ROM Hack Pokémon Blaze Black & Pokémon Volt White

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Pokémon Blaze Black | Pokémon Volt White
Current Version: 3.1
Last Updated: 24th December, 2011

THERE IS NO "NORMAL" OR "LEGENDARY" VERSION ANYMORE. THE DOWNLOADS OFFERED HAVE ALL 649.

Click the banner for a video playlist of the hack.
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Pokémon Blaze Black and Pokémon Volt White are edits of the regular Pokémon Black and White versions which self-contain all 649 Pokémon, allowing a player a large amount of variety. In addition, BB/VW also have edited trainers, an increased difficulty level, improvements to many Pokémon and more. They are the spiritual successor of my two other hacks, Pokémon Fire Red Omega and Pokémon Spirit Gold. Blaze Black and Volt White were also - with one minor exception - the first of their kind to be made.

I should mention that with the exception of things normally different between Black and White such as Black City, White Forest, the legendary focus and the appearance of Opelucid City, the two games are identical.

Blaze Black and Volt White encompass a variety of differences to the original games...

• As aforementioned, the hack allows you to catch all 649 Pokémon in some way or another. This is unaffected by the version chosen to play; encounters are the same in both.
• Every single trainer in the game has had their Pokémon edited, fitting a new level curve and increasing the difficulty overall. While not mind crushingly tough, they're sure to provide more of a challenge than the original games were able to. The level curve takes full advantage of the new experience system in Black and White.
• A vast number of Pokémon have had certain statistics about them edited. This can be a number of things, including experience rate, typing, base stats and abilities. A lot of Pokémon have been given their Dream World abilities as an option, where applicable and/or useful.
• Pokémon have also had additions to their moveset, including additions or alterations to their level up movesets as well as TM and HM compatibility. Level up movesets in particular have been edited for 600+ Pokémon.
• There has also been editing of many evolutions, generally involving those Pokémon who generally had to be traded to be evolved. Blaze Black and Volt White are entirely self-contained; no outside contact is required for anything.
• Items found in the field have been changed considerably, to include TMs, evolution items and fossils previously only found post-League. The items have been adjusted in such a way that makes it convenient for the game's progress. Where applicable, text has also been changed to reflect these changes. Multiples of certain items, such as the evolution stones, the Lucky Egg and the EXP Share are also given out, all in the name of convenience.
• It isn't just trainers and wild Pokémon who have had their levels changed; event Pokémon such as Reshiram and Zekrom have also had their levels changed, ensuring that they don't become useless due to the sharp increase in levels.
• All five in-game trades have also been edited, giving you new possibilities for your team.
• A small number of attacks have also been changed to make them more useful, generally in terms of power (and rarely, type).
• A number of documents are included with the download that allow you to see any and all changes made. Wondering what's new? Where to find something? Consult the guides!

With the extra amounts of Black and White hacks cropping up now, Blaze Black and Volt White has lost its main edge in being the only hack of its kind. I'd like to say that it being the first means something, but unfortunately it really doesn't in the long run. The main reason for playing Blaze Black and Volt White would be its dedication to the original games; with one or two exceptions the main Pokémon of a Gym Leader or Elite Four member does NOT change, and themes (including type and general appearance) are kept as best as possible. Things must make some degree of sense, or they won't be found in this hack. Most of the time.

These two also offer some "what ifs?" What if Flareon got Flare Blitz? What if Delibird actually had some stats? What if Weavile was given Technician? What if Gallade had kept Trace? What if the Gothitelle line actually had a Dark-typing? Just how broken would a Dragon-type Serperior with Contrary be? How about a Samurott with Shell Smash? (Between you and me, they are broken as hell!)

The game also tries to have as many Pokémon available early as possible, while still keeping them in appropriate places. There's a couple odd balls that are late such as Torkoal or Stunfisk as they were tough to place, but the majority are available before the sixth badge is up, and the majority of them are available at Nimbasa City or prior.

Blaze Black and Volt White also offer a 'clean' version, which is a relatively blank slate, keeping the 649 hack but eliminating all of the Pokémon changes. This is useful for the purist, and it's something no other hack has, as far as I'm aware.

If you're looking for a challenge designed by someone who thinks they know the Pokémon games in and out (and considering my ridiculous amount of knowledge about them and my three walkthroughs, I certainly hope I do!) then this is the hack to try. If you're looking for an incredibly difficult challenge... I'd recommend a different one. Although this one has its fair share of annoyances, too.

Open the spoiler below to see them. These mostly just show some of the first bits; you'll have to play it to see the rest!

Spoiler

A list of people who did something to contribute towards the hack, either through indirect help through advice/knowledge or just general inspiration.

• elementking: It was thanks to him that I even got to start hacking B/W fully in the first place. Without him I probably wouldn't have discovered anything post Wild Pokemon editing.
• Project Pokémon Forums: The ROM editing help section is a great way to find out if certain ideas are possible, and if so, how. Numerous people on there (as well as being found in other places) have made or stated discoveries that this hack uses, including Andibad, kaphotics and KazoWAR. Kazo in particular can also be thanked for the 1.1a incarnation of the trainer editor, a key tool for making this hack.
• twistedfatal: His tools help to simplify things significantly, cutting down on the amount of hex editing required.
• neltazero: His tools are also very helpful and quite easy to use, making Wild Pokemon and trainer editing that much easier.
• SegNin: It's thanks to him we have the current .bat patching system for this, and by extension for Pitch Black and Pure White.
• knivez69: The banner up top is his incredible work.
• Various Members of GBAtemp and GameFAQs: For ideas on additions/changes to make.

Since a great many people tend to ask what tools I used to make hacks, I figured I may as well share the things I used here. However, I am not linking to them; most are easily findable with a Google search.

Version One (1.0, 1.0.1, 1.0.2)
Version One was the simplest version of the hack, and also used the least tools. In fact, the majority of the tools didn't even exist at this point!
→ A hex editor was at this point the most important thing by far; it was essential in order to do plenty of things, including edit Pokémon stats and type, add moves and most importantly change the Wild Pokémon data. I personally used Cygnus Hex Editor free edition at this point.
→ KazoWAR's Trainer Editor (BWTE) was also an essential piece, and saved me from having to try and hex edit every trainer in the game. The 1.1 iteration in particular was a godsend, on account of being able to search trainers by name.
→ Pedro250's Evolution Editor was also incredibly handy at this stage, allowing the use of gems as evolution items, although this was changed in later releases. It worked just great for new level up evolutions and such though, and still does.
→ A general DS program called DSBuff was used to edit the ROM header, allowing for the ROM to show up as being Blaze Black or Volt White on flashcards and the like.
→ crystaltile2 was absolutely essential to this project, allowing the easy insertion and extraction of the .NARC files, as well as having its own hex editor complete with file index, making it that much easier to edit a specific Pokémon's data.

Version Two (2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2, 2.0.3, 2.0.4, 2.0.5)
Version Two is where the real edits started coming in; many trainers were redesigned, plenty of extra Pokémon edits were added and most importantly the script began being edited in order to change given items and the levels of one time encounters. By this point there were more tools, but...
→ The hex editor was still a very important component of the hack, allowing for the script edits through changing variables, as well as still adding level up moves and such. A hex editor was also used even with some things that HAD tools for further customisation, i.e. changing item and evolution hex to allow items like the Magmarizer to be used like evolution stones, for example.
→ By this point there was a Wild Pokémon editor, with thanks to neltazero. I didn't use it much for version two, but the odd tweak to Wild data was much easier with this tool in hand.
→ The aforementioned trainer editor was still just as useful, and the developments of what the 'Unknown' value meant allowed for further customisation to the game's trainers.
→ The text editor by SCV, known as PPTXT, also saw use in this game on account of it being necessary to match item edits to new dialogue.
→ The trade editor by twistedfatal proved useful to a degree, though it had to be combined with a hex editor due to some problems with the tool.

Version Three (3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 3.03a/b/c, 3.04, 3.1)
Version Three wasn't as huge of an expansion as Version Two, but there was still a fair bit of content added, mostly in the form of expanding upon what had already been in place to begin with. Even more tools had sprung up at this point, including one that made trainers a fair bit easier to deal with.
→ The hex editor was still incredibly important, this time around mostly for adding level up moves to Pokémon. I ended up switching to Hex Workshop for this, due to its insert hex values function which Cygnus lacked. There was a lot of file editing, let me tell you. (Note: There is a level up moveset editor tool out now by twistedfatal, but I don't personally use it.)
→ neltazero released another tool (in addition to his starter changer tool, which was not used in this hack) which was a trainer editor, but unlike Kazo's it carried a specific interface for selecting gender, ability etcetera rather than just the unknown value. This ended up being combined with Kazo's tool due to a rather annoying bug that stopped Rangers giving berries to you if you used the tool, as witnessed by a fair few people near the beginning of 3.0's release cycle.

There are also other tools around which BB/VW do not utilise. twistedfatal made a stat editor and TM/HM compatibility editor as well, although I tend to have problems with them so I just do hex edits. Kazo also made some invaluable graphic editing tools known as BWSE, BWME and BWOE (sprite, mugshot and overworld editors respectively) which were used in the production of some other BW hacks like aragonbird's Pitch Black & Pure White and Oxnite's Black and White Deluxe.

That basically covers the catalogue.
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Bugs

Spoiler

- The exp is weirdly low from certain high levelled opponents. This is to do with the game, though, and is not fixable.

Spoiler

- It appears to be possible for an error to occur at Driftveil from repeated fishing then leaving... not sure about this one, but be sure to save around there just in case.

Changelog

Spoiler

Version 3.1 (24th December, 2011)

Spoiler

- A few level up moves added, including those missing from the Rugged Mountain pack, Zap Cannon for Electabuzz (as a counterpart to Magmar's new Heat Wave) and Nasty Plot for Togekiss.
- Evolution levels edited for Scraggy, Elgyem, Litwick, Mienfoo, Golett, Pawniard, Rufflet, Vullaby, Deino, Zweilous and Larvesta to counteract their earlier appearances. Level up moves have been adjusted accordingly.
- Koffing and Weezing can now learn Sludge Wave by TM.
- Problems with Cheren having the wrong monkey have been fixed.
- The important trainer rosters document has had its layout edited to now be viewable properly in WordPad.

Version 3.04 (18th November, 2011)
- Some trainers corrected, notably the manga cameo trainers.
- Juniper & TM79 problems fixed.
- New moves added to the following Pokémon: Gastly, Drowzee, Spinarak, Misdreavus, Mawile, Shuppet, Chimecho, Duskull, Stunky, Meowth, Volbeat, Illumise, Alakazam, Rotom, Spiritomb.

Version 3.03 (23rd September, 2011) / 3.03b (25th September, 2011) / 3.03c (25th September, 2011)
- Magby / Magmar now wild in Route 7.
- Gothitelle and Reuniclus now wild in Route 9.
- Mamoswine now wild in Giant Chasm.
- Leavanny and Unfezant wild in Route 6.
- Rattata and Raticate now learn TM01, Hone Claws.
- Hitmonchan now learns Drain Punch at Level 36.
- Lenora rematch text fixed.
- Roughneck Johnny fixed.
- Happiny evolution method fixed {B}.
- "Diamond"'s team fixed. {B}
- Chili rematch fixed. {B}
- Lenora rematch text ACTUALLY fixed. {C}
- Regigigas actually available. {C}

Version 3.02 (31st August, 2011)
- Numerous Pokémon have had some level up moves fixed, including Wartortle, Blastoise, and Samurott.
- Keldeo now learns Secret Sword at Level 1.
- Meloetta now learns Relic Song at Level 1.
- Typhlosion now learns ThunderPunch at Level 1.
- Persian now learns Water Pulse and Icy Wind at Level 1, and Snarl by TM.
- Absorb is now 30 power. Mega Drain is now 50 power.
- Pin Missile, Arm Thrust, Comet Punch and Spike Cannon are now 25 power.
- Tyranitar's ability has been fixed.
- Morimoto no longer attacks himself.
- Problems with trainers having missing/extra Pokémon have been fixed.
- Drayden's rematch has been fixed.

Version 3.01 (13th August, 2011)
- Duplicate moves out of Arbok to be on the safe side.
- Fixed the problem with the trainers that give you berries.
- Bianca's duplicate Musharna fixed.
- Problem between a trainer's dialogue and roster corrected.
- Fixed the problem that made Cheren attack you.
- Rotom-H's incorrect statistics fixed.
- Level up move errors fixed on Ponyta, Rapidash and Samurott.
- Gave Drowzee/Hypno some extra things to work with.
- Emolga now learns HM02, Fly.
- Aerial Ace, Faint Attack, Magical Leaf and Swift are now 60 power again.

Version 3.0 (7th August, 2011)
- Wild Pokémon and Trainers have been redone. Wilds are mostly the same with some new additions here and there, trainer rosters have been redone entirely.
- There is now a greater variety of battle types; in fighting the Gym Leaders, Elite Four and Rivals you will find a mix of Single, Double, Triple and Rotation Battles.
- There are now level up move changes for 600+ Pokémon.
- Further enhancements and reconsiderations to the 649 Pokémon have been done.
- Further TM/HM compatibility changes have been performed.
- A couple more items have had their locations swapped around, and the text edited as necessary.
- Gym Leader rematches have been added in the form of disguised leaders in eastern Unova. Careful where you step!
- Bugs such as the Slowking evolution problem have been fixed.
- Trainers and Vicitni's level on Liberty Island have now been edited.
- Legendaries have returned to being found rarely in different places around the region.
- There are now a small number of Wild Pokémon differences between Blaze Black and Volt White. Specifically, it's to do with the two originally version exclusive legendaries, and the colours of Shellos, Gastrodon and Basculin.
- Further attack changes have been done.
- The Clean version of the hack has returned.
- The Documentation is now full of images, making it look better than before.
- There are new documents detailing the level up move changes and the rosters of the regular trainers up to Ghetsis.
- The Important Trainer Rosters document now details the battle type, rewards and new teams of the important cast.
- Support has been added for the Liberty Ticket and National Dex in the downloads.

Version Clarification
The Full version of the hack is the whole thing; the Wild changes, the trainer changes, the Pokemon changes, the item changes, absolutely everything. The Clean version takes out some of the content, so that the actual Pokemon, their level up moves and attacks are left unchanged. Trainers are edited from their Full version counterparts to clear up any inconsistencies done through adding new techniques in the Full version.

Download
You will need a ROM of Black or White to use the patches found in the downloads, which you will have to find on your own. It must be either English European or American, though.

Patches & Documentation - 3.1

Other Recommendations
If you're looking for a Black and White hack and Blaze Black and Volt White aren't to your taste, why not take a look at Oxnite's Pokémon Black and White Deluxe?