Fewr said:
Ok, but I can still place all types of objects in an area to make them level up asap can't I?
This is really confusing, is it only the blocks that level up or is it the areas, or the blocks within the areas (e.g. a plains block in a swamp may be lv1, but the same block turns lv3 if placed in rocky beach)?
It's the areas themselves that level up, and each time they level up a multiplier for one of the block types increases. It works like this:
0 days: all blocks are worth 1 each
10 days: Grassland blocks now worth 2 each
20 days: Forest blocks now worth 2 each
30 days: Peak blocks now worth 2 each
40 days: Water blocks now worth 2 each
50 days: Grassland blocks now worth 3 each
60 days: Forest blocks now worth 3 each
70 days: Peak blocks now worth 3 each
80 days: Water blocks now worth 3 each
The pattern doesn't continue exactly like that, but you get the general idea. Check Bulbapedia's page on the Johto Safari Zone for exact requirements for each Pokemon. Like, if one species requires 45 Grassland blocks and 30 Water blocks before it shows up, you can do some math to figure out how much you'd really need (15x3 Grassland, 15x2 Water, so 50 days). Serebii's page does the math for you.
I don't think the multiplier is reset by changing whatever blocks are currently on an area or by swapping one area out for another. Newly placed blocks receive the immediate effect of the multiplier too, I think.
EDIT: Oh yeah, and you can't abuse the clock AT ALL for this. If I were you, I'd place the areas with the LOWEST time requirements first, catch all of the Safari Zone exclusive Pokemon in those areas, and then swap them out for those with the highest time requirements as you complete each area.
Pokemon exclusive to the Safari Zone:
Lotad/Lombre
Surskit/Masquerain
Nosepass
Aron/Lairon
Electrike/Manectric
Torkoal
Cacnea/Cacturne
Trapinch/Vibrava
Zangoose
Seviper
Lunatone
Solrock
Corphish
Shuppet/Banette
Duskull/Dusclops
Spheal/Sealeo
Bagon/Shelgon
Gible
Riolu
Hippopotas
Skorupi
Croagunk
