Pokémon FireRed, a beloved remake of the original Pokémon Red, throws players into the vibrant Kanto region. As you journey through this pixelated landscape, you’ll inevitably encounter small trees blocking your path. These aren’t just aesthetic obstacles; they guard hidden areas, crucial items, and shortcuts that can significantly impact your adventure. Learning how to cut these trees is a fundamental skill for any aspiring Pokémon Master. This guide will provide a detailed walkthrough on acquiring the necessary HM, teaching it to your Pokémon, and effectively using Cut to navigate the world.
Acquiring HM01: Cut – Your Tree-Trimming Tool
The first step in becoming a tree-clearing expert is obtaining HM01, the Hidden Machine containing the move Cut. This isn’t something you stumble upon randomly; it requires a specific sequence of events and a bit of navigational prowess.
Rescuing the S.S. Anne Captain
Your journey to acquire Cut begins in Vermilion City, a bustling port town located south of Cerulean City. Upon arriving, you’ll notice a large ship, the S.S. Anne, docked at the harbor. However, you won’t be able to board immediately. A pesky obstacle stands in your way: a Team Rocket grunt guarding the entrance. Defeat him in battle, and he’ll reluctantly relinquish his post, granting you access to the ship.
Inside the S.S. Anne, you’ll need to navigate a maze of cabins and corridors, battling trainers and collecting items along the way. Your ultimate goal is to reach the Captain’s quarters, located on the upper deck. You’ll find the Captain suffering from seasickness. To alleviate his ailment, massage his back repeatedly by pressing the ‘A’ button when prompted. As a token of his gratitude for your assistance, he will bestow upon you HM01, Cut. This is the key to unlocking new pathways and secrets throughout the Kanto region.
Important Considerations Before Leaving the S.S. Anne
Before disembarking from the S.S. Anne, there are a couple of crucial things to keep in mind. Firstly, the ship will permanently leave the harbor after you receive Cut. This means you won’t be able to return to explore any areas you may have missed. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to thoroughly explore the ship, battling all trainers and collecting all items before proceeding.
Secondly, consider the Pokémon you plan to teach Cut to. The move itself is a relatively weak Normal-type attack, so ideally, you’ll want to teach it to a Pokémon that can learn it without sacrificing a more valuable move slot. This is especially important for the early stages of the game, where your team composition is still developing.
Teaching Cut to Your Pokémon
Now that you possess HM01, Cut, the next step is to teach it to one of your Pokémon. However, not all Pokémon are capable of learning this move. Certain Pokémon types, particularly Grass-types and Normal-types, are generally the most compatible with Cut.
Selecting the Right Pokémon for the Job
When choosing a Pokémon to learn Cut, consider its overall stats and the other moves it knows. Ideally, you want a Pokémon that can learn Cut without hindering its ability to perform well in battles. For example, teaching Cut to a powerful attacking Pokémon that already has a strong moveset might be detrimental, as it would be sacrificing a more valuable move slot.
Some popular choices for learning Cut in Pokémon FireRed include:
- Bulbasaur/Ivysaur/Venusaur: As a Grass-type starter, Bulbasaur and its evolutions can naturally learn Cut without sacrificing too much offensive potential.
- Oddish/Gloom/Vileplume: Similar to Bulbasaur, Oddish and its evolutions are Grass-types that can effectively utilize Cut.
- Mankey/Primeape: Mankey and Primeape, being Fighting-types, can learn Cut and still maintain their offensive prowess.
- Farfetch’d: This Normal/Flying-type Pokémon is a viable option, especially if you need a Flying-type on your team.
- Nidoran♂/Nidorino/Nidoking: These Poison-type Pokémon can learn Cut and offer decent offensive capabilities.
- Nidoran♀/Nidorina/Nidoqueen: Similar to their male counterparts, these Poison-type Pokémon can learn Cut and contribute to your team.
Once you’ve chosen a suitable Pokémon, simply navigate to your party menu, select the Pokémon, and choose the option to use HM01. The game will then prompt you to teach Cut to the selected Pokémon.
Important Note: HMs and Move Deletion
Unlike TMs (Technical Machines), HMs are generally permanent moves. This means that once a Pokémon learns an HM move, it cannot be forgotten or replaced through normal means. The only way to remove an HM move is by visiting the Move Deleter, an NPC located in Celadon City. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully consider which Pokémon you teach Cut to, as you’ll be stuck with the move until you reach Celadon City.
Using Cut to Overcome Obstacles
With Cut now learned by one of your Pokémon, you’re ready to start clearing those pesky trees that block your path.
Locating Cuttable Trees
Cuttable trees are easily identifiable by their small size and distinct appearance. They typically resemble small shrubs or bushes, and they’re often found blocking pathways, guarding hidden areas, or creating shortcuts.
Initiating the Cut Action
To cut a tree, simply stand directly in front of it and access your party menu. Select the Pokémon that knows Cut, and choose the option to use the move. The Pokémon will then automatically perform Cut, clearing the tree and opening up the path.
Navigating Post-Cut Areas
Once you’ve cleared a tree, be sure to thoroughly explore the area it was blocking. These areas often contain valuable items, hidden trainers, or shortcuts that can significantly aid you on your journey. Some areas might even lead to entirely new locations that were previously inaccessible.
Strategic Use of Cut Throughout Your Journey
Cut isn’t just a one-time tool; it’s a valuable asset that you’ll use throughout your entire Pokémon FireRed adventure.
Early-Game Advantages
In the early game, Cut can provide access to valuable items and shortcuts that can give you a significant advantage. For example, cutting the trees near Viridian Forest can lead to hidden items and trainers that can help you level up your Pokémon quickly.
Mid-Game Exploration
As you progress through the game, Cut becomes essential for exploring new areas and uncovering secrets. Many routes and caves have hidden passages that are only accessible by cutting down trees. These hidden areas often contain rare Pokémon, powerful items, or even legendary encounters.
Late-Game Completion
Even in the late game, Cut remains a useful tool for completing your Pokédex and uncovering all the secrets of the Kanto region. Some Pokémon are only found in areas that are accessible via Cut, and some post-game quests require you to clear trees to reach certain locations.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
Even with a clear understanding of the process, some players may encounter difficulties when trying to use Cut. Here are some common mistakes and troubleshooting tips:
- Forgetting to Acquire Cut: The most common mistake is simply forgetting to obtain HM01 from the Captain of the S.S. Anne. Make sure you complete this step before attempting to cut any trees.
- Choosing the Wrong Pokémon: Ensure that the Pokémon you’re trying to teach Cut to is actually capable of learning the move. Check its move compatibility list to confirm.
- Forgetting the Move: Make sure the Pokémon you intend to use has Cut as a move. If you have accidentally overwritten Cut, you will need to visit the Move Deleter in Celadon City to remove the move from another Pokemon and reteach Cut to the intended Pokemon.
- Not Standing in the Right Position: You must be standing directly in front of the tree for Cut to work. Ensure that there are no obstructions between you and the tree.
- The Tree is not Cuttable: Not every tree is cuttable, only small trees can be cut.
- Not having the First Badge: You need the first badge in order to use Cut outside of battle.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Tree-Cutting
Cutting trees in Pokémon FireRed is more than just a simple task; it’s a fundamental skill that unlocks new pathways, uncovers hidden secrets, and ultimately enhances your overall gaming experience. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to acquire HM01, teach Cut to your Pokémon, and effectively use it to navigate the world. So, grab your HM, choose your Pokémon wisely, and get ready to clear the path to becoming a Pokémon Master! Remember to explore every nook and cranny you uncover, as you never know what treasures or challenges await you beyond those seemingly insignificant trees.
FAQ 1: What is required to cut trees in Pokémon FireRed?
To cut down those pesky small trees blocking your path in Pokémon FireRed, you need the HM01, Cut, and a Pokémon capable of learning it. HM01, Cut, can be obtained on the S.S. Anne. Make sure you complete the events on the ship before it sails away, as you cannot return to obtain it later in the game. Speaking to the captain after dealing with Team Rocket will reward you with the HM.
Once you have the HM01, Cut, you must teach it to a compatible Pokémon in your party. Popular choices include Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, and Oddish. After teaching your Pokémon Cut, select the move in the overworld from your Pokémon’s move list, and you’ll be able to interact with small trees. Simply press the A button when facing the tree to cut it down and clear the path.
FAQ 2: Which Pokémon can learn Cut in FireRed?
Several Pokémon are capable of learning the HM01, Cut, in Pokémon FireRed. Grass-type Pokémon are generally a safe bet, as many of them can learn the move. Some of the most commonly used Pokémon for Cut include Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel, Exeggcute, Exeggutor, and Scyther.
However, don’t limit yourself to just Grass-types. Pokémon like Sandshrew, Sandslash, Mankey, Primeape, Nidoran (Male & Female), Nidorino, Nidorina, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Paras, Parasect, Pinsir, and Krabby can also learn Cut. Choose a Pokémon that fits well with your overall team composition and that you are comfortable using outside of its HM utility.
FAQ 3: Where is the S.S. Anne located in FireRed?
The S.S. Anne is located in Vermilion City. To access the ship, you need to first obtain the S.S. Ticket from Bill, the Pokémon researcher who turned himself into a Pokémon through a faulty teleportation experiment. Bill’s Sea Cottage is located north of Cerulean City. After saving Bill, he will give you the S.S. Ticket.
Once you have the S.S. Ticket, head to Vermilion City’s port. Show the ticket to the sailor guarding the entrance to the S.S. Anne. You will then be allowed to board the ship, where you can explore and eventually obtain the HM01, Cut, after helping the ship’s captain.
FAQ 4: Can I teach Cut to more than one Pokémon?
Yes, you can teach Cut to multiple Pokémon in Pokémon FireRed if you desire. Since HM moves are reusable, you can teach HM01 to as many Pokémon as are compatible with it. This can be useful if you want to have multiple Pokémon that can perform the action or if you’re building a team that specifically utilizes Cut in combat.
While you can teach it to multiple Pokémon, remember that HMs cannot be forgotten through normal means. If you later decide you no longer want a Pokémon to know Cut, you’ll need to visit the Move Deleter, located in Fuchsia City. The Move Deleter will remove the HM move, freeing up a move slot for a more strategically valuable attack.
FAQ 5: Is Cut a good move to use in battle?
Generally, Cut is not considered a very strong move to use in battle. It has a low base power of 50 and a normal type, which offers limited super effective coverage. There are many other Normal-type attacks and attacks of other types available in FireRed that offer much higher damage output and potentially other beneficial effects.
While it might be useful early in the game before you have access to better moves, Cut should be replaced as soon as possible. Focus on teaching your Pokémon more powerful and strategically useful moves that can give you an edge in trainer battles and against the Elite Four.
FAQ 6: Can I use Cut without having the badge from Lt. Surge?
No, you cannot use Cut outside of battle until you have obtained the Thunder Badge from Lt. Surge in Vermilion City. Even if you have taught Cut to a Pokémon, the game will prevent you from using it in the overworld to cut down trees unless you have the corresponding badge. This mechanic is in place for all HMs to prevent players from sequence breaking the game.
This means you’ll need to defeat Lt. Surge and earn the Thunder Badge before you can progress through areas that require cutting down trees. Make sure your Pokémon are adequately leveled and you have a strategy to defeat Lt. Surge’s electric-type Pokémon before attempting the Gym challenge.
FAQ 7: What happens if the S.S. Anne sails away before I get Cut?
If the S.S. Anne sails away before you obtain HM01, Cut, you will not be able to obtain it on that save file. The S.S. Anne only appears once in the game, and once it leaves Vermilion City, it is gone permanently. Missing the opportunity to get Cut on the S.S. Anne can significantly impact your gameplay.
This forces you to restart your game save if you require this HM. Because Cut is essential for progressing through certain areas of the game, such as navigating through Route 11 or accessing certain items and areas in other routes, missing it would result in getting blocked from certain areas. Always ensure you prioritize completing the events on the S.S. Anne before it departs.