Guide to Completing the National Pokédex
Completing the National Pokédex in Fire Red & Leaf Green is a monumental achievement that requires dedication, multiple playthroughs, and trading with other Generation III games. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to catch all 386 Pokémon.
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Overview
The Generation III National Pokédex consists of 386 Pokémon. Completing it requires:
- Both Fire Red and Leaf Green (for version exclusives)
- Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald (for version exclusives)
- Multiple playthroughs of both FR/LG and RSE (for starters and one-time choices)
- Trading capabilities (two systems)
- Event items (for some legendary Pokémon)
Version Exclusives
Certain Pokémon can only be caught in specific versions of Generation III games. Trading is required to obtain these.
Fire Red & Leaf Green Version Exclusives
Fire Red Exclusive Pokémon:
- Ekans & Arbok
- Growlithe & Arcanine
- Shellder & Cloyster
- Scyther & Scizor
- Electabuzz & Elekid
- Murkrow
- Qwilfish
- Delibird
Leaf Green Exclusive Pokémon:
- Bellsprout, Weepinbell & Victreebel
- Slowpoke, Slowbro & Slowking
- Magmar & Magby
- Misdreavus
- Sneasel
- Mantine
Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald Version Exclusives
Ruby Exclusive Pokémon:
- Zangoose
Sapphire Exclusive Pokémon:
- Lunatone
Emerald Exclusive Pokémon:
- Chikorita, Bayleef & Meganium
- Cyndaquil, Quilava & Typhlosion
- Totodile, Croconaw & Feraligatr
- Hoothoot & Noctowl
- Mareep, Flaaffy & Ampharos
- Sudowoodo
- Aipom
- Sunkern & Sunflora
- Pineco & Forretress
- Gligar
- Snubbull & Granbull
- Shuckle
- Teddiursa & Ursaring
- Houndour & Houndoom
- Stantler
- Smeargle
- Miltank
Multiple Playthroughs Required
Several Pokémon are only available once per save file. To obtain all of them, you'll need multiple playthroughs.
Starter Pokémon
Kanto Starters (Fire Red & Leaf Green)
- Bulbasaur, Ivysaur & Venusaur
- Charmander, Charmeleon & Charizard
- Squirtle, Wartortle & Blastoise
Required: 3 playthroughs of Fire Red or Leaf Green
Hoenn Starters (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald)
- Treecko, Grovyle & Sceptile
- Torchic, Combusken & Blaziken
- Mudkip, Marshtomp & Swampert
Required: 3 playthroughs of Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald
Johto Starters (Emerald Only)
- Chikorita, Bayleef & Meganium
- Cyndaquil, Quilava & Typhlosion
- Totodile, Croconaw & Feraligatr
Required: 3 playthroughs of Emerald (given by Professor Birch after completing Hoenn Pokédex)
Fossil Pokémon
Mt. Moon Fossils (Fire Red & Leaf Green)
At Mt. Moon, you must choose between two fossils:
- Helix Fossil → Omanyte & Omastar
- Dome Fossil → Kabuto & Kabutops
Required: 2 playthroughs of Fire Red or Leaf Green
Desert Fossils (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald)
In the desert, you must choose between two fossils:
- Root Fossil → Lileep & Cradily
- Claw Fossil → Anorith & Armaldo
Required: 2 playthroughs of Ruby or Sapphire
Hitmonlee & Hitmonchan
After defeating the Saffron City Dojo, you must choose one:
- Hitmonlee (better Attack)
- Hitmonchan (better Defense)
Required: 2 playthroughs of Fire Red or Leaf Green
Johto Starters
The Johto starters (Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile) are only available in Pokémon Emerald.
After completing the Hoenn Pokédex (catching all 200 Hoenn Pokémon), Professor Birch will allow you to choose one Johto starter. This is a one-time choice per save file.
- Chikorita, Bayleef & Meganium
- Cyndaquil, Quilava & Typhlosion
- Totodile, Croconaw & Feraligatr
Required: 3 playthroughs of Emerald (completing the Hoenn Pokédex each time)
Clamperl Evolution Items
Clamperl has two different evolutions depending on which held item it has when traded:
- DeepSea Tooth → Clamperl evolves into Huntail when traded
- DeepSea Scale → Clamperl evolves into Gorebyss when traded
How to Obtain (Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald):
After obtaining the Scanner item from the Abandoned Ship, bring it to Captain Stern in Slateport City. He will ask you to choose between two items:
- DeepSea Tooth
- DeepSea Scale
Since you can only choose one item per save file, you'll need to complete this process in two different playthroughs to obtain both evolution items.
Legendary Dogs (Roaming Beasts)
After defeating the Elite Four, one of three legendary beasts will roam Kanto based on your starter:
- If you chose Bulbasaur: Entei roams
- If you chose Charmander: Suicune roams
- If you chose Squirtle: Raikou roams
To obtain all three legendary beasts, you need the same 3 playthroughs you're already doing for the starters.
Event-Exclusive Pokémon
Several legendary Pokémon were only available through Nintendo events or special distributions.
Mew
Requires Old Sea Map event item
Lugia & Ho-Oh
Require Mystic Ticket event item. In the Nintendo Switch version of Fire Red and Leaf Green this ticket is given after defeating the Elite Four.
Deoxys
Requires Aurora Ticket event item. In the Nintendo Switch version of Fire Red and Leaf Green this ticket is given after defeating the Elite Four.
Jirachi
Available from Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc (pre-order bonus for Pokémon Colosseum).
Celebi
Not obtainable in US games. Only available through Japanese Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc. Celebi is considered unobtainable for most English players.
