Obtaining HM01 Cut in Pokémon Red is essential for progressing through the game. It allows you to chop down small trees that block your path, opening up new areas and allowing you to access previously unreachable items and locations. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step required to get HM Cut in Pokémon Red, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial details.
Why You Need HM Cut
Before diving into the steps, let’s understand why HM Cut is so important. Throughout your journey in Pokémon Red, you’ll encounter small trees blocking pathways. These trees cannot be bypassed without HM01 Cut. Acquiring this HM unlocks significant portions of the map and is necessary to complete the game. For example, it’s required to access the Vermilion City Gym and advance further in the storyline.
Prerequisites
Before you can obtain HM Cut, you’ll need to have completed a few preliminary tasks. Specifically, you need to have beaten Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, and navigated through Mt. Moon. These early-game steps are crucial to prepare you for the challenges ahead and ensure you have the necessary resources (Pokémon and items) to succeed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting HM Cut
Step 1: Arriving in Vermilion City
After exiting Mt. Moon and passing through Route 4, you’ll eventually arrive in Vermilion City. Vermilion City is a bustling port town with a lot to offer, including the Pokémon Fan Club, the Vermilion City Gym, and, most importantly, the S.S. Anne. Take some time to explore the city and familiarize yourself with its layout. However, the key to obtaining HM Cut lies aboard the S.S. Anne.
Step 2: Getting the S.S. Anne Ticket
To board the S.S. Anne, you’ll need a ticket. Fortunately, obtaining the ticket is relatively straightforward. Head north from Vermilion City, back onto Route 5. You’ll quickly encounter a building – this is the gatehouse leading to Route 6. However, an obstacle blocks your path: a small tree! Remember you need Cut to remove it! This demonstrates why Cut is so crucial.
Instead of going through the gatehouse, go east into a house. Inside, you will find Bill, a Pokémon researcher who has accidentally transformed himself into a Pokémon. Bill needs your help to revert to his human form. Talk to Bill and agree to help him. He will then lead you to a machine and ask you to operate it. Interact with the machine to help Bill revert to his human form. As a token of his gratitude, Bill will give you the S.S. Anne Ticket.
Step 3: Boarding the S.S. Anne
With the S.S. Anne Ticket in hand, return to Vermilion City’s port. Head to the large ship docked at the harbor – this is the S.S. Anne. Talk to the sailor guarding the entrance, and he will verify your ticket and allow you to board the ship. Once onboard, you’re free to explore the ship and interact with its various inhabitants.
Step 4: Navigating the S.S. Anne
The S.S. Anne is a multi-level ship filled with trainers eager to battle and items to discover. Take your time to explore the ship thoroughly. battling trainers is a great way to level up your Pokémon and earn some extra money. You can also find various items scattered throughout the ship, such as potions and antidotes, which will be helpful on your journey. To progress the storyline and obtain HM Cut, you need to find the Captain of the ship.
The layout of the S.S. Anne can be a bit confusing, so here’s a general guide:
- First Floor: Contains various rooms with trainers, sailors, and items.
- Second Floor: Similar to the first floor, with more rooms and trainers.
- Basement: Access to the ship’s galley and other storage areas. Not directly relevant to getting HM Cut.
- Captain’s Quarters: Located on the upper decks, usually accessible via stairs from the first or second floor. This is your target destination.
Keep exploring the floors until you find stairs that lead to a room at the upper level of the ship. You may need to fight some trainers along the way, so be prepared.
Step 5: Finding and Helping the Captain
The Captain is located in his quarters at the upper deck of the ship. He’s feeling seasick and needs your help. Upon entering the Captain’s quarters, you’ll find him groaning in discomfort. Talk to the Captain, and he’ll explain that he has a terrible stomach ache. To help him, you need to massage his back. Approach him again and interact with him to give him a massage.
Step 6: Receiving HM Cut from the Captain
After you massage the Captain’s back, he will feel relieved and grateful for your assistance. As a reward for your kindness, the Captain will give you HM01 Cut. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Receiving HM Cut is a significant milestone in the game, as it opens up new areas and allows you to progress further in your adventure.
Step 7: Teaching Cut to a Pokémon
Now that you have HM Cut, you need to teach it to one of your Pokémon. Not all Pokémon can learn Cut, so choose wisely. Typically, Normal and Grass-type Pokémon are good candidates for learning Cut. Some common Pokémon that can learn Cut include:
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur
- Charmander
- Charmeleon
- Charizard
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise
- Rattata
- Raticate
- Pikachu
- Raichu
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Nidoran (Male)
- Nidorino
- Nidoking
- Nidoran (Female)
- Nidorina
- Nidoqueen
- Vulpix
- Ninetales
- Oddish
- Gloom
- Vileplume
- Paras
- Parasect
- Bellsprout
- Weepinbell
- Victreebel
- Exeggcute
- Exeggutor
- Cubone
- Marowak
- Lickitung
- Tangela
- Scyther
- Pinsir
- Tauros
- Eevee
- Vaporeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Snorlax
To teach a Pokémon Cut, open your menu, select “Pokémon,” choose the Pokémon you want to teach Cut to, and then select “HM.” Select HM01 Cut and confirm that you want to teach it to that Pokémon. Keep in mind that once a Pokémon learns an HM move, it cannot be forgotten without the help of a Move Deleter, who isn’t available until later in the game. So, choose a Pokémon you don’t mind having Cut on for a significant portion of your playthrough.
Step 8: Using Cut to Clear Obstacles
With a Pokémon that knows Cut, you can now clear those pesky small trees that block your path. To use Cut, select the Pokémon that knows Cut from your Pokémon menu. Then, select the move “Cut” and face the small tree you want to chop down. Your Pokémon will then use Cut to clear the tree, opening up the path for you to proceed.
Tips and Tricks for Using Cut
- Choose a Versatile Pokémon: Select a Pokémon that can learn other useful moves besides Cut. This will make them more valuable in battles and reduce the need to switch Pokémon frequently.
- Plan Your Route: Before using Cut, consider your route and where you want to go. This will help you avoid wasting Cut on unnecessary trees.
- Explore Thoroughly: After using Cut to open up new areas, take the time to explore them thoroughly. You may find hidden items, new Pokémon, or other secrets.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
- Can’t Board the S.S. Anne: Make sure you have obtained the S.S. Anne Ticket from Bill. Without the ticket, you won’t be allowed to board the ship.
- Can’t Find the Captain: Explore all the rooms on the S.S. Anne. The Captain is usually located in his quarters at the upper deck of the ship.
- Pokémon Can’t Learn Cut: Check the list of Pokémon that can learn Cut to ensure you’re trying to teach it to a compatible Pokémon.
- Cut Not Working: Make sure you have selected the Pokémon that knows Cut from your Pokémon menu and that you are facing the small tree you want to chop down.
Alternative Strategies
While there isn’t a true alternative to getting HM Cut to progress through the game, some players might consider the following:
- Trading: Trading with other players can allow you to obtain Pokémon that might be better suited for learning Cut or have a higher level.
- Using Glitches (Not Recommended): Some players attempt to use glitches to bypass obstacles, but this can corrupt your save file and is generally not recommended.
Conclusion
Obtaining HM Cut in Pokémon Red is a crucial step in your journey to become a Pokémon Master. By following this detailed guide, you’ll be able to acquire HM Cut, teach it to a Pokémon, and use it to clear obstacles and explore new areas. Remember to take your time, explore thoroughly, and enjoy the adventure! Good luck, and happy Pokémon training!