While Charmander isn’t natively available in Pokémon Emerald, dedicated trainers can still acquire this iconic Fire-type starter through trading. This comprehensive guide details the process, covering everything from understanding the limitations to the step-by-step instructions for transferring Charmander into your Emerald game. Be prepared for a multi-game journey, as you’ll need other Pokémon games to complete this task.
Understanding the Limitations in Pokémon Emerald
Pokémon Emerald, unlike some later installments, doesn’t feature a Pal Park or similar mechanic to directly transfer Pokémon from older Game Boy Advance (GBA) games like Pokémon FireRed or LeafGreen. These games exist in the same generation, but they are treated as distinct entities by the game’s code. This means you can’t simply move Pokémon back and forth. Instead, trading is the only legitimate method to get a Charmander into your Emerald game.
The Trading Method: A Step-by-Step Guide
This process requires the following:
- Two Game Boy Advance (GBA) or Nintendo DS/DS Lite systems: You need two systems capable of playing GBA games. The original GBA, GBA SP, and Nintendo DS/DS Lite are all suitable. Note that the Nintendo DSi and later models do not have a GBA cartridge slot.
- Pokémon FireRed or LeafGreen: This is the game where you can initially obtain Charmander as your starter Pokémon or breed it.
- Pokémon Emerald: This is the game where you ultimately want to have Charmander.
- Link Cable: A GBA link cable to connect the two systems for trading. The GameCube link cable will not work.
- Patience: The process may take some time, especially if you need to play through a portion of FireRed or LeafGreen.
Step 1: Obtaining Charmander in FireRed or LeafGreen
There are two primary ways to get Charmander in FireRed or LeafGreen:
- Choosing Charmander as Your Starter: At the beginning of the game, Professor Oak will offer you a choice between Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Select Charmander to receive it as your first Pokémon. This is the most straightforward method.
- Breeding Charmander: If you’ve already completed FireRed or LeafGreen and have a Charizard (Charmander’s final evolution) or a Charmander with a Ditto, you can breed them at the Pokémon Day Care on Route 5. Keep in mind that you’ll need to walk around for a while to hatch the egg. Make sure you have an empty slot in your party before picking up the egg from the Old Man outside the Day Care. Breeding is useful if you want multiple Charmanders or if you’ve already chosen a different starter.
Detailed Steps for Breeding Charmander:
- Catch a Ditto (if necessary): Ditto can be found in the Cerulean Cave (accessible after defeating the Elite Four) or by trading. Ditto is a versatile Pokémon that can breed with almost any Pokémon, including Charizard.
- Deposit Charizard (or Charmander) and Ditto at the Day Care: The Day Care is located on Route 5, north of Cerulean City. Talk to the old woman inside to deposit your Pokémon.
- Wait for an Egg: The old man outside the Day Care will eventually have an egg for you. The time it takes for an egg to appear depends on the compatibility of the parent Pokémon. If the Pokemon are very compatible (same species, different Original Trainer IDs), an egg will appear sooner. Ditto compatibility is always moderate.
- Retrieve the Egg: Talk to the old man to receive the egg. Make sure you have an empty slot in your party, or he won’t give you the egg.
- Hatch the Egg: Keep the egg in your party and walk around. The egg will hatch after a certain number of steps. The Pokémon inside will be a Charmander.
Step 2: Preparing for the Trade
Before you can trade, there are a few things you need to do in both FireRed/LeafGreen and Emerald:
- FireRed/LeafGreen:
- Advance to the Pokémon Center: You need to reach the Pokémon Center in the first town (Pallet Town) and receive your Pokédex.
- Have at least two Pokémon: You can’t trade your last Pokémon. Catch another Pokémon (such as a Pidgey or Rattata) if Charmander is your only one.
- Emerald:
- Advance to the Pokémon Center: Similarly, you need to reach the Pokémon Center in Petalburg City.
- Obtain the Pokédex: Talk to Professor Birch’s son/daughter in Rustboro City after rescuing him/her from the Poochyena.
- Have at least two Pokémon: Again, make sure you have at least two Pokémon in your party. Catch a Poochyena, Zigzagoon, or Wurmple if necessary.
Step 3: Trading Charmander
- Connect the Game Boy Advance Systems: Turn off both GBA systems. Connect them using the GBA link cable. Ensure the cable is securely plugged into both systems.
- Enter the Pokémon Centers: Turn on both systems. In both FireRed/LeafGreen and Emerald, go to the second floor of any Pokémon Center. You’ll see a Link Cable Club reception area.
- Speak to the Receptionist in FireRed/LeafGreen: Talk to the receptionist on the right (in FireRed/LeafGreen). She’ll ask if you want to trade with someone. Select “Yes.”
- Speak to the Receptionist in Emerald: Talk to the receptionist on the right (in Emerald). She’ll also ask if you want to trade. Select “Yes.”
- Enter the Trade Room: Both games will now connect and transport you to a trading room. You’ll see your character and the character from the other game.
- Initiate the Trade: In FireRed/LeafGreen, select Charmander from your party. Choose the option to trade it.
- Confirm the Trade: The game will show you the Pokémon you’re receiving in exchange. Confirm the trade if you’re happy with it. In Emerald, you’ll need to select a Pokémon to offer in return for the Charmander. A common practice is to offer a readily available Pokémon like a Poochyena or Zigzagoon.
- Wait for the Trade to Complete: The trading process will begin. Do not turn off either system during the trade, or you risk corrupting your save files.
- Receive Charmander: Once the trade is complete, Charmander will be in your party in Pokémon Emerald.
Step 4: Post-Trade Considerations
- Nickname: You can nickname Charmander at any Name Rater location in Emerald if it doesn’t already have a nickname.
- Training: Begin training Charmander in Emerald to take advantage of the different available moves and the game’s specific challenges.
- Pokédex Completion: Adding Charmander to your Emerald Pokédex brings you one step closer to completing it, though keep in mind that completing the Emerald Pokédex requires trading for many Pokémon not native to the region.
Troubleshooting Common Trading Issues
Trading between GBA games can sometimes be problematic. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
- Connection Problems:
- Check the Link Cable: Ensure the link cable is securely plugged into both GBA systems. Try disconnecting and reconnecting it.
- Clean the Cartridge Slots: Dust or debris in the cartridge slots can interfere with the connection. Blow into the slots or use a cotton swab to gently clean the contacts on the game cartridges and the GBA slots.
- Try a Different Link Cable: The link cable itself might be faulty. If possible, try using a different link cable to see if that resolves the issue.
- Check Battery Levels: Low battery levels in either GBA system can sometimes cause connection problems. Ensure both systems have sufficient power.
- Incompatible Games:
- Verify Game Compatibility: Ensure you’re using compatible games. This method works between FireRed/LeafGreen and Emerald. Trying to trade with games from different generations will not work.
- Game Freezing:
- Avoid Movement During Trade: Make sure neither system is moved during the trading process. Any jarring movements could interrupt the connection and cause the game to freeze.
- Check for Cartridge Damage: A damaged game cartridge can cause freezing issues. Inspect the cartridge for any visible damage.
- Trading Errors:
- Ensure Sufficient Pokémon: Make sure you have at least two Pokémon in your party in both games. You can’t trade your last Pokémon.
- Check for Illegal Pokémon: If you’re using any cheat devices or modifying your game, it might create illegal Pokémon that cannot be traded.
Why Bother Getting Charmander in Emerald?
While Charmander isn’t essential for completing Pokémon Emerald, there are several compelling reasons why trainers might want to go through the effort of obtaining it:
- Nostalgia: Charmander is one of the most iconic Pokémon from the original generation. Many players have a strong emotional connection to it and enjoy playing with their favorite Pokémon in different games.
- Type Coverage: Fire-type Pokémon can be strategically valuable in Emerald. While Emerald does have a few Fire-types available (such as Torchic and Torkoal), Charmander’s evolution line offers a different set of stats and moves, potentially providing better type coverage for your team.
- Challenge: The process of obtaining Charmander adds an extra layer of challenge to your Emerald playthrough. It requires planning, coordination, and potentially playing through portions of other games. For some players, this makes the experience more rewarding.
- Completionism: Some players strive to collect all available Pokémon in each game they play. Obtaining Charmander is one step closer to achieving this goal, even though it requires trading.
Alternative Methods (And Why They’re Not Recommended)
While trading is the legitimate way to get Charmander in Emerald, some players might consider alternative, less scrupulous methods. These methods are generally not recommended due to the potential risks involved.
- Using Cheat Devices: Cheat devices like Action Replay can be used to inject Pokémon into your game. However, using cheat devices can corrupt your save file, introduce glitches, and ruin the intended gameplay experience. Furthermore, using cheated Pokémon may not be accepted in legitimate competitions or online battles (if those were still active for this generation).
- ROM Hacks: ROM hacks are modified versions of the game that can include Pokémon not normally available. While ROM hacks can be fun to explore, they are not considered legitimate ways to play the game, and they often have their own set of bugs and issues.
Sticking to legitimate methods, such as trading, ensures a safe and authentic Pokémon experience.
Conclusion
While obtaining Charmander in Pokémon Emerald requires a bit of extra effort and the use of multiple games, the reward of having this classic Pokémon in your party is well worth it for many trainers. By following these detailed steps and troubleshooting tips, you can successfully trade Charmander into your Emerald game and enjoy playing with it throughout your adventure. Remember to be patient, take precautions to avoid trading errors, and most importantly, have fun!