## H1: How to Get Waterfall in Pokémon Gold: A Step-by-Step Guide
Pokémon Gold, a classic in the Pokémon franchise, offers a captivating journey through the Johto region. To fully explore this world and conquer its challenges, you’ll need the HM Waterfall. This move is essential for navigating certain areas and battling powerful opponents. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step required to obtain Waterfall in Pokémon Gold.
### Understanding the Importance of Waterfall
Waterfall isn’t just another HM; it’s a key to unlocking hidden areas and progressing through the game. It allows you to ascend waterfalls, opening up new routes, items, and even access to the Elite Four. Without Waterfall, you’ll be unable to reach certain Gym Leaders and complete the main storyline. Furthermore, it’s a powerful Water-type move that can be taught to your Pokémon, providing a significant advantage in battles.
### Prerequisites Before Embarking on the Waterfall Quest
Before you start your quest for Waterfall, ensure you’ve met the following prerequisites:
* **Defeat Jasmine, the Olivine City Gym Leader:** This is a crucial step, as you need Jasmine’s badge to use Waterfall outside of battle. Jasmine specializes in Steel-type Pokémon, so be prepared with Fire, Fighting, or Ground-type moves.
* **Have a Pokémon that can learn Waterfall:** While you don’t need it immediately, it’s wise to have a Pokémon in your party that can learn Waterfall. Suitable candidates include Water-type Pokémon like Feraligatr, Suicune (after catching it), Gyarados, and Lanturn.
* **Have Surf:** Surf is almost as essential, as the HM is required to traverse across water to areas needed to progress through the story and obtain the HM Waterfall.
### Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Waterfall
Follow these detailed steps to acquire the HM Waterfall in Pokémon Gold:
**1. Progress Through the Story Until You Reach Mahogany Town:**
Your journey begins in New Bark Town, where Professor Elm tasks you with an errand. As you progress, you’ll travel through various towns and routes, battling Gym Leaders and uncovering Team Rocket’s nefarious plans. Eventually, you’ll arrive in Mahogany Town, located north of Goldenrod City and west of Olivine City. This town is shrouded in mystery due to the presence of Team Rocket.
**2. Investigate the Lake of Rage:**
North of Mahogany Town lies the Lake of Rage. You will notice a peculiar sight: a red Gyarados thrashing violently in the water. This unusual occurrence is linked to Team Rocket’s experiments.
* **Surf to the Red Gyarados:** Use Surf to navigate to the center of the lake and encounter the Red Gyarados.
* **Battle and Defeat or Catch the Red Gyarados:** This is a unique opportunity to obtain a shiny Pokémon. The Red Gyarados is a powerful opponent, so be prepared with Electric-type moves. Whether you choose to defeat or catch it is up to you, but either outcome is necessary for the next step.
**3. Enter the Mahogany Town Shop (Team Rocket HQ):**
After dealing with the Red Gyarados, return to Mahogany Town. The shop in the town is actually a disguised Team Rocket HQ. You may notice something odd about the shop, such as the slow moving patrons.
* **Talk to Lance:** Before entering the shop, you’ll encounter Lance, the Dragon-type Pokémon Master and member of the Elite Four. He suspects Team Rocket’s involvement and asks for your help in investigating the shop. Agree to assist him.
* **Enter the Shop:** Head inside the shop. Lance will reveal the secret entrance to the Team Rocket HQ.
**4. Navigate Through Team Rocket HQ:**
The Team Rocket HQ is a maze of corridors, traps, and battles. You’ll need to navigate through multiple floors, solving puzzles and defeating Team Rocket members along the way.
* **Defeat Team Rocket Grunts:** Prepare for numerous battles against Team Rocket Grunts. They use a variety of Pokémon, so have a well-rounded team.
* **Disable the Traps:** The HQ is filled with traps, such as hidden switches and security systems. Be observant and solve the puzzles to disable them.
* **Find the Passwords:** To progress deeper into the HQ, you’ll need to obtain two passwords. These are usually obtained by defeating Team Rocket executives or interacting with specific objects.
* **Free the Slowpoke:** Team Rocket is exploiting Slowpoke for their tails, which they sell for profit. You’ll find several Slowpoke imprisoned within the HQ. Freeing them is not mandatory for obtaining Waterfall, but it’s a morally good action.
* **Defeat the Rocket Executives:** You will have to fight the Rocket Executives, such as Petrel, Ariana, and Proton. These battles can be challenging, so use type advantages and plan your moves carefully.
**5. Confront and Defeat Team Rocket Boss Archer:**
After navigating through the HQ and defeating the Team Rocket Executives, you’ll eventually encounter Archer, one of the leaders of Team Rocket, in the basement.
* **Prepare for a Tough Battle:** Archer is a formidable opponent with powerful Pokémon. He typically uses a Koffing, Zubat, and Houndour.
* **Defeat Archer:** Utilize type advantages and strategize your moves to defeat Archer. This battle is crucial for stopping Team Rocket’s plans and progressing further in the game.
**6. Head to Ice Path:**
Once you’ve defeated Archer and Team Rocket has been driven out of Mahogany Town, you need to head to Blackthorn City. To reach Blackthorn City, you must go through the Ice Path, a cave located east of Mahogany Town. Surf east from Mahogany Town and enter the Ice Path.
* **Navigating the Ice Path:** The Ice Path is a complex cave filled with slippery ice, requiring precise movements and strategic use of Strength to push boulders to progress.
* **Learn to manage your steps on the ice:** The ice will cause you to slide in a direction until you hit an object or wall. Use this mechanic to your advantage and to reach new areas within the cave.
* **Use Strength to move Boulders:** The path is blocked in certain areas by boulders, which can be moved with Strength.
* **Be careful about the holes in the floor:** Be sure to navigate around the holes that will drop you to the lower levels. These can cause you to restart.
**7. Exit the Ice Path and Arrive at Blackthorn City:**
After navigating the Ice Path, you’ll finally emerge in Blackthorn City, home to Clair, the Dragon-type Gym Leader.
**8. Challenge and Defeat Clair, the Blackthorn City Gym Leader:**
Before you can obtain Waterfall, you must defeat Clair, as you will need the Rising Badge to use Waterfall outside of battle.
* **Prepare for a Dragon-Type Challenge:** Clair specializes in Dragon-type Pokémon, which are strong against most types. Dragon-type moves are only effective against other Dragon-types. The best strategy is to use Ice-type moves, which are super effective against Dragon-types.
* **Key Pokémon in Clair’s Team:** Expect to face Dragonair (multiple), and Kingdra.
* **Develop a Strategy:** Plan your team and moves carefully, focusing on exploiting Clair’s weaknesses.
**9. The Waterfall Reward:**
After defeating Clair, she initially refuses to acknowledge your victory. However, after you leave the Gym, she will call you back. This time, she finally recognizes your skill as a trainer.
* **Receive the Rising Badge:** Clair will award you the Rising Badge, which is essential for using Waterfall outside of battle.
* **Receive HM07 Waterfall:** As a reward for your perseverance, Clair will also give you HM07, which contains the move Waterfall.
**10. Teach Waterfall to a Compatible Pokémon:**
Now that you have the HM Waterfall, you can teach it to a compatible Pokémon.
* **Select a Pokémon:** Choose a Water-type Pokémon from your party, such as Feraligatr, Gyarados, Suicune, or Lanturn.
* **Teach Waterfall:** Use the HM07 Waterfall on the chosen Pokémon to teach it the move.
* **Utilize Waterfall:** Once taught, Waterfall can be used both in and out of battle. In battle, it’s a powerful Water-type move with a chance to cause flinching. Outside of battle, it allows you to ascend waterfalls, opening up new areas and secrets.
### Tips and Tricks for Using Waterfall
* **Strategic Use in Battle:** Waterfall is a powerful Water-type move that can be a valuable asset in battles. Use it against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon for maximum effectiveness. The chance to cause flinching can also disrupt your opponent’s strategy.
* **Exploring Hidden Areas:** Waterfall is essential for exploring hidden areas throughout the Johto region. Keep an eye out for waterfalls that you can climb to discover new items, Pokémon, and even entire routes.
* **Breeding and Passing Down Waterfall:** If you want other Pokémon to learn Waterfall, you can breed the Pokémon that knows Waterfall with compatible Pokémon. However, note that not all Pokémon can learn Waterfall through breeding. Check the breeding compatibility charts for specific details.
* **Don’t Forget Strength and Surf:** Waterfall opens up new pathways, but Strength and Surf are needed to navigate the world. Always have Pokemon ready with these HMs!
### Common Mistakes to Avoid
* **Skipping Jasmine’s Gym:** Many players mistakenly try to obtain Waterfall before defeating Jasmine, the Olivine City Gym Leader. Remember that you need Jasmine’s badge to use Waterfall outside of battle.
* **Underestimating Team Rocket HQ:** The Team Rocket HQ can be challenging due to its puzzles, traps, and battles. Don’t underestimate the difficulty; prepare with a well-rounded team and plenty of healing items.
* **Forgetting to Bring a Pokémon That Can Learn Waterfall:** Before reaching Blackthorn City, make sure you have a Pokémon in your party that can learn Waterfall. This will save you time and effort later.
* **Not Preparing for Clair’s Gym:** Clair’s Dragon-type Pokémon can be tough to defeat if you’re not prepared. Train your Pokémon and develop a strategy to exploit their weaknesses.
### The Best Pokémon to Teach Waterfall
Choosing the right Pokémon to teach Waterfall can make a significant difference in your gameplay experience. Here are some of the best options:
* **Feraligatr:** As the final evolution of the Water-type starter Totodile, Feraligatr is a strong and versatile Pokémon that can learn Waterfall. It has high Attack and Defense stats, making it a reliable choice for both battles and exploration.
* **Gyarados:** Gyarados is a powerful Water/Flying-type Pokémon that can learn Waterfall. It has exceptional Attack and Special Defense stats, making it a formidable opponent in battles. It can be obtained by evolving Magikarp, which can be found in various bodies of water throughout Johto.
* **Suicune:** As one of the legendary beasts, Suicune is a powerful Water-type Pokémon that can learn Waterfall. It has high Defense and Special Defense stats, making it a resilient choice for battles. Suicune roams the Johto region and can be encountered in various locations.
* **Lanturn:** Lanturn is a Water/Electric-type Pokémon that can learn Waterfall. It has a unique type combination that provides an advantage against certain opponents. Lanturn can be obtained by evolving Chinchou, which can be found by surfing in certain bodies of water at night.
* **Lapras:** Though difficult to obtain, this Pokémon is a great option for using Waterfall and other HM moves.
* **Red Gyarados:** This is a guaranteed shiny that can learn Waterfall.
### Post-Waterfall Adventures: What to Do Next
With Waterfall in your arsenal, the Johto region is now fully accessible. Here are some of the things you can do next:
* **Challenge the Elite Four:** With all eight Gym Badges, you can now challenge the Elite Four and become the Pokémon Champion. Prepare for a series of tough battles against powerful trainers.
* **Explore Hidden Areas:** Use Waterfall to access previously unreachable areas and discover new items, Pokémon, and secrets.
* **Complete the Pokédex:** With Waterfall, you can explore more areas and encounter more Pokémon, bringing you closer to completing your Pokédex.
* **Catch Legendary Pokémon:** Waterfall can lead you to the locations of legendary Pokémon, such as Suicune, Entei, and Raikou.
### Conclusion
Obtaining Waterfall in Pokémon Gold is a crucial step in your journey through the Johto region. This HM not only provides a powerful Water-type move for battles but also unlocks new areas and secrets. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to acquire Waterfall and continue your adventure to become the Pokémon Champion. Remember to defeat Jasmine, navigate Team Rocket HQ, conquer Clair’s Gym, and choose the right Pokémon to teach Waterfall. With perseverance and strategy, you’ll master Waterfall and unlock the full potential of Pokémon Gold. Good luck, Trainer!