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Lava Rock
April 10, 2026 at 03:12 PM
Remove irrelevant image: Lava cave with Volcarona
Lava Rock is a raw material in Pokemon Pokopia formed when hot lava cools and hardens into black, rugged stone. It appears as flame-tinged dark blocks found exclusively in volcanic biomes. The in-game description reads: "When hot lava cools and hardens, it becomes black, rugged rock."
Lava Rock is classified as a block item, meaning it can also be placed as a building material or decoration in Palette Town and other areas. It can be painted to change its appearance. While Lava Rock has several uses, its most important role is as a required material for the Altar of Flame building kit, which summons the Legendary Pokemon Moltres.
Lava Rock can be gathered from two locations in the game.
Rocky Ridges is the primary and most reliable source of Lava Rock. This area is built on the remains of Pewter City and Mt. Moon from the original Kanto region, and it features an active volcano with extensive underground mining tunnels. Lava Rock blocks spawn inside the volcano, near volcanic vents, and alongside lava flows throughout the area.
You will likely encounter Lava Rock while mining for Gold Ore in the deeper sections of the volcano. The blocks appear as flame-tinged black stones that stand out from the surrounding rock. They are relatively plentiful compared to rarer materials like Glowing Stone, so you can stockpile large quantities during a single mining trip.
Dream Islands offer an alternative source of Lava Rock. Using an Arcanine Doll with Drifloon transports you to a Volcanic Dream Island based on the interior of Rocky Ridges. Lava Rock spawns naturally on this island alongside other materials such as Iron Ore, Pokemetal Fragment, Rare Pokemetal Fragment, and Glowing Mushrooms.
To obtain the Arcanine Doll, purchase it from the Pokemon Center Terminal after leveling up Palette Town's Environment Level. The Arcanine Doll can also appear randomly in Rocky Ridges glowing treasure spots.
Location | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Volcano interior, near lava flows | Primary source; plentiful while mining for Gold Ore | |
Arcanine Doll Dream Island | Naturally occurring blocks | Also yields Iron Ore, Pokemetal Fragment, and Rare Pokemetal Fragment |
Lava Rock blocks are gathered by using Rock Smash, one of Ditto's transformation moves. To break Lava Rock, you need to power up Rock Smash by eating a Hamburger Steak. This food boost lets you smash the tougher, vein-laced boulders found inside the volcano, including Lava Rock blocks.
Hamburger Steak is cooked using a Frying Pan with Beans as the main ingredient. The power-up is permanent once consumed (it functions as a tier increase rather than a temporary buff). Without eating a Hamburger Steak first, Lava Rock blocks will be too tough to break.
To collect Lava Rock, walk up to a flame-tinged black block inside the volcano and punch it with your powered-up Rock Smash. The material is added to your inventory automatically. Because Lava Rock shares its spawn zone with Gold Ore, many players gather both materials simultaneously during their mining runs through the volcano.
The most important use for Lava Rock is the Altar of Flame building kit. This is a large construction project that, when completed, summons the Legendary Pokemon Moltres. The Altar of Flame is located on the northwestern island in Palette Town, atop a stone platform. Building it is one of the key steps in the quest to befriend all three Legendary Birds.
Material | Quantity Required |
|---|---|
Lava Rock | 50 |
50 | |
50 | |
10 |
In addition to these materials, you need 15 Pokemon assigned to the construction project. Among them, at least one must have each of the following specialties: Build, Fly, Burn, and Crush. The remaining 11 slots can be filled by any Pokemon.
Construction takes one in-game day. Come back the next day after starting the project to find the completed altar. According to Serebii, the finished structure measures 35 wide, 42 deep, and 21 tall, and it produces 20 distinct decorative components including brick steps, mysterious pedestals, Poke Ball lamps, wall torches, stone materials, pillars, and gold walls.
Once the Altar of Flame is built, Moltres will appear at the altar the following day. For a full guide on obtaining all three Legendary Birds, see the How to Get Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres article.
Gathering 50 Lava Rocks is only part of the challenge. The Altar of Flame also requires 50 Copper Ingots and 50 Gold Ingots, both of which must be smelted from raw ore at a Smelting Furnace. Copper Ore and Gold Ore are both found in Rocky Ridges, so you can mine all three materials (Lava Rock, Copper Ore, and Gold Ore) during the same trip. The Arcanine Doll Dream Island is another good source for ore if you need additional supplies.
The 10 Pokemetal required are harder to obtain. Pokemetal is smelted from Pokemetal Fragments, which are rarer than standard ores. Plan your material gathering accordingly and prioritize Pokemetal Fragment collection early.
While Lava Rock itself is not a direct ingredient in the Piping-Hot Lava habitat, it is closely associated with the volcanic environment that this habitat recreates. The Piping-Hot Lava habitat requires 1 Molten Rock and 2 Lava to construct. When built, it attracts Charcadet (common) and Volcarona (rare), both Fire-type Pokemon.
As a paintable block, Lava Rock can be placed directly in the world as a decorative element. Its dark, rugged texture makes it useful for building volcanic-themed structures, pathways, or terrain features. Players who want to create warm habitats or fire-themed areas in Palette Town often incorporate Lava Rock blocks alongside lava flows and fire furniture to increase the local temperature and attract Fire-type Pokemon.
Lava Rock has a base trade value of 10 and a favorite-category trade value of 15. While not the most valuable trade item, it can be offered to visiting Pokemon at a trade post for small returns. Its trade value is comparable to other raw blocks and basic materials.
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Category | Block |
Type | Standard (Natural Decoration) |
Paintable | Yes |
Trade Value | 10 (15 if favorite) |
Found In | Rocky Ridges, Arcanine Doll Dream Island |
Also Obtained From | Altar of Flame building kit (as a component piece) |
Eat a Hamburger Steak before heading into the Rocky Ridges volcano. Without the Rock Smash power-up, you will not be able to break Lava Rock blocks.
Collect Lava Rock, Gold Ore, and Copper Ore in the same mining run. All three materials share the same spawn area inside the volcano, saving you multiple trips.
Aim for at least 50 Lava Rocks if you plan to build the Altar of Flame for Moltres. Gathering a few extras is wise in case you want to use some as decorative blocks.
The Arcanine Doll Dream Island is a useful backup source if you have already cleared most of the Lava Rock in Rocky Ridges or want to combine material farming with a chance at encountering a Legendary Pokemon.
Start smelting your Copper Ingots and Gold Ingots at the furnace while you continue mining. This way, your ingots will be ready by the time you have gathered enough Lava Rock.
Lava Rock blocks can be placed and painted, making them versatile for building dark, volcanic-themed structures in your town.
