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[[image:Lookoutstation.PNG|thumb|160px|A lookout station]]
'''Lookout stations''' are prominent features of [[routes]] in the [[Pokémon world]]. They are usually placed at junctions between different routes, or placed between a route and a [[city]]. 

==In the games==
[[image:Lookout-tower-RBY.PNG‎|thumb|Inside a lookout station in Generation I]]
===Generation I===
In Pokémon {{3v2|Red|Blue|Yellow}}, lookout stations serve to separate two areas, and also to guard the corresponding route, which is why an [[Officer]] usually resides inside. Upon speaking to the Officer, they may offer words of advice or information about the route or city that the lookout station guards. In [[Generation I]], certain lookout stations contained a second floor that contained a spot where binoculars could be used to see faraway landmarks, or even certain Pokémon. This generation also contained certain lookout stations that prohibited entry until the Officer, who claimed to be thirsty, was given a drink that could be bought at the [[Celadon Department Store]]. These lookout stations all lead to [[Saffron City]].

===Generation II===
Much like [[Generation I]], lookout stations serve to separate two areas. Unlike other buildings, the {{player}} can often ride their [[bicycle]] through these buildings to guarantee fast transportation. {{Jo|Webster|Randy}}, a [[non-player character]], will give a {{p|Spearow}} to the player in the lookout station north of [[Goldenrod City]].

[[Image:LookoutFRLG.png|thumb|{{ga|Red}} inside a lookout station in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}]]
===Generation III===
Lookout stations were sparse in the [[Generation III]] games set in [[Hoenn]]. There are just two lookout stations, each connected to the [[Seaside Cycling Road]]. Players may not ride [[bicycle]]s as they travel away from the Cycling Road, but are forced upon their bicycle if traveling toward it. If the bicycle has not been obtained, they may not enter.

In {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, lookout stations serve the same purpose as in [[Generation I]]. Because players can now trade [[held item|items attached to a Pokémon]], the [[key item]] [[Tea]] was introduced to prevent the player from advancing through the Saffron lookout stations prematurely. This served the same purpose as the drink from the original games. [[Professor Oak]]'s aides will meet the {{player}} on the second floor of some lookout stations. He will check the [[Pokédex]], and will reward the player if he or she has caught a given number. Lookout stations exist also in the [[Sevii Islands]], giving access from the port to each town.

[[File:LookoutPt.png|thumb|{{ga|Lucas}}, an [[officer]], and a [[fisherman]] inside a lookout station in {{game|Platinum}}]]

===Generation IV===
Much like in past generations, the lookout stations in [[Generation IV]] serve to separate two areas. In {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, the {{player}} cannot ride their [[bicycle]] through these buildings, but this is possible in {{game|Platinum}} and {{v2|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}. [[Officer]]s do not watch over the route, but other travelers can be found inside, as well as a [[Town Map|map]] showing the player's current location.
[[File:HGSS fp2.jpg|thumb|{{ga|Ethan}} and {{p|Larvitar}} in a Lookout station in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}]]

===Generation V===
There is a look out station on nearly every route in [[Unova]]. Different from previous games, they have a monitor that displays the current date. It also tells the player where Pokémon are [[Mass Outbreak|swarming]].

==Practical use==
The lookout stations, however, also have a practical use within the games' programming. As a player moves from route to city, the map tilesets (textures in Generation IV) must be loaded for each. While this is easy when a city connects to relatively few routes, where all can use the same tileset, areas like [[Saffron City]] and [[Jubilife City]], which connect to many different areas, would need to load multiple tilesets/textures, potentially slowing down the game or even crashing it. The programmers, realizing this, broke up the overworld with these gatehouses to assure crash-free gameplay, and to properly display the routes/towns/cities. In the Generation IV games, a player can use a walk through walls cheat to go from location to location without going through the lookout stations. By doing this, the map tilesets work as normal, except for many tilesets appearing as white tiles. Some buildings seem to be invisible as well.

==List of lookout stations==

{| border=1 align="left" style="background: #fff; border:1px solid #000; border-collapse:collapse;"
|- style="background: #ABA9A4;"
! colspan="2" | Connecting areas
! Region
! width="300px" | Notes
|-
| {{rt|1|Kanto}} || [[Viridian City]]|| [[Kanto]] || Only in [[Generation IV]].
|-
| {{rt|5|Kanto}} || [[Saffron City]] || [[Kanto]] || Officer requires {{DL|Drink|Fresh Water}}, {{DL|Drink|Soda Pop}}, or {{DL|Drink|Lemonade}} to pass in [[Generation I]], or {{DL|Drink|Tea}} in [[Generation III]].
|-
| {{rt|6|Kanto}} || [[Saffron City]] || [[Kanto]] || Officer requires {{DL|Drink|Fresh Water}}, {{DL|Drink|Soda Pop}}, or {{DL|Drink|Lemonade}} to pass in [[Generation I]], or {{DL|Drink|Tea}} in [[Generation III]].
|-
| {{rt|7|Kanto}} || [[Saffron City]] || [[Kanto]] || Officer requires {{DL|Drink|Fresh Water}}, {{DL|Drink|Soda Pop}}, or {{DL|Drink|Lemonade}} to pass in [[Generation I]], or {{DL|Drink|Tea}} in [[Generation III]].
|-
| {{rt|8|Kanto}} || [[Saffron City]] || [[Kanto]] || Officer requires {{DL|Drink|Fresh Water}}, {{DL|Drink|Soda Pop}}, or {{DL|Drink|Lemonade}} to pass in [[Generation I]], or {{DL|Drink|Tea}} in [[Generation III]].
|-
| {{rt|11|Kanto}} || {{rt|12|Kanto}} || [[Kanto]] || Has a second floor. Removed in [[Generation II]].
|-
| {{rt|15|Kanto}} || [[Fuchsia City]] || [[Kanto]] || Has a second floor. 
|-
| {{rt|16|Kanto}} || [[Celadon City]] || [[Kanto]] || Has a second floor; {{ka|Cycling Road}}.
|-
| {{rt|18|Kanto}} || [[Fuchsia City]] || [[Kanto]] || Has a second floor; {{ka|Cycling Road}}.
|-
| {{rt|19|Kanto}} || [[Fuchsia City]] || [[Kanto]] || Only in Generations II and IV.
|-
| {{rt|31|Johto}} || [[Violet City]] || [[Johto]] ||  {{ga|Lyra}}/{{ga|Ethan}} will give the {{player}} the [[Vs. Recorder]] in Generation IV.
|-
| {{rt|35|Johto}} || [[Goldenrod City]] || [[Johto]] || {{Jo|Webster|Officer}} will give away a {{p|Spearow}} with [[mail]] to deliver.
|-
| {{rt|36|Johto}} || [[Violet City]] || [[Johto]] ||  Generation IV only.
|-
| {{rt|38|Johto}} || [[Ecruteak City]] || [[Johto]] ||
|-
| {{rt|42|Johto}} || [[Ecruteak City]] || [[Johto]] ||
|-
| {{rt|43|Johto}} || [[Mahogany Town]] || [[Johto]] || Only lookout station within a town.
|-
| {{rt|46|Johto}} || {{rt|29|Johto}} || [[Johto]] ||
|-
| {{rt|110|Hoenn}} || {{rt|110|Hoenn}} || [[Hoenn]] || Entrance to [[Seaside Cycling Road]].
|-
| {{rt|110|Hoenn}} || {{rt|110|Hoenn}} || [[Hoenn]] || Entrance to [[Seaside Cycling Road]].
|-
| {{rt|206|Sinnoh}} || [[Eterna City]] || [[Sinnoh]] || Cycling Road; {{prof|Rowan}}'s aide will give players the {{DL|Experience-affecting item|Exp. Share}} after they have seen at least 35 or more {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} on their [[Pokédex]].
|-
| {{rt|206|Sinnoh}} || {{rt|206|Sinnoh}} || [[Sinnoh]] || Cycling Road
|-
| {{rt|208|Sinnoh}} || [[Hearthome City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|209|Sinnoh}} || [[Hearthome City]] || [[Sinnoh]] || Blocked until the player meets [[Fantina]] ({{2v2|Diamond|Pearl}}) or until the player defeats Fantina ({{game|Platinum}})
|-
| {{rt|212|Sinnoh}} || [[Hearthome City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|213|Sinnoh}} || [[Pastoria City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|214|Sinnoh}} || [[Veilstone City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|215|Sinnoh}} || [[Veilstone City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|218|Sinnoh}} || [[Jubilife City]] || [[Sinnoh]] || Fisherman will give the player an [[Old Rod]].
|-
| {{rt|218|Sinnoh}} || [[Canalave City]] || [[Sinnoh]] || Rowan's aide will upgrade the player's Pokédex so that they can see a Pokémon's forms.
|-
| {{rt|222|Sinnoh}} || [[Sunyshore City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|225|Sinnoh}} || [[Fight Area]] || [[Sinnoh]] || Blocked until the player receives the [[National Pokédex]]. The person blocking it will give the player a [[Super Rod]] after receiving the National Pokédex.
|-
| {{rt|226|Sinnoh}} || {{rt|228|Sinnoh}} || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|}
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[[Category:Pokémon world]]
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