Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

Game Progression Checklist — Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen Guide

Follow this game progression checklist for Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Complete critical steps from Pallet Town to Cerulean City and beyond.

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Game Progression Checklist

Welcome, aspiring Pokémon Master! This detailed checklist will guide you through every essential step of your journey across Kanto in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Follow these actionable steps to ensure you don't miss any crucial items, trainers, or story beats. Remember to save frequently!

Part 1: Pallet Town to Cerulean City

  • Pallet Town: The Beginning
    • Choose your starter Pokémon from Professor Oak: Bulbasaur (Grass/Poison), Charmander (Fire), or Squirtle (Water).
    • Receive the Pokédex and 5 Poké Balls from Professor Oak after delivering his parcel.
  • Route 1: First Steps
    • Battle your Rival.
    • Receive a Potion from the shop clerk in Viridian City.
  • Viridian City: The Green City
    • Heal your Pokémon at the Pokémon Center.
    • Purchase Poké Balls and Potions from the Poké Mart.
    • Attempt to enter the Gym (it's closed for now).
  • Route 2 & Viridian Forest: Into the Wild
    • Navigate Viridian Forest. Catch a Pikachu (LeafGreen exclusive) or Caterpie/Weedle for early Bug-type evolution.
    • Collect the hidden Antidote near the forest entrance.
    • Defeat all trainers in the forest for experience.
  • Pewter City: The Rock-Solid City
    • Heal your Pokémon.
    • Gym Battle: Brock (Rock-type Leader).
      • Strategy: Grass or Water-type starters (Bulbasaur, Squirtle) make this easy. If you chose Charmander, catch a Mankey on Route 22 (west of Viridian City) and train it to learn Low Kick, or a Nidoran♂/Nidoran♀ on Route 22 for Double Kick. Butterfree (evolved from Caterpie) with Confusion is also effective.
      • Reward: Boulder Badge and TM39 (Rock Tomb).
    • Visit the Pewter City Museum of Science (optional, 50 Pokedollars entry).
  • Route 3: Heading East
    • Battle trainers and catch new Pokémon like Jigglypuff.
    • Find the hidden Super Potion near the end of the route.
  • Mt. Moon: The Lunar Mountain
    • Navigate the caves, battling Team Rocket Grunts and other trainers.
    • Collect the Moon Stone (two available, one from a Super Nerd, one hidden). Essential for evolving certain Pokémon.
    • Choose between the Dome Fossil (Kabuto) or Helix Fossil (Omanyte) from the Super Nerd.
    • Exit Mt. Moon to Route 4.
  • Route 4: Short Path
    • Receive TM05 (Roar) from the man near the Pokémon Center.
  • Cerulean City: The Misty City
    • Heal your Pokémon.
    • Battle your Rival on Nugget Bridge (Route 24).

Part 2: Cerulean City to Vermilion City

  • Route 24 & 25: Nugget Bridge and Bill's House
    • Defeat the trainers on Nugget Bridge. Receive a Nugget for winning.
    • Battle Team Rocket Grunt at the end of the bridge.
    • Continue along Route 25, battling more trainers.
    • At Bill's House, help him return to human form. Receive the S.S. Ticket.
    • Return to Cerulean City.
  • Cerulean City Gym: Misty (Water-type Leader).
    • Strategy: Grass-types (Bulbasaur/Ivysaur) or Electric-types (Pikachu, if caught and trained) are highly effective. Be cautious of Starmie's Swift.
    • Reward: Cascade Badge and TM03 (Water Pulse).
  • Route 5 & 6: Underground Path and Cycling Road Entrance
    • Head south from Cerulean City.
    • Access the Underground Path to bypass Saffron City.
    • Exit to Route 6.
  • Vermilion City: The Port of Exquisite Sunsets
    • Heal your Pokémon.
    • Visit the Pokémon Fan Club and listen to the chairman's story to receive a Bike Voucher.
    • Go to the Bike Shop in Cerulean City to exchange the voucher for a Bicycle.
    • Attempt to enter the Vermilion Gym (it's blocked by a tree).
    • Board the S.S. Anne (docked in the south of the city).
  • S.S. Anne: The Luxury Liner
    • Battle trainers throughout the ship.
    • Find the Captain and cure his seasickness by rubbing his back. He will give you HM01 (Cut).
    • Battle your Rival on the S.S. Anne.
    • After receiving Cut, the S.S. Anne departs.
  • Vermilion City Gym: Lt. Surge (Electric-type Leader).
    • Preparation: Teach Cut to a Pokémon (e.g., Oddish, Bellsprout, Paras, Meowth, Snorlax). Use Cut on the tree blocking the gym entrance.
    • Puzzle: The gym has an electric fence puzzle. You need to find two hidden switches. The switches are always in the same position for each playthrough, but their order is random. The first switch is usually in a corner, the second next to it.
    • Strategy: Ground-type Pokémon are immune to Electric attacks and deal super effective damage. Diglett/Dugtrio (from Diglett's Cave) are excellent choices. Rock-types also resist Electric attacks.
    • Reward: Thunder Badge and TM34 (Shock Wave).

Part 3: Rock Tunnel to Lavender Town

  • Diglett's Cave: A Shortcut
    • Located east of Vermilion City. Use Cut to access it.
    • Catch a Diglett or Dugtrio for the upcoming Electric Gym.
    • Exit to Route 2, near Pewter City.
  • Route 2: Back to Basics
    • Use Cut to access the house near the exit of Diglett's Cave. Trade an Abra for a Mr. Mime (in-game trade).
    • Collect the HP Up and Moon Stone (hidden).
  • Route 9 & 10: Towards Rock Tunnel
    • Head east from Cerulean City (use Cut on the tree).
    • Battle trainers on Route 9.
    • Enter the Pokémon Center on Route 10. heal and stock up.
    • Important: You need HM05 (Flash) to navigate Rock Tunnel easily. Flash is found in the gatehouse on Route 2, given by Professor Oak's Aide after you've caught 10 unique Pokémon.
    • Teach Flash to a Pokémon (e.g., Oddish, Bellsprout, Paras, Pikachu).
  • Rock Tunnel: The Dark Path
    • Use Flash to illuminate the cave.
    • Navigate the two floors, battling trainers and wild Pokémon.
    • Collect items like Repel, Escape Rope, and Great Ball.
    • Exit Rock Tunnel to Route 10.
  • Lavender Town: The Town of the Purple Fog
    • Heal your Pokémon.
    • Visit the Pokémon Tower (you can't progress far yet).
    • Talk to the Name Rater in the house next to the Pokémon Center to rename your Pokémon.