In the Crystal version of the game, Phanpy can indeed be found at night on Route 45. However, it is important to note that this is not the case in the Silver version. In Silver, Phanpy can only be found on Route 45 during the day. So, if you’re playing Silver and hoping to catch a Phanpy, it’s best to search during daylight hours.
Now, let’s dive into the specifics. Route 45 is located in the Johto region, south of Blackthorn City. It is a fairly small route with grass patches where wild Pokémon can be encountered. In Crystal, both Phanpy and Donphan can be found here. Phanpy is more commonly encountered, while Donphan is a bit rarer.
During the day, you have a chance of encountering Phanpy in the grass on Route 45 in both Silver and Crystal versions. However, in Crystal, you have an additional opportunity to find Phanpy on Route 46 in the morning. This allows players in Crystal to have a slightly higher chance of encountering Phanpy compared to Silver.
On the other hand, Donphan, the evolved form of Phanpy, can only be found in specific locations. In Silver, you can find Donphan on Route 28, Victory Road, and Mt. Silver. It is worth noting that Donphan cannot be found at night on Route 45 in Crystal, so if you’re playing Crystal and specifically looking for Donphan, you’ll need to search in the aforementioned locations.
While it may seem a bit confusing with the different availability of Phanpy and Donphan across the versions, the key is to pay attention to the time of day and the specific routes where they can be found. Remember, Phanpy can be found on Route 45 during the day in both Silver and Crystal, while Donphan can be found on Route 28, Victory Road, and Mt. Silver in Silver, and on Route 28, Victory Road, and Mt. Silver in Crystal, but not at night on Route 45.
I hope this detailed explanation helps you in your Pokémon journey! Happy hunting!