Ultimate Guide and Walkthrough for Pokemon Fire Red Rocket Edition

Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition stands out as a beloved fan-made ROM hack, offering players a distinctive storyline that is both engaging and entertaining from the outset. However, be prepared to uncover a variety of mechanics as you delve deeper into the game, some of which may catch you off guard.

How to Download and Play Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition

To enjoy Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition, you’ll require two essential items: a Game Boy Advance emulator and the Fire Red Rocket Edition ROM. You have multiple emulator options, but I’ve consistently had a smooth experience using mGBA. You can download it from here.

The complete ROM is accessible in a ZIP file here. After unzipping, open mGBA, click on “File”in the top menu, and select “Load ROM”to start your adventure.

Game Plot Overview

The narrative of Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition unfolds concurrently with the classic Red/Blue games, but from an innovative angle. Players assume the role of a lowly Team Rocket Grunt with ambitions of rising through the ranks and contributing to Team Rocket’s schemes.

While the iconic journey of a Trainer from Pallet Town striving to become a champion remains, this edition offers a deeper look into the undercurrents of the Pokémon universe. Characters such as Professor Oak and champion Lance exhibit different, more dubious traits, revealing the less glamorous aspects of their personas.

Your interactions and promotions within Team Rocket will soon unveil the complex truths behind figures like Giovanni, challenging the perceptions established in the original narratives.

Notable Features

• A rich, story-driven experience where you play as a Team Rocket Grunt.
• The ability to steal Pokémon from defeated Trainers.
• A unique Karma/Bounty system.
• Trade Evolutions are replaced by leveling up.
• Ascent through the ranks in Team Rocket, unlocking new privileges.
• A Gen I Pokédex supplemented with a few Gen II additions.
• A balanced difficulty curve, more challenging than the mainline games yet less daunting than specialized mods.
• Optional Gym encounters.
• Engaging and humorous dialogue throughout the game.

Best Starter Selection in Fire Red Rocket Edition

As a Team Rocket Grunt, your selection of starters differs from the traditional offerings. You start with a default Rattata and can opt for either Pidgey or Spearow. Among these, Pidgey is generally the superior choice.

Pidgey proves to be a reliable option throughout your journey, culminating in its formidable evolution into Pidgeot. Additionally, you’ll encounter an Eevee in Celadon City near Team Rocket’s hideout, which you can evolve based on your strategy; for instance, using a Thunderstone to obtain Jolteon can be advantageous.

How to Steal Pokémon

While you “choose”between Pidgey and Spearow, it’s worth noting how stealing Pokémon actually operates within the game mechanics. One of Rocket Edition’s standout features is the ability to pilfer Pokémon from your defeated opponents.

As you defeat trainers, you can opt to take a Pokémon for yourself, albeit only from specific opponent types, dictated by your rank within Team Rocket. Initially, as a Grunt, your choices are limited to stealing from children and elderly trainers until you earn promotions through the storyline, enabling you to steal from Gym Leaders and even the Elite Four!

This mechanic includes some restrictions and can make Gym battles feel less relevant until you have the rank necessary to claim those trainers’ Pokémon. Many opt to delay Gym encounters until post-game when the stealing mechanic can be fully exploited.

Gym Mechanics Are Optional

Although Gyms are traditional sources of experience points, in Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition, players can complete the game without battling any Gym Leaders, as the badge grind isn’t essential for advancing Team Rocket’s narrative.

Should you prefer to engage with Gym battles, you can start to challenge them once you reach Fuchsia City, with optional quests outlined in later sections of this guide.

Money Management in Fire Red Rocket Edition

Players quickly notice that funds are hard to come by in Fire Red Rocket Edition. Trainer encounters yield minimal monetary rewards, starkly contrasting with typical Pokémon experiences.

Budgeting becomes imperative, as healing at Pokémon Centers is often more economical than depleting your limited supply of potions. A key tip is to purchase Lemonade from the Celadon City Department Store, as it’s a cost-effective alternative to healing items.

Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition Walkthrough

This ROM hack emphasizes a narrative-driven journey, making it challenging to get lost. Throughout this guide, we’ll focus on areas where players might encounter obstacles and highlight crucial battles.

Mt. Moon

Players familiar with Red/Blue will find Mt. Moon’s layout reminiscent, featuring numerous trainers and ample opportunities for experience points.

During your time here, you will face Red, but don’t be alarmed when you suffer a mandatory defeat; it’s a scripted element in the storyline to move your journey forward.

Cerulean City Dynamics

Players may find it difficult to navigate Cerulean City without paying close attention to the dialogue. Key progression involves visiting the Daycare Center and engaging with the townsfolk.

Once situated, head north across the bridge toward Bill’s house. Although Gym battles are optional, prepare for challenging trainers along the bridge that may leave you under-leveled.

Don’t overlook the grass to the west of the bridge, where you might find an Abra, an invaluable partner destined to become a powerful Alakazam later in your journey.

Cerulean City: Battle with Blue

When returning from Bill’s location, be ready for your initial significant confrontation with Blue, who poses a considerable challenge with a mixed-level team.

Wartortle’s bulkiness and access to healing moves make it a significant threat. Consider capturing the previously mentioned Abra for effective counters. Using an Oddish for its Absorb move can also greatly facilitate this matchup.

SS Mother

SS Anne is a treasure trove of trainers awaiting battle. You can use the bedroom by the entrance for continued healing, mimicking the benefits of a Pokémon Center.

Make your way to the top deck to encounter Lance, and after the cutscene, retrieve the caged Pokémon from the captain’s quarters. Following a brief battle with the captain, you can progress further down the narrative path.

Be cautious when battling Diglett, as it utilizes powerful moves that can quickly deplete your health. After defeating the captain, you can return to heal and refine your strategy before continuing your adventure.

Lavender Town Pokémon Tower

Facing hostility in Lavender Town is part of the experience, but you have significant tasks ahead. Your next challenge involves taking on a formidable Level 30 Marowak within the Pokémon Tower.

The Marowak isn’t just tough—it’s vital to your success, as it can be captured for future use, offering a powerful addition to your roster. Once at the tower’s peak, you can challenge Mr. Fuji in a pivotal encounter.

Mr. Fuji’s team presents a significant challenge, underscoring the importance of strategic planning and potential leveling up from wild Pokémon in the surrounding areas. After achieving victory, you’ll experience a storyline advancement that leads to your first promotion.

Pallet Town Exploration

Your mission here involves locating Professor Oak, but he may not be in the lab immediately. You’ll need to explore until you trigger an event with Agatha, nudging the narrative forward.

Pallet Town: Showdown with Blue’s Sister

Once you check in on Blue’s house, expect a challenging battle against Daisy, his sister:

Utilizing a Cubone or the powerful Marowak can effectively neutralize three of Daisy’s Pokémon. After prevailing, return to Giovanni to earn HM03 Surf, setting your sights on Cinnabar Island.

Obtaining a Water Pokémon in Fire Red Rocket Edition

To access Cinnabar Island, you’ll need a Water-type Pokémon. If you haven’t caught one yet, consider heading to Mt. Moon’s Pokémon Center, where you can purchase a Magikarp for 500G.

Train it until level 20 for it to evolve into Gyarados, a formidable addition to your team, providing excellent utility and strength, especially with moves like Surf. Alternatively, you can evolve your Eevee with a Water Stone, though my preference leaned towards Jolteon.

Confronting Blaine at Cinnabar Island

Your objective here is Blaine, who has made the Pokémon Mansion his hideout rather than the Gym.

Showdown with Blaine

A solid Water Pokémon can sweep Blaine’s entire team. If you evolve Magikarp into Gyarados, you’re set to dominate with moves like Surf. Just remember to conserve your PP throughout the encounter.

Silph Building (Saffron City)

The Silph Building is a sprawling labyrinth of 11 floors filled with trainers. Patience is key as you may need to frequent Pokémon Centers for healing.

Pokemaniac Bill presents a significant challenge due to a team likely balancing around Level 42-45. Preparation and strategy will be essential if you wish to overcome him.

Challenging Pokemaniac Bill

Utilizing Marowak effectively can help you navigate around Bill’s Porygon, which relies heavily on defensive strategies. Defeating Bill will promote you to Team Rocket Executive, granting the ability to steal Pokémon from all trainers except Gym Leaders and Elite Four members.

Using the Crowbar in Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition

With the crowbar acquired, the game opens up opportunities to access locked areas. Approach a sealed door, select the Crowbar from your inventory, and you’ll be able to pass through seamlessly. It’s important to remember that there are no in-game prompts to guide you through this mechanic.

Defeating Mewtwo

Encountering Mewtwo is a key battle, distinguished by its difficulty compared to earlier challenges. You can locate this formidable opponent by Surfing from Cerulean City.

Confronting a Level 70 Mewtwo demands extensive training and clever strategy since it boasts powerful moves including Reflect and Psychic. Utilizing status ailments can provide a tactical advantage since Mewtwo does not carry healing items.

Victory Road

As you near the end of the main storyline, you may consider visiting Gyms if you’ve held off on doing so during the main game. Fuchsia City is crucial for initiating the Gym questline.

Showdown with Lance

Utilizing Ice-type moves can be especially effective against Lance’s dragon lineup. If you possess an Electric Pokémon, they can also form a solid opening against Gyarados. This sets the stage for your entry into Victory Road.

Pokémon League: Guard Eric

Eric’s team may incorporate Generation II Pokémon, but effective strategies will see you through. Be prepared to battle multiple guards on your way to the cave leading to the Pokémon League.

The Pokémon League: Elite Four

The League in Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition presents a unique experience. Without spoiling too much, be prepared to face Agatha first, rendering the initial battle unlike any from the original games.

Elite Four Agatha

Having an Alakazam can turn the tide against Agatha’s poison-types, allowing you to leverage type advantages effectively. Following Agatha, your long-anticipated showdown with Red awaits.

Battle with Red

This battle is not for the faint of heart; managing your team’s type advantages will be essential to defeating Red’s lineup. Following this grueling encounter, you will face off against Professor Oak.

Professor Oak Battle

Relying on type advantages becomes crucial when facing Professor Oak. He poses a significant challenge, so prepare a well-rounded team to withstand his powerful lineup.

Post-Game Content in Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition

Post-game content is somewhat limited in this ROM hack, which can be viewed as both a positive and negative. You can approach Gym battles after earning promotions, allowing the possibility of stealing Pokémon afterward.

Discovery within the Fuchsia City Gym will point to Koga, who indicates that his gym hasn’t seen a battler because of the missing Surf HM located in the Safari Zone—a nostalgic touch for seasoned players. Revisiting Professor Oak’s underground lab can also unveil a Level 50 Ditto.

How to Enter the Safari Zone

The Safari Zone is located north of Fuchsia City. However, entry is initially denied. You’ll need to sneak into a house east of the Pokémon Center, where you can obtain the Gold Teeth from the Warden.

Once you secure the teeth, return to the Safari Zone for access. The Secret House resides in the northwest corner, containing valuable items and encounters.

Koga – Fuchsia City Gym

Brock – Pewter City

Misty – Cerulean City

Lt. Surge – Vermilion City

Erika – Celadon City

Sabrina – Saffron City

Blaine – Cinnabar Island

Blaine’s Gym requires the Crowbar for entry, so engage with the quiz questions to navigate past trainers effectively or challenge them head-on. Correct answers grant opportunities to bypass unnecessary fights.

Ariana – Viridian City

Currently, players cannot challenge the Elite Four through standard methods even after earning every badge. However, the narrative of Pokémon Fire Red Rocket Edition concludes with a compelling experience befitting a story-focused ROM Hack.

Related Articles:

9 Underrated Indie Games That Deserve Another Opportunity

15:32December 12, 2024

Top 10 Games Featuring Enjoyable Procedurally Generated Quests

15:06December 12, 2024

Top 9 JRPGs Featuring Base Building Mechanics

14:04December 12, 2024

Top 10 Free-to-Play Games That Make Grinding Enjoyable

13:37December 12, 2024