Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen/Route 2-22

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These routes are a good place to collect more Pokémon. Route #2 is full of Rattata, along with a specimen or two that are rarely found in this area. Remember to weaken a Pokémon in battle before using a Poké Ball on it, or else it will be able to break free. The first time you come through Route #2, head into Viridian Forest to continue your journey.

Contents

[edit] Route 22

Image:Pokemon FRLG Route22.png

[edit] Pokémon found

Grass
FireRed Level Encounter Rate LeafGreen Level Encounter Rate
Rattata 2-5 45% Rattata 2-5 45%
Mankey 2-5 45% Mankey 2-5 45%
Spearow 3-5 10% Spearow 3-5 10%
Surf
FireRed Level Encounter Rate LeafGreen Level Encounter Rate
Psyduck 20-40 100% Slowpoke 20-40 100%
Old Rod
FireRed Level Encounter Rate LeafGreen Level Encounter Rate
Magikarp 5 100% Magikarp 5 100%
Good Rod
FireRed Level Encounter Rate LeafGreen Level Encounter Rate
Poliwag 5-15 60% Poliwah 5-15 60%
Magikarp 5-15 20% Magikarp 5-15 20%
Goldeen 5-15 20% Goldeen 5-15 20%
Super Rod
FireRed Level Encounter Rate LeafGreen Level Encounter Rate
Poliwag 15-25 40% Poliwag 15-25 40%
Poliwhirl 20-30 40% Poliwhirl 20-30 40%
Gyarados 15-25 15% Gyarados 15-25 15%
Psyduck 15-35 5% Slowpoke 15-35 5%
#21 Spearow #56 Mankey
Spearows may not have a third stage of evolution like Pidgeys do, but they're a bit rarer, a bit stronger, and a lot cooler (and they get better attacks too, like Fury Peck and Drill Peck). Whichever you pick, definitely get at least one Bug-stomping Flyer before you enter Viridian Forest.
Commonly found early on in Route #22, you'll find Mankeys' powerful fighting attacks to be very useful against Normal and Rock-type enemies. They learn their first Fighting-type technique, Low Kick, at Level 6.

[edit] Battle

Rival Battle #2
Name 1st 2nd Money
Image:Pokemon FRLG Rival.pngRival Pidgey 9 Rival's Starter 9 File:Pokebuck.png144

It's a good idea to take some time and train your Pokémon in Route #22. During the course of your battles, you'll have the opportunity to catch a Mankey. Be sure that you do, especially if you chose Charmander as a starter. If you also stumble upon a Spearow, it makes a nice addition to your collection. If you would like to earn extra EXP (and File:Pokebuck.png144), you can challenge your rival in Route #22 by heading west towards the pond along the top path. Before you do, make sure that you have a few strong Pokémon, and that they're fighting fit! You may wish to wait until after you've traveled through Viridian Forest to conduct this battle... or skip it entirely.

[edit] Route 2

Image:Pokemon FRLG Route02.png

When you're done in Route #22, make your way back to Viridian City and exit through the north path to reach Route #2. Much of this route is inaccessible to you early on in the game, but that will change in time. For now, your only concern is reaching the entrance to Viridian Forest. Don't bother hunting for Caterpies or Weedles out here, they're more plentiful in the forest.

[edit] Pokémon found

Grass
FireRed Level Encounter Rate LeafGreen Level Encounter Rate
Pidgey 2-5 45% Pidgey 2-5 45%
Rattata 2-5 45% Rattata 2-5 45%
Caterpie 4-5 5% Caterpie 4-5 5%
Weedle 4-5 5% Weedle 4-5 5%
#10 Caterpie #13 Weedle
Caterpies aren't worth getting too excited about. Deciding which of the two bugs to collect comes down to whether you want an awesome Pokémon sooner, or later. If you'll willing to invest a lot of time with Caterpie, he will ultimately end up as a Bug and Flying-type Butterfree that will eventually learn powerful psychic attacks.
Weedle doesn't start out much differently than Caterpies. He's pretty weak when you get him, and evolving him into Kakuna doesn't make him much better. But his evolution continues at a lightning pace, and at level 10 you'll have an awesome (at least for the early part of the game) Beedrill.

[edit] Second visit

After you beat LT. Surge in Vermilion's Gym, you will be able to come back to route 2. You will get to the area which you couldn't get to in the beginning of the game. In the first house you see a kid who will want to trade an Abra for a Mr. Mime

Trade For
Abra Mr. Mime

[edit] Items

There are also some new items that you can pick up on this route now.

  • HM 05 Flash (P. Oak's assistant)
  • Ether
  • Paralyze Heal