Pokemon Crystal Phase 9 Kanto Part 1 Walkthrough

Pokemon Crystal optimal walkthrough

S.S. Aqua → Vermilion, Saffron, Cerulean, Celadon.

Phase 9 of 12 Target Lv 45-55 Reward ThunderElectric, Marsh, Cascade, Rainbow Badges

Route Map

S.S. Aqua to Vermilion

As Johto Champion you can sail the S.S. Aqua from Olivine to Vermilion City in Kanto. Kanto's eight gyms can be tackled in almost any order; this guide does the southern cluster first. Levels jump here — expect leaders in the Lv 40s, so come at Lv 45+.

Vermilion City — Surge and Snorlax

Vermilion has Lt. Surge's Electric gym and a sleeping roadblock. Just west, Diglett's Cave is full of Diglett/Dugtrio — a perfect Ground answer to Surge.

Snorlax

Normal · blocks Route 11 · Lv 50 · ★ one-time, missable

Saffron City — Sabrina and the Magnet Train

North of Vermilion, Saffron hosts Sabrina (Psychic) and the Magnet Train station back to Goldenrod (running once you fix the Power Plant). The Fighting Dojo and Copycat's house are here too.

Cerulean City — Power Plant and Misty

Misty isn't at her gym at first — and the Power Plant (north on Route 10) has had its generator Machine Part stolen. Investigate, track the Team Rocket thief (hiding around Cerulean), recover the Machine Part, and return it to the Power Plant. That restarts the Magnet Train and brings Misty back to her gym.

Celadon City — Erika

West lies Celadon — the Dept. Store, the Game Corner, and Erika's Grass gym. Eusine also hangs around Celadon: he's the one who later gives the Rainbow Wing for Ho-Oh, but only after you've caught all three beasts (Phase 11).

Team Recommendations

Must-Grab Items

Gym Strategy - Southern Kanto Leaders

Vermilion City Gym Leader

Lt. Surge, Vermilion City Gym

Ground types ignore Electric, hit Magneton super-effectively, and make this badge nearly free if you respect Explosion.

ElectrodeLv 40 ElectrodeLv 40 MagnetonLv 40 RaichuLv 44 ElectabuzzLv 46

Electrode Lv 40 MovesScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion ReadExplosion + Screech.

Electrode Lv 40 MovesScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion ReadSame.

Magneton Lv 40 MovesLock-OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon ReadZap Cannon.

Raichu Lv 44 MovesThunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder ReadThunder + Quick Attack.

Electabuzz Lv 46 MovesQuick AttackThunderPunchLight ScreenThunder Read★ Ace — Thunderpunch + Light Screen.

Counters: A Ground-type (Dugtrio, Golem, Donphan) is immune to Electric and super-effective on all of it — a near-free badge. Just respect Electrode's Explosion.

Saffron City Gym Leader

Sabrina, Saffron City Gym

Dark moves are the clean answer. Her team is fast and special-heavy, but Dark shrugs off the Psychic pressure.

EspeonLv 46 Mr. MimeLv 46 AlakazamLv 48

Espeon Lv 46 MovesSand-AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic ReadFast Psychic.

Mr. Mime Lv 46 MovesBarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic ReadBarrier/Reflect walling.

Alakazam Lv 48 MovesRecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect Read★ Ace — Future Sight + Recover.

Counters: Dark users like Sneasel, Umbreon, or Houndoom are the cleanest answers. Bug/Ghost also work. Hit Alakazam hard enough that Recover does not drag the fight out.

Cerulean City Gym Leader

Misty, Cerulean City Gym

Electric handles most of the team, but Quagsire is immune. Keep a Grass answer ready before committing.

GolduckLv 42 QuagsireLv 42 LaprasLv 44 StarmieLv 47

Golduck Lv 42 MovesSurfDisablePsych UpPsychic ReadPsychic coverage.

Quagsire Lv 42 MovesSurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance Read★ Electric-immune — needs Grass.

Lapras Lv 44 MovesSurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance ReadBlizzard + Perish Song.

Starmie Lv 47 MovesSurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam ReadAce — fast Ice Beam/Recover.

Counters: Electric (Magneton/Raichu/Lanturn) sweeps everything except Quagsire (Water/Ground). Bring Grass for Quagsire and switch if Lapras starts a Perish Song clock.

Celadon City Gym Leader

Erika, Celadon City Gym

Fire is the clean route. Her team can sleep and drain, so bring an Awakening and keep tempo.

JumpluffLv 41 TangelaLv 42 VictreebelLv 46 BellossomLv 46

Jumpluff Lv 41 MovesMega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain ReadCotton Spore/Leech Seed stall.

Tangela Lv 42 MovesVine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder ReadSleep Powder + Giga Drain.

Victreebel Lv 46 MovesSunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf ReadRazor Leaf.

Bellossom Lv 46 MovesSunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolarBeam Read★ Ace — Sunny Day + SolarBeam.

Counters: Fire sweeps the whole gym if you stay ahead of the status turns. Flying, Ice, Bug, and Poison also hit hard. Carry an Awakening.

Time / Day Window

No hard time gates in southern Kanto. The Magnet Train (once running) and FlyFlying make travel instant. The rival's Indigo-Plateau rematch is on Monday/Wednesday if you want the extra XP, and you'll meet him again at Mt. Moon later.

Legendary Note

No legendary catches here, but note Eusine in Celadon — he's the trigger for the Rainbow Wing (Ho-Oh) once you've caught Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. If your beasts aren't all caught yet, keep hunting the roamers back in Johto. Lugia, Ho-Oh, and the final legendary cleanup are covered in Phase 11 and the Legendary Reference.

HM Update

No new HMs — you already have all seven. You'll lean on SurfWater, WaterfallWater, WhirlpoolWater, and Cut to navigate Kanto's water routes and reach Cerulean Cape, the Power Plant, and beyond. Keep FlyFlying for instant city hopping.

Phase 9 Checklist

• Sailed the S.S. Aqua to Vermilion.
• Caught a Dugtrio and beat Surge (ThunderElectric Badge).
• Woke and caught Snorlax with the Poké Flute radio channel.
• Beat Sabrina with Dark (Marsh Badge).
• Fixed the Power Plant, then beat Misty (Cascade Badge).
• Swept Erika with Fire (Rainbow Badge).