Littleroot Town to Petalburg City
The opening sequence of Pokémon Emerald takes the player from their new home in Littleroot Town through Routes 101, 103, and 102 to reach Petalburg City, introducing starter Pokémon, basic…
Getting there: Begins automatically at the start of the game inside a moving truck arriving at Littleroot Town.
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Before you leave
- •Trying to head west toward Route 102 right away is useless, as an NPC studying footprints completely blocks the path.
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Items
0/8Route
6 steps- 1
Arrive in Littleroot Town. Arrive in Littleroot Town, set the clock, and meet your rival.
- 2
Rescue Professor Birch on Route 101. Choose a starter and rescue Professor Birch on Route 101.
- 3
Scout Oldale Town and Route 103. Visit Oldale Town and battle your rival on Route 103.
⚠ Trying to head west toward Route 102 right away is useless, as an NPC studying footprints completely blocks the path.
- 4
Claim Pokédex and Running Shoes. Collect the Pokédex and Running Shoes in Littleroot Town.
- 5
Cross Route 102. Defeat trainers and gather berries along Route 102.
- 6
Meet Norman and Wally in Petalburg City. Meet Norman and Wally at the Petalburg Gym.
Choices here
2| Choice | Options and what happens | Most players pick |
|---|---|---|
| Player Character GenderInside the moving truck at the start of the game | Boy: Play as Brendan, setting May as your rivalGirl: Play as May, setting Brendan as your rivalCannot be changed later | |
| Starter Pokémon SelectionExamining Professor Birch's bag while rescuing him from a wild Zigzagoon on Route 101 | Treecko: Receive Grass-type Treecko; rival takes TorchicTorchic: Receive Fire-type Torchic; rival takes MudkipMudkip: Receive Water-type Mudkip; rival takes TreeckoPermanent choice that determines your starter companion and rival's team composition throughout the game |
Key fights
6| Fight | Watch for | Weaknesses and resistances | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial RescueWild Zigzagoon (Lv. 2) | None; basic Tackle / Growl attacks.Tactics: Repeatedly attack using the starter's basic damaging move (Pound, Scratch, or Tackle). | Starter Pokémon kept | |
| Rival Battle #1PKMN Trainer May / Brendan: Torchic (Lv. 5) if Treecko chosen, Mudkip (Lv. 5) if Torchic chosen, or Treecko (Lv. 5) if Mudkip chosen | Rival's starter has a natural type advantage, though none know elemental attacks yet.Tactics: Use Growl or Leer on Turn 1 to weaken their attack or defense. Use a Potion if HP drops below 6–7. | $300 | |
| Youngster CalvinPoochyena (Lv. 5) | Has Howl to boost Attack.Tactics: Tackle takes it down cleanly. | $80, Match Call registration later | |
| Bug Catcher RickWurmple (Lv. 4), Wurmple (Lv. 4) | Poison Sting can inflict Poison.Tactics: Use Pecha Berries if poisoned. | $64 | |
| Youngster AllenZigzagoon (Lv. 4), Taillow (Lv. 3) | Taillow hits relatively hard with Quick Attack. | $48 | |
| Lass TianaZigzagoon (Lv. 4), Shroomish (Lv. 4) | Shroomish uses Absorb to deal Grass damage and heal itself. | $64 |
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The full walkthrough text
The opening sequence of Pokémon Emerald takes the player from their new home in Littleroot Town through Routes 101, 103, and 102 to reach Petalburg City, introducing starter Pokémon, basic mechanics, and the rival.
1. Arrive in Littleroot Town
Step out of the moving truck, head inside your new house with Mom, set the wall clock in your upstairs bedroom, and check the TV broadcast about your father Norman. Access your bedroom PC to withdraw a free item from storage before heading back outside to explore the town. Introduce yourself to the rival's mother next door, then head upstairs and inspect the Poké Ball to meet your rival, Brendan or May.
Tip: Boot up your bedroom PC right away to pull an item into your bag.
2. Rescue Professor Birch on Route 101
Drop by Professor Birch’s Laboratory south of town, where his assistant explains that the professor is out conducting field research. Walk up to the northern exit of Littleroot Town to hear a child warning of cries ahead, then step onto Route 101 to find Birch being chased by a wild Zigzagoon. Inspect his dropped briefcase to select Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip, and quickly defeat the attacker using standard physical strikes.
Tip: Stick to your starter's standard damage move like Pound, Scratch, or Tackle to wrap up the battle swiftly.
3. Scout Oldale Town and Route 103
Accompany Birch back to his lab to formally receive your chosen partner and optionally assign it a nickname. Journey north along Route 101 to Oldale Town, heal up at the Pokémon Center, and chat with the Poké Mart clerk near the southeastern entrance so he escorts you to the Mart and hands you a healing item. Head north onto Route 103, where your rival is observing wild Pokémon, and trigger your first duel against their elemental partner.
Tip: Lower your rival's stats on the opening turn with Leer or Growl, and sip a Potion if your health drops below 6 or 7 HP.
4. Claim Pokédex and Running Shoes
Return south to Professor Birch's Laboratory in Littleroot Town, where the professor rewards your progress with the regional Pokédex and your rival presents you with 5 Poké Balls. Stroll toward the northern town gate leading to Route 101, where Mom intercepts you to give you a pair of Running Shoes. You can now revisit your home at any time to have Mom fully heal your party.
Tip: Rest at your house whenever you need a free heal from Mom instead of spending money.
5. Cross Route 102
Travel west from Oldale Town along the now unblocked Route 102, battling trainers including Youngster Calvin, Bug Catcher Rick, Youngster Allen, and Lass Tiana across the grassy clearings and around the pond. Grab the Oran Berries and Pecha Berries growing in the soft soil bed located north of the route's fork. Before exiting west into Petalburg City, search the southwestern pocket of tall grass surrounded by trees to find an extra hidden healing item.
Tip: Keep Pecha Berries handy to quickly cleanse any Poison inflicted by Bug Catcher Rick's Wurmple.
6. Meet Norman and Wally in Petalburg City
Walk into Petalburg City and visit the Petalburg Gym to speak with your father, Norman, who explains how Gym Badges work and informs you that you need four badges before challenging him. Help the sickly boy Wally by escorting him onto Route 102 to watch his Pokémon capture tutorial. Once you return to the Gym entrance, an enigmatic talent scout named Scott approaches to chat with you before moving along.
Tip: Pay attention to Wally's capture demonstration if you need a quick refresher on catching wild Pokémon.
The short version
What matters
- Withdrawing the free Potion stored inside your bedroom PC before leaving Littleroot Town.
- Speaking with the Poké Mart clerk standing by Oldale Town's southeastern entrance to receive a free Potion.
- Harvesting the Oran Berries and Pecha Berries planted north of the Route 102 fork to heal HP and cure poison.
- Receiving the regional Pokédex, 5 Poké Balls, and Running Shoes upon returning to Littleroot Town.
Common mistakes
- Heading west out of Oldale Town before fighting your rival on Route 103; the path is blocked by a footprint researcher until you complete that battle.
- Leaving your bedroom without checking the PC, missing an easy free Potion for early-game battles.
- Letting your starter's HP drop below 6–7 against your rival on Route 103 without using a Potion, risking a knockout.
32 facts on this page · 0 checked · 32 still being checked · from bulbagarden.net, supercheats.com, pokestop.io
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