Pokémon Gold and Silver

This guide covers the fundamental aspects of playing Pokémon Gold and Silver, including controls, interacting with the game world, and leaning on various town facilities.

Controls

The Field

The field encompasses the overworld, dungeons, and towns. You will find various items and interact with the environment in several ways:

Items in the Field

• In the Open: Items appear as Poké Balls. Examining them grants the item. Be cautious, as some may be Voltorb or Electrode.
• Hidden: Items are invisible and found by facing the tile and pressing A. Look for contextual clues like empty grass patches, boulders, or trees. The Itemfinder will later indicate hidden items on-screen.
• From People: NPCs may give you items directly upon speaking to them, sometimes requiring a specific task or time of day.
• Trees: Berries and Apricorns can be found in trees.

Tall Grass

Found in many Routes, walking in tall grass can trigger random wild Pokémon encounters. The Pokémon encountered depend on the area. Wild Pokémon can be caught and added to your party. Items like the Cleanse Tag or Repels can reduce encounters, but avoiding grass is most effective.

Other Wild Encounters

Wild Pokémon can also be encountered in caverns by walking around. Later, you can use Headbutt, Surf, and Fishing Rods to find different Pokémon.

Trainer Battles

Trainers in the overworld will initiate battles when you enter their line of sight. These battles typically involve 1 to 6 Pokémon, offer money, and grant 50% more EXP than wild Pokémon of the same level. Battles can often be avoided by careful movement.

Pokémon Moves in the Field (HMs)

Hidden Machines (HMs) teach moves that can overcome field obstacles like rocks, trees, or dark caves. Unlike TMs, HMs can be used infinitely. HMs are obtained throughout the story and require specific Gym Badges to use. They can even be used by fainted Pokémon.

Town Resources

Most towns offer essential facilities:

• Pokémon Centers: Heal your Pokémon's HP, PP, and status conditions for free. The PC allows storing Pokémon and items, evaluating your Pokédex, and accessing the multiplayer area for trading and battling. The Time Capsule enables trading with Generation 1 games.
• Poké Marts: Purchase useful items such as Poké Balls, medicine, and various other supplies for your journey.

This guide covers the basics of navigating the field in Pokémon Gold & Silver, including how to find items, encounter wild Pokémon, engage in trainer battles, use HMs, and work with town resources.

Controls

The Field

A significant portion of your time in Pokémon Gold & Silver will be spent in the field, which spans the overworld, dungeons, and towns. There are several key aspects to understand about the field:

Items in the Field

You can find various items and treasures throughout the overworld. These include medicine, Poké Balls, TMs, berries, hold items, and Apricorns. Items can be found in several ways:

• In the Open: Items appear as Poké Balls. Examining them grants the item. Be cautious, as some may be Voltorb or Electrode.
• Hidden: Some items are not visible and require pressing 'A' while facing the tile they are on. Obvious spots include empty grass patches, boulders, or standalone trees. The Itemfinder, obtained later, will indicate the presence of hidden items.
• From People: NPCs may give you items directly or after completing a task or visiting at a specific time.
• Trees: Berries and Apricorns can be found in trees.

Tall Grass

Tall grass, found on many Routes, can trigger random wild Pokémon encounters. The type and frequency of Pokémon depend on the area. Wild Pokémon can be caught and added to your party. Items like the Cleanse Tag or Repels can reduce encounters, but avoiding grass is the most effective method.

Other Wild Encounters

Wild Pokémon can also be encountered in caves simply by walking around. Later in the game, you can use Headbutt, Surf, and Fishing Rods to encounter different Pokémon.

Trainer Battles

Walking within a Trainer's line of sight will initiate a battle. Trainers may have 1 to 6 Pokémon. Winning battles yields money and 50% more EXP than defeating wild Pokémon of the same level. Trainers can often be avoided by moving out of their sightline or maneuvering around them.

Pokémon Moves in the Field (HMs)

Obstacles like rocks, trees, or dark caves can be overcome using Hidden Machines (HMs). HMs teach moves that can be used an unlimited number of times in the field. They are found throughout the storyline and are necessary for progression. HM use requires the appropriate Badge, which is typically obtained before acquiring the HM.

Town Resources

Most towns offer essential resources:

• Pokémon Centers: Marked by a "Poké" sign. The nurse heals your Pokémon's HP, PP, and status ailments for free. The PC allows you to store Pokémon and items, evaluate your Pokédex, and access the multiplayer area for trading and battling. The Time Capsule enables trading with Generation 1 games.
• Poké Marts: Marked by a "Mart" sign. Here you can purchase items such as Poké Balls, medicine, and various other useful resources for your journey.

Alright, let's get you set up with the Mystery Egg and the Pokédex! This part of the journey takes us through Route 29, Cherrygrove City, and finally Route 30 to meet Mr. Pokémon.

Walkthrough:

1. Route 29: As soon as you step onto Route 29, you'll notice wild Pokémon in the grass. You can't catch them yet, so just head southwest through the grass until you reach a white path. Follow it north, then east through the grass patches divided by trees. At the dead end to the northeast, you'll find a Potion. Head back west, and you'll see a gatehouse to the north leading to Route 46. There isn't much there for now, so we'll skip it.
2. Route 29 (cont.): Go west from the gatehouse and you'll find another patch of grass. As you walk west through it, look north for a lone tree. This tree grows Berries, which heal 10 HP. It's a good idea to keep this one, especially since you don't have many healing items yet. After grabbing the Berry, head south into the grass, then west into Cherrygrove City.
3. Cherrygrove City: The first thing you should do is talk to the old man on the path. He'll give you a tour and hand over the Map Card for your PokéGear, which lets you view the map. After that, it's a good idea to heal your Pokémon at the Pokémon Center and maybe pick up some Potions or status-healing items at the Poké Mart. Once you're ready, head north out of town onto Route 30.
4. Route 30: As you enter Route 30, go through the grass and head north to find a house. Outside, grab another Berry from a tree. Inside, a man will give you a second Berry. Head back outside and continue north through the grass and trees to another house. To the west of this house is a tree with a PSNCureBerry, which is great for curing poison.
5. Meeting Mr. Pokémon: Go inside the house. You'll witness a scene with Professor Oak and Mr. Pokémon. Mr. Pokémon will give you a Mystery Egg to take back to Professor Elm, and Professor Oak will give you your very own Pokédex! After they leave, you'll get a call from Professor Elm saying he needs you to come back.
6. Return to Cherrygrove City: Head back out of the house and backtrack through Route 30 and Route 29 to Cherrygrove City. Heal up at the Pokémon Center.
7. First Trainer Battle: As you try to leave Cherrygrove City heading east, you'll be challenged by a Youngster! This is your first trainer battle. He'll have one Pokémon at Level 5: either a Totodile, Chikorita, or Cyndaquil, depending on which starter you chose.
8. Trainer Battle Strategy: Don't worry too much about this battle. Even if the opponent has a type advantage, their moves are mostly Normal-type and won't do too much damage. Just make sure your Pokémon are healthy, maybe use a Potion if you're low on HP. If you picked Cyndaquil and they have Totodile, you'll have a slight type disadvantage, but Tackle should still do the job.
9. Back to New Bark Town: After the battle, heal up again at the Pokémon Center. Head east on Route 29 and then into New Bark Town.
10. Professor Elm's Lab: Go into Professor Elm's lab. A police officer will be there asking about the boy you fought. You'll be prompted to enter his name;