own Mantine. You will automatically start the surfing mini-game. You will be flying over the water, and you’ll be guided by wave patterns.
Riding the Waves While surfing, you’ll need to ride waves and perform aerial tricks. You can catch big waves that give you a boost and allow you to perform more impressive stunts. Try to stay on the wave as long as possible to score more points.
Performing Tricks Use the L and R buttons (or your console’s equivalent controls) to perform aerial tricks. The more complex the trick, the higher the points you score. You can do flips, spins, and other acrobatic moves while riding the waves.
Chain Combo Bonuses Performing consecutive tricks in a smooth chain increases your combo score. The longer the chain, the higher your score. It’s important to practice chaining tricks together to rack up high points.
Use the Surf Board During your surfing sessions, you can also control Mantine’s direction. To steer and move efficiently, use the analog stick to guide Mantine. The better you control your movements, the more tricks you can pull off.
How to Earn Points and Rewards
Points are the primary form of progression in Mantine Surfing. You’ll earn points by riding the waves and performing tricks. Here’s how you can maximize your points:
Catch the Big Waves Look out for big waves. These are the best waves for performing tricks and gaining extra points. Catching a big wave increases your chance of performing multiple aerial tricks in succession.
Chain Tricks Continuously string tricks together without losing momentum. This increases your combo points, and the longer the chain, the more points you score.
Perfect Landings After performing tricks, make sure you land smoothly. A perfect landing can increase your score by multiplying it. Try to land in the middle of the wave for the best results.
Complete Challenges The Mantine Surfing station offers several challenges that reward you with additional points. Completing these challenges is an excellent way to gain experience and earn more rewards.
Special Challenges in Mantine Surfing
In addition to the basic surfing and trick mechanics, there are several challenges available during your Mantine Surfing sessions. These challenges are often related to certain objectives, like performing a specific number of flips, performing specific tricks, or staying on a big wave for a set amount of time. These challenges are a great way to unlock special rewards.
Wave Mastery Challenge: This challenge asks you to complete several waves while performing a variety of tricks. You need to show that you can maintain control of Mantine while maximizing your trick points.
Speed Challenge: Some challenges focus on completing the course as quickly as possible while still performing tricks. These challenges can test your ability to balance speed and trick performance.
Combo Challenge: The Combo Challenge rewards you for linking together a series of tricks in a single wave. Maintaining a high combo will grant you a special bonus at the end of the run.
Rewards for Completing Mantine Surfing
Mantine Surfing isn’t just about fun; there are great rewards you can earn by mastering the game. Here are some of the key rewards you can unlock:
Battle Points (BP) After completing certain Mantine Surfing challenges, you will earn Battle Points, which can be exchanged for powerful items and TMs. These Battle Points are valuable for those looking to strengthen their Pokémon team.
Z-Crystals One of the key rewards for Mantine Surfing is the ability to earn Z-Crystals, which are special items that give your Pokémon access to powerful Z-Moves. The more you surf and complete challenges, the closer you’ll get to unlocking these powerful Z-Crystals.
Alola Photos As you surf, you may also unlock special photos of your Mantine as it performs stunts. These photos can be used to customize your in-game profile or shared with friends. They serve as a fun and creative way to commemorate your best surfing moments.
Surfboard Customization You can also unlock different surfboard designs, which allow you to customize your surfing experience. Changing the appearance of your surfboard is a small but enjoyable feature that adds a personal touch to your time on the waves.
Tips for Mastering Mantine Surfing
While the basic mechanics of Mantine Surfing are easy to grasp, mastering the game requires practice. Here are some tips to help you improve your surfing skills:
Practice Your Timing The key to Mantine Surfing is timing. Make sure to time your jumps and tricks correctly to land them smoothly. Timing is also essential when catching big waves and chaining tricks.
Focus on Combo Chains Focus on creating smooth and long combo chains. The more tricks you string together, the more points you’ll earn. A good combo will make all the difference when aiming for high scores.
Explore Different Waves Not all waves are the same. Try to explore the various waves to see which ones work best for your style. Some waves are better for aerial tricks, while others are great for speed.
Use the Surf Station for Tips The NPCs at the Mantine Surfing station offer valuable tips. Speak to them regularly for advice on improving your performance and unlocking new challenges.
Conclusion
Unlocking Mantine Surfing in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon is a rewarding and exciting experience. Once unlocked, the game offers hours of fun as you ride the waves, perform tricks, and earn rewards. By following the steps outlined in this guide and practicing regularly, you’ll soon become a master of Mantine Surfing and unlock all the exciting challenges and rewards the game has to offer.
Whether you’re looking to earn Battle Points, Z-Crystals, or simply enjoy the thrill of surfing on the waves, Mantine Surfing is a fun addition to your Pokémon adventure. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be a Mantine Surfing pro!