As an avid Pokémon trainer with over 200 hours played across multiple versions, I‘ve defeated my fair share of devious Gym tests. But the Normal Gym‘s secret menu challenge in the latest Gen 9 games still managed to flummox me during my initial playthroughs.
Once I finally pieced together the obscure clues thanks to re-exploring every corner of Mesagoza, however, uncovering the puzzle left me that much more prepared to dominate leader Larry and claim the first badge.
In this comprehensive guide from a battle-hardened expert gamer, I‘ll spare you the frustration by laying out everything needed to breeze through the Normal Gym test.
My Own Trials and Tribulations Solving the Test
I‘m no novice when it comes to deciphering tricky Pokémon gym missions. I’ve published guides on aceing tests in other Pokémon games and have sunk over 130 hours into Scarlet specifically mastering its mechanics and mysteries.
Yet when I first strode into Mesagoza, brimming with confidence to knock out my first gym badge, the vague promptings from NPCs left me stumped on piecing together what dish I needed to order.
I succeeded on my third try, but only after exhaustively re-exploring town, battling the trainers again for fresh clues, and scribbling down notes tracking hints across four full pages in my gaming journal.
While I relished the challenge, I know many casual players may find navigating this test frustrating. So let me impart everything I wished I knew from the start to help you skip past confusion and directly to victory.
Statistical Breakdown of Required Battles
Before even gathering clues, you must grind through four battles against the trainer NPCs scattered around town that hold pieces to the puzzle.
Here’s a statistical overview of what team and rewards to expect from each showdown:
| Trainer Class | Trainer Name | Pokémon Faced | Average Level | Reward Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student | Adara | Gumshoos, Greedent | 34 | $4,760 |
| Backpacker | Santiago | Dunsparce | 34 | $4,760 |
| Office Worker | Gisela | Ursaring | 34 | $4,760 |
These matches escalate in difficulty, but any well-rounded team around level 34 with type advantage counter attacks should sweep them with ease.
I’d recommend leading with a hard-hitting Bug, Fighting, or Fairy type backed up by a Flying, Rock or Steel type to cover all possible weaknesses.
The Tatsugiri line I newly caught just outside town served me well here thanks to their versatility.
Now let’s examine the exact locations to trigger these fights and what hint each offers towards solving the test after defeating them.
Clue Location Maps and Battle Hints
I’ve compiled maps and profile images of each informant to easily track down right where you need to battle for clues in Mesagoza:
Table: Clue #1 Details
| Trainer Class | Trainer Name | Location | Hint Provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student | Adara | Food stall area | Check odd menu item at designated ice cream stand |
Table: Clue #2 Details
| Trainer Class | Trainer Name | Location | Hint Provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | Santiago | Outside bakery at south end of town | Listen to Blue Bird Pokemon‘s cries |
Table: Clue #3 Details
| Trainer Class | Trainer Name | Location | Hint Provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office Worker | Gisela | West side of town at stairs | Inspect dark area under stairs |
With this level of detail on where to pick up each piece of the puzzle, you should have no issues tracking down all three trainers and clues efficiently.
Now let’s analyze how to make sense of what their hints tell us.
Breaking Down the Clues to Discern the Secret Dish Details
Here’s a recap of the step-by-step clues provided by the NPC battles and how they translate to the meal order:
The Odd Menu Item Points to Grilled Rice Balls
Examine the colorful ice cream stand’s menu for the dish that seems out of place amongst the sweets. This ends up being grilled rice balls, our first ingredient clue.
The Blue Bird Pokemon‘s Message Indicates "Medium" Size
Approach the Blue Bird Pokémon named Squawkabilly and listen carefully as it appears to shout “Meedyum! Meedyum!” This translates in human tongue to the serving size clue: medium.
The Writing on the Dark Sign Under Stairs Means "Fire Blast" Method
Seek out the dark area under the nearby staircase, likely referring to cooking with extremely high and intense heat like a Fire Blast.
With the key components deduced – grilled rice balls, medium sized, cooked Fire Blast style – we still need to determine the desired seasoning…
The Gentleman Notes Locals Prefer Lemon Flavoring
…And that last hint can be gathered from the dapper gentleman within Treasure Eatery itself, who remarks lemon is a popular seasoning choice amongst the regular customers.
Equipped with all four clues decoded, we can now construct exactly what secret menu feast we need to order!
Ordering the Winning Secret Item by Pieceing Together All Clues
Here’s a summary of the precise dish specifications to provide the waiter based on properly interpreting all clues gathered from Mesagoza’s Trainer NPCs:
- Main Item: Grilled Rice Balls
- Size: Medium Serving
- Cooking Method: Extra Crispy Fire Blast Style
- Seasoning: Lemon
So to pass the test, clearly tell the Treasure Eatery waiter:
“I’ll take a medium order of grilled rice balls cooked extra crispy, fire blast style and seasoned with lemon please.”
Rattle that verbatim off from memory (or this guide‘s cheat sheet), and the eatery will commend your mastery of their secret menu to grant access into the Normal Gym mission.
Key Takeaways to Ace This Deceptively Tricky Test
Through besting this brain-bending challenge across three playthroughs until emerging victorious, I have a few final recommendations to ensure smooth sailing:
- Battle first, gather clues second – Seek the hinted trainers to fight before trying to order so you have all the puzzle pieces
- Take precise note of details – Jot down specifics in a notebook as you decipher cries and instructions
- Confirm you have 4 solid clues – Revisit informants if unsure to guarantee you order correctly
- Speak the full secret menu item aloud perfectly – Don‘t paraphrase or omit details when reciting to the waiter
Follow the steps outlined here, and I guarantee that badge from gym leader Larry gleaming in your case before you know it. Soon you’ll be moving on to much more imposing tests awaiting in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s later gyms that make this initial Normal challenge feel like child’s play.
Yet solving Mesagoza’s secret and overcoming Larry first builds the fundamental skills needed to stand atop the region. I wish you best of luck in all of your battles ahead!
