How to Get to Saffron City in Pokémon Red: A Complete Guide – Navigating through Pokémon Red can be an exciting adventure, especially when you’re on your way to iconic cities like Saffron City. As one of the major locations in the Kanto region, Saffron City is home to powerful trainers, Team Rocket encounters, and the famous Saffron Gym. However, getting to Saffron City for the first time can be tricky since certain obstacles and requirements must be met. This guide will cover everything you need to know to reach Saffron City in Pokémon Red, providing you with all the steps, tips, and insights to make your journey smoother.
Why Visit Saffron City?
Saffron City is one of the central hubs in Pokémon Red and serves as a location for several key events and battles. In Saffron City, you’ll encounter:
- Silph Co. Headquarters – where you battle Team Rocket and get valuable items.
- Saffron Gym – the sixth Gym where you’ll face Sabrina, a powerful Psychic-type trainer.
- Fighting Dojo – where you can earn a Hitmonchan or Hitmonlee.
- Shops and NPCs – some unique items and characters that enhance your adventure.
Saffron City also acts as a connection point between several other key cities, including Celadon City, Cerulean City, Vermilion City, and Lavender Town. It’s a central hub, so unlocking access to it makes travel between these areas much easier.
Steps to Reach Saffron City in Pokémon Red
To get to Saffron City, there are a few steps you must complete to bypass obstacles like thirsty guards and barricades. Here’s how you can make it through each of the main requirements.
Step 1: Progress to Celadon City
Celadon City is a crucial stop on your journey to Saffron City because it’s where you’ll find items necessary for accessing Saffron City. If you haven’t already, make your way to Celadon City by traveling west from Lavender Town or through the underground path from Vermilion City.
- From Lavender Town: Go west along Route 8, battling trainers along the way. Once you reach the gate blocking Saffron City, take the underground path that leads directly to Celadon City.
- From Vermilion City: Travel north to Route 6, pass through the guardhouse, and take the underground path to Celadon City.
Step 2: Obtain a Drink for the Saffron Guards
The guards stationed around the entrances to Saffron City will block your entry unless you bring them a drink. In Pokémon Red, this is the key requirement for getting into Saffron City. Here’s how to get the drink and proceed:
- Visit the Celadon Department Store: Go to the department store in Celadon City, located on the left side of the town.
- Go to the Rooftop Vending Machines: Head up to the rooftop of the department store. You’ll find vending machines where you can purchase drinks.
- Buy Any Drink: The guard will accept any drink (Fresh Water, Soda Pop, or Lemonade), but Fresh Water is the most affordable option. Purchase one or more drinks to be on the safe side.
Step 3: Head to Saffron City’s Gates and Offer the Drink
Once you have the drink in hand, return to any of the guard stations surrounding Saffron City. When you attempt to enter, the guard will notice your drink and ask for one. After you give him the drink, he’ll allow you to pass, granting you permanent access to Saffron City from that point forward.
Tip: The drink-sharing action unlocks all four entrances to Saffron City, so you won’t need to repeat this process for every entrance.
Key Locations in Saffron City
Once inside Saffron City, you’ll find a variety of notable locations and challenges. Here’s a quick rundown of what to look for and where to go next:
1. Silph Co. Headquarters
Silph Co. is a large office building located in the center of Saffron City. It’s currently under siege by Team Rocket, so your task here is to battle your way through the floors, defeat Team Rocket, and free the building from their control.
Tips for Silph Co.:
Bring plenty of healing items and status restores, as the building has many Rocket Grunts.
Find the Card Key on one of the floors to open locked doors.
Prepare for a battle with your rival and a final showdown with Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket.
2. Saffron Gym
The Saffron Gym is the official Pokémon Gym of Saffron City, specializing in Psychic-type Pokémon. Here, you’ll face Sabrina, a powerful trainer known for her Psychic attacks.
Tips for Saffron Gym:
- Psychic Pokémon are weak to Bug, Dark, and Ghost moves. In Pokémon Red, Bug-type moves like Twineedle (used by Beedrill) can be effective.
- The Gym has teleport pads that transport you between rooms. Take your time to memorize the teleport patterns to reach Sabrina faster.
3. Fighting Dojo
Next to the Saffron Gym is the Fighting Dojo, which offers a great training opportunity. You’ll face a series of Fighting-type trainers here, and if you defeat the Karate Master, you’ll get to choose between two Fighting-type Pokémon as a reward: Hitmonchan or Hitmonlee.
Tip: Fighting types are weak to Flying and Psychic moves, so Pokémon like Pidgeotto or Kadabra work well in this dojo.
Additional Points of Interest in Saffron City
1. Pokémon Center and Poké Mart
Like every major city, Saffron has a Pokémon Center and a Poké Mart. Be sure to heal your Pokémon and stock up on items before tackling the challenges in Silph Co. and the Gym.
2. Mr. Psychic’s House
Mr. Psychic lives in a house located on the southeastern side of Saffron City. Talk to him to receive TM29, which contains the move Psychic—a powerful Psychic-type attack that can be invaluable in battles, especially against Fighting and Poison types.
Strategies for Battling in Saffron City
1. Build a Team to Counter Psychic Types
Since Saffron City’s Gym specializes in Psychic Pokémon, it’s crucial to prepare a team that can counter them. Here are a few suggestions:
- Bug-Type Pokémon: Beedrill, with moves like Twineedle, is effective against Psychic-types.
- High-Speed Attackers: Pokémon that are fast and can deal powerful physical attacks can help overcome Psychic-types’ generally lower Defense.
- Dark-Type Moves: While not available in Pokémon Red, if you have access to moves that mimic Dark-type traits, use them to your advantage.
2. Level Up Before Entering Silph Co.
The battles in Silph Co. can be challenging, with multiple floors of Team Rocket Grunts and higher-level Pokémon. It’s wise to train your team to around level 35-40 before entering.
Tip: Train on routes surrounding Saffron City or revisit past Gyms to level up your Pokémon efficiently.
Final Tips for Exploring Saffron City
- Stock Up on Potions and Revives: The battles in both Silph Co. and the Saffron Gym can be tough. Make sure you’re prepared with plenty of healing items.
- Save Often: Before challenging major trainers or bosses, save your game in case you need to reset and try again.
- Take Advantage of Mr. Psychic’s Gift: Psychic is one of the strongest moves available in Pokémon Red, so use it wisely and teach it to a Pokémon that can benefit from it.
Conclusion
Saffron City is one of the most engaging locations in Pokémon Red, filled with powerful trainers, storyline developments, and rewards. Getting to Saffron City may require some initial legwork, but once you’re inside, you’ll have access to valuable experiences and items that can enhance your gameplay. From battling Team Rocket in Silph Co. to challenging Sabrina for the Marsh Badge, Saffron City offers a variety of challenges and benefits that make it worth the journey. Follow the steps in this guide to ensure a smooth path to Saffron City and make the most of all it has to offer in your Pokémon Red adventure.
