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Pokemon Red and Blue Phase 1: Boulder Badge Walkthrough

Boulder Badge

Phase 1 of the Pokemon Red and Blue walkthrough covering Pallet Town through Pewter Gym, with starter choice, Viridian Forest, early Rival, and Brock.

By Damodar Sharma Updated June 19, 2026 Walkthrough

Pallet Town through Pewter Gym, with starter choice, Viridian Forest, early Rival, and Brock.

Phase 1

Target12-14 RewardBoulder Badge, TM34 Bide, Pokedex errand complete Sections4
Charizard Red and Blue sprite Blastoise Red and Blue sprite

Phase Sections

01
Pallet Town and Oak's Lab
02
Route 1, Viridian City, and Route 22
03
Route 2 and Viridian Forest
04
Pewter City and Pewter Gym

Phase Data Rollup

Section Source maps Wild rows Trainers Items
Pallet Town and Oak's Lab6804
Route 1, Viridian City, and Route 2231803
Route 2 and Viridian Forest21337
Pewter City and Pewter Gym4022
Version

Pallet Town and Oak's Lab

Name yourself and the Rival, choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle, beat the lab Rival, deliver Oak's Parcel, and collect the Pokedex.

Source maps

Pallet Town, Red's House 1F, Red's House 2F, Blue's House, Oak's Lab, and Viridian Mart.

Wild rows8 Trainers0 Items4

Route plan

Leave Pallet north only after Oak stops you, pick a starter in the lab, finish the Rival fight, then make the Pallet -> Viridian -> Pallet errand loop.

Starter Choice

All three Red/Blue starters are viable, but they create very different early-game curves. Bulbasaur is the smoothest through the first two Gyms, Squirtle is steady and simple, and Charmander asks for the most early support before becoming an excellent Fire attacker.

Pokemon Best early matchups Pros Cons Team-building note
Bulbasaur Red and Blue sprite Bulbasaur Grass/Poison Brock and Misty are both favorable.Razor Leaf is excellent in Gen I, Leech Seed and status give it control, and it handles many Water/Rock routes naturally.Erika mirrors Grass, later Psychic/Ice/Flying pressure can be rough, and Poison typing adds Ground/Psychic weaknesses.Choose Bulbasaur if you want the lowest-friction first half and do not mind building Fire/Flying/Psychic backup later.
Charmander Red and Blue sprite Charmander Erika, many Bug/Grass targets Erika and many Bug/Grass targets are favorable once Charmander has evolved and learned stronger Fire moves.Charizard gives strong Fire/Flying offense, and Charmander's line is rewarding once it has coverage and levels.Brock is the hardest starter matchup, Misty is dangerous, and Rock/Ground/Water checks need dedicated teammates.Choose Charmander if you want the most demanding early route. Catch Pikachu or Grass support before Misty and plan Brock carefully.
Squirtle Red and Blue sprite Squirtle Brock and Blaine are favorable. Brock is favorable, Blaine is favorable, and many Rock/Ground route trainers are simple.Reliable bulk, early Bubble/Water Gun, and straightforward matchups make Squirtle easy to pilot.Misty is a mirror, Erika is unfriendly, and it can feel less explosive than Bulbasaur or Charmander without good TMs.Choose Squirtle for a stable main-story anchor. Add Electric/Flying/Psychic partners for Grass and Water mirrors.
Quick pick: Bulbasaur is easiest early, Squirtle is the most stable all-purpose pick, and Charmander is the high-maintenance route with a strong payoff.

Pallet Town

Pallet Town wild Pokémon by method, games, levels, encounter rate, and requirements
PokémonGamesLevelsRateNotes
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Red and Blue sprite Magikarp RB5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Red and Blue sprite Goldeen RB1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Red and Blue sprite Poliwag RB1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Tentacool Red and Blue sprite Tentacool RB1550.0%Super Rod group 1.
Poliwag Red and Blue sprite Poliwag RB1550.0%Super Rod group 1.

Oak's Lab

Oak's Lab wild Pokémon by method, games, levels, encounter rate, and requirements
PokémonGamesLevelsRateNotes
Starter gift
Bulbasaur Red and Blue sprite Bulbasaur RB5ChoiceChoose from Professor Oak's left starter ball.
Charmander Red and Blue sprite Charmander RB5ChoiceChoose from Professor Oak's middle starter ball.
Squirtle Red and Blue sprite Squirtle RB5ChoiceChoose from Professor Oak's right starter ball.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
Town MapGiftAfter receiving the Pokedex, talk to Daisy in Blue's house.-After receiving the Pokedex, talk to Daisy in Blue's house.
Oak's ParcelKey itemReceive it from the Viridian Mart clerk before the Pokedex errand.-Receive it from the Viridian Mart clerk before the Pokedex errand.
PokedexKey itemReturn Oak's Parcel to Professor Oak.-Return Oak's Parcel to Professor Oak.
5 Poke BallsGiftProfessor Oak gives these after the Pokedex event.-Professor Oak gives these after the Pokedex event.

Battle Plan

Major battle Source party Level benchmark Reward
Rival trainer spriteRivalOak's Lab Rival if you chose Charmander
Squirtle Red and Blue sprite Squirtle Lv. 5
5$175
Rival trainer spriteRivalOak's Lab Rival if you chose Squirtle
Bulbasaur Red and Blue sprite Bulbasaur Lv. 5
5$175
Rival trainer spriteRivalOak's Lab Rival if you chose Bulbasaur
Charmander Red and Blue sprite Charmander Lv. 5
5$175

Boss Strategy

Boss / branch Team Reward Danger notes Practical counters
Rival trainer spriteRivalOak's Lab Rival if you chose Charmander
Squirtle Red and Blue sprite Squirtle Lv. 5
$175The first fight is short, but a critical hit can punish careless Leer/Tail Whip turns.Plan around the rival's Squirtle line. Keep status, a fresh switch, and a direct answer to Pidgey/Pidgeotto before committing your starter.
Rival trainer spriteRivalOak's Lab Rival if you chose Squirtle
Bulbasaur Red and Blue sprite Bulbasaur Lv. 5
$175The first fight is short, but a critical hit can punish careless Leer/Tail Whip turns.Plan around the rival's Bulbasaur line. Keep status, a fresh switch, and a direct answer to Pidgey/Pidgeotto before committing your starter.
Rival trainer spriteRivalOak's Lab Rival if you chose Bulbasaur
Charmander Red and Blue sprite Charmander Lv. 5
$175The first fight is short, but a critical hit can punish careless Leer/Tail Whip turns.Plan around the rival's Charmander line. Keep status, a fresh switch, and a direct answer to Pidgey/Pidgeotto before committing your starter.

Completion Checklist

  • Choose one starter and note the Rival's starter branch.
  • Deliver Oak's Parcel.
  • Collect the Pokedex, Town Map, and 5 Poke Balls.

Route 1, Viridian City, and Route 22

Stock up, catch early Route 1/22 Pokemon, and optionally fight the early Rival west of Viridian.

Source maps

Route 1, Viridian City, and Route 22.

Wild rows18 Trainers0 Items3

Route plan

Use Route 1 for first catches, buy supplies in Viridian after the parcel errand, then test your team on Route 22 before the forest.

Route 1

Route 1 wild Pokémon by method, games, levels, encounter rate, and requirements
PokémonGamesLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Pidgey Red and Blue sprite Pidgey RB2-550%—
Rattata Red and Blue sprite Rattata RB2-450%—

Route 22

Route 22 wild Pokémon by method, games, levels, encounter rate, and requirements
PokémonGamesLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Rattata Red and Blue sprite Rattata RB2-445%—
Nidoran M Red and Blue sprite Nidoran M RB2-439%—
Nidoran F Red and Blue sprite Nidoran F RB2-439%—
Spearow Red and Blue sprite Spearow RB3-510%—
Nidoran F Red and Blue sprite Nidoran F RB3-45.5%—
Nidoran M Red and Blue sprite Nidoran M RB3-45.5%—
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Red and Blue sprite Magikarp RB5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Red and Blue sprite Goldeen RB1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Red and Blue sprite Poliwag RB1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Goldeen Red and Blue sprite Goldeen RB1550.0%Super Rod group 2.
Poliwag Red and Blue sprite Poliwag RB1550.0%Super Rod group 2.

Viridian City

Viridian City wild Pokémon by method, games, levels, encounter rate, and requirements
PokémonGamesLevelsRateNotes
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Red and Blue sprite Magikarp RB5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Red and Blue sprite Goldeen RB1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Red and Blue sprite Poliwag RB1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Tentacool Red and Blue sprite Tentacool RB1550.0%Super Rod group 1.
Poliwag Red and Blue sprite Poliwag RB1550.0%Super Rod group 1.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
PotionHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (14, 4) in Viridian City.(14, 4)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
PotionGiftTalk to the Poke Mart clerk on Route 1.-Talk to the Poke Mart clerk on Route 1.
TM42 Dream EaterGiftRequires Cut; talk to the sleeping man in west Viridian later.-Requires Cut; talk to the sleeping man in west Viridian later.

Battle Plan

Major battle Source party Level benchmark Reward
Rival trainer spriteRivalRoute 22 early Rival if you chose Charmander
Pidgey Red and Blue sprite Pidgey Lv. 9 Squirtle Red and Blue sprite Squirtle Lv. 8
9$280
Rival trainer spriteRivalRoute 22 early Rival if you chose Squirtle
Pidgey Red and Blue sprite Pidgey Lv. 9 Bulbasaur Red and Blue sprite Bulbasaur Lv. 8
9$280
Rival trainer spriteRivalRoute 22 early Rival if you chose Bulbasaur
Pidgey Red and Blue sprite Pidgey Lv. 9 Charmander Red and Blue sprite Charmander Lv. 8
9$280

Boss Strategy

Boss / branch Team Reward Danger notes Practical counters
Rival trainer spriteRivalRoute 22 early Rival if you chose Charmander
Pidgey Red and Blue sprite Pidgey Lv. 9 Squirtle Red and Blue sprite Squirtle Lv. 8
$280Pidgey plus a starter can overwhelm an underleveled team before Brock.Plan around the rival's Squirtle line. Keep status, a fresh switch, and a direct answer to Pidgey/Pidgeotto before committing your starter.
Rival trainer spriteRivalRoute 22 early Rival if you chose Squirtle
Pidgey Red and Blue sprite Pidgey Lv. 9 Bulbasaur Red and Blue sprite Bulbasaur Lv. 8
$280Pidgey plus a starter can overwhelm an underleveled team before Brock.Plan around the rival's Bulbasaur line. Keep status, a fresh switch, and a direct answer to Pidgey/Pidgeotto before committing your starter.
Rival trainer spriteRivalRoute 22 early Rival if you chose Bulbasaur
Pidgey Red and Blue sprite Pidgey Lv. 9 Charmander Red and Blue sprite Charmander Lv. 8
$280Pidgey plus a starter can overwhelm an underleveled team before Brock.Plan around the rival's Charmander line. Keep status, a fresh switch, and a direct answer to Pidgey/Pidgeotto before committing your starter.

Completion Checklist

  • Catch Pidgey/Rattata basics and Route 22 version exclusives.
  • Pick up the hidden Viridian Potion.
  • Fight or skip the optional Route 22 Rival before Brock.

Route 2 and Viridian Forest

Cross Route 2, collect Viridian Forest items, and defeat every Bug Catcher before Pewter.

Source maps

Route 2 and Viridian Forest.

Wild rows13 Trainers3 Items7

Route plan

Pikachu is rare but valuable for Misty. Red leans toward Weedle/Kakuna in the forest while Blue leans toward Caterpie/Metapod.

Route 2

Route 2 wild Pokémon by method, games, levels, encounter rate, and requirements
PokémonGamesLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Pidgey Red and Blue sprite Pidgey RB3-545%—
Rattata Red and Blue sprite Rattata RB2-540%—
Weedle Red and Blue sprite Weedle RB3-515%—
Caterpie Red and Blue sprite Caterpie RB3-515%—

Viridian Forest

Viridian Forest wild Pokémon by method, games, levels, encounter rate, and requirements
PokémonGamesLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Weedle Red and Blue sprite Weedle RB3-545%—
Caterpie Red and Blue sprite Caterpie RB3-545%—
Kakuna Red and Blue sprite Kakuna RB4-639%—
Metapod Red and Blue sprite Metapod RB4-639%—
Pikachu Red and Blue sprite Pikachu RB3-55.5%—
Metapod Red and Blue sprite Metapod RB45.1%—
Caterpie Red and Blue sprite Caterpie RB35.1%—
Kakuna Red and Blue sprite Kakuna RB45.1%—
Weedle Red and Blue sprite Weedle RB35.1%—

Trainers

Route order Trainer Team Reward Optional / rematch note
1. Viridian Forest (30, 33)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #1
Weedle Red and Blue sprite Weedle Lv. 6 Caterpie Red and Blue sprite Caterpie Lv. 6
$60One-time trainer; no rematch in Red/Blue.
2. Viridian Forest (30, 19)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #2
Weedle Red and Blue sprite Weedle Lv. 7 Kakuna Red and Blue sprite Kakuna Lv. 7 Weedle Red and Blue sprite Weedle Lv. 7
$70One-time trainer; no rematch in Red/Blue.
3. Viridian Forest (2, 18)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #3
Weedle Red and Blue sprite Weedle Lv. 9
$90One-time trainer; no rematch in Red/Blue.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
Moon StoneVisible item ballVisible item ball at (13, 54) in Route 2.(13, 54)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
HP UpVisible item ballVisible item ball at (13, 45) in Route 2.(13, 45)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
AntidoteVisible item ballVisible item ball at (25, 11) in Viridian Forest.(25, 11)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
PotionVisible item ballVisible item ball at (12, 29) in Viridian Forest.(12, 29)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
Poke BallVisible item ballVisible item ball at (1, 31) in Viridian Forest.(1, 31)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
PotionHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (1, 18) in Viridian Forest.(1, 18)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
AntidoteHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (16, 42) in Viridian Forest.(16, 42)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.

Completion Checklist

  • Check both visible and hidden forest items.
  • Defeat all three Bug Catchers.
  • Leave with antidotes or enough Potions for Brock prep.

Pewter City and Pewter Gym

Clear Pewter Gym and earn the Boulder Badge.

Source maps

Pewter City, Museum 1F, Museum 2F, and Pewter Gym.

Wild rows0 Trainers2 Items2

Route plan

If you chose Charmander, do not rush Brock. Train Butterfree for Confusion/status, bring Potions, and use Route 22 backup if Charmander is still relying on Scratch.

Trainers

Route order Trainer Team Reward Optional / rematch note
1. Pewter Gym (4, 1)Brock trainer spriteBrockParty #1
Geodude Red and Blue sprite Geodude Lv. 12 Onix Red and Blue sprite Onix Lv. 14
$1,386One-time trainer; no rematch in Red/Blue.
2. Pewter Gym (3, 6)Jr. Trainer M trainer spriteJr. Trainer MParty #1
Diglett Red and Blue sprite Diglett Lv. 11 Sandshrew Red and Blue sprite Sandshrew Lv. 11
$220One-time trainer; no rematch in Red/Blue.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
Old AmberKey itemReturn with Cut and enter the museum's side door.-Return with Cut and enter the museum's side door.
TM34 BideGym rewardDefeat Brock.-Defeat Brock.

Battle Plan

Major battle Source party Level benchmark Reward
Brock trainer spriteBrockBrock
Geodude Red and Blue sprite Geodude Lv. 12 Onix Red and Blue sprite Onix Lv. 14
14$1,386

Boss Strategy

Boss / branch Team Reward Danger notes Practical counters
Brock trainer spriteBrockBrock
Geodude Red and Blue sprite Geodude Lv. 12 Onix Red and Blue sprite Onix Lv. 14
$1,386Geodude and Onix have high Defense for this point and punish Charmander teams that arrive with only Normal moves.Bulbasaur or Squirtle win directly. Charmander should lean on Butterfree's Confusion/status, extra levels, Potions, and Route 22 backup; Metal Claw and early Mankey are remake/Yellow solutions, not Red/Blue ones.

Completion Checklist

  • Beat the Gym trainer.
  • Defeat Brock.
  • Note Old Amber for later Cut access.

Sources

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