G Golden Path
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Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen cover art
Fan guide Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch 2 Golden path + Gyms Spoiler-safe

Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen

Return to Kanto in Game Freak's definitive remakes of the original Pokémon adventures — now on Nintendo Switch. Choose your starter, build your team of six, and earn eight Gym Badges before facing the Elite Four and your lifelong rival in the Pokémon League.

Golden-path progress 0 / 9 sections

Game Essentials & Reference

The standing reference behind the walkthrough — type matchups, status, evolution, every TM and HM, and the team-defining Pokémon and where to catch them.

Type matchup chart how much damage each attack type deals
Normal
½× vs Rock, Steel
0× vs Ghost
Fire
2× vs Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel
½× vs Fire, Water, Rock, Dragon
Water
2× vs Fire, Ground, Rock
½× vs Water, Grass, Dragon
Electric
2× vs Water, Flying
½× vs Electric, Grass, Dragon
0× vs Ground
Grass
2× vs Water, Ground, Rock
½× vs Fire, Grass, Poison, Flying, Bug, Dragon, Steel
Ice
2× vs Grass, Ground, Flying, Dragon
½× vs Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Fighting
2× vs Normal, Ice, Rock, Dark, Steel
½× vs Poison, Flying, Psychic, Bug
0× vs Ghost
Poison
2× vs Grass
½× vs Poison, Ground, Rock, Ghost
0× vs Steel
Ground
2× vs Fire, Electric, Poison, Rock, Steel
½× vs Grass, Bug
0× vs Flying
Flying
2× vs Grass, Fighting, Bug
½× vs Electric, Rock, Steel
Psychic
2× vs Fighting, Poison
½× vs Psychic, Steel
0× vs Dark
Bug
2× vs Grass, Psychic, Dark
½× vs Fire, Fighting, Poison, Flying, Ghost, Steel
Rock
2× vs Fire, Ice, Flying, Bug
½× vs Fighting, Ground, Steel
Ghost
2× vs Psychic, Ghost
½× vs Dark, Steel
0× vs Normal
Dragon
2× vs Dragon
½× vs Steel
Dark
2× vs Psychic, Ghost
½× vs Fighting, Dark, Steel
Steel
2× vs Ice, Rock
½× vs Fire, Water, Electric, Steel
  • Generation III predates the Fairy type — Dragon is resisted only by Steel, and Ghost/Psychic interactions follow the Gen III chart above.
  • Dual-type Pokémon multiply the two matchups: a Water/Flying Gyarados takes 4× from Electric, while a Bug/Steel Forretress takes 4× from Fire.
  • STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus): a move that matches the user's own type deals 1.5× damage — factor it in when comparing attackers.
Status conditions what each does and how to cure it
Burn Halves the victim's Attack stat and chips away 1/8 of its maximum HP each turn. Fire-types cannot be burned. Cure: Burn Heal, or any Full Heal / Full Restore
Poison Removes 1/8 of maximum HP each turn. Badly Poisoned (Toxic) deals escalating damage that worsens every turn. Poison- and Steel-types cannot be poisoned. Cure: Antidote, or Full Heal / Full Restore
Paralysis Quarters the victim's Speed and gives a 25% chance it cannot move on any given turn. Electric-types can still be paralysed in Gen III. Cure: Paralyze Heal, or Full Heal / Full Restore
Sleep The victim cannot act for 1–3 turns. Moves like Sleep Powder, Hypnosis, and Lovely Kiss inflict it; Rest self-inflicts it for two turns in exchange for full healing. Cure: Awakening, Blue Flute, or Full Heal / Full Restore
Freeze The victim cannot act until it thaws (random each turn). Being hit by a Fire move thaws it instantly. The most dangerous status because it can last indefinitely. Cure: Ice Heal, or Full Heal / Full Restore
Confusion A volatile status (clears on switch out). Each turn there is a chance the victim hurts itself instead of acting. Stacks on top of any other status. Cure: Switch out, or a Persim Berry / Yellow Flute
Evolution methods level, stone, trade, item, friendship
Level up Most Pokémon evolve simply by reaching a set level in battle. e.g. Charmander → Charmeleon (Lv 16) → Charizard (Lv 36)
Evolution stone Use a stone from the bag: Fire, Water, Thunder, Leaf, or Moon Stone. Stops the Pokémon learning further level-up moves, so time it deliberately. e.g. Eevee → Vaporeon/Jolteon/Flareon; Pikachu → Raichu (Thunder Stone)
Trade Some Pokémon only evolve the instant they are traded to another game. Local wireless trading covers all four Kanto trade evolutions. e.g. Kadabra → Alakazam; Machoke → Machamp; Graveler → Golem; Haunter → Gengar
Trade holding an item A few Pokémon evolve when traded while holding a specific item (e.g. a King's Rock). e.g. Poliwhirl → Politoed; Slowpoke → Slowking (King's Rock)
High friendship A handful evolve after reaching high friendship rather than a level. Walk with them, win battles, and avoid letting them faint. e.g. Golbat → Crobat; Eevee → Espeon (day) / Umbreon (night)
TM & HM index 50 TMs · 7 HMs · where to find each
HMs (field moves)
HM01 CutNormal S.S. Anne — Captain's cabin — Cascade Badge to use in the field
HM02 FlyFlying Route 16 (hidden in grass) — Thunder Badge to use in the field
HM03 SurfWater Safari Zone Secret House (return the Gold Teeth) — Soul Badge to use in the field
HM04 StrengthNormal Fuchsia City — Safari Zone Warden — Rainbow Badge to use in the field
HM05 FlashNormal Route 2 (Oak's Aide, after 10 caught) — Boulder Badge to use in the field
HM06 Rock SmashFighting One Island Pokémon Center — Post-game (Sevii Islands)
HM07 WaterfallWater Four Island (cave near Icefall Cave) — Post-game (Sevii Islands)
TMs
TM01 Focus PunchFighting Silph Co. (5F)
TM02 Dragon ClawDragon Victory Road (1F)
TM03 Water PulseWater Cerulean City Gym (defeat Misty)
TM04 Calm MindPsychic Saffron City Gym (defeat Sabrina)
TM05 RoarNormal Route 4 (near Mt. Moon exit) — Also Celadon Dept. Store for ₽1,000
TM06 ToxicPoison Fuchsia City Gym (defeat Koga)
TM07 HailIce Victory Road (2F)
TM08 Bulk UpFighting Silph Co. (7F)
TM09 Bullet SeedGrass Mt. Moon (1F)
TM10 Hidden PowerNormal Pickup ability (held Pokémon) — No fixed pickup; obtained via Pickup
TM11 Sunny DayFire Safari Zone (Area 1)
TM12 TauntDark Rocket Hideout (B2F)
TM13 Ice BeamIce Celadon Game Corner prize (4,000 coins)
TM14 BlizzardIce Pokémon Mansion (B1F)
TM15 Hyper BeamNormal Celadon Dept. Store (₽7,500)
TM16 Light ScreenPsychic Celadon Dept. Store (₽1,000) — Also free on rooftop after giving a vending drink
TM17 ProtectNormal Power Plant
TM18 Rain DanceWater Route 15
TM19 Giga DrainGrass Celadon City Gym (defeat Erika)
TM20 SafeguardNormal Celadon Dept. Store rooftop (give Soda Pop)
TM21 FrustrationNormal Rocket Hideout (B3F)
TM22 SolarBeamGrass Pokémon Mansion (B1F)
TM23 Iron TailSteel Celadon Game Corner prize (3,500 coins)
TM24 ThunderboltElectric Celadon Game Corner prize (4,000 coins)
TM25 ThunderElectric Power Plant
TM26 EarthquakeGround Viridian City Gym (defeat Giovanni)
TM27 ReturnNormal Route 12 (from girl in Lavender gate)
TM28 DigGround Cerulean City (defeat Rocket Grunt behind house) — Also Celadon Dept. Store for ₽2,000
TM29 PsychicPsychic Saffron City (from Mr. Psychic)
TM30 Shadow BallGhost Celadon Game Corner prize (4,500 coins)
TM31 Brick BreakFighting S.S. Anne — Also Celadon Dept. Store for ₽3,000
TM32 Double TeamNormal Safari Zone (Area 3)
TM33 ReflectPsychic Celadon Dept. Store (₽1,000) — Also free on rooftop after giving a vending drink
TM34 Shock WaveElectric Vermilion City Gym (defeat Lt. Surge)
TM35 FlamethrowerFire Celadon Game Corner prize (4,000 coins)
TM36 Sludge BombPoison Rocket Warehouse, Five Island — Post-game (Sevii Islands)
TM37 SandstormRock Victory Road (2F)
TM38 Fire BlastFire Cinnabar Island Gym (defeat Blaine)
TM39 Rock TombRock Pewter City Gym (defeat Brock)
TM40 Aerial AceFlying Route 9
TM41 TormentDark Silph Co. (4F)
TM42 FacadeNormal Memorial Pillar, Six Island — Post-game (Sevii Islands)
TM43 Secret PowerNormal Route 25 — Also Celadon Dept. Store for ₽3,000
TM44 RestPsychic S.S. Anne (from a passenger)
TM45 AttractNormal Route 24 — Also Celadon Dept. Store for ₽3,000
TM46 ThiefDark Mt. Moon (B2F, from Rocket Grunt)
TM47 Steel WingSteel Safari Zone (Area 2)
TM48 Skill SwapPsychic Route 12 (requires Surf)
TM49 SnatchDark Rocket Hideout (B4F)
TM50 OverheatFire Victory Road (3F)
Pokédex — team-defining catches 16 key Pokémon · where, how, and why
#001 Bulbasaur GrassPoison

The forgiving starter — resists Water and Grass, and walls Brock and Misty with Grass moves. Easiest early game.

Catch Professor Oak's Lab, Pallet Town (Gift, Lv 5)
EvolvesBulbasaur → Ivysaur (Lv 16) → Venusaur (Lv 32)
Key moves Razor Leaf Lv-upSleep Powder Lv-upSludge Bomb TM
#004 Charmander Fire

The hard-start, high-payoff pick — struggles against Brock and Misty, then dominates the mid-game once it becomes Charizard.

Catch Professor Oak's Lab, Pallet Town (Gift, Lv 5)
EvolvesCharmander → Charmeleon (Lv 16) → Charizard (Lv 36, gains Flying)
Key moves Flamethrower Lv-upFly TMAerial Ace TM
#007 Squirtle Water

The balanced pick — handles Brock and Blaine effortlessly and carries Surf for the whole game. Safest all-rounder.

Catch Professor Oak's Lab, Pallet Town (Gift, Lv 5)
EvolvesSquirtle → Wartortle (Lv 16) → Blastoise (Lv 36)
Key moves Water Gun Lv-upSurf HMIce Beam TM
#025 Pikachu Electric

An early Electric answer to Misty's Water Gym and a fast special attacker. Hold the Thunder Stone until it learns Thunderbolt.

Catch Viridian Forest (Tall grass, Lv 3-5)
EvolvesPikachu → Raichu (Thunder Stone)
Key moves Thunderbolt Lv-upBrick Break TM
#032 Nidoran♂ Poison

A workhorse Ground/Poison sweeper after a Moon Stone — huge movepool coverage carries it from Surge to the Elite Four.

Catch Routes 3 and 22 (Tall grass, Lv 3-6)
EvolvesNidoran♂ → Nidorino (Lv 16) → Nidoking (Moon Stone)
Key moves Earthquake TMHorn Attack Lv-upIce Beam TM
#056 Mankey Fighting

An early Fighting-type with a strong physical Attack — useful against Normal-types and the Elite Four's Lorelei (Ice) and Bruno's Onix.

Catch Routes 3, 4, and 22 (Tall grass, Lv 3-7)
EvolvesMankey → Primeape (Lv 28)
Key moves Karate Chop Lv-upBrick Break TMCross Chop Lv-up
#063 Abra Psychic

The strongest special attacker in Kanto. Only knows Teleport until it evolves, so grind it carefully — Psychic sweeps Koga and Bruno.

Catch Routes 24 and 25 (and Saffron via in-game trade) (Tall grass, Lv 8-12)
EvolvesAbra → Kadabra (Lv 16) → Alakazam (trade)
Key moves Psychic Lv-upRecover Lv-upShadow Ball TM
#058 Growlithe Fire

FireRed's premier Fire-type. Hard-hitting and fast — the cleanest answer to Erika's Grass Gym. (LeafGreen gets Vulpix instead.)

Catch Routes 7 and 8 (and Pokémon Mansion) (Tall grass, Lv 14-18) FireRed
EvolvesGrowlithe → Arcanine (Fire Stone)
Key moves Flamethrower Lv-upExtreme Speed Lv-upAerial Ace TM
#037 Vulpix Fire

LeafGreen's Fire option. Ninetales is fast and bulky special-side — strong against Erika and any Grass or Bug threat.

Catch Routes 7 and 8 (and Pokémon Mansion) (Tall grass, Lv 14-18) LeafGreen
EvolvesVulpix → Ninetales (Fire Stone)
Key moves Flamethrower Lv-upConfuse Ray Lv-upWill-O-Wisp TM
#092 Gastly GhostPoison

Immune to Normal and Fighting; resists Psychic-side pressure. Haunter hard-walls Sabrina and is invaluable against Agatha's mirror Ghosts.

Catch Pokémon Tower, Lavender Town (needs Silph Scope) (Tall grass, Lv 13-19)
EvolvesGastly → Haunter (Lv 25) → Gengar (trade)
Key moves Thunderbolt TMShadow Ball Lv-upHypnosis Lv-up
#129 Magikarp Water

Useless until Lv 20, then becomes Gyarados — a Water/Flying powerhouse that carries Surf and threatens most of the late game.

Catch Any water with the Old Rod, or bought for ₽500 at the Route 4 Pokémon Centre (Old Rod, Lv 5-10)
EvolvesMagikarp → Gyarados (Lv 20)
Key moves Surf HMIce Beam TMDragon Rage Lv-up
#133 Eevee Normal

A free pick-your-element team member. Jolteon (Electric) is the best battler — fast Thunderbolt deletes the Water/Ice Elite Four threats.

Catch Celadon City (upstairs in a building near the Game Corner) (Gift, Lv 25)
EvolvesEevee → Vaporeon (Water Stone) / Jolteon (Thunder Stone) / Flareon (Fire Stone)
Key moves Shadow Ball TMReturn TM
#143 Snorlax Normal

An enormous HP tank with high Attack. Save before each of the two encounters — you only get one shot at catching each.

Catch Route 12 and Route 16 (asleep — needs the Poké Flute) (Static, Lv 30)
EvolvesDoes not evolve
Key moves Body Slam TMEarthquake TMRest Lv-up
#131 Lapras WaterIce

A free bulky Water/Ice carrier. Ice Beam shuts down Lance's entire Dragon team — arguably the single best Elite Four answer in the game.

Catch Silph Co. (gift from an employee on 5F) (Gift, Lv 25)
EvolvesDoes not evolve
Key moves Surf HMIce Beam TMBody Slam Lv-up
#147 Dratini Dragon

A long-term project — Dragonite is the strongest non-legendary in Kanto, but it evolves late at Lv 55, so commit early if you want it.

Catch Safari Zone (Super Rod), or won at the Celadon Game Corner prize counter (Game Corner, Lv 15-25)
EvolvesDratini → Dragonair (Lv 30) → Dragonite (Lv 55)
Key moves Ice Beam TMThunderbolt TMOutrage Lv-up
#106 Hitmonlee / Hitmonchan Fighting

A one-time Fighting reward from the Saffron Dojo. Hitmonlee hits harder; Hitmonchan is bulkier with elemental punches. Strong vs Lorelei and Normal-types.

Catch Saffron City Fighting Dojo (choose one after beating the Dojo) (Gift, Lv 25)
EvolvesDo not evolve
Key moves Hi Jump Kick Lv-upBrick Break TMMega Kick Lv-up
Golden path · Earn all eight Gym Badges
1
Badge 1

A New Adventure Begins

Golden path

  1. Speak to Professor Oak in his laboratory in Pallet Town. He offers you a choice of three starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur (Grass/Poison — easiest early game), Charmander (Fire — hardest early game, strongest mid-game), or Squirtle (Water — well-balanced throughout). Your rival Blue will choose the one that has a type advantage over yours.
  2. After receiving your starter and Pokédex, head north towards Viridian City. Route 1 has only Rattata and Pidgey — do not waste Poké Balls here unless you need to; better options appear very soon.
  3. In Viridian City, pick up the parcel from the Poké Mart counter and return it to Professor Oak. He then allows you to proceed north. Pick up the Town Map from Blue's sister in Pallet Town while you are passing through — it is free.
  4. Route 2 leads into Viridian Forest. Catch a Pikachu (Electric) in the Forest if you want a strong option for Misty later. Caterpie (FireRed) or Weedle (LeafGreen) are available here and evolve quickly — Butterfree's Confusion or Beedrill's Fury Attack are useful against Brock.
  5. Exit Viridian Forest to reach Pewter City. Heal at the Pokémon Centre, then visit the Museum to the north — a scientist inside will give you an Old Amber, the fossil for Aerodactyl, once you have HM01 Cut. For now, proceed to the Gym.
  6. Challenge Brock at Pewter Gym. His two Pokémon are Rock/Ground — Normal and Fire moves are less than effective. Water and Grass moves are your best tools. See the Brock fight card for full details.
  7. After earning the Boulder Badge, head east on Route 3 towards Mt Moon. Stock up on Potions at the Pewter Mart before leaving — the cave ahead is long.
Gym Leader Brock Pewter City
Preparation

Keep your lead Pokémon above 12 HP — Onix's Bide charges and releases for double the damage it received.

Top up before: Pewter City Pokémon Centre, directly opposite the Gym

Their team
Geodude (Lv 12)
Uses Tackle and Defence Curl. Rock/Ground — weak to Water and Grass. Does not hit very hard; use this phase to set up if needed.
Onix (Lv 14)
Screech lowers your Defence by two stages, then Bide charges for two turns and releases double the damage received. Do not use Normal or Poison moves — they deal reduced damage. One or two Water or Grass attacks end the fight quickly.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: Pewter City Pokémon Centre

Easier tactic: Catch a Caterpie or Weedle in Viridian Forest and evolve it to Butterfree or Beedrill — Bug moves bypass the Rock/Ground resistance and String Shot slows Onix before it can Screech.

Retreat: You can leave the Gym mid-battle and return after healing.

Reward: Boulder Badge (raises the Attack stat of all your Pokémon) and TM39 Rock Tomb
Area-by-area reference 6 areas · encounters, trainers, items
route Route 1

The first stretch of grass north of Pallet Town, holding only low-level Pidgey and Rattata and no trainers.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Very common Lv 2-5
Rattata Tall grass Very common Lv 2-4
Items
  • Potion ×2 (from a Poké Mart clerk and a route sign)
town Viridian City

The first city with a Mart and Center; its Gym stays sealed until the other seven badges are earned, and you must deliver Oak's Parcel here.

Items
  • Oak's Parcel (collect at the Mart, return to Oak)
  • Potion (by the cuttable tree, NW)
  • Teachy TV (from the old man after the Parcel)
Poké Mart
Poké Ball₽200
Potion₽300
Antidote₽100
Paralyze Heal₽200
Events
  • Deliver Oak's Parcel. An old man blocks Route 2 north until you pick up Oak's Parcel at the Mart and return it; he then teaches catching.
  • Gym sealed. Viridian Gym (Giovanni) does not open until the other seven badges are won.
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut Potion by the cuttable tree → Potion
route Route 2

A short route linking Viridian City to Viridian Forest and Pewter City, with Cut-gated items reachable on the return trip.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Very common Lv 2-5
Rattata Tall grass Very common Lv 2-5
Caterpie Tall grass Uncommon Lv 4-5
Weedle Tall grass Uncommon Lv 4-5
Items
  • Ether (behind ledges; needs Cut)
  • Paralyze Heal (behind ledges; needs Cut)
  • HM05 Flash (from Oak's aide in the gate, 10 species registered)
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut Ether and Paralyze Heal behind ledges/trees → items
dungeon Viridian Forest

A maze-like wood of Bug Catchers and bug Pokémon, and the only early place to catch the rare wild Pikachu.

Wild Pokémon
Caterpie Tall grass Very common Lv 3-5
Weedle Tall grass Very common Lv 3-5
Metapod FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 4-6
Kakuna FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 4-6
Pikachu Tall grass Rare Lv 3-5
Trainers
  • Bug Catcher Rick Weedle Lv6, Caterpie Lv6
  • Bug Catcher Doug Weedle Lv7, Kakuna Lv7, Weedle Lv7
  • Bug Catcher Charlie Metapod Lv7, Caterpie Lv7, Metapod Lv7
  • Bug Catcher Sammy Weedle Lv9
Items
  • Poké Ball (grassy dead-end)
  • Potion
town Pewter City

A rocky city home to Brock's Rock Gym, the Museum (which holds the Old Amber), and the first badge.

Items
  • Old Amber (Museum back room; revives Aerodactyl)
  • Running Shoes (Oak's aide near Route 3)
Poké Mart
Poké Ball₽200
Potion₽300
Antidote₽100
Paralyze Heal₽200
Awakening₽250
Burn Heal₽250
Escape Rope₽550
Repel₽350
Events
  • Seismic Toss tutor. A Move Tutor in Pewter teaches Seismic Toss once.
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut Old Amber in the Museum → Old Amber (Aerodactyl fossil)
route Route 3

A winding trainer-dense route from Pewter City up to Mt. Moon, with the first version-balanced Nidoran encounters.

Wild Pokémon
Spearow Tall grass Common Lv 6-8
Pidgey Tall grass Common Lv 6-7
Jigglypuff Tall grass Uncommon Lv 3-7
Mankey Tall grass Uncommon Lv 7
Nidoran♂ FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 6-7
Nidoran♀ LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 6
Trainers
  • Lass Janice Pidgey Lv9, Pidgey Lv9
  • Bug Catcher Colton Caterpie Lv10, Weedle Lv10, Caterpie Lv10
  • Youngster Ben Rattata Lv11, Ekans Lv11
  • Bug Catcher Greg Weedle Lv9, Kakuna Lv9, Caterpie Lv9, Metapod Lv9
  • Youngster Calvin Spearow Lv14
  • Lass Sally Rattata Lv10, Nidoran♀ Lv10
  • Bug Catcher James Caterpie Lv11, Metapod Lv11
  • Lass Robin Jigglypuff Lv14
Items
  • Potion, Poké Ball ×3, Lure (between/below the ledges)

Watch it instead

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Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

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2
Badge 2

The Water Gym

Golden path

  1. Mt Moon is a two-floor cave filled with Team Rocket grunts looking for fossils. A scientist near the exit offers you a choice of one fossil — Dome Fossil (Kabuto) or Helix Fossil (Omanyte). Both lead to level 40 fossil Pokémon when revived at the Cinnabar Island laboratory much later.
  2. Clefairy are exclusive to Mt Moon — rare, but worth catching. They are strong Normal-type Pokémon that learn Metronome (a random move from every move in the game) and later evolve into Clefable with a Moon Stone.
  3. Exit Mt Moon to Route 4 and continue to Cerulean City. Heal at the Pokémon Centre before doing anything else — the Gym lies just north.
  4. Before challenging Misty, walk north from the Gym onto Nugget Bridge. Five trainers on the bridge must be defeated in sequence, then a Team Rocket grunt at the far end offers a bribe to join — refuse, defeat him, and collect the Nugget (worth ₽5,000 at any Poké Mart).
  5. Continue east along Route 25 to Bill's Sea Cottage. Bill is stuck inside a Pokémon pod — interact with the machine to restore him to human form. He rewards you with an S.S. Anne ticket, which you need for the next major step in Vermilion City.
  6. Return to Cerulean City and challenge Misty at the Cerulean Gym. Her Starmie hits hard and uses Recover — see the Misty fight card for strategies.
  7. With the Cascade Badge collected, head south on Route 5 towards Vermilion City via the Underground Path.
Gym Leader Misty Cerulean City
Preparation

Starmie's BubbleBeam hits all Pokémon for Water damage and has a chance to lower Speed. Keep everyone above 25 HP.

Top up before: Cerulean City Pokémon Centre, just south of the Gym

Their team
Staryu (Lv 18)
Uses Water Gun, Rapid Spin, and Harden. Water-type only. Relatively straightforward — Electric or Grass moves two-shot it before Harden stacks up.
Starmie (Lv 21)
Water/Psychic type. Knows BubbleBeam (strong Water move with Speed-drop chance), Water Pulse (may confuse), Swift (never misses), and Recover (restores half HP). If Recover fires, commit to attacking every turn — do not let it heal twice.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: Cerulean City Pokémon Centre

Easier tactic: A Pikachu caught in Viridian Forest OHKOs Starmie with Thundershock. Alternatively, a Grass-type from Route 2 (Oddish or Bellsprout — version dependent) resists Water and hits for double damage.

Retreat: Leave the Gym and heal freely between attempts.

Reward: Cascade Badge (lets you use HM01 Cut outside of battle, raises your Pokémon's Speed stat) and TM03 Water Pulse
Area-by-area reference 5 areas · encounters, trainers, items
cave Mt. Moon

A multi-floor cave where Team Rocket hunts fossils; you find a Moon Stone and choose one of two fossils after the Super Nerd fight.

Wild Pokémon
Zubat Tall grass Very common Lv 7-11
Geodude Tall grass Common Lv 7-10
Paras Tall grass Uncommon Lv 8-12
Clefairy Tall grass Rare Lv 8-12
Trainers
  • Bug Catcher Kent Weedle Lv13, Kakuna Lv13
  • Super Nerd Jovan Magnemite Lv13, Voltorb Lv13
  • Youngster Josh Rattata Lv11, Zubat Lv11
  • Team Rocket Grunt Sandshrew Lv11, Rattata Lv11, Zubat Lv11
  • Team Rocket Grunt Zubat Lv12, Ekans Lv12
Items
  • Moon Stone (1F)
  • Potion, Escape Rope, Paralyze Heal, Ether, Rare Candy
  • TM09 Bullet Seed
  • Fossil — Dome (Kabuto) or Helix (Omanyte), your choice
Events
  • Choose a fossil. After beating the Super Nerd, pick the Dome Fossil (Kabuto) or Helix Fossil (Omanyte); he keeps the other.
route Route 4

The route out of Mt. Moon to Cerulean City, with a clean Ekans/Sandshrew version split and the Magikarp salesman in its Pokémon Center.

Wild Pokémon
Rattata Tall grass Common Lv 8-12
Spearow Tall grass Common Lv 8-12
Ekans FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 6-12
Sandshrew LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 6-12
Mankey Tall grass Uncommon Lv 8-12
Items
  • TM05 Roar (on the plateau)
Events
  • Magikarp salesman. A shady man in the Route 4 Center sells a Magikarp for ₽500 — no refunds, but it becomes Gyarados.
Come back later
  • HM03 Surf Lass and items across the water (west Route 4) → trainer + item
town Cerulean City

The city around Misty's Water Gym; you fight the rival by Route 24, foil a Rocket burglary for TM28, and later collect the Bicycle here.

Items
  • TM28 Dig (from the Rocket Grunt in the robbed house)
  • Bicycle (redeem the Bike Voucher at the Bike Shop)
Poké Mart
Poké Ball₽200
Potion₽300
Super Potion₽700
Antidote₽100
Paralyze Heal₽200
Awakening₽250
Burn Heal₽250
Escape Rope₽550
Events
  • Burglarized house. A Rocket thief robs a house; Officer Jenny blocks the back exit until you visit Bill on Route 25, after which the Grunt can be beaten for TM28 Dig.
Come back later
  • HM03 Surf Hidden item across the water near the badge house → item
route Route 24

Home to Nugget Bridge — five trainers in a row, a Nugget reward, and a disguised Team Rocket recruiter at the end.

Wild Pokémon
Caterpie Tall grass Common Lv 7
Weedle Tall grass Common Lv 7
Abra Tall grass Uncommon Lv 8-12
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 12-14
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 12-14
Trainers
  • Nugget Bridge #1 — Bug Catcher Cale Caterpie Lv10, Weedle Lv10, Metapod Lv10, Kakuna Lv10
  • Nugget Bridge #2 — Lass Ali Pidgey Lv12, Oddish/Bellsprout Lv12
  • Nugget Bridge #3 — Jr. Trainer Liam Rattata Lv12, Ekans Lv12
  • Nugget Bridge #4 — Jr. Trainer Bridget Nidoran♀ Lv12, Clefairy Lv12
  • Nugget Bridge #5 — Hiker Marc Geodude Lv14, Onix Lv14, Mankey Lv14
  • Team Rocket Recruiter Grimer Lv15, Koffing Lv15 Refuse the job offer, then battle
Items
  • Nugget (clear all five bridge trainers)
  • TM45 Attract (NW plateau)
route Route 25

A trainer-dense route ending at Bill's Sea Cottage, where freeing Bill earns the S.S. Ticket for the S.S. Anne.

Wild Pokémon
Caterpie Tall grass Common Lv 8
Weedle Tall grass Common Lv 8
Abra Tall grass Uncommon Lv 9-13
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 12-14
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 12-14
Trainers
  • Hiker Franklin Machop Lv15, Geodude Lv15
  • Hiker Wayne Onix Lv17
  • Youngster Joey Rattata Lv15, Spearow Lv15
  • Youngster Dan Slowpoke Lv17
  • Picnicker Kelsey Nidoran♂ Lv15, Nidoran♀ Lv15
  • Hiker Nob Geodude Lv13 ×3, Machop Lv13
  • Lass Haley Oddish Lv13, Pidgey Lv13, Oddish Lv13
Items
Events
  • Bill's Sea Cottage. Use the PC and battle to separate Bill from a Pokémon he fused with; he gives the S.S. Ticket for the S.S. Anne.

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Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

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3
Badge 3

Thunder Badge

Golden path

  1. Travel south from Cerulean City through Routes 5 and 6. The Underground Path connects the two routes beneath Saffron City — you pass through it automatically. Saffron's guards block entry into the city itself for now.
  2. In Vermilion City, visit the Pokémon Fan Club near the Gym. Speak to the Club Chairman — he talks at length about his Rapidash. Listen patiently and he gives you a Bicycle Voucher. Redeem it at the Bike Shop in Cerulean City (via Fly or backtracking) for a free Bicycle.
  3. Board the S.S. Anne at the south dock using your ticket from Bill. Defeat Blue aboard the ship and then speak to the Captain in his cabin — he is seasick. Rub his back and he gives you HM01 Cut, the field move needed to clear small trees blocking paths.
  4. The S.S. Anne leaves port permanently once you exit after meeting the Captain — do not re-enter. Teach HM01 Cut to a Pokémon you are happy to dedicate a move slot to (a Rattata or Oddish works well as your designated HM carrier).
  5. Cut the small tree north of the Gym entrance to reach the Gym doors. Inside, Lt. Surge's puzzle involves checking two rubbish bins in sequence to find a hidden switch — the correct pair is random each attempt. See the Lt. Surge fight card for battle strategy.
  6. With the Thunder Badge in hand, head east from Vermilion on Route 11. Diglett's Cave (north of Vermilion on Route 2) is worth a detour if you need a Ground-type for future fights — Diglett evolves into Dugtrio at level 26.
Gym Leader Lt. Surge Vermilion City
Preparation

Raichu's Thunderbolt hits hard. Enter with your whole party above 60% HP — the Voltorb and Pikachu phases are manageable but Raichu can swing the fight quickly.

Top up before: Vermilion City Pokémon Centre

Their team
Voltorb (Lv 21)
Opens with Sonicboom (always deals exactly 20 HP damage, ignoring stats) and Growl. Ground-type moves are your best option. Sonicboom hurts early-game teams that lack bulk.
Pikachu (Lv 18)
Quick Attack goes first regardless of Speed. Ground-type moves deal no damage to Electric types — do not use them on Pikachu (it cannot hit you with Electric if you use a Ground-type Pokémon, but Pikachu also resists Ground in Gen III). Use Water, Ice, or high-Attack normal moves.
Raichu (Lv 24)
Thunderbolt is Lt. Surge's big threat — paralysis chance and high damage. Mega Kick and Mega Punch cover Ground weakness. Bring a Diglett or Dugtrio (immune to Electric) from Diglett's Cave north of Vermilion — it is your safest option to shut Raichu down entirely.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: Vermilion City Pokémon Centre

Easier tactic: Diglett's Cave is directly north of Vermilion City. Catch a Diglett (Ground-type, immune to all Electric moves) and level it to around 20 — it solos the entire Surge fight.

Retreat: The Gym trash-can puzzle resets each time you leave. Take note of which can gave you the switch clue before exiting.

Reward: Thunder Badge (raises Speed of all your Pokémon, lets you use HM02 Fly outside battle) and TM34 Shock Wave
Area-by-area reference 7 areas · encounters, trainers, items
route Route 5

A short connector between Cerulean and Saffron, home to the Pokémon Day Care and the north end of the Underground Path to Route 6.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Very common Lv 13-16
Meowth Tall grass Common Lv 10-16
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 13-16
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 13-16
Events
  • Pokémon Day Care. An NPC raises a deposited Pokémon, gaining experience as you walk.
dungeon Underground Path (Routes 5–6)

A straight tunnel linking Routes 5 and 6, holding only hidden items and an in-game Nidoran trade — no wild Pokémon or trainers.

Items
Events
  • Nidoran in-game trade. FireRed trades Nidoran♂ for Nidoran♀; LeafGreen trades Nidoran♀ for Nidoran♂ (the received one holds a Tiny Mushroom).
route Route 6

A grassy route south of the Underground Path leading down to Vermilion City, with water reachable later by Surf.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Very common Lv 13-16
Meowth Tall grass Common Lv 10-16
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 13-16
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 13-16
Psyduck FireRed Surfing Very common Lv 20-40
Slowpoke LeafGreen Surfing Very common Lv 20-40
Trainers
  • Bug Catcher Keigo Weedle Lv16, Caterpie Lv16, Weedle Lv16
  • Camper Ricky Squirtle Lv20
  • Picnicker Nancy Rattata Lv16, Pikachu Lv16
  • Bug Catcher Elijah Butterfree Lv20
  • Picnicker Isabelle Pidgey Lv16 ×3
  • Camper Jeff Spearow Lv16, Raticate Lv16
Items
Come back later
  • HM03 Surf Water surface → Surf/fishing encounters
town Vermilion City

A port city with the S.S. Anne dock, Diglett's Cave, the Pokémon Fan Club (Bike Voucher), and Lt. Surge's Electric Gym.

Items
  • Bike Voucher (Fan Club Chairman)
  • Old Rod (Fishing Guru)
Poké Mart
Poké Ball₽200
Super Potion₽700
Antidote₽100
Paralyze Heal₽200
Awakening₽250
Ice Heal₽250
Repel₽350
Events
  • Trash-can switch puzzle. Surge's Gym hides two switches among the bins; flip the correct pair to open the path to the Leader.
Come back later
  • HM03 Surf S.S. Anne dock after the ship departs → Re-enter the dock area
building S.S. Anne

A luxury liner where you battle the rival, cure the seasick Captain for HM01 Cut, and which then sails away permanently.

Trainers
  • Rival (2F) Pidgeotto Lv19, Raticate Lv16, Kadabra Lv18, starter evolution Lv20 Roster varies with your starter; includes the type-advantaged starter
Items
  • TM44 Rest, Great Ball, Ether, Max Ether, Hyper Potion
  • Stardust, X Attack, Chesto Berry
Events
  • HM01 Cut. The Captain gives HM01 Cut after you cure his seasickness.
  • Ship departs. Once you have HM01 and leave, the S.S. Anne sails — any missed items become inaccessible.
cave Diglett's Cave

A long Diglett-dug tunnel from Route 11 (near Vermilion) to Route 2 (near Pewter) — the spot to catch a Ground-type for Lt. Surge.

Wild Pokémon
Diglett Tall grass Very common Lv 15-22
Dugtrio Tall grass Very rare Lv 29-31
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut North exit to Route 2 (and HM05 Flash from Oak's aide) → Shortcut to Pewter; Flash
route Route 11

A wide grassy route east of Vermilion with the southern entrance to Diglett's Cave and the Itemfinder reward.

Wild Pokémon
Ekans FireRed Tall grass Very common Lv 12-15
Sandshrew LeafGreen Tall grass Very common Lv 12-15
Spearow Tall grass Common Lv 13-17
Drowzee Tall grass Uncommon Lv 11-15
Items
  • Awakening, Great Ball, X Defend
Events
  • Itemfinder. Oak's aide in the Route 11 gate gives the Itemfinder once you own 30+ species.

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Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

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4
Badges 3–4

Rocket Hideout and the Rainbow Badge

Golden path

  1. From Cerulean City, head east on Route 9 then south on Route 10 into Rock Tunnel. HM05 Flash (obtained from Professor Oak's aide in the Route 2 building south of Pewter City — needs 10 Pokémon caught) reduces wild Pokémon accuracy inside and makes navigation easier, but is not required.
  2. Rock Tunnel is dark — you navigate by feel or use Flash. It has two floors and multiple exits. Wild Onix and Machop appear here. Exit south into Route 10 and follow it to Lavender Town.
  3. In Lavender Town, try to enter Pokémon Tower — the upper floors are filled with Ghost-type Pokémon that cannot be identified without the Silph Scope. Note the building's location and move on west via Route 8 to Celadon City. Return here later.
  4. In Celadon City, visit the Department Store and buy a Fresh Water, Lemonade, or Soda Pop from the vending machines on the rooftop. Give one of these drinks to the thirsty guard at Saffron City's eastern entrance — this unlocks all four entry points into Saffron City for later.
  5. Find the Game Corner on the east side of Celadon. A hidden switch behind a poster on the north wall opens the basement staircase into Team Rocket's Hideout. Defeat the Rocket grunts across four underground floors to reach Giovanni.
  6. Defeat Giovanni at the bottom of the Rocket Hideout. He drops the Silph Scope — a device that reveals the true identity of Ghost-type Pokémon in Pokémon Tower. This item is critical for progressing in Lavender Town.
  7. With the Silph Scope secured, challenge Erika at Celadon Gym. Her Grass-type team uses Sleep Powder and status moves — carry Awakenings. See the Erika fight card for full strategy.
  8. The Celadon Department Store has the widest item selection in Kanto. If you have spare funds, buy TM29 Psychic from the third floor — it is one of the strongest moves in Generation III and immediately useful against Koga, the next Gym Leader.
Gym Leader Erika Celadon City
Preparation

Sleep Powder is Erika's main disruption — Vileplume and Tangela both carry it. Keep Awakenings in your bag and use them immediately.

Top up before: Celadon City Pokémon Centre

Their team
Victreebel (Lv 29)
Grass/Poison. Opens with Wrap (traps and deals damage each turn) and Razor Leaf (high critical-hit ratio). Fire, Ice, Flying, or Psychic moves are super-effective. Burn through it before Wrap locks you in.
Tangela (Lv 24)
Pure Grass. Knows Sleep Powder, Constrict (Wrap variant), Vine Whip, and Absorb. Lower level than Victreebel — straightforward with any Fire or Flying move.
Vileplume (Lv 29)
Grass/Poison. Petal Dance is powerful but confuses Vileplume after a few turns — exploit the self-confusion window. Sleep Powder can put you to sleep at the worst moment. A Growlithe (FireRed) or Vulpix (LeafGreen) handles this phase without breaking a sweat.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: Celadon City Pokémon Centre

Easier tactic: Charmander's evolutionary line and the wild Vulpix (LeafGreen) or Growlithe (FireRed) found on Routes 7 and 8 make short work of all three Grass-types. Pidgeot's Gust is also super-effective.

Retreat: Leave from any point and heal between attempts. Erika rarely retaliates on the turn you switch in.

Reward: Rainbow Badge (lets Pokémon up to Lv 50 obey traded Pokémon, lets you use HM04 Strength outside battle) and TM19 Giga Drain
Area-by-area reference 8 areas · encounters, trainers, items
route Route 9

A rocky route east of Cerulean linking toward Route 10 and Rock Tunnel.

Wild Pokémon
Rattata Tall grass Very common Lv 14-17
Spearow Tall grass Common Lv 13-17
Ekans FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 11-17
Sandshrew LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 11-17
Trainers
  • Hiker Jeremy Machop Lv20, Onix Lv20
  • Camper Chris Growlithe Lv21, Charmander Lv21
  • Picnicker Alicia Oddish Lv18, Bellsprout Lv18
Items
  • TM40 Aerial Ace, Burn Heal
route Route 10

A north–south route past the Power Plant and the Rock Tunnel entrance, descending toward Lavender Town.

Wild Pokémon
Voltorb Tall grass Very common Lv 14-17
Spearow Tall grass Common Lv 13-17
Ekans FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 11-17
Sandshrew LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 11-17
Items
  • Everstone (Center reward for 20 species)
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut Cut tree blocking a Super Potion → Super Potion
  • HM03 Surf Power Plant access → Power Plant (Zapdos, Electric Pokémon)
cave Rock Tunnel

A pitch-dark two-level cave between Route 10 and Lavender; bring Flash to see.

Wild Pokémon
Geodude Tall grass Common Lv 15-17
Zubat Tall grass Common Lv 15-16
Machop Tall grass Uncommon Lv 16-17
Mankey Tall grass Uncommon Lv 16-17
Onix Tall grass Rare Lv 13-17
Items
  • Repel, Escape Rope, Pearl, Revive
Events
  • Flash required. The cave is dark; a Pokémon must know HM05 Flash to light the way.
town Lavender Town

A solemn town around Pokémon Tower, with a Name Rater and Mr. Fuji's Volunteer House.

Poké Mart
Great Ball₽600
Super Potion₽700
Revive₽1,500
Antidote₽100
Paralyze Heal₽200
Burn Heal₽250
Ice Heal₽250
Super Repel₽500
Escape Rope₽550
Events
  • Name Rater. An NPC at the south end can rename your Pokémon.
Come back later
  • Silph Scope Pokémon Tower upper floors → Battle the Marowak ghost, free Mr. Fuji, receive the Poké Flute
route Route 8

A route west of Saffron toward Lavender, with a Cut-gated grass patch hiding Abra and Kadabra.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Common Lv 18-20
Meowth Tall grass Common Lv 18-20
Ekans FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 17-19
Vulpix LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 15-18
Growlithe FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 15-18
Abra Tall grass Uncommon Lv 15-19
Kadabra Tall grass Rare Lv 20-27
Trainers
  • Super Nerd Glenn Grimer, Muk, Grimer
  • Twins Eli & Anne Clefairy, Jigglypuff
  • Lass Paige Nidoran♀, Nidorina
  • Lass Andrea Meowth ×3
Items
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut Fenced grass patch → Abra/Kadabra and version-exclusive encounters
route Route 7

A short route between Celadon and Saffron; the Saffron gate is blocked until you bring the guards a drink.

Wild Pokémon
Meowth Tall grass Very common Lv 17-20
Pidgey Tall grass Common Lv 19-22
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 19-22
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 19-22
Growlithe FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 18-20
Vulpix LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 18-20
Events
  • Saffron gate guards. The guards block Saffron City until you bring them a drink from the Celadon Department Store rooftop.
town Celadon City

Kanto's biggest city — the Department Store, the Rocket-run Game Corner, Erika's Grass Gym, and the free Eevee.

Items
  • Eevee (gift, Celadon Condominiums)
  • Tea (opens the Saffron route guards)
Poké Mart
Dept. Store 2FPoké Balls, Potions, status heals
Dept. Store 4FFire/Water/Thunder/Leaf Stone — ₽2,100 each
Dept. Store 5FX items and vitamins (HP Up, Protein, etc.)
Rooftop vendingFresh Water ₽200, Soda Pop ₽300, Lemonade ₽350 — trade for rooftop TMs
Events
  • Game Corner / Rocket Hideout. A poster in the Rocket Game Corner hides the switch that opens the staircase to the Team Rocket Hideout.
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut Cut tree by the Game Corner → Hidden PP Up
dungeon Team Rocket Hideout

A four-floor basement beneath the Game Corner where you beat Giovanni and take the Silph Scope.

Trainers
  • Boss Giovanni (B4F) Onix Lv25, Rhyhorn Lv24, Kangaskhan Lv29
Items
  • Lift Key, Moon Stone, Rare Candy, Nugget
  • TM12 Taunt, TM21 Frustration, TM49 Snatch
Events
  • Lift Key. A grunt on B4F drops the Lift Key, enabling the elevator to reach Giovanni.
  • Silph Scope. Giovanni drops the Silph Scope, which identifies the Marowak ghost in Pokémon Tower.

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Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

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5
Badges 4–5

The Tower, the Flute, and the Soul Badge

Golden path

  1. Return to Lavender Town and enter Pokémon Tower. With the Silph Scope equipped in your bag, Ghost-type Pokémon can be properly identified and engaged. Gastly and Haunter appear on the upper floors — Haunter is an excellent Pokémon for Sabrina's Gym later (it is immune to Psychic moves).
  2. Climb to the top floor of Pokémon Tower and confront Team Rocket. After defeating the grunts, speak to the ghost of Marowak — you cannot capture it, only battle it and let it rest in peace. Continue up to rescue Mr. Fuji from the Rocket executives.
  3. Mr. Fuji returns to his house on the ground floor of Lavender Town. Speak to him there and he gives you the Poké Flute — a key item that wakes Snorlax. Two Snorlax block routes in Kanto: one on Route 12 (south of Lavender Town) and one on Route 16 (west of Celadon City).
  4. Use the Poké Flute to battle and optionally catch the Snorlax on Route 12 (south of Lavender Town). Snorlax is an exceptionally bulky Normal-type Pokémon — well worth adding to your team. Save before interacting; you only get one attempt per Snorlax.
  5. Head west through Celadon City and use the Poké Flute on the second Snorlax on Route 16. A girl on Route 16 gives you HM02 Fly once you enter the gatehouse on the western side of the route.
  6. Continue south on Route 17 (the Cycling Road) and Route 18 to reach Fuchsia City. The Bicycle is ideal here — the Cycling Road is long and fast on a Bike.
  7. Visit the Safari Zone north of Fuchsia City. You have 500 steps and 30 Safari Balls per visit. The key objective is to find the Gold Teeth in the northern area and collect HM04 Strength from the Warden's house inside the zone.
  8. Return the Gold Teeth to the Safari Zone Warden's house in Fuchsia City (south of the Safari Zone entrance). He gives you HM03 Surf — one of the most important HMs in the game. Teach Surf to a Water-type Pokémon immediately.
  9. Challenge Koga at Fuchsia Gym. His team stacks Minimise and uses SelfDestruct — bring Swift-users and status healers. See the Koga fight card for detailed strategy.
Gym Leader Koga Fuchsia City
Preparation

Koga's Pokémon poison freely and stack Minimise until they are nearly impossible to hit. Bring Pokémon with Swift (always hits regardless of evasion) or very high base accuracy moves.

Top up before: Fuchsia City Pokémon Centre

Their team
Koffing (Lv 37)
Poison-type. Starts with Smokescreen (lowers your accuracy) then alternates Minimise and Smog (poisons). May SelfDestruct if the fight drags. Ground and Psychic moves are super-effective. Knock it out quickly before evasion stacks.
Muk (Lv 39)
Poison-type. Same strategy as Koffing but tankier. Knows Minimise, Smog, and SelfDestruct. A Psychic-type move from a mid-level Kadabra or Haunter clears it in one or two hits.
Koffing (Lv 37)
Second Koffing — identical to the first. Maintain momentum and do not let it Minimise while you waste turns missing.
Weezing (Lv 43)
His strongest Pokémon. Weezing knows Smokescreen, Minimise, Smog, and SelfDestruct. If you let evasion stack more than twice, consider switching to a Pokémon with Swift or Faint Attack (never misses). Do not use Explosion-inducing moves yourself — Weezing's SelfDestruct hits hard enough to faint mid-level attackers.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: Fuchsia City Pokémon Centre

Easier tactic: Kadabra from the Route 8 area (trade Abra for Kadabra via the in-game trade in Cerulean) one-shots every Pokémon on Koga's team with Psychic and outspeeds them all. A Dugtrio also works for the Poison-types.

Retreat: Koga does not pursue after the battle; heal freely and retry.

Reward: Soul Badge (lets Pokémon up to Lv 70 obey traded Pokémon, raises your Pokémon's Defence stat, lets you use HM03 Surf outside battle) and TM27 Return
Area-by-area reference 10 areas · encounters, trainers, items
dungeon Pokémon Tower

A seven-storey haunted tower in Lavender Town where Team Rocket holds Mr. Fuji captive and a restless Marowak ghost blocks the way.

Wild Pokémon
Gastly Special Very common Lv 13-19
Haunter Special Uncommon Lv 20-25
Cubone Special Uncommon Lv 15-19
Marowak Static One-time Lv 30
Items
  • Escape Rope, Awakening, Elixir, HP Up, Nugget, Rare Candy
  • TM05 Roar
  • Poké Flute (gift from Mr. Fuji)
Events
  • Ghost Marowak. The Silph Scope reveals the restless Marowak blocking 6F; defeat it (Lv 30) to proceed.
  • Rescue Mr. Fuji. Beat the Team Rocket Grunts on 7F to free Mr. Fuji, who gives you the Poké Flute.
route Route 12

A long north–south route east of Lavender where a sleeping Snorlax blocks the road and the Super Rod is given out.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Common Lv 23-27
Venonat Tall grass Common Lv 24-26
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Snorlax Static One-time Lv 30
Gyarados Super Rod Uncommon Lv 15-25
Items
  • Iron, TM16 Light Screen
Events
  • Super Rod. The Fishing Guru's brother in the route house gives the Super Rod.
  • Snorlax. A Lv 30 Snorlax sleeps on the road; use the Poké Flute to wake and battle it (one per game).
Come back later
  • Poké Flute Snorlax blocking the road → Clears the path south; catchable Lv 30 Snorlax
route Route 13

An open grassy route of ledges southwest of Route 12, patrolled by Bird Keepers and Beauties.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Common Lv 25-27
Pidgeotto Tall grass Uncommon Lv 29
Venonat Tall grass Common Lv 24-26
Ditto Tall grass Uncommon Lv 25
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Items
route Route 14

A ledge-lined route south of Route 13, dense with Bird Keepers and Bikers.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Uncommon Lv 27
Pidgeotto Tall grass Uncommon Lv 29
Venonat Tall grass Common Lv 24-26
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Trainers
  • Bird Keeper Carter Pidgey Lv28, Doduo Lv28, Pidgeotto Lv28
  • Bird Keeper Mitch Pidgey Lv26, Spearow Lv26, Pidgey Lv26, Fearow Lv26
  • Bird Keeper Donald Farfetch'd Lv33
  • Twins Kiri & Jan Charmander Lv29, Squirtle Lv29
Items
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut Tall grass with hidden Zinc → Hidden Zinc
route Route 15

An east–west route to Fuchsia City, with the gate where Oak's aide gives the Exp. Share.

Wild Pokémon
Pidgey Tall grass Common Lv 25-27
Pidgeotto Tall grass Uncommon Lv 29
Venonat Tall grass Common Lv 24-26
Oddish FireRed Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Bellsprout LeafGreen Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Trainers
  • Picnicker Becky Pikachu Lv29, Raichu Lv29
  • Crush Kin Ron & Mya Hitmonchan Lv29 / Hitmonlee Lv29
  • Picnicker Celia Clefairy Lv33
Items
  • TM18 Rain Dance (north section; needs Cut)
Events
  • Exp. Share. Oak's aide in the Route 15 gate gives the Exp. Share once you have caught 50 species.
Come back later
  • HM01 Cut TM18 in the north section → TM18 Rain Dance
  • 50 species caught Exp. Share → Exp. Share
route Route 16

The route west of Celadon at the head of Cycling Road, blocked by a sleeping Snorlax and gated to bicycle riders. HM02 Fly is hidden here.

Wild Pokémon
Rattata Tall grass Common Lv 18-22
Raticate Tall grass Uncommon Lv 23-25
Spearow Tall grass Common Lv 20-22
Doduo Tall grass Common Lv 18-22
Snorlax Static One-time Lv 30
Items
  • HM02 Fly (from a girl in the north house; needs Cut to reach)
Events
  • Snorlax. A Lv 30 Snorlax blocks Cycling Road; use the Poké Flute to wake and battle it.
  • Amulet Coin. Oak's aide at the gate gives the Amulet Coin once 40 species are caught.
Come back later
  • Poké Flute Snorlax blocking Cycling Road → Opens Cycling Road; later hidden Leftovers
  • HM01 Cut HM02 Fly house (north) → HM02 Fly
route Route 17 (Cycling Road)

The main downhill stretch of Cycling Road, bike-only and lined with Bikers and Cue Balls.

Wild Pokémon
Raticate Tall grass Common Lv 25-29
Spearow Tall grass Common Lv 20-22
Fearow Tall grass Uncommon Lv 25-27
Doduo Tall grass Common Lv 24-28
Items
Events
  • Bike required. Cycling Road is a downhill bike-only route; the Bicycle is required to enter.
route Route 18

A short route between the foot of Cycling Road and Fuchsia City, with a version-dependent Lickitung trade in the gate.

Wild Pokémon
Raticate Tall grass Uncommon Lv 25-29
Spearow Tall grass Common Lv 20-22
Fearow Tall grass Uncommon Lv 25-29
Doduo Tall grass Common Lv 24-28
Trainers
  • Bird Keeper Wilton Spearow Lv29, Fearow Lv29
  • Bird Keeper Ramiro Dodrio Lv34
Events
  • In-game trade. In the Route 18 gate: trade for a Lickitung — give Golduck in FireRed, Slowbro in LeafGreen.
town Fuchsia City

A southern city with the Safari Zone, Koga's Poison Gym, the Warden's house, and a free Move Deleter.

Items
  • Good Rod (Fishing Guru's brother)
  • HM04 Strength (Warden, after returning the Gold Teeth)
  • Rare Candy (Warden's house; needs Strength)
Poké Mart
Ultra Ball₽1,200
Great Ball₽600
Super Potion₽700
Revive₽1,500
Full Heal₽600
Max Repel₽700
Events
  • Return the Gold Teeth. Bring the Gold Teeth from the Safari Zone to the Warden for HM04 Strength.
  • Move Deleter. A forgetful man beside the Center deletes moves (including HMs) for free.
Come back later
  • HM04 Strength Warden's house Rare Candy → Rare Candy
dungeon Safari Zone

A four-area preserve where you pay to enter, get Safari Balls and a limited step count, and catch rare Pokémon found nowhere else — including HM03 Surf and the Gold Teeth.

Wild Pokémon
Nidoran♂ / Nidoran♀ Tall grass Common Lv 24-31
Exeggcute Tall grass Uncommon Lv 24-30
Rhyhorn Tall grass Uncommon Lv 25-30
Chansey Tall grass Very rare Lv 23-25
Tauros Tall grass Rare Lv 25-28
Kangaskhan Tall grass Rare Lv 25-33
Scyther FireRed Tall grass Very rare Lv 23-26
Pinsir LeafGreen Tall grass Very rare Lv 23-26
Dratini Super Rod Rare Lv 15-25
Items
  • Gold Teeth (return to the Fuchsia Warden for HM04 Strength)
  • HM03 Surf (Secret House, deepest area)
  • TM11 Sunny Day, TM47 Steel Wing
Events
  • Entry fee & step limit. Pay ₽500 to enter; you get 30 Safari Balls and a limited step count before being shown out.
  • Secret House / Surf. Reach the Secret House in the deepest area to receive HM03 Surf.
Come back later
  • HM03 Surf (obtained here) Surf-only ledges in the zone → Deeper grass and fishing spots

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50:00
▶ YoyoYoshi
Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

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6
Badge 6

Silph Co. and the Marsh Badge

Golden path

  1. Fly to Saffron City (now accessible after giving the guards a drink earlier). Team Rocket has taken over the entire Silph Co. building. You must navigate eleven floors of Rocket grunts and warp tiles to reach the top.
  2. On the fifth floor of Silph Co., find a Rocket grunt guarding a Lapras. After defeating the grunt, speak to the Silph employee who gives you the Lapras for free. Lapras is exceptional — high HP, Water/Ice typing, and it learns both Surf and Ice Beam.
  3. Collect the Card Key from the fifth floor (room accessible via a warp tile on the third floor). The Card Key unlocks every locked door throughout the entire building.
  4. Blue appears mid-way through Silph Co. for another rival battle. His team is now in its mid-evolution forms and noticeably stronger than your last encounter. Heal thoroughly before engaging him.
  5. Reach the eleventh floor and confront Giovanni at the top of Silph Co. After defeating him, Giovanni disbands Team Rocket's Silph operation. The Silph Co. president gives you a Master Ball as thanks — the only Poké Ball that never fails to catch any Pokémon. Save it for the post-game legendary birds or for a Pokémon that proves difficult to catch normally.
  6. With Silph Co. liberated, Sabrina's Gym in Saffron City opens. The Gym uses warp tiles that shuffle your position — memorise the path or explore systematically. See the Sabrina fight card for battle strategy.
  7. After earning the Marsh Badge, fly to Pallet Town and Surf south to Cinnabar Island. Pallet Town → south by sea is the fastest route.
Gym Leader Sabrina Saffron City
Preparation

Alakazam's Psychic move can take out most Pokémon in one hit at this stage. Bring Pokémon at Lv 45+ and accept that you may lose one to Recover stalling.

Top up before: Saffron City Pokémon Centre

Their team
Kadabra (Lv 38)
Pure Psychic. Opens with Kinesis (lowers accuracy) then alternates Psychic and Recover. Hit it hard with a Bug or Dark-type move, or a very strong physical attacker, before it can Recover twice. Ghost moves also deal 2× damage in Generation III.
Mr. Mime (Lv 37)
Psychic-type. Barrier raises its Defence sharply — do not use physical attacks after two Barriers. Special moves or Bug-type moves bypass the Defence boost.
Venomoth (Lv 38)
Bug/Poison. The odd one out — Flying and Fire moves deal double damage here. Psychic and Ground moves are also effective on Poison. Its own Psychic moves are less threatening than Sabrina's other Pokémon.
Alakazam (Lv 43)
Sabrina's ace — highest Speed in the Gym, powerful Psychic move, Calm Mind to boost Special Attack and Special Defence, and Recover. You need a Bug-type move (Scyther in FireRed, Pinsir in LeafGreen from the Safari Zone) or a Haunter/Gengar to handle this phase. Calm Mind + Recover is dangerous — interrupt with a one-hit KO before it sets up.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: Saffron City Pokémon Centre

Easier tactic: A Haunter caught in Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town is immune to Psychic and Normal moves — Sabrina's team cannot touch it with most of their moves. Haunter's Lick and Night Shade chip everything down safely.

Retreat: Saffron Gym uses a warp tile puzzle — you exit automatically when your last Pokémon faints.

Reward: Marsh Badge (lets all Pokémon up to Lv 70 obey without special conditions, lets you use HM05 Flash outside battle) and TM04 Calm Mind
Area-by-area reference 2 areas · encounters, trainers, items
town Saffron City

Central Kanto's hub, sealed by thirsty guards until Team Rocket seizes Silph Co.; home to Sabrina's Psychic Gym and the Fighting Dojo.

Items
  • TM29 Psychic (from Mr. Psychic)
  • Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan (Fighting Dojo gift, choose one)
Poké Mart
Great Ball₽600
Hyper Potion₽1,200
Revive₽1,500
Full Heal₽600
Escape Rope₽550
Max Repel₽700
Events
  • Thirsty guards. Gate guards block entry until you bring drinks bought from the Celadon Department Store rooftop.
  • Fighting Dojo gift. Beat the Karate Master to choose either Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan.
Come back later
  • A drink from Celadon Dept. Store City entry → Gate guards stand aside
building Silph Co.

An eleven-floor Saffron skyscraper occupied by Team Rocket, full of warp-panel mazes, ending in a Giovanni showdown for the Master Ball.

Trainers
  • Rival (7F) Pidgeot Lv37, Alakazam Lv35, starter-counter Lv40 Roster varies with your starter
  • Boss Giovanni (11F) Nidorino Lv37, Rhyhorn Lv37, Kangaskhan Lv35, Nidoqueen Lv41
Items
  • Card Key (5F — unlocks the building's doors)
  • Lapras (gift, Lv 25, from a 7F employee)
  • TM08 Bulk Up; vitamins and Rare Candy across floors
  • Master Ball (from the President, 11F)
Events
  • Card Key. Pick up the Card Key on 5F to unlock the locked doors throughout the tower.
  • Lapras gift. An employee on 7F gives a Lv 25 Lapras.
  • Master Ball. After Giovanni falls on 11F, the Silph president rewards you with the Master Ball.
Come back later
  • Card Key (5F) Locked doors throughout the tower → Access to the remaining floors, items, and Giovanni

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Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

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7
Badge 7

Volcano Badge

Golden path

  1. Fly to Fuchsia City and Surf west on Route 19, then south on Route 20 through the sea route. Alternatively, fly to Pallet Town and Surf directly south — it is faster. Both routes bring you to Cinnabar Island.
  2. Visit the Pokémon Lab on the east side of Cinnabar Island. The scientists there can revive your fossil (Dome → Kabuto, Helix → Omanyte, Old Amber → Aerodactyl). Hand over whichever fossil you collected in Mt Moon for a fossil Pokémon at level 40.
  3. The Cinnabar Gym door is locked — you need the Secret Key hidden inside the Pokémon Mansion, the ruined building directly north of the Gym. The Mansion has four floors of wild Pokémon and item balls.
  4. Navigate the Pokémon Mansion by pressing switches hidden on statues throughout the building — each switch toggles certain doors open or closed. The Secret Key is on the basement level. Finding it takes around 10–15 minutes on a first playthrough.
  5. With the Secret Key, the Cinnabar Gym doors unlock. Inside, trainers pose quizzes — answer correctly to skip the battle, answer incorrectly (or choose to ignore) to fight. See the Blaine fight card for strategy.
  6. Collect the Volcano Badge and Fly back towards Viridian City for the final Gym badge. You have earned seven of the eight required badges.
Gym Leader Blaine Cinnabar Island
Preparation

Arcanine hits extremely hard with Extreme Speed and Fire Blast. Never enter with a Pokémon below 30% HP.

Top up before: Cinnabar Island Pokémon Centre

Their team
Growlithe (Lv 42)
Fire-type. Flamethrower and Agility (raises Speed sharply). Faster than it looks after an Agility. Water moves eliminate it before it can double its Speed.
Ponyta (Lv 40)
Fire-type. Ember and Stomp. The weakest Pokémon on Blaine's team — straightforward fodder for a Rock or Water attacker.
Rapidash (Lv 42)
Fire-type. Agility and Fire Spin (traps the opponent for several turns). Rock Slide or Surf finishes it quickly. If Fire Spin locks in your Water-type, switch out.
Arcanine (Lv 47)
Blaine's ace and the biggest threat in the Gym. Extreme Speed hits first regardless of Speed and deals normal-type damage. Fire Blast is devastating. Water, Rock, or Ground moves deal 2× damage. Keep your primary attacker fresh specifically for this phase.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: Cinnabar Island Pokémon Centre

Easier tactic: A Vaporeon or Gyarados with Surf overwhelms the entire team. If you chose Squirtle as your starter, your Blastoise simply sweeps the Gym.

Retreat: Blaine's Gym uses quiz machine doors — no warp tile puzzle. You can walk out and back in freely.

Reward: Volcano Badge (raises the Special Attack stat of all your Pokémon) and TM38 Fire Blast
Area-by-area reference 6 areas · encounters, trainers, items
sea Route 19

A water route running south from Fuchsia City, crossable only by Surf and lined with Swimmer trainers.

Wild Pokémon
Tentacool Surfing Very common Lv 5-40
Magikarp Old Rod Very common Lv 5
Krabby Good Rod Common Lv 5-15
Horsea Good Rod Common Lv 5-15
Gyarados Super Rod Uncommon Lv 15-25
Kingler Super Rod Rare Lv 25-35
Seadra Super Rod Rare Lv 25-35
Trainers
  • Swimmer Richard Tentacool Lv30, Shellder Lv30
  • Sis and Bro Lia & Luc Goldeen Lv30, Seaking Lv30
sea Route 20

An ocean route split down the middle by the Seafoam Islands, connecting Fuchsia City to Cinnabar Island.

Wild Pokémon
Tentacool Surfing Very common Lv 5-40
Krabby Good Rod Common Lv 5-15
Horsea Good Rod Common Lv 5-15
Gyarados Super Rod Uncommon Lv 15-25
Kingler FireRed Super Rod Rare Lv 25-35
Seadra LeafGreen Super Rod Rare Lv 25-35
Trainers
  • Swimmer Barry Shellder Lv31, Cloyster Lv31
  • Bird Keeper Roger Fearow Lv30, Fearow Lv30, Pidgeotto Lv30
Items
cave Seafoam Islands

A five-floor sea cave between Routes 19 and 20 whose water currents are navigated with Strength to reach the legendary Articuno.

Wild Pokémon
Zubat Tall grass Common Lv 22-26
Golbat Tall grass Uncommon Lv 26-30
Psyduck FireRed Tall grass Common Lv 26-33
Slowpoke LeafGreen Tall grass Common Lv 26-33
Seel Tall grass Uncommon Lv 28
Articuno Static One-time Lv 50
Items
  • Water Stone
  • Revive
Events
  • Articuno. Legendary Ice/Flying-type waits on B4F at Lv 50.
Come back later
  • HM04 Strength Boulder current puzzle → Access to the lower floors and Articuno
town Cinnabar Island

A volcanic island home to the Pokémon Lab (fossil revival and trades) and Blaine's Fire-type Gym, which stays locked until the Secret Key is recovered from the Pokémon Mansion.

Events
  • Gym locked. The Cinnabar Gym door cannot be opened without the Secret Key found in the Pokémon Mansion.
  • Fossil revival. The Pokémon Lab revives Helix/Dome/Old Amber fossils and hosts in-game trades.
building Pokémon Mansion

A burnt-out research mansion on Cinnabar Island whose hidden statue switches open the path to the Secret Key in the basement.

Wild Pokémon
Rattata Tall grass Uncommon Lv 26-28
Raticate Tall grass Common Lv 32-38
Grimer Tall grass Common Lv 28-30
Koffing Tall grass Common Lv 28-30
Muk Tall grass Rare Lv 32-34
Vulpix FireRed Tall grass Uncommon Lv 30-32
Growlithe LeafGreen Tall grass Uncommon Lv 30-32
Ditto Tall grass Uncommon Lv 30
Items
  • Secret Key
  • TM22 SolarBeam
  • TM14 Blizzard
  • Escape Rope
  • Calcium
Events
  • Secret Key. The Secret Key sits in the basement (B1F); collecting it unlocks the Cinnabar Gym.
  • Statue switch puzzle. Hidden switches inside statues open and close locked doors, gating the route to the basement.
sea Route 21

A coastal route between Cinnabar Island and Pallet Town, crossed by Surf with a small grassy island midway.

Wild Pokémon
Tangela FireRed Tall grass Very common Lv 17-28
Tentacool Surfing Very common Lv 5-40
Gyarados Super Rod Uncommon Lv 15-25
Trainers
  • Fisherman Wade Magikarp ×6 Lv27
  • Swimmer Spencer Staryu Lv33, Wartortle Lv33, Seadra Lv32
Items

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Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

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8
Badge 8

Earth Badge

Golden path

  1. Fly to Viridian City. The previously locked Viridian Gym is now open — the Earth Badge requires all seven other Badges before entry is permitted.
  2. Viridian Gym uses a spinner tile floor that sends you skidding in a fixed direction. Work your way to the two Cooltrainer battles in the upper section to reach Giovanni. The Cooltrainers are strong — heal before each if needed.
  3. Challenge Giovanni for the final time. He reveals himself as the Gym Leader you have been pursuing throughout Kanto — the head of Team Rocket. His Ground-type team is his strongest yet. See the Giovanni fight card for full strategy.
  4. Collect the Earth Badge — the eighth and final Gym Badge. All Pokémon now obey you regardless of level. Fly to Viridian City and visit the Move Deleter (the building west of the Pokémon Centre) to remove any HM moves you no longer want.
  5. Stock up thoroughly at the Viridian Pokémon Centre and Mart. Buy at least 10 Max Potions or Hyper Potions, 6 Revives, 4 Full Heals, and several Max Repels for Victory Road. Once you enter the Pokémon League route, there is no easy return.
Gym Leader Giovanni Viridian City
Preparation

Giovanni's Nidoking and Nidoqueen both carry Ice Beam — your Water and Grass attackers are not safe here. Use a mixed team.

Top up before: Viridian City Pokémon Centre

Their team
Rhyhorn (Lv 45)
Rock/Ground. Horn Attack and Stomp — mostly physical. Surf or Grass move deletes it in one or two hits. Avoid Fire and Normal types.
Dugtrio (Lv 42)
Ground-type. Arena Trap prevents you from switching. Earthquake is very strong. Immediately use a Surf or Grass move — Dugtrio has very low Defence.
Nidoqueen (Lv 44)
Poison/Ground. Double Kick (Fighting, 2 hits), Ice Beam, Earthquake, Body Slam. The mixed coverage is dangerous — avoid Grass-types (Ice Beam) and Poison or Ghost types (Earthquake has no effect on Ghost in Gen III). Water is the cleanest response.
Nidoking (Lv 45)
Poison/Ground. Poison Sting, Thrash (goes berserk for 2–3 turns then gets confused), Ice Beam, Earthquake. Identical coverage to Nidoqueen — same Water or Ice approach works cleanly.
Rhyhorn (Lv 50)
Giovanni's strongest Pokémon. Same typing as the first Rhyhorn but significantly bulkier. Surf one-shots it regardless. This is effectively a victory lap if you reached this phase with a Pokémon above 50% HP.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: Viridian City Pokémon Centre

Easier tactic: A Lapras or Gyarados with Surf sweeps the entire Gym. Vaporeon also works. Any Water move user at Lv 45+ should not lose here.

Retreat: Viridian Gym is straightforward — walk out the entrance to heal.

Reward: Earth Badge (all Pokémon obey regardless of level, raises Defence stat, lets you use HM06 Rock Smash outside battle) and TM26 Earthquake
Area-by-area reference 1 areas · encounters, trainers, items
building Viridian City Gym

Viridian City's Ground-type Gym, finally openable late-game, where Giovanni is fought across a spinner-tile maze for the eighth badge.

Events
  • Spinner-tile maze. The floor uses the same warp/transport tiles as the Team Rocket Hideout, which must be navigated to reach Giovanni.

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Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

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9
Pokémon League

Pokémon League

Golden path

  1. Head west from Viridian City on Route 22, then north on Route 23. Badge Check Gates line the route — each gate verifies one of your eight Badges before letting you pass. You must carry all eight to proceed.
  2. Enter Victory Road — a three-floor cave filled with the strongest wild Pokémon in Kanto (Sandslash, Machoke, Graveler, Onix). Use HM04 Strength to push boulders onto switches, opening the path through. Max Repels prevent unwanted encounters during the traverse.
  3. Blue appears in Victory Road for a final rival encounter. His team will be close to or at the level of the Elite Four — treat this as a warm-up battle. Heal after defeating him.
  4. Arrive at the Indigo Plateau. Use the Pokémon Centre here to fully heal your entire party and stock up on any remaining supplies. This is the last chance to heal before the Elite Four gauntlet — after entering the first chamber, you continue until either you win or your last Pokémon faints.
  5. Challenge Lorelei first. Her Ice/Water team targets Physical attackers and sets up status. See the Lorelei fight card for strategy.
  6. Challenge Bruno. His Fighting-type team is the most straightforward Elite Four battle — a single Psychic-type Pokémon sweeps the room. See the Bruno fight card for strategy.
  7. Challenge Agatha. Ghost and Poison types, heavy status use, Destiny Bond on her final Gengar. See the Agatha fight card for strategy.
  8. Challenge Lance. Dragon and Flying types — Ice moves are your most important asset here. See the Lance fight card for strategy.
  9. Enter the Champion's chamber. Your rival Blue has been waiting — he is the Champion. His team directly counters your starter choice and covers a wide range of types. Use all remaining items before this battle. See the Champion Blue fight card for full strategy.
  10. After defeating Blue, Professor Oak arrives. Blue's poor manners are noted and you are officially inducted into the Hall of Fame. Your team's data is recorded and the credits roll. Congratulations — you are the Pokémon League Champion.
Gym Leader Lorelei Indigo Plateau
Preparation

Every Pokémon in the Elite Four uses status moves, trap moves, or recovery. Enter Lorelei's chamber with a full party above 70% HP.

Top up before: Indigo Plateau Pokémon Centre — the only chance to heal between the Plateau gate and the Champion

Their team
Dewgong (Lv 54)
Water/Ice. Rest (fully heals and puts itself to sleep for two turns), Ice Beam, Aurora Beam. Electric and Rock moves deal 2× damage. Hit it during the two-turn Rest sleep window.
Cloyster (Lv 53)
Water/Ice. Spikes (irrelevant in a trainer battle), Clamp (traps for several turns), Surf, Ice Beam. High Defence — special moves or Electric attacks are far more effective than physical hits.
Slowbro (Lv 54)
Water/Psychic. Amnesia (doubles Special Defence), Psychic, Surf. If Amnesia fires, switch to a physical attacker — its Special Defence becomes nearly unbreakable. Electric or Bug moves on the physical side.
Jynx (Lv 56)
Ice/Psychic. Lovely Kiss (100% sleep) is her opener — switch immediately to a Pokémon you do not mind losing a turn with. Then switch back and hit with Fire, Bug, Rock, or Dark moves.
Lapras (Lv 60)
Lorelei's ace. Water/Ice. Blizzard (high damage, chance to freeze), Confuse Ray, Body Slam, Psychic. Electric moves deal 2× damage and ignore Water resistance — a Jolteon or Raichu with Thunderbolt solves this phase cleanly. Do not bring a Grass-type; it loses to Blizzard and Psychic.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: The Pokémon Centre outside the Plateau — you must defeat all four Elite Four members and the Champion consecutively. If you faint, you restart from Lorelei.

Easier tactic: Bring a Jolteon or Electrode with Thunderbolt for the Water/Ice dual-types. Machamp or Primeape handles Jynx with physical moves.

Reward: No Badge — the chamber door to Bruno opens
Gym Leader Bruno Indigo Plateau
Preparation

Bruno's Machamp has No Guard with DynamicPunch — every Confusion hit lands and confuses. Keep your Full Heals ready.

Top up before: No healing between chambers — use items mid-battle

Their team
Onix (Lv 53)
Rock/Ground. Very high Defence but very low Special Defence. Surf, Water Gun, or Grass moves end it in one hit.
Hitmonchan (Lv 55)
Fighting-type. Thunder Punch, Fire Punch, Ice Punch cover most Pokémon. Psychic moves are 2× effective. Hitmonchan's punches can chip through many defensive Pokémon quickly.
Hitmonlee (Lv 55)
Fighting-type. Jump Kick (very high power, damages Hitmonlee if it misses), Hi Jump Kick. Psychic or Flying moves end it fast. A Pidgeot with Aerial Ace never misses.
Onix (Lv 56)
Second Onix — same Surf strategy. Save one of your Water moves for this phase.
Machamp (Lv 58)
Fighting/Normal. The strongest of Bruno's team. Submission (Fighting, 25% recoil on Machamp), DynamicPunch (always confuses on hit), Rock Slide. Psychic moves are twice as effective. A Kadabra or Alakazam clears this phase in a single Psychic.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: No mid-run healing. Use Revives in battle if needed.

Easier tactic: Any Psychic-type at Lv 55+ sweeps Bruno's entire team. This is the easiest Elite Four member.

Reward: The chamber door to Agatha opens
Gym Leader Agatha Indigo Plateau
Preparation

Agatha's Gengar team uses Confuse Ray, Hypnosis, and Destiny Bond. Status-clear items are more important here than raw healing.

Top up before: No mid-run healing

Their team
Gengar (Lv 54)
Ghost/Poison. Hypnosis puts you to sleep, then Confuse Ray compounds it. Dark moves (unavailable on most Kanto Pokémon — Umbreon is post-game), Ground moves (hits the Poison half), or a hard-hitting Normal move from a non-Ghost Pokémon will not land. Use Psychic or Ground-type moves.
Haunter (Lv 53)
Ghost/Poison. Lick (paralysis), Night Shade (fixed damage equal to level), Confuse Ray. Lower level than the Gengars — maintain pressure and clear it quickly to conserve HP.
Gengar (Lv 58)
Higher-level second Gengar. Same moves. Do not use Normal or Fighting moves — Ghost is immune. Ground or Psychic moves work cleanly.
Arbok (Lv 54)
Poison-type. Wrap, Screech, Bite, Glare (paralysis). Ground or Psychic moves are super-effective. The Screech-then-Earthquake pattern can down one of your Pokémon if you let Screech lower Defence twice.
Gengar (Lv 60)
Agatha's ace. Nightshade, Confuse Ray, Hypnosis, Destiny Bond. If your Pokémon's HP is below 60, be careful — Destiny Bond will take your attacker with it when it faints. Save a full-HP Pokémon for this phase if possible.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: No mid-run healing. Stock up on Revives before entering the Plateau.

Easier tactic: A Ground-type Pokémon at Lv 55+ (Dugtrio, Rhydon) handles the Ghost/Poison Gengars well. Carry at least two Antidotes or Awakenings per battle.

Reward: The chamber door to Lance opens
Gym Leader Lance Indigo Plateau
Preparation

Lance uses Hyper Beam on a low-HP target to finish it off. Never leave a Pokémon below 30% HP in — switch it out immediately.

Top up before: No mid-run healing

Their team
Gyarados (Lv 58)
Water/Flying. Thrash, Bite, Dragon Rage. Electric moves are 2× effective. Bring Jolteon or Raichu for this phase.
Dragonair (Lv 56)
Dragon-type. Agility, Slam, Dragon Rage, Thunder Wave. In Generation III, Dragon moves are only resisted by Steel. Ice moves deal 2× damage. Lapras or a Pokémon with Ice Beam shuts down both Dragonairs.
Dragonair (Lv 56)
Identical to the first. Maintain pressure and do not let Agility stack a Speed advantage.
Aerodactyl (Lv 60)
Rock/Flying. Hyper Beam (massive damage, then it rests a turn), Bite, Wing Attack. Drown it in a Water move before it fires Hyper Beam. Electric moves are also 2× effective.
Dragonite (Lv 62)
Dragon/Flying. Lance's ace and the strongest Pokémon in the Elite Four. Outrage (alternates for 2–3 turns then confuses Dragonite — do NOT kill it early on or Lance will switch), Safeguard, Hyper Beam, Blizzard. Ice Beam from any Pokémon that can survive a Hyper Beam deals 2× damage. Hit it hard, hit it fast.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: No mid-run healing.

Easier tactic: Lapras with Ice Beam handles the entire Dragon side of Lance's team. Pair it with a dedicated Electric Pokémon for Gyarados and Aerodactyl.

Reward: The Champion's chamber opens
Gym Leader Champion Blue Indigo Plateau
Preparation

Blue's team counters whichever starter you chose — his lead is designed to put immediate pressure on your strongest Pokémon. Enter with your entire party at full HP.

Top up before: Use all remaining Hyper Potions and Revives before opening the Champion's door

Their team
Pidgeot (Lv 59)
Normal/Flying. Hurricane, Mirror Move, Quick Attack, Aerial Ace. Blue's opener — Electric or Rock moves are super-effective. Clear it quickly to conserve resources.
Alakazam (Lv 59)
Psychic. Psychic, Recover, Reflect, Calm Mind. Same strategy as Sabrina's — hit hard with a Bug or Dark move before Recover activates. A Haunter or Gengar walls it entirely.
Rhydon (Lv 61)
Rock/Ground. Earthquake, Rock Blast, Surf (yes — Blue's Rhydon knows Surf to cover its Water weakness), Horn Drill. Water and Grass moves are still 2× effective despite the Surf bluff. Physical attackers like Machamp handle it from the Fighting side.
Gyarados (Lv 59)
Water/Flying. Hydro Pump, Dragon Rage, Bite, Thrash. Electric moves. Pull your Jolteon or Raichu out of reserve for this phase.
Starter counter (Arcanine / Exeggutor / Blastoise / Charizard / Venusaur — depends on your starter)
If you chose Bulbasaur, Blue has Charizard (Fire, weak to Water and Rock). If you chose Charmander, Blue has Blastoise (Water, weak to Electric and Grass). If you chose Squirtle, Blue has Venusaur (Grass/Poison, weak to Fire, Ice, Flying). This Pokémon is Blue's reply to whichever starter you picked — prepare the counter in advance.
Blue's starter Pokémon (Lv 65)
Blue's ace — his own starter, the one that counters yours, at level 65. It carries the full moveset of its type plus coverage moves. Use your highest-level Pokémon here. If you brought enough Revives and Max Potions this far, you have the resources to win even if the fight is close.
If you're struggling

Where to heal: You must start the entire Elite Four run again from Lorelei if Blue defeats you. Grind any underlevelled Pokémon on Victory Road (Lv 40–50 wild Pokémon) before re-entering.

Easier tactic: A balanced team of six Pokémon at Lv 55–60 with diverse type coverage is more effective than a single over-levelled sweeper. Ensure you have at least one Electric, one Water, one Ice, and one Psychic move distributed across your party.

Retreat: Grind on Victory Road and return — wild Pokémon there give excellent EXP.

Reward: Pokémon League Champion — Hall of Fame entry, end credits, and a return to Pallet Town for the post-game
Area-by-area reference 4 areas · encounters, trainers, items
route Route 22

A short route west of Viridian City leading to the Pokémon League gate, site of two rival battles.

Wild Pokémon
Rattata Tall grass Common Lv 2-5
Mankey Tall grass Common Lv 2-5
Spearow Tall grass Uncommon Lv 3-5
Nidoran♀ Tall grass Uncommon Lv 2-4
Trainers
  • Rival (final, before Victory Road) Pidgeot Lv47, Rhyhorn Lv45, Exeggcute/Gyarados/Arcanine Lv45-47, Alakazam Lv50, starter Lv53 Team varies with your starter choice
Items
Events
  • Early rival battle. An optional early-game rival battle occurs here just after leaving Pallet Town.
route Route 23

A long mountain path north of Route 22 with badge checkpoints that bar all but the strongest trainers from reaching the Pokémon League.

Wild Pokémon
Psyduck FireRed Surfing Very common Lv 20-40
Slowpoke LeafGreen Surfing Very common Lv 20-40
Poliwag Good Rod Common Lv 5-15
Items
Events
  • Badge checkpoints. Checkpoint guards verify your collected Gym Badges before allowing passage north toward the League.
cave Victory Road

A three-floor cavern requiring all eight badges and a chain of Strength boulder puzzles to reach the Indigo Plateau.

Wild Pokémon
Golbat Tall grass Rare Lv 44-46
Machop Tall grass Common Lv 32-34
Machoke Tall grass Rare Lv 44-48
Geodude Tall grass Common Lv 32-34
Onix Tall grass Common Lv 40-48
Marowak Tall grass Rare Lv 44-46
Sandslash Tall grass Rare Lv 44-46
Items
  • TM02 Dragon Claw
  • TM37 Sandstorm
  • TM07 Hail
  • TM50 Overheat
Events
  • Move Tutor. A tutor near Victory Road's exit teaches Double-Edge.
Come back later
  • HM04 Strength Boulder puzzle (1F) → Pushes boulders onto switches to open gates between floors
  • HM04 Strength Boulder puzzle (2F-3F) → Advances toward the TM shelves and the exit to Indigo Plateau
town Indigo Plateau

The Pokémon League headquarters, with a combined Poké Mart and Pokémon Center on the ground floor leading up to the Elite Four and Champion chambers.

Poké Mart
Ultra Ball₽1,200
Great Ball₽600
Full Restore₽3,000
Max Potion₽2,500
Revive₽1,500
Full Heal₽600
Max Repel₽700
Events
  • Last chance to heal. The ground floor combines a Poké Mart and Pokémon Center — stock up fully before the five-chamber Elite Four gauntlet.

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50:00
▶ YoyoYoshi
Pokémon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Switch) - Full Game 100% Walkthrough

▲ thumbnail from YouTube's CDN · the player loads only when you press play