Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen/Route 16

Route 16

Also known as "Cycling Road," Routes 16, 17, and 18 are a favorite hangout for bicyclists and motorcyclists alike. It just so happens that many of these two-wheeling enthusiasts are Pokémon trainers as well, and you must fight your way down the long slope to Fuchsia City.

Before you head past the gate guard, use the cut move on the tree blocking the northern part of Route 16. Here is your first chance to catch a wild Doduo. It's also where a secret house is, importantly containing HM02 Fly. This groundbreaking move (in terms of game progress) lets you fly directly to Pokémon Centers that you've visited before. In battle, it's a two-turn Flying-type move that is similar to Dig. If you want Doduo on your team, teaching it Fly isn't the worst choice. The game conveniently places Fly-able wild Pokémon next to where you get Fly.

Snorlax

You won't get too far in Route 16 since a sleeping Snorlax is blocking the path. To wake it up, use the Poké Flute and face this boss-like foe encounter. There are only two wild Snorlax in the game (with the other one on Route 12), so it's best to capture at least one.

#143 Snorlax

Snorlax learns some decent attacks at level 35 and beyond, remaining mainly defensive initially. It has plenty of hit points, knows the Rest move and wakes from it quickly. Don't let the fact that Snorlax is a Normal type Pokémon from not considering it to be a part of your team, as it grows to be very strong, and with the addition of some TM's, it will become a force to be reckoned with.

Pokémon found

FireRed and LeafGreen
Pokémon		Level	Rate
	Rattata	18,20,22	30%
	Raticate	23,25	5%
	Spearow	20,22	30%
	Doduo	18,20,22	35%

Trainers

FireRed and LeafGreen
Trainer	Pokemon
Young Couple Lea & Jed Reward: 1624	Rapidash Lv. 29 Ninetales Lv. 29
Biker Lao Reward: 580	Grimer Lv. 29 Koffing Lv. 29
Cue Ball Koji Reward: 672	Machop Lv. 28 Mankey Lv. 28 Machop Lv. 28
Cue Ball Luke Reward: 686	Mankey Lv. 29 Machop Lv. 29
Biker Hideo Reward: 660	Weezing Lv. 33
Biker Ruben Reward: 560	Weezing Lv. 28 Koffing Lv. 28 Weezing Lv. 28
Cue Ball Camron Reward: 696	Mankey Lv. 29 Machop Lv. 29

New Pokémon

#84 Doduo

Doduo is arguably the best Flying/Normal Pokémon encountered in the wild. Doduo learns mostly Flying and Normal attacks, so most of its moves get a STAB advantage. At level 21, Doduo learns Tri Attack, a great Normal Move with 20% chance of Burning, Freezing, or Paralyzing the opponent. Doduo can also (strangely enough) learn Fly by HM, increasing its usefulness. Doduo learns Drill Peck, a very strong Flying attack that can mow down any Fighting, Grass and Bug Pokémon, at level 37. It might be worthwhile not to let Doduo evolve until after it learns this great move, as Dodrio only learns it at level 47.

Its evolved form, Dodrio, is fairly speedy and a strong attacker, so it remains a good choice for an Elite Four team, especially if you don't want the hassle of raising other more powerful Flying Pokémon, namely Aerodactyl or Dragonite.

Items

• HM02 (Fly) (Given to you by the girl in the northwest area's house)
• Amulet Coin (Given to you by one of Professor Oak's aides at the gate for having owned at least 40 different species of Pokémon)
• Leftovers (Hidden and "buried" on the spot where Snorlax stands, unearthed with the ItemFinder)

The Amulet Coin is an item to be held by a Pokémon that doubles battle earnings if the Pokémon participates in the battle. It is one of the requirements to be easily wealthy on the game. Leftovers is another important and popular item to be held by a Pokémon and that is geared toward advanced players, given the special way that it's hidden, requiring clearing out Snorlax. It recovers a Pokémon's health one bit at a time.