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Pokémon Radical Red Guide

Everything you need to master this Pokémon ROM hack!

Installation

Steps

  1. Obtain a clean Pokémon FireRed (U) ROM (CRC32: 3D3D6D7C)

    Must be version 1.0, not the (S) or other regional versions

  2. Download Radical Red v4.0 IPS patch

    Available from the official Discord or PokeCommunity thread

  3. Apply patch using Lunar IPS or online patcher

    Web patchers like MarcRobledo's work for mobile users

  4. Verify patched ROM is 16MB (16,777,216 bytes)

    Exact size indicates successful patching

  5. Enable 'Real Time Clock' in emulator settings

    Required for time-based events and encounters

Required Files

  • FireRed (U) 1.0 ROM: Base ROM for patching

    Must source independently

  • Radical Red v4.0 Patch: Latest version with Gen 9 Pokémon

    PokeCommunity thread #920220

  • mGBA Emulator: Recommended for best performance

    mGBA.io

Walkthrough

Start with one of 24 possible starters (including Hisuian forms). Your rival will battle you immediately after choosing. Head north to Route 1 where wild Pokémon are already leveled 5-7. In Viridian, visit the Pokémon Center to receive the EXP All (permanent EXP Share).

Important Battles

  • Rival (First Battle) (Starter weak to yours Lv5 Lv5)

    His starter knows a coverage move - don't rely solely on type advantage

  • Route 22 Rival (Lv7-8 team of 3 Lv7-8)

    First battle with full team - catch Route 1 Pokémon beforehand

Items

  • EXP All - Viridian City Poké Center (from aide)
  • Choice of free Berry - Viridian City house near Mart

Brock's team varies based on your starter type. His Pokémon now have perfect IVs, beneficial natures, and held items. The gym puzzle requires defeating trainers in correct order.

Important Battles

  • Gym Leader Brock (Onix L14, Geodude L12, Shuckle L12, Tyrunt L15 Lv12-15)

    Water/Grass types work but watch for Shuckle's Sturdy ability. Tyrunt hits hard with Strong Jaw boosted bites.

Pokémon Locations

Starters

Bulbasaur (Grass, Poison)

  • HP: 45
  • Attack: 49
  • Defense: 49
  • Sp. Atk: 65
  • Sp. Def: 65
  • Speed: 45

Charmander (Fire)

  • HP: 39
  • Attack: 52
  • Defense: 43
  • Sp. Atk: 60
  • Sp. Def: 50
  • Speed: 65

Squirtle (Water)

  • HP: 44
  • Attack: 48
  • Defense: 65
  • Sp. Atk: 50
  • Sp. Def: 64
  • Speed: 43

Hisuian Starters (Various)

  • HP: Varies
  • Attack: Varies
  • Defense: Varies
  • Sp. Atk: Varies
  • Sp. Def: Varies
  • Speed: Varies

Legendaries

  • Mewtwo (Psychic) - Cerulean Cave

    Defeat Elite Four and Champion

    Level: 70

  • Rayquaza (Dragon, Flying) - Sky Pillar

    Complete Hoenn Legendary quest line

    Level: 70

Special Encounters

  • Larvesta (Bug, Fire) - Route 22 (grass)

    Encounter Rate: 5% (Morning/Day)

    Level Range: Lv10-12

  • Dreepy (Dragon, Ghost) - Safari Zone (Area 3)

    Encounter Rate: 1%

    Level Range: Lv30-35

Gym Leaders

Pokémon

  • Onix (Lv14) - Moves: Rock Tomb, Dragon Breath, Curse, Bind

    Item: Eviolite

  • Geodude (Lv12) - Moves: Rock Blast, Bulldoze, Rollout, Defense Curl

    Item: Oran Berry

  • Shuckle (Lv12) - Moves: Struggle Bug, Withdraw, Wrap, Encore

    Item: Berry Juice

  • Tyrunt (Lv15) - Moves: Rock Slide, Fire Fang, Ice Fang, Thunder Fang

    Item: Hard Stone

Reward

Badge: Boulder Badge

TM: TM39 (Rock Tomb)

Other: Enables Flash outside battle

Recommended Team

Water-type Lv14+, Grass-type Lv14+, Fighting-type Lv12+

Pokémon

  • Starmie (Lv24) - Moves: Scald, Psychic, Recover, Rapid Spin

    Item: Life Orb

  • Floatzel (Lv22) - Moves: Aqua Jet, Crunch, Ice Fang, Bulk Up

    Item: Sitrus Berry

  • Lanturn (Lv23) - Moves: Discharge, Scald, Thunder Wave, Confuse Ray

    Item: Air Balloon

  • Azumarill (Lv25) - Moves: Aqua Jet, Play Rough, Superpower, Belly Drum

    Item: Sitrus Berry

Reward

Badge: Cascade Badge

TM: TM55 (Scald)

Other: Enables Cut outside battle

Recommended Team

Electric-type Lv22+, Grass-type Lv22+, Bulky Water-resistant Pokémon

Elite Four

Pokémon

  • Alolan Ninetales (Lv72) - Moves: Aurora Veil, Blizzard, Moonblast, Freeze-Dry

    Item: Light Clay

  • Weavile (Lv73) - Moves: Icicle Crash, Knock Off, Ice Shard, Low Kick

    Item: Choice Band

  • Mamoswine (Lv73) - Moves: Icicle Crash, Earthquake, Ice Shard, Knock Off

    Item: Life Orb

  • Articuno (Lv74) - Moves: Freezing Glare, Hurricane, Roost, Calm Mind

    Item: Heavy-Duty Boots

  • Kyurem (Lv75) - Moves: Ice Beam, Freeze-Dry, Earth Power, Draco Meteor

    Item: Choice Specs

Reward: $20000

Pokémon

  • Mega Medicham (Lv73) - Moves: High Jump Kick, Zen Headbutt, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch

    Item: Medichamite

  • Conkeldurr (Lv73) - Moves: Drain Punch, Knock Off, Mach Punch, Ice Punch

    Item: Flame Orb

  • Hawlucha (Lv74) - Moves: Close Combat, Acrobatics, Swords Dance, Taunt

    Item: Power Herb

  • Terrakion (Lv74) - Moves: Close Combat, Stone Edge, Earthquake, Swords Dance

    Item: Choice Scarf

  • Urshifu (Single Strike) (Lv75) - Moves: Wicked Blow, Close Combat, Sucker Punch, U-turn

    Item: Black Glasses

Reward: $20000

Tips

team-building (high)

EV training is essential - use the EV training centers in Celadon and Saffron

exploration (medium)

Check every Poké Mart - they sell different items as you progress

battles (high)

Enemy trainers have perfect IVs/EVs - don't expect to win with level advantage alone

items (high)

Save your Ability Patch for hidden abilities on key team members

glitches (medium)

Don't use speed-up during rival battles - may cause freeze during dialogue