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Gifts

Recieving free Pokémon is a game staple and in HGSS you have the oppotunity to pick up six freebies. HGSS has the same number of freebies as GS but some of the circumstances have changed.

The only thing you will need to get these Pokémon is an open spot in your party. With that in mind let's look at what you will be getting.

Mystery Egg Togepi

Your first mission in the game is to pickup a mysterious item from Mr. Pokémon and to bring it back to Professor Elm for research. At this time the egg is still a key item and you'll have to bring it back to the Professor and continue on your quest.

After making your way through Violet City Gym and defeating Falkner, Professor Elm will call you and inform you that his aide is waiting in the PokéMart with something for you to pick up. Obviously it is a Togepi and the good news it will hatch with an egg move: Extrasensory.

Returning Webster's Spearow (Or not)

As you exit Goldenrod through its north gatehouse you can talk to the guard on duty. He's got a Spearow with mail attached to it that he wants you to take to his friend, Webster, up on Rt. 31. While you have this Spearow you will not be able to deposit it into the PC with the mail attached. So, to deposit it you can remove the mail (I suggest depositing it straight to carry on with your journey and deal with this mini-quest when you make it to Webster on Rt. 31).

Once you have made it to Rt. 31 you can give the mail to Webster either by attaching the mail to any Pokémon at all, or by reattaching it to the Spearow, named Kenya. Its up to you but why not keep the Spearow?

Bill's Eevee

There is no other way to get Eevee in HGSS (with the exception of the Sightseeing PokéWalker course, though a special download is required for it). So why not pick up this Eevee? If you decide to, you'll first need have met Bill in Ecruteak City.

Later, when you have made it to Goldenrod City journey behind the PokéCenter, near the southern entrance of the Goldenrod Underground. In the house there is Bill lives and you can pick up the first Pokémon he sent through the PC system that he designed, Eevee. While there is nothing particular about this Eevee it is the only way to get one ingame and you can always breed it for better things.

Saving Kirk's Shuckle

In GS you would have recieved a level 15 Shuckle from a person named Mania. In HGSS the situaion is the same, only the level, learnset, and original trainer are different. What is that situation?

It just so happens that the Sneasel that is being used by Silver/your rival, belonged to this person originally. Silver stole it, just like the starter Pokémon he took all the way back in the beginning of the game. At any rate, Kirk does not want his Shuckle to end up in the hands of criminal and you look like a trusty trainer, so have a Shuckle.

ExtremeSpeed Dratini

ExtremeSpeed Dratini is likely the most sought after of either the gift, ingame trade or plot Pokémon because the move is fairly rare, very usable, and can now be breed onto future Dratini for use. What's more is the requirements to get it have, seemingly, been confusing and have resulted in lots of questions and discussion. Below we'll walk step-by-step through how to get it.

You will have the opportunity to get ExtremeSpeed Dratini in the Dragon's Den by answering some questions asked by the Elder there. First you will need to defeat Clair, she won't give you your badge just yet... Before heading out to the Dragon's Den make sure you have Pokémon that know the moves: Surf and Whirlpool.

Navigate your way around the cave, completing any battles and picking any items you find up. When you are ready you will surf to the left side of the down and then south to enter the temple here. Once inside you will be asked a series of questions, your answers will determine if you get ExtremeSpeed Dratini or just a plain-old Dratini. The correct set of answers are below...

1. Ally
2. Training
3. Anyone
4. Love
5. Both

After answering the questions, Clair will show up and award you your eighth badge. The Elder will then explain about your games' specific legendary bird. After this attempt to leave the Dragon's Den. Clair will stop you and give you TM59 (Dragon Pulse).

You should now be able to return to the temple to get your Dratini. If you answered the questions as provided it will know ExtremeSpeed, otherwise it will know Leer. If the Elder does not give you your Dratini, exit and then re-enter the den.

Earning the Karate King's Tyrogue

The Fighting Dojo in Saffron City, the former home of the Karate King, is being used by Gym Leaders from Johto and Kanto for rematches. But where did the Karate King go? Well, his assistant explains that he is out at Mt. Mortar training; apparently his loss to Trainer Red was a bit too much for him to handle. Why not head out to Mt. Mortar and find the Karate King?

To get to him take Mt. Mortar's middle entrance (aka The Waterfall Cave) and follow the path until you reach the basement. There Kiyo, the Karate King will be waiting. Defeat him and recieve his Tyrogue.

A Free Kanto Starter

You will have the opportunity to take your pick of the starter Pokémon that were available when to players of Green/Red/Blue/FireRed/LeafGreen. To get one you will first need to first defeat all 16 Gyms (which requires defeating the Elite Four once). Once you have taken care of that you will need to also defeat Trainer Red. With all Gym Leaders, the Elite Four and Trainer Red out of your way pay a visit to Professor Oak in the Pallet Town Lab to get your Kanto starter (you are allowed only one). Remember, you will need an empty spot in your team!

A Free Hoenn Starter

You will be able to receive a Hoenn starter Pokémon from that region's Champion, Steven Stone but you will need to meet him first and tackle a small quest. Visit here for complete instructions on that sidequest. Realize, also, that being able to get those things done you will need to have defeated Trainer Red as well. With all of these things done, head to the lobby of Silph Co. in Saffron City to meet Steven. He'll ask you to choose a color, (Green for Treecko, Red for Torchic or Blue for Mudkip). Pick a color and receive your Hoenn starter!

Plot Encounters

These four Pokémon are encountered as the story progresses and three of them will require that you either capture or defeat them before being able to go any further. We call them Plot Encounters.

Rt. 36 Sudowoodo

Sudowoodo, or rather the odd tree is blocking the path on Rt. 36 and you won't be able to do anything about it until you have made your way through Goldenrod. When in Goldenrod, after you have defeated Whitney visit the Flower Shop in the north-east of the city to pick up the Squirbottle item.

With the Squirbottle in-hand you can now approach the odd tree and spray it with water. When this happens you will awaken the Sudowoodo, now aggravated by you, and will have the opportunity to capture. It is the only way to capture Sudowoodo ingame so capturing it is recommended but regardless of how the battle ends Rt. 36 will now be open. As well, later in the game, you can breed Sudowoodo for a Bonsly that Brock will want in a trade.

Lake of Rage Gyarados

Team Rocket has begun broadcasting an unsavory signal from Mahogany Town that is making its way to the Lake of Rage where the Gyarados, which are said to only appear at the lake at rare times, are furious. You will have to capture this, shiny, Gyarados before you can stop the signal back in Mahogany. Surf out into the lake and prepare for battle. When all is said and done Lance will be impressed with your capture and help you in defeating Team Rocket at their secret hideout.

Union Cave Lapras

Lapras, unlike the previous three Pokémon, does not require being battled to advance the plot, but it doesn't really fit anywhere else. Like Drifloon in Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, this Lapras only shows up on Fridays. It will show up every Friday, even after you have captured it, in Union Cave.

You will need to have defeated Morty first, in order to use Surf to get to it deep within the cave. It will be surfing out in the open water.

Rt. 11 Snorlax

Snorlax, truly the first Pokémon of its kind, a one-off non-legendary Pokémon. It blocks passage of Rt. 11 and prevents you from exiting Vermillion to the east. To get this tub of lard to move you will need the Poké Flute expansion card to be added to your PokéGear. When you have the expansion card simply tune into the station near Snorlax and interact with it.

How do you get this expansion card? Well, if you haven't already, we need to complete a sidequest to Kanto running again... No, its not Snorlax's fault though.

I'd first suggest picking up a Dugtrio in Diglett's Cave and adding it to your team in preparation for a trade you can make when at the Power Plant (see here) but this is optional.

Make your way to Lavender Town via Rt. 8 out of Saffron City. The Radio Tower is not recieving any power, so you need to head to the source of the problem. Back to Saffron, head north to Cerulean City and then east via Rt. 9. Once here, Surf south to the Power Plant. You will learn here that the Machine Part is missing...

Back to Cerulean City and Misty's Gym where you will bump into the last Team Rocket member. Chase him north out of town, where he battle you and lose. After this he will explain that the Machine Part was hidden in Misty's Gym. Search for it in the Gym and then return it to the Power Plant. Once that is complete, head back to Lavendar Town and the station's director will provide you with the expansion card to awaken Snorlax.

Of course, that sidequest does a lot more than just allow you to awaken a Snorlax but hey...

Ingame Trades

Ingame Trades have been around since the first games, Red and Blue. As far as the number of trades available have gone from game to game and generation to generation we've hit some highs and lows. HGSS comes in at the high end with a ten total trades available.

Its not just the sheer number of trades that are available ingame that is impressive but also the people doing the trades. For the first time Gym Leaders are offering their Pokémon up for trade.

A difference to note between GS and HGSS is the nickname Volty. It is now being used a Lt. Surge's Pikachu's nickname, but in GS Volty was a Voltorb. We can still trade for a Voltorb from an NPC but its name is now... Billy? What?

Remember that the level of the Pokémon you are trading away will determine the level of the Pokémon you recieve.

Rudy's Onix

When you have made it to Violet City you will have the opportunity to trade for an Onix. The house where this person lives is located to the south-west of the PokéCenter. All you will need to trade to get this Onix is a Bellsprout, which can be found in the surrounding routes of Violet City, Rts. 31 and 32.

There's nothing particularly interesting about this Onix but the ID may help you win in the Daily Lottery.

Jose's Machop

Goldenrod City is the location of your next ingame trade. Head to the fourth floor of the Goldenrod Dept. Store with a Drowzee that you have caught either north of Goldenrod on Rt. 35, or south of the city on Rt. 34. This Machop has a Macho Brace which you may find useful for training your Pokémon with.

Richard's Voltorb

In the left-most house to the north-east of the PokéMart in Olivine City you will find a fisherman offering a Voltorb, but first you will need a Krabby. West of Olivine, on Rt. 40, you should be able to catch a Krabby in a short manner of time. This trade makes completing your PokéDex, if you are on that mission, a bit easier because Voltorb is found in the Safari Zone and has the added requirement of your having to place special items to get it to appear. You can also found them on Rt. 10, though, if you wish to go without the trade.

Ayana's Dodrio

Ayana is located in the most eastern house of Blackthorn City and she wants a female Dragonair. This trade would be almost exclusively for the purpose of getting the ID or being a completionist. Dragonair can be found in the Dragon's Den, but its extremely rare (a 3% with a Super Rod). Dodrio, on the other hand is a bit less rare in the wild (5% at places like Rt. 26) but you can also find the common Doduo on Rt. 26 at level 30 and simply raise it one level for a Dodrio. Its up to you.

Mondo's Xatu

Your first Kanto trade is in Pewter City's PokéCenter. You will need a Haunter to complete this trade, which should not be very hard. Haunter are common on Rt. 8 between Lavendar Town and Saffron City during the night hours. Snag one when you can, if you haven't already, and send one off to this guy for Modest Xatu. If that's not enough, consider, again, its ID. Wacan berries should have arrived from your mom several times by now...

Lorenzo's Magneton

During your Machine Part sidequest, that starts with Rt. 11 Snorlax, it was suggested that you catch a Dugtrio and add it to your team prior to heading out to the Power Plant. If you did, good job, send off the Dugtrio and get this Magneton, which is fairly rare in the wild. If not... Get yourself a Dugtrio and head out to the Power Plant. Talk to the scientist in the north-west corner of the facility and you can recieve Magneton. Again, its fairly rare in the Safari Zone and Cerulean Cave so the trade is worthwhile.

Lt. Surge's Pikachu

In Saffron City's Train Station you can trade with Lt. Surge but you must have defeated him at the Fighting Dojo first. With that complete head out to Viridian Forest and catch a Pikachu. They are fairly rare here (around 5%) but it must be from Viridian Forest. Once completing this chore Surge will trade you for his Pikachu. This seems fairly useless, and it is if you are not a completionist, but the Pikachu he is offering is French and this means you unlock Pikachu's French PokéDex entry. This trade comes with the added quality of being a Pokémon from a Gym Leader.

Brock's Rhyhorn

Another Pokémon trade offered by a Gym Leader is that of Brock. As with Lt. Surge, you will need to have beaten him at the Saffron Fighting Dojo first but with that taken care of, and having caught the Rt. 36 Sudodoodo, you can breed it for a Bonsly (while the Sudowoodo holds the Rock Incense, found in Diglett's Cave). With Bonsly in hand you can find Brock inside Diglett's Cave's entrance (Pewter City side) offering a Rhyhorn. This Rhyhorn has the added bonus of knowing Thunder Fang.

Jasmine's Steelix

Jasmine will offer a Steelix to you, in exchange for any Pokémon, after you have defeated her in the rematch at Saffron City's Fighting Dojo. Simply visit her gym in Olivine City with any Pokémon you are will to trade and Steelix is yours. The fact that she has no requirement in retun is the primary bonus of this trade, excepting the fact that it, again, is coming from a Gym Leader.

Steven's Beldum

That last trade we'll be discussing has the most pre-requisites to complete. First off, you will need to have defeated Trainer Red. After that you will have to visit Silph Co. in Saffron City and recieve a Hoenn Starter from Steven in the main lobby there. Next, visit the Museum in Pewter City and talk to Steven again. Finally, head back to Silph Co.'s lobby and Steven will be offering one of his Beldum for a Forretress. To get a Forretress you will need to have evolved a Pineco that you can get by using Headbutt on any number of trees through Johto and Kanto.