Saffron City, a bustling metropolis in the Kanto region, is a key location in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. It’s home to a Gym Leader, important storyline events, and the headquarters of Team Rocket. However, gaining entry to this city can be a bit tricky. This guide will provide you with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to get to Saffron City in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.
Prerequisites
Before you can even think about entering Saffron City, you need to have completed certain tasks and obtained specific items. Here’s a list of the necessary prerequisites:
- Defeat Lt. Surge in Vermilion City: You must have the Thunder Badge.
- Rescue Bill from his Sea Cottage: This is part of the main storyline and unlocks access to the S.S. Anne.
- Receive the S.S. Ticket from Bill: This is given to you after helping Bill.
- Board and complete the S.S. Anne: You must defeat your rival and obtain HM01 (Cut) from the captain.
- Learn Cut: Teach the move Cut to a Pokémon in your party. Oddish, Gloom, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Bulbasaur, Tangela, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel, Exeggcute, Exeggutor, Farfetch’d or Sandshrew are common choices that can learn the move.
Methods to Enter Saffron City
Saffron City is initially blocked by guards who refuse entry due to their thirst. There are two primary methods to gain access:
- Giving the Guards a Drink: This is the most common and straightforward method.
- Bypassing the Guards (After a Specific Event): After progressing further in the game and dealing with Team Rocket in Celadon City, the guards will disappear, allowing free access. We will cover this option as well.
Method 1: Giving the Guards a Drink
This method involves obtaining a drink for the thirsty guards who are blocking the entrances to Saffron City. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Go to Celadon City
Head west from Lavender Town (where Pokémon Tower is located) along Route 8. You will eventually reach Celadon City. This is a large city with a Department Store, a Game Corner, and a Gym.
Step 2: Enter the Celadon Department Store
The Celadon Department Store is a massive building located prominently in the city. It’s hard to miss. Enter the building.
Step 3: Navigate to the Rooftop Square
Inside the Department Store, take the elevator to the very top floor (the Rooftop Square). The elevator is usually located near the entrance on the right side of the main area.
Step 4: Purchase a Drink from the Vending Machines
On the Rooftop Square, you will find vending machines. These vending machines sell three different types of drinks:
- Fresh Water: Costs 200 Pokédollars.
- Soda Pop: Costs 300 Pokédollars.
- Lemonade: Costs 350 Pokédollars.
You only need one drink to satisfy a guard, but it’s recommended to buy at least two (or even three) of any of the drinks. It doesn’t matter which drink you choose; any of them will work. Having extra can be useful if you accidentally use one, or for future trades with NPCs later in the game. For efficiency, Fresh Water is the cheapest and equally effective.
Step 5: Leave Celadon City and Head Towards Saffron City
Exit Celadon City. Saffron City is located directly east of Celadon City via Route 7. Route 6 (south of Saffron City) and Route 5 (north of Saffron City) are the other two routes leading to Saffron, each with a guard.
Step 6: Talk to a Guard and Give Them a Drink
Approach one of the guards blocking the entrances to Saffron City. Interact with the guard by pressing the A button.
The guard will explain that they are incredibly thirsty and haven’t had a drink all day. You will be prompted to offer them one of the drinks you purchased.
Select ‘Yes’ to offer the guard a drink. The guard will gratefully accept the drink and allow you to pass.
Step 7: Repeat for Other Entrances (If Desired)
There are three entrances to Saffron City, each blocked by a guard. You only need to give one guard a drink to enter the city. However, if you want to easily access Saffron City from multiple directions, you can repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other two entrances.
Method 2: Bypassing the Guards (After Celadon City Events)
This method becomes available after you complete a major storyline event in Celadon City, specifically dealing with Team Rocket’s operations in the Rocket Game Corner.
Step 1: Infiltrate the Rocket Game Corner
In Celadon City, locate the Rocket Game Corner. It’s a large building where people play arcade games. Inside, examine one of the Rocket Gang members standing in front of a poster. You will notice they are acting suspiciously.
Step 2: Find the Secret Switch
Inspect the poster closely. By interacting with the poster, you will find a secret switch. Press the A button while facing the poster to activate the switch. This will reveal a hidden staircase.
Step 3: Descend into the Rocket Hideout
Go down the newly revealed staircase. This leads to the Team Rocket Hideout, a multi-level underground base.
Step 4: Navigate the Rocket Hideout
Explore the Rocket Hideout. You will encounter Team Rocket grunts who you must battle. There are also various items to collect throughout the hideout, including valuable TMs and other useful items. The hideout involves a series of floors connected by stairs and warp panels that teleport you around.
Step 5: Defeat Team Rocket Executives
As you progress through the Rocket Hideout, you will encounter Team Rocket Executives. These are stronger trainers than the standard grunts, so be prepared for tougher battles. Defeat them to advance further into the hideout.
Step 6: Battle Giovanni
Eventually, you will reach the lowest level of the Rocket Hideout, where you will confront Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket. This is a challenging battle, as Giovanni has a powerful team of Pokémon. Use your strongest Pokémon and strategic tactics to defeat him.
Step 7: Giovanni Flees
After you defeat Giovanni, he will disband Team Rocket from Celadon City and flee. This marks the end of the Rocket Game Corner storyline.
Step 8: Return to Saffron City
After the Team Rocket incident in Celadon City is resolved and Giovanni has been defeated, return to Saffron City. You will notice that the guards who were previously blocking the entrances are now gone. They have presumably been reassigned since Team Rocket’s operations have shifted to Saffron City now.
Step 9: Enter Saffron City Freely
With the guards gone, you can now enter Saffron City without any obstacles. You can explore the city, challenge the Gym Leader, and continue your Pokémon journey.
Exploring Saffron City
Once inside Saffron City, there are several key locations to visit:
- Saffron City Gym: This is a Psychic-type Gym led by Sabrina. Prepare for a challenging battle against her powerful Psychic Pokémon.
- Fighting Dojo: Located west of the Pokémon Center, the Fighting Dojo is a smaller Gym specializing in Fighting-type Pokémon. Defeat the Dojo Master to receive a Hitmonlee or Hitmonchan.
- Silph Co.: This is a large corporation building in the center of the city. Team Rocket has taken over the building, and you must infiltrate it to rescue the president and stop their plans. This is a significant storyline event.
- Pokémon Center: Heal your Pokémon and use the PC to manage your team and items.
- Trainer Fan Club: Located near the Pokémon Center.
Tips for Saffron City
- Prepare for Psychic Pokémon: If you plan to challenge the Saffron City Gym, bring Pokémon with moves that are effective against Psychic-types, such as Bug, Ghost, and Dark-type moves (although Dark-type moves are not present in FireRed/LeafGreen, Bug and Ghost are your best bets). Pokémon like Beedrill, Pinsir, or even a Pokémon with Shadow Ball can be useful.
- Team Rocket Grunts: Be prepared for many battles with Team Rocket Grunts in the Silph Co. building. Make sure your Pokémon are healed and have plenty of potions.
- Explore Thoroughly: Saffron City and the Silph Co. building are full of hidden items and secrets. Take your time to explore every nook and cranny.
- Level Up: Ensure your Pokémon are at a suitable level before challenging the Gym or taking on Team Rocket. Leveling up in the routes surrounding Celadon and Lavender Town is a good strategy.
Conclusion
Gaining access to Saffron City in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen is a crucial step in your journey to become a Pokémon Master. Whether you choose to give the guards a refreshing drink or bypass them after dealing with Team Rocket in Celadon City, entering Saffron City opens up new challenges, opportunities, and storyline events. Prepare your team, explore the city, and good luck!