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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. [[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. 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 the past generations, the lookout station in [[Generation IV]], lookout stations 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}}. [[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|Gold}} and {{p|Larvitar}} in a Lookout station in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}]]

==Practical use==
The lookout stations, however, also have a practical use within the games' programming. As a player moves from route to city, the maps must be loaded for each. While this is easy when a city connects to relatively few routes, places like [[Saffron City]] and [[Jubilife City]], which connect to many different areas, would need to load multiple maps, 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.

==List of lookout stations==

{| border=1 align="left" style="background: #fff; border:1px solid #000; border-collapse:collapse;"
|- style="background: #C0C0FF;"
! colspan="2" | Connecting areas
! Region
! width="300px" | Notes
|-
| {{rt|5}} || [[Saffron City]] || [[Kanto]] || Officer requires [[Fresh Water]], [[Drink#Soda Pop|Soda Pop]], or [[Lemonade]] to pass in [[Generation I]], or [[Tea]] in [[Generation III]].
|-
| {{rt|6}} || [[Saffron City]] || [[Kanto]] || Officer requires [[Fresh Water]], [[Drink#Soda Pop|Soda Pop]], or [[Lemonade]] to pass in [[Generation I]], or [[Tea]] in [[Generation III]].
|-
| {{rt|7}} || [[Saffron City]] || [[Kanto]] || Officer requires [[Fresh Water]], [[Drink#Soda Pop|Soda Pop]], or [[Lemonade]] to pass in [[Generation I]], or [[Tea]] in [[Generation III]].
|-
| {{rt|8}} || [[Saffron City]] || [[Kanto]] || Officer requires [[Fresh Water]], [[Drink#Soda Pop|Soda Pop]], or [[Lemonade]] to pass in [[Generation I]], or [[Tea]] in [[Generation III]].
|-
| {{rt|11}} || {{rt|12}} || [[Kanto]] || Has a second floor.
|-
| {{rt|15}} || [[Fuchsia City]] || [[Kanto]] || Has a second floor.
|-
| {{rt|16}} || [[Celadon City]] || [[Kanto]] || Has a second floor; {{ka|Cycling Road}}.
|-
| {{rt|18}} || [[Fuchsia City]] || [[Kanto]] || Has a second floor; {{ka|Cycling Road}}.
|-
| {{rt|31}} || [[Violet City]] || [[Johto]] ||  [[Kotone (game)|Kotone]]/[[Gold (game)|Hibiki]] will give the [[Player character|player]] the [[Vs. Recorder]].
|-
| {{rt|35}} || [[Goldenrod City]] || [[Johto]] || [[Randy|Officer]] will give away a {{p|Spearow}} with [[mail]] to deliver.
|-
| {{rt|38}} || [[Ecruteak City]] || [[Johto]] ||
|-
| {{rt|42}} || [[Ecruteak City]] || [[Johto]] ||
|-
| {{rt|43}} || [[Mahogany Town]] || [[Johto]] || Only lookout station within a town.
|-
| {{rt|46}} || {{rt|29}} || [[Johto]] ||
|-
| {{rt|110}} || [[Slateport City]] || [[Hoenn]] || Entrance to [[Seaside Cycling Road]].
|-
| {{rt|110}} || [[Mauville City]] || [[Hoenn]] || Entrance to [[Seaside Cycling Road]].
|-
| {{rt|114}} || {{rt|115}} || [[Hoenn]] || [[Meteor Falls]]; serves similar purpose.
|-
| {{rt|116}} || [[Verdanturf Town]] || [[Hoenn]] || [[Rusturf Tunnel]]; serves similar purpose.
|-
| {{rt|203}} || [[Oreburgh City]] || [[Sinnoh]] || [[Oreburgh Gate]]; serves similar purpose.
|-
| {{rt|206}} || [[Eterna City]] || [[Sinnoh]] || Cycling Road.
|-
| {{rt|208}} || [[Hearthome City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|209}} || [[Hearthome City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|212}} || [[Hearthome City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|213}} || [[Pastoria City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|214}} || [[Veilstone City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|215}} || [[Veilstone City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|218}} || [[Jubilife City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|222}} || [[Sunyshore City]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|225}} || [[Fight Area]] || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|-
| {{rt|226}} || {{rt|228}} || [[Sinnoh]] ||
|}
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[[Category:Pokémon world]]
[[Category:Buildings]]