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Pokemon Yellow Phase 3: Thunder Badge Walkthrough

Phase 3 of the Pokemon Yellow walkthrough covering Routes 5/6, Underground Path, Vermilion, S.S. Anne, Lt. Surge, Diglett's Cave, and Route 11 cleanup.

By Damodar Sharma Updated June 23, 2026 Walkthrough

Routes 5/6, Underground Path, Vermilion, S.S. Anne, Lt. Surge, Diglett's Cave, and Route 11 cleanup.

Phase 3

Target22-26 RewardThunder Badge, HM01 Cut, Old Rod, Bike Voucher, HM05 Flash access Sections4
Charizard Yellow sprite Blastoise Yellow sprite

Phase Sections

01
Routes 5 and 6 with Underground Path
02
Vermilion City and S.S. Anne
03
Vermilion Gym
04
Route 2 Flash, Diglett's Cave, and Route 11

Phase Data Rollup

Section Source maps Wild rows Trainers Items
Routes 5 and 6 with Underground Path52062
Vermilion City and S.S. Anne14151413
Vermilion Gym1041
Route 2 Flash, Diglett's Cave, and Route 11620105

Routes 5 and 6 with Underground Path

Use the Underground Path to reach Vermilion while Saffron's guards block the direct gates.

Source maps

Route 5, Underground Path North South, Underground Path Route 5, Underground Path Route 6, and Route 6.

Wild rows20 Trainers6 Items2

Route plan

Route 6 has several avoidable double-line trainers; clear them for Surge levels or save them for later.

Wild Pokemon

Route 5

Route 5 wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey 15-1739%—
Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata 14-1630%—
Abra Yellow sprite Abra 715%—
Jigglypuff Yellow sprite Jigglypuff 3-711%—
Pidgeotto Yellow sprite Pidgeotto 175.1%—

Route 6

Route 6 wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey 15-1739%—
Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata 14-1630%—
Abra Yellow sprite Abra 715%—
Jigglypuff Yellow sprite Jigglypuff 3-711%—
Pidgeotto Yellow sprite Pidgeotto 175.1%—
Surfing
Psyduck Yellow sprite Psyduck 1595%—
Golduck Yellow sprite Golduck 15-205.5%—
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Yellow sprite Magikarp 5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 2025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.

Underground Path Route 5

Underground Path Route 5 wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
In-game trade
Machoke Yellow sprite Machoke TradedGiftTrade Cubone for Machoke (RICKY). Trade Cubone for Machoke in the Underground Path gate.

Trainers

Route order Trainer Team Reward Optional / rematch note
1. Route 6 (10, 21)Jr. Trainer M trainer spriteJr. Trainer MParty #10
Weepinbell Yellow sprite Weepinbell Lv. 16
$320One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
2. Route 6 (11, 21)Jr. Trainer F trainer spriteJr. Trainer FParty #25
Cubone Yellow sprite Cubone Lv. 20
$400One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
3. Route 6 (0, 15)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #10
Weedle Yellow sprite Weedle Lv. 16 Caterpie Yellow sprite Caterpie Lv. 16 Weedle Yellow sprite Weedle Lv. 16
$160One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
4. Route 6 (11, 31)Jr. Trainer M trainer spriteJr. Trainer MParty #5
Spearow Yellow sprite Spearow Lv. 16 Raticate Yellow sprite Raticate Lv. 16
$320One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
5. Route 6 (11, 30)Jr. Trainer F trainer spriteJr. Trainer FParty #3
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey Lv. 16 Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey Lv. 16 Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey Lv. 16
$320One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
6. Route 6 (19, 26)Bug Catcher trainer spriteBug CatcherParty #11
Butterfree Yellow sprite Butterfree Lv. 20
$200One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
Full RestoreHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (3, 4) in Underground Path North South.(3, 4)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
X SpecialHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (4, 34) in Underground Path North South.(4, 34)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.

Completion Checklist

  • Search Underground Path hidden items.
  • Clear Route 6 trainers.
  • Check Yellow Route 5/6 catches before Vermilion if desired.

Vermilion City and S.S. Anne

Board the S.S. Anne, loot every cabin, beat the Rival, and get Cut from the captain.

Source maps

Vermilion City, Vermilion Old Rod House, Vermilion Trade House, Pokemon Fan Club, S.S. Anne 1F, S.S. Anne 1F Rooms, S.S. Anne 2F, and S.S. Anne 2F Rooms, and 6 more map files.

Wild rows15 Trainers14 Items13

Route plan

Do all ship rooms before helping the captain if you want every trainer and item; the ship leaves after the Cut event.

Wild Pokemon

Vermilion City

Vermilion City wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Yellow sprite Magikarp 5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 1525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 2025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 1025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Horsea Yellow sprite Horsea 525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Gift
Squirtle Yellow sprite Squirtle 10GiftOfficer Jenny gives Squirtle after you earn the Thunder Badge from Lt. Surge.

Vermilion Dock

Vermilion Dock wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Yellow sprite Magikarp 5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 1025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 1525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Staryu Yellow sprite Staryu 1525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Shellder Yellow sprite Shellder 1025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.

Trainers

Route order Trainer Team Reward Optional / rematch note
1. S.S. Anne 1F Rooms (2, 3)Gentleman trainer spriteGentlemanParty #1
Growlithe Yellow sprite Growlithe Lv. 18 Growlithe Yellow sprite Growlithe Lv. 18
$1,260One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
2. S.S. Anne 1F Rooms (11, 4)Gentleman trainer spriteGentlemanParty #2
Nidoran M Yellow sprite Nidoran M Lv. 19 Nidoran F Yellow sprite Nidoran F Lv. 19
$1,330One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
3. S.S. Anne 1F Rooms (11, 14)Youngster trainer spriteYoungsterParty #8
Nidoran M Yellow sprite Nidoran M Lv. 21
$315One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
4. S.S. Anne 1F Rooms (13, 11)Lass trainer spriteLassParty #11
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey Lv. 18 Nidoran F Yellow sprite Nidoran F Lv. 18
$270One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
5. S.S. Anne 2F Rooms (10, 2)Gentleman trainer spriteGentlemanParty #3
Voltorb Yellow sprite Voltorb Lv. 22 Magnemite Yellow sprite Magnemite Lv. 22
$1,540One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
6. S.S. Anne 2F Rooms (13, 4)Fisherman trainer spriteFishermanParty #1
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen Lv. 17 Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool Lv. 17 Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen Lv. 17
$595One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
7. S.S. Anne 2F Rooms (0, 14)Gentleman trainer spriteGentlemanParty #5
Growlithe Yellow sprite Growlithe Lv. 17 Ponyta Yellow sprite Ponyta Lv. 17
$1,190One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
8. S.S. Anne 2F Rooms (2, 11)Lass trainer spriteLassParty #12
Jigglypuff Yellow sprite Jigglypuff Lv. 20
$300One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
9. S.S. Anne B1F Rooms (0, 13)Sailor trainer spriteSailorParty #3
Shellder Yellow sprite Shellder Lv. 21
$630One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
10. S.S. Anne B1F Rooms (2, 11)Sailor trainer spriteSailorParty #4
Horsea Yellow sprite Horsea Lv. 17 Shellder Yellow sprite Shellder Lv. 17 Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool Lv. 17
$510One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
11. S.S. Anne B1F Rooms (12, 3)Sailor trainer spriteSailorParty #5
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool Lv. 18 Staryu Yellow sprite Staryu Lv. 18
$540One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
12. S.S. Anne B1F Rooms (22, 2)Sailor trainer spriteSailorParty #6
Horsea Yellow sprite Horsea Lv. 17 Horsea Yellow sprite Horsea Lv. 17 Horsea Yellow sprite Horsea Lv. 17
$510One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
13. S.S. Anne B1F Rooms (0, 2)Sailor trainer spriteSailorParty #7
Machop Yellow sprite Machop Lv. 20
$600One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
14. S.S. Anne B1F Rooms (0, 4)Fisherman trainer spriteFishermanParty #2
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool Lv. 17 Staryu Yellow sprite Staryu Lv. 17 Shellder Yellow sprite Shellder Lv. 17
$595One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
TM08 Body SlamVisible item ballVisible item ball at (12, 15) in S.S. Anne 1F Rooms.(12, 15)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
Max EtherVisible item ballVisible item ball at (12, 1) in S.S. Anne 2F Rooms.(12, 1)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
Rare CandyVisible item ballVisible item ball at (0, 12) in S.S. Anne 2F Rooms.(0, 12)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
EtherVisible item ballVisible item ball at (20, 2) in S.S. Anne B1F Rooms.(20, 2)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
TM44 RestVisible item ballVisible item ball at (10, 2) in S.S. Anne B1F Rooms.(10, 2)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
Max PotionVisible item ballVisible item ball at (12, 11) in S.S. Anne B1F Rooms.(12, 11)Reach this tile; HMs or story flags may be needed for late-game dungeons.
Max EtherHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (14, 11) in Vermilion City.(14, 11)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
Hyper PotionHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (3, 1) in S.S. Anne B1F Rooms.(3, 1)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
Great BallHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (13, 9) in S.S. Anne Kitchen.(13, 9)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
Old RodGiftTalk to the Fishing Guru in Vermilion.-Talk to the Fishing Guru in Vermilion.
Bike VoucherKey itemListen to the chairman's Pokemon story.-Listen to the chairman's Pokemon story.
BicycleKey itemExchange the Bike Voucher in Cerulean.-Exchange the Bike Voucher in Cerulean.
HM01 CutHMHelp the captain after the Rival battle.-Help the captain after the Rival battle.

Boss Strategy

Boss / branch Team Reward Danger notes Practical counters
Rival trainer spriteRivalS.S. Anne Rival
Spearow Yellow sprite Spearow Lv. 19 Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata Lv. 16 Sandshrew Yellow sprite Sandshrew Lv. 18 Eevee Yellow sprite Eevee Lv. 20
$1,300This is the first four-Pokemon Rival fight, and Eevee is still unevolved.Pikachu checks Spearow, Grass or Water handles Sandshrew, and a solid neutral attacker keeps Rattata/Eevee from dragging the fight out.

Completion Checklist

  • Get Old Rod and Bike Voucher.
  • Clear S.S. Anne trainers and cabin items.
  • Beat the ship Rival.
  • Receive HM01 Cut.

Vermilion Gym

Solve the trash-can switch puzzle and earn the Thunder Badge.

Source maps

Vermilion Gym.

Wild rows0 Trainers4 Items1

Route plan

Catch Diglett or Dugtrio first if you want the simplest Surge answer.

Trainers

Route order Trainer Team Reward Optional / rematch note
1. Vermilion Gym (5, 1)Lt. Surge trainer spriteLt. SurgeParty #1
Raichu Yellow sprite Raichu Lv. 28
$2,772One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
2. Vermilion Gym (9, 6)Gentleman trainer spriteGentlemanParty #3
Voltorb Yellow sprite Voltorb Lv. 22 Magnemite Yellow sprite Magnemite Lv. 22
$1,540One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
3. Vermilion Gym (3, 8)Rocker trainer spriteRockerParty #1
Voltorb Yellow sprite Voltorb Lv. 20 Voltorb Yellow sprite Voltorb Lv. 20 Voltorb Yellow sprite Voltorb Lv. 20
$500One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
4. Vermilion Gym (0, 10)Sailor trainer spriteSailorParty #8
Magnemite Yellow sprite Magnemite Lv. 24
$720One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.

Items And Hidden Items

Item Type Area / direction Coordinate Requirement
TM24 ThunderboltGym rewardDefeat Lt. Surge.-Defeat Lt. Surge.

Boss Strategy

Boss / branch Team Reward Danger notes Practical counters
Lt. Surge trainer spriteLt. SurgeLt. Surge
Raichu Yellow sprite Raichu Lv. 28
$2,772Raichu is fast, hits hard, and can snowball if you let paralysis stack.Diglett or Dugtrio from Diglett's Cave is the clean answer. Geodude/Graveler also walls Electric attacks, while Ivysaur can take hits but does not hit Magnemite-style resistances because those are not Surge's Yellow team.

Completion Checklist

  • Cut the tree to enter.
  • Defeat the gym trainers.
  • Find both trash switches without leaving the room.
  • Beat Lt. Surge.

Route 2 Flash, Diglett's Cave, and Route 11

Use Cut and Diglett's Cave to unlock Flash, then clear Route 11 east of Vermilion.

Source maps

Digletts Cave, Route 2, Route 2 Trade House, Route 2 Gate, Route 11, and Route 11 Gate 2F.

Wild rows20 Trainers10 Items5

Route plan

Diglett's Cave is the Surge answer and the route back to Route 2's aide. Route 11 builds levels for Rock Tunnel.

Wild Pokemon

Digletts Cave

Digletts Cave wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Diglett Yellow sprite Diglett 15-2295%—
Dugtrio Yellow sprite Dugtrio 29-315.5%—

Route 2

Route 2 wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata 3-435%—
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey 3-735%—
Nidoran M Yellow sprite Nidoran M 4-615%—
Nidoran F Yellow sprite Nidoran F 4-615%—

Route 11

Route 11 wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
Tall grass / cave floor
Pidgey Yellow sprite Pidgey 16-1835%—
Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata 15-1730%—
Drowzee Yellow sprite Drowzee 15-1924%—
Pidgeotto Yellow sprite Pidgeotto 18-2010%—
Raticate Yellow sprite Raticate 171.2%—
Fishing — Old Rod
Magikarp Yellow sprite Magikarp 5100%Any fishable water tile.
Fishing — Good Rod
Goldeen Yellow sprite Goldeen 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag 1050%Any fishable water tile after getting Good Rod.
Fishing — Super Rod
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 1525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 2025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Tentacool Yellow sprite Tentacool 1025%Yellow Super Rod slot table.
Horsea Yellow sprite Horsea 525%Yellow Super Rod slot table.

Route 2 Trade House

Route 2 Trade House wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
In-game trade
Mr. Mime Yellow sprite Mr. Mime TradedGiftTrade Clefairy for Mr. Mime (MILES). Requires Cut access from the Route 2 side; trade Clefairy for Mr. Mime.

Route 11 Gate 2F

Route 11 Gate 2F wild Pokemon by encounter method, levels, rate, and requirements
PokémonLevelsRateNotes
In-game trade
Dugtrio Yellow sprite Dugtrio TradedGiftTrade Lickitung for Dugtrio (GURIO). Upstairs gate trade; trade Lickitung for Dugtrio.

Trainers

Route order Trainer Team Reward Optional / rematch note
1. Route 11 (10, 14)Gambler trainer spriteGamblerParty #1
Poliwag Yellow sprite Poliwag Lv. 18 Horsea Yellow sprite Horsea Lv. 18
$1,260One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
2. Route 11 (26, 9)Gambler trainer spriteGamblerParty #2
Bellsprout Yellow sprite Bellsprout Lv. 18 Oddish Yellow sprite Oddish Lv. 18
$1,260One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
3. Route 11 (13, 5)Youngster trainer spriteYoungsterParty #9
Ekans Yellow sprite Ekans Lv. 21
$315One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
4. Route 11 (36, 11)Engineer trainer spriteEngineerParty #2
Magnemite Yellow sprite Magnemite Lv. 21
$1,050One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
5. Route 11 (22, 4)Youngster trainer spriteYoungsterParty #10
Sandshrew Yellow sprite Sandshrew Lv. 19 Zubat Yellow sprite Zubat Lv. 19
$285One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
6. Route 11 (45, 7)Gambler trainer spriteGamblerParty #3
Voltorb Yellow sprite Voltorb Lv. 18 Magnemite Yellow sprite Magnemite Lv. 18
$1,260One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
7. Route 11 (33, 3)Gambler trainer spriteGamblerParty #4
Growlithe Yellow sprite Growlithe Lv. 18 Vulpix Yellow sprite Vulpix Lv. 18
$1,260One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
8. Route 11 (43, 5)Youngster trainer spriteYoungsterParty #11
Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata Lv. 17 Rattata Yellow sprite Rattata Lv. 17 Raticate Yellow sprite Raticate Lv. 17
$255One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
9. Route 11 (45, 16)Engineer trainer spriteEngineerParty #3
Magnemite Yellow sprite Magnemite Lv. 18 Magnemite Yellow sprite Magnemite Lv. 18 Magneton Yellow sprite Magneton Lv. 18
$900One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.
10. Route 11 (22, 12)Youngster trainer spriteYoungsterParty #12
Nidoran M Yellow sprite Nidoran M Lv. 18 Nidorino Yellow sprite Nidorino Lv. 18
$270One-time trainer; no rematch in Yellow.

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.
Escape RopeHidden itemHidden on the searchable tile at (48, 5) in Route 11.(48, 5)Press A on the hidden tile or use the Itemfinder nearby.
HM05 FlashAide rewardHave at least 10 caught species and reach Oak's aide from Diglett's Cave/Route 2.-Have at least 10 caught species and reach Oak's aide from Diglett's Cave/Route 2.
ItemfinderAide rewardHave at least 30 caught species.-Have at least 30 caught species.

Completion Checklist

  • Catch Diglett or Dugtrio if needed.
  • Get HM05 Flash from Oak's aide with 10 caught species.
  • Clear Route 11 trainers and hidden item.

Sources

Related articles

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