

Bulbapedia:Project Routes/How to create a quality route article

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Project Project Routes logo.png Routes
How to create a quality route article

Here at Bulbapedia, we strive ourselves on quality of articles, and not the quantity of articles that we own. Although most location articles are well maintained, there are some that have not been noticed much around users. Articles such as Route 230 have been poorly treated, for example, has a low quality magazine scan as the infobox picture, no route description, and standard are all wrong. True, Route isn't the first route that people will be searching, however, as a wiki, we give out information about everything there is to Pokémon, and every route is just as important as the last. This page will give you an advanced guide on how to create a quality route article from section to section.

Main section

We'll start off at the Main section, which is the section at the beginning of the article. This untitled section introduces the route and should describe it briefly. Here the writer should put three things - the location of the route, including region, direction and position in the region; connecting locations, which are the northern, eastern, south, and western terminus; and a small description that will introduce the route to the reader.

The main section shouldn't be overly big; one paragraph, maybe two. Try and keep it to about three to four sentences, however don't make it too short either. Don't jam everything in here, leave it for the route description to give an in depth description about it. If a certain part of the storyline or an event occurs here, place it in another paragraph in this section.

Route description

As the name suggests, the Route description section gives an in depth description of the route. This means giving a trail of all the possible pathways that can be taken in the game. It must be descriptive and well detailed targeting important and interesting points of the route. However, there as somethings that need to be discussed before writing up this section, and the first is this; This wiki is not a walkthrough, and at that, giving out tips about how to get to here and there and where to go first to find the hidden item. The route description section should be followed from north to south or via versa, east to west or via versa, or however the routes should be prominently taken. It is also optional to include another direction point, for example south to north, if it is needed.

Next point I need to stress is the use of words used in the description. For those who have read the Manual of style, you would have read that style of writing is important, and for those of you that haven't please do. Remember that Bulbapedia is designed to be an encyclopedia, and as such should contain the best possible level of literary style. Also as an encyclopedia, it is suggested to not use the second-person in descriptions, as this is unprofessional. "You go down the next ledge and you travel east" is incorrect, while "The path passes another ledge, then curves east" is preferred. When you are creating or editing an article to be neutral in editing. Don’t be biased or take a side, and when you are addressing the reader do not use “you”; instead, use “the player” or the “the person”.

The third point concerns the styling of the route description section, which includes sub-sections and pictures. These are both allowed, but not to be exploited. Two or three sub-sections are good, as well as a picture or two, however, don't overdo it. Sub-sections can be broken up into such heading as "Northern segment" and "Southern segment" if there are they are broken up into these such halves, like in the article Route 205. As for pictures, one can be added here or there, however, they must be of an important event or something notable, such as, inside an important house. Picture can make a great and colorful addition to the page, as long as there descriptive and have a point.


In the olden days, before colorful templates, these things called list were used for items placement, which were used as bullet points, however, now thanks to new technology and a helpful user we now have a template to use for listing our items. To use this template, see here. Use the template properly, i.e. use correct item images, and descriptive location that will properly tell the reader where the item is. I believe that's on that subject.


Likewise, with the Pokémon section, its simply templates here. Remember to use the right one here like alway. The section is split into Generations, such as "Generation I", "Generation II", "Generation III", and "Generation IV", and then if the Pokémon are different between games, its split into games, such as "Pokémon Diamond and Pearl", and "Pokémon Platinum". Enough said there.


And again with the templates, similar to the "Pokémon" and the "Items" section, remember to use correct standards and information. The section is also split into Generations, such as "Generation I", "Generation II", "Generation III", and "Generation IV", and then if the Trainers are different between games, its split into games, such as "Pokémon Diamond and Pearl", and "Pokémon Platinum".

Differences among generations

Well, we all love a remake, right? That where this sections can in. Not all routes exactly alike from generation to generation, there are usually a lot of aesthetic changes, as well as location changes. If the route was featured in multiple versions and generations of Pokémon, the differences between those should be discussed here. This is the prime place to describe most of Generation II and Generation IV changes in the game, because as many of you have played Pokémon Gold and Silver, and there are a lot of differences in the Kanto from Generation I, don't you agree. Anyway, like the two sections before this, this one too is split into Generational sub-sections of "Generation I", "Generation II", "Generation III", and "Generation IV" for whatever Generation it is in. At the moment, only Route 1 to Route 46 should have this section, as they are the only route that have been featured in games more than one. So, until another remake comes out, Route 47, Route 48, and Route 101 onwards do not need this section.

Like the route description section, this should also be in depth, with the smallest of change taken note of. Change in Trainer, items locations, storylines, and events should be written down here. If the route changed dramatically during Generation I to Generation II, a full route description should be written with in depth detail.

In other media

Now, you know the Pokémon anime was primarily based on the games, so some route are seen, if not, featured in the anime for a couple of episodes. So a brief synopsis can be added here with what happened during the time in the route, and what Pokémon were seen within the route. If the route was also seen in the manga, another sub-section should be written for it, including what happened during the time in the route, and what Pokémon were seen within the route. Doesn't need to be too big, just don't make it too tiny. One or two paragraph on each sub-section will do fine.

See also

Basically, place all internal links here. All locations related to this route such as locations in or around the route, should be placed here.


Categorizing time! All articles should use the following categories:

All articles should use the following categories where applicable:

  • [[Category:Red, Blue and Yellow locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:Gold, Silver and Crystal locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:Ruby and Sapphire locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:Emerald locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:FireRed and LeafGreen locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:Diamond and Pearl locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:Platinum locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:Heartgold and Soulsilver locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:Black and White locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:Black 2 and White 2 locations|Route XXX]]
  • [[Category:X and Y locations|Route XXX]]

For all categories, XXX is the route number (i.e. Route 1 would be 001).

Well there you have it. The structure of a route article is in your hands now. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me here. Enjoy editing.