Rustboro City & Petalburg Woods

1. Trek through Southern Petalburg Woods

Enter Petalburg Woods from Route 104 South and follow the winding dirt trail through the trees. Grab the visible Potion in the southern clearing, check the far west edge for a Paralyze Heal, and inspect an indentation in the tall grass for a hidden Potion. Along the way, defeat Bug Catcher Lyle and Bug Catcher James as you work your way north.

Tip: Wild Pokémon in these woods range from levels 5 to 6, making them good for early training.

2. Rescue the Devon Researcher

Continue into the northern corridor where an ambushed Devon Researcher pleads for help against a Team Aqua Grunt. Defeat the Grunt's level 9 Poochyena using basic attacks like Treecko's Absorb, Mudkip's Water Gun, or Torchic's Ember. Once saved, the researcher restores your team's health and gifts you a Great Ball.

Tip: Torchic can also use Double Kick to hit Poochyena's weakness to Fighting.

3. Exit Petalburg Woods to Route 104 North

Head toward the northern exit of Petalburg Woods, picking up a visible Ether from the ground before leaving the canopy. Continue along Route 104 North past the Pretty Petal Flower Shop and cross the bridges directly into Rustboro City.

Tip: Later, once you can use Cut, return to the eastern boundary alleyway to find hidden TinyMushrooms and access a Route 104 cliff ledge holding a Poké Ball.

4. Explore Rustboro City and Gather Key Items

Once in Rustboro City, stop by the Cutter's House next to the Pokémon Center to receive HM01 (Cut) from The Cutter. Head to the Pokémon Trainer's School to get the Quick Claw from the schoolteacher, and speak with the boy on the 2nd floor (1F) of the southwest apartment building to obtain a Premier Ball. Before tackling the gym, you can also visit Walda's house on the northwest side and input text from secret word algorithms to earn custom PC box wallpaper.

Tip: You can trade a Ralts to Kobe in the house right of the gym to receive a boosted-EXP Seedot holding a Chesto Berry.

5. Clear the Rustboro Gym and Defeat Roxanne

Enter the Rustboro Gym and choose whether to bypass all three trainers via the outside perimeter or fight Youngster Josh, Youngster Tommy, and Hiker Marc on the rocky detour paths. Challenge Gym Leader Roxanne, using Grass, Water, or Fighting moves against her two Geodude and her ace Nosepass. Defeating her awards you the Stone Badge, TM39 (Rock Tomb), and ₽1,500.

Tip: Tommy and Marc can be engaged in a Double Battle if you navigate near both of them on the detour paths.

The short version

What matters

• Rescue the Devon Researcher in Petalburg Woods to earn a Great Ball and a full party heal.
• Collect HM01 (Cut) from The Cutter and the Quick Claw from the schoolteacher in Rustboro City.
• Speak to Scott in the Pokémon Trainer's School to progress his running storyline.
• Defeat Gym Leader Roxanne to earn the Stone Badge and TM39 (Rock Tomb).

Common mistakes

• Walking past Scott in the Pokémon Trainer's School without talking to him, which misses a milestone for his post-game Battle Frontier reward.
• Relying on physical Normal-type moves against Roxanne's Rock-type team; exploit their special weaknesses with Grass or Water moves, or evolve Torchic to Combusken at level 16 for Double Kick.

What you can skip

• You can bypass all three gym trainers completely by walking along the outside perimeter track of the Rustboro Gym.