Surfing is a quintessential part of the Pokémon experience, opening up new areas, Pokémon, and challenges. In Pokémon Red, obtaining the Surf HM is crucial for progressing through the game and completing your Pokédex. This article will provide a detailed walkthrough on how to acquire Surf in Pokémon Red, ensuring you don’t miss any steps along the way.
Navigating the Safari Zone and Finding the Secret House
The path to Surf begins in the Safari Zone, a unique location where you catch Pokémon using a timed-based exploration and limited Safari Balls. It’s essential to be prepared with patience and a solid strategy for capturing the elusive Pokémon found within its boundaries.
Preparing for the Safari Zone Adventure
Before you even step foot inside the Safari Zone, it’s wise to prepare yourself. You’ll need to pay the entrance fee of 500 Pokédollars, which grants you access and 30 Safari Balls. It is a good idea to save your game before entering to reload if things go south.
Make sure you have a team of Pokémon with varying types and moves. While you won’t be battling wild Pokémon in the traditional sense, having a Pokémon with high attack power to quickly weaken potential catches is helpful. Status moves like Sleep or Paralysis can significantly increase your chances of a successful capture.
Don’t forget to stock up on Potions and other healing items before entering the Safari Zone. You may need them to heal your Pokémon after encountering strong wild Pokémon. The Safari Zone can be a drain on your resources, so come prepared.
Reaching the Secret House and Retrieving HM03
The goal in the Safari Zone is to reach a specific area containing a Secret House. This house holds the precious HM03, Surf. Navigating the Safari Zone can be tricky due to its maze-like layout and limited steps.
The Safari Zone comprises several distinct areas, each with its own unique set of Pokémon. You’ll need to navigate through these areas carefully, using the landmarks to guide you. Keep an eye out for signposts, as they can provide valuable clues about the path ahead.
The trick to navigation is to move between zones, picking up items such as the Gold Teeth. The Gold Teeth are essential to the story, allowing you to calm the warden of the Fuchsia City gym and allow you to learn the move strength.
The Secret House is located in the final area of the Safari Zone. The quickest way to reach this area is by heading east from the entrance, then south, and finally west.
Once you reach the Secret House, head inside and you will find a man standing near a table. Talk to him, and he will reward you with the HM03 Surf.
Teaching Surf to Your Pokémon and Overcoming Obstacles
After obtaining Surf, the next step is teaching it to a compatible Pokémon. Not all Pokémon can learn Surf, so choose wisely based on your team composition and strategic needs.
Identifying and Teaching Surf to a Suitable Pokémon
Not every Pokémon in Red Version can learn Surf. Water-type Pokémon are generally the most suitable candidates. Some popular choices include Blastoise, Lapras, and Gyarados. These Pokémon are not only strong in battle but also capable of learning Surf, making them valuable additions to your team.
Once you’ve chosen a Pokémon, navigate to your inventory and select the HM03 Surf. Use the HM on the chosen Pokémon, and it will learn the move. Keep in mind that HMs are permanent moves, so choose wisely.
Surf is a powerful Water-type move that deals significant damage in battle. It also allows you to traverse water bodies, opening up new areas to explore.
Utilizing Surf to Access Previously Unreachable Areas
With Surf in your arsenal, you can now access previously unreachable areas of the Kanto region. This opens up new opportunities for catching rare Pokémon, completing side quests, and progressing through the main storyline.
One of the first areas you’ll likely want to explore is the Seafoam Islands, located between Pallet Town and Cinnabar Island. This area is home to powerful Pokémon like Articuno, one of the legendary birds.
Surf is also essential for reaching Cinnabar Island, where you can challenge the final Gym Leader, Blaine, and access the Pokémon Mansion, a research facility filled with secrets and powerful Pokémon.
The move is also required to explore the Power Plant where you may find Zapdos and also go through many other water routes throughout the world.
Strategic Considerations When Using Surf
Surf can be used strategically in battle. As a Water-type move, it is super effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon. However, it is not very effective against Water, Grass, and Dragon-type Pokémon.
Keep in mind that Surf has a power of 95 and an accuracy of 100%, making it a reliable and powerful move. It can be a valuable asset in your arsenal, especially when facing opponents weak to Water-type attacks.
Remember, you can only use Surf outside of battle once you’ve obtained the Soul Badge from the Fuchsia City Gym. This requires you to defeat Koga, the Gym Leader, and prove your strength as a trainer.
Beyond Surf: Exploring the World and Completing Your Pokédex
Obtaining Surf is a significant milestone in Pokémon Red, but it’s only the beginning of your adventure. With Surf, you can explore the world, catch rare Pokémon, and complete your Pokédex.
Hunting Rare Pokémon with Surf’s Assistance
Surf opens up access to several areas where you can find rare and powerful Pokémon. The Seafoam Islands, for example, are home to Articuno, one of the legendary birds.
You can also find Pokémon like Seel, Shellder, and Krabby in the waters surrounding Cinnabar Island. These Pokémon can be valuable additions to your team, especially if you’re looking to diversify your type coverage.
Don’t forget to use your fishing rod while surfing. You can encounter different Pokémon depending on the type of rod you use. The Old Rod will catch weaker Pokémon, while the Good Rod and Super Rod will attract stronger and rarer ones.
Completing the Pokédex and Becoming a Pokémon Master
One of the ultimate goals in Pokémon Red is to complete your Pokédex. This requires you to catch or evolve all 151 Pokémon in the game. Surf makes this task much easier by allowing you to access previously unreachable areas where you can find new Pokémon.
To complete your Pokédex, you’ll need to explore every corner of the Kanto region, battling trainers, solving puzzles, and catching Pokémon along the way. Surf is an essential tool for this journey, allowing you to traverse water bodies and access hidden areas.
Remember, you can trade Pokémon with friends to obtain Pokémon that are exclusive to Pokémon Blue or that are difficult to find in your version of the game. Trading is a key component of completing the Pokédex.
The End Game: Challenging the Elite Four and Champion
Once you’ve obtained all eight badges and completed your Pokédex (or at least made significant progress), you’ll be ready to challenge the Elite Four and the Champion. This is the ultimate test of your skills as a Pokémon trainer.
The Elite Four consists of four powerful trainers, each specializing in a different type of Pokémon. Lorelei specializes in Ice-type Pokémon, Bruno specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon, Agatha specializes in Ghost-type Pokémon, and Lance specializes in Dragon-type Pokémon.
After defeating the Elite Four, you’ll face the Champion, who is often your rival. The Champion has a well-rounded team of powerful Pokémon, so you’ll need to be prepared for a tough battle.
By obtaining Surf, exploring the world, catching rare Pokémon, and honing your skills as a trainer, you can conquer the Elite Four and become the Pokémon Champion.
Troubleshooting Common Issues and FAQs
While obtaining Surf is a relatively straightforward process, some players may encounter issues along the way. This section addresses common problems and provides solutions to help you overcome them.
What to do if you run out of Safari Balls
If you run out of Safari Balls before reaching the Secret House, you’ll be automatically ejected from the Safari Zone. You’ll need to pay the entrance fee again to re-enter and continue your search for the Surf HM. To prevent this, be conservative with your Safari Balls and focus on catching Pokémon that you really want. You can also try weakening Pokémon before throwing a Safari Ball, but be careful not to knock them out.
What to do if you can’t find the Secret House
If you’re having trouble finding the Secret House, refer to online maps or walkthroughs of the Safari Zone. These resources can provide visual guidance and help you navigate the maze-like layout. Remember, the Secret House is located in the final area of the Safari Zone, so you’ll need to explore thoroughly to find it.
What to do if you can’t teach Surf to your Pokémon
If you’re unable to teach Surf to your Pokémon, make sure that the Pokémon is compatible with the HM. Water-type Pokémon are generally the best candidates, but some other Pokémon can also learn Surf. Check the Pokémon’s move set to see if it can learn HM03.
Also, make sure that you have the Soul Badge from the Fuchsia City Gym. Without this badge, you won’t be able to use Surf outside of battle, even if your Pokémon has learned the move.
The Importance of Saving Frequently
Throughout your journey in Pokémon Red, remember to save your game frequently. This will prevent you from losing progress in case of a blackout, game crash, or other unexpected event. Save before entering the Safari Zone, before challenging a Gym Leader, and before exploring a new area. This will ensure that you can always pick up where you left off without having to repeat long stretches of gameplay.
Where exactly do I find the Secret Medicine needed to cure the Pokémon blocking the path to Surf?
The Secret Medicine is located in the Safari Zone. After entering, navigate through the various zones to reach the Secret House. The path is somewhat intricate, involving numerous HM moves like Cut and Strength, along with strategic use of the park’s mechanics to progress. Be prepared for random encounters with high-level Pokémon while you search.
Once you’ve reached the Secret House, talk to the man inside. He’ll hand over the Secret Medicine. Remember to use Repels to minimize encounters and save time while searching. The Safari Zone charges an entry fee, so plan your exploration carefully to maximize your steps before time runs out.
What Pokémon is capable of learning Surf in Pokémon Red?
Several Water-type Pokémon can learn Surf in Pokémon Red, providing you with options for traveling across water. Popular choices include Blastoise, Gyarados, Lapras, and Vaporeon. Each Pokémon has its own strengths and weaknesses, so consider their other stats and movepools when deciding which one to teach Surf.
In addition to the aforementioned, other Pokémon like Tentacruel, Golduck, and Starmie can also learn Surf. Explore the different Water-type options to find one that fits your team composition and strategic preferences. Don’t forget to consider access to other helpful HM moves as well when making your decision.
How do I teach Surf to my Pokémon after obtaining the HM?
Once you have the HM03 Surf, navigate to your bag’s item menu. Select the HM03 Surf and choose “Use”. A list of compatible Pokémon in your party will appear. Select the Pokémon you wish to teach Surf to, and confirm your choice.
Keep in mind that once a Pokémon learns an HM move, it cannot be deleted by a Move Deleter until you reach the post-game. Therefore, carefully consider which Pokémon you want to teach Surf to, as you might be stuck with it on their moveset for a significant portion of the game. Some Pokémon may be better suited for HM moves than others.
What happens if I run out of steps in the Safari Zone before finding the Secret Medicine?
If you run out of steps in the Safari Zone before obtaining the Secret Medicine, you will automatically be returned to the entrance. You will need to pay the entry fee again to re-enter and continue your search. The map layout remains consistent, so you can use previous attempts to refine your route.
To avoid running out of steps repeatedly, plan your route carefully beforehand, use Repels to minimize encounters, and consider catching a Pokémon that knows Cut or Strength early to avoid having to return to town frequently. Prioritize reaching the Secret House as efficiently as possible.
Where can I find a good Water-type Pokémon to teach Surf to early in the game?
One of the earliest accessible Water-type Pokémon is Magikarp, purchasable from a Pokémon Center salesman for 500 Pokédollars. While initially weak, Magikarp evolves into the powerful Gyarados at level 20. Gyarados is a dual-type Water/Flying Pokémon with excellent Attack and Special Defense stats, making it a strong Surf user.
Another option is to acquire a Tentacool by surfing around Cinnabar Island or other coastal areas. Tentacool evolves into Tentacruel, a Water/Poison type with high Special and Speed stats. While not available as early as Magikarp, Tentacool can be a reliable and readily available HM slave once you reach that point in the game.
Why is Surf important in Pokémon Red?
Surf is essential in Pokémon Red because it allows you to traverse water routes and access new areas of the game. These areas often contain valuable items, rare Pokémon, and crucial locations for advancing the storyline. Without Surf, you cannot complete the game or explore its full potential.
Beyond simply opening up new areas, Surf is also a powerful Water-type attack, making it a valuable asset in battles. Its relatively high base power and good accuracy make it a reliable choice for dealing significant damage to opponents, particularly those weak to Water-type moves. It serves both a navigational and combat purpose.
What are some strategies for navigating the Safari Zone efficiently?
Effective navigation in the Safari Zone hinges on strategic planning and resource management. Before entering, map out a route that prioritizes reaching the Secret House. Utilize online guides or maps if necessary. Stock up on Repels to minimize random encounters, as each encounter consumes valuable steps.
Remember to pack Pokémon that know Cut and Strength to remove obstacles quickly. Avoid unnecessary detours or backtracking. When battling wild Pokémon in the Safari Zone, focus on quickly capturing them to avoid wasting time. Each captured Pokémon also earns you experience points, contributing to your team’s overall strength.