Your Guide: How To Get To The 4th Gym In Emerald

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To reach the fourth Gym in Pokémon Emerald, you’ll need to travel to Lavaridge Town and challenge Flannery, the Fire-type Gym Leader. This journey involves navigating several towns and routes, facing trainers, and solving environmental puzzles.

How To Get To The 4th Gym In Emerald
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The Path to Lavaridge Town: A Pokémon Emerald Walkthrough

Embarking on the quest to reach the fourth Gym in Pokémon Emerald is a significant milestone. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough, detailing each step from your previous adventure to the fiery challenge awaiting you in Lavaridge Town. We’ll cover the essential routes, key towns, and the Pokémon you’ll encounter along the way. Your goal is to obtain the Heat Badge from Flannery, a task that requires careful planning and a well-trained team.

Setting the Stage: Where You Are and What’s Next

After earning your third Gym badge from Wattson in Mauville City, your journey continues south. You’ve likely explored Verdanturf Town and perhaps even visited Rustboro City to defeat Roxanne and Brawly in Dewford Town. Your current objective is to make your way to Lilycove City, a bustling hub that serves as a gateway to further adventures, including the path to Lavaridge Town.

From Mauville City to Route 110

  1. Leaving Mauville City: Exit Mauville City heading south. You will arrive on Route 110.
  2. Route 110 Encounters: This route is teeming with trainers and wild Pokémon. Be prepared for battles against Wingulls, Electrikes, and Zigzagoons. You might also encounter rivals from the biking path segment you might have traversed earlier.

Route 110 to Slateport City

  • Continuing South: Follow Route 110 southward. You’ll eventually reach Slateport City, a major port town.
  • Navigating Slateport City: Slateport City offers several key locations:
    • Pokémon Fan Club: Get some useful items and advice here.
    • Name Rater: Change the nicknames of your Pokémon.
    • Marketplace: Purchase various items.
    • Oldale Town: This town is not directly on the path, but it’s a good place to heal and restock if needed.

The Oceanic Museum and Captain Stern

  • Oceanic Museum: A key event in Slateport City involves the Oceanic Museum. Here, you’ll encounter Captain Stern, who is researching ancient Pokémon. You’ll need to help him fend off members of Team Aqua or Team Magma, depending on your version of the game.
  • Team Aqua/Magma Hideout: After dealing with the villainous team in the museum, you’ll need to locate their hideout. This often involves exploring the Slateport Harbor. The specific location might change slightly depending on the story progression.

Back to Route 110 and Towards Verdanturf Town

  • Heading West: After your business in Slateport City is concluded, you’ll need to return to Route 110. This time, head west towards Verdanturf Town.
  • Route 117: As you travel west from Slateport City via Route 110, you’ll eventually reach Route 117. This route is known for its vibrant flower fields and introduces you to breeders and Ace Trainers.
    • Pokémon on Route 117: Expect to find Pokémon like Marill, Oddish, and Kecleon.

Verdanturf Town and the Contest Hall

  • Arrival in Verdanturf Town: Verdanturf Town is a peaceful village nestled between routes. It’s a good place to heal your Pokémon.
  • Contest Hall: Verdanturf Town is home to the Pokémon Contest Hall. While not essential for reaching the fourth Gym, participating in contests can earn you valuable items and Ribbons.

The Path to Route 111 and Desert Access

  • Leaving Verdanturf Town: From Verdanturf Town, head south to Route 111.
  • Route 111 Exploration: Route 111 is a long route, part of which is a desert.
    • Trainer Battles: Be prepared for several trainer battles on Route 111. These trainers often have Ground-type and Rock-type Pokémon, so bringing Water or Grass-type Pokémon will be advantageous.
    • Wild Encounters: Wild Pokémon here include Sandshrew, Baltoy, and Trapinch.

The Desert and the Fossil

  • Desert Navigation: The desert section of Route 111 presents a challenge. You’ll need to navigate through sandstorms and find your way.
  • Fossil Discovery: In the desert, you’ll discover a fossil. This fossil can be revived into an ancient Pokémon at the Devon Corporation in Rustboro City. While not directly related to reaching the fourth Gym, it’s a significant side quest. Keep an eye out for archaeologists who can help you pinpoint the fossil’s location.

Route 111 Continues: Towards the Fiery Path

  • Northern Route 111: Continue north on Route 111. You’ll encounter more trainers.
  • Fiery Path Access: The path towards Lavaridge Town leads through a cave system known as the Fiery Path. This cave is often found branching off from Route 111 or a nearby route.

Route 112 and Fiery Path

  • Route 112: After the desert, you’ll continue on Route 112. This route leads directly to the entrance of the Fiery Path.
  • Fiery Path Challenges:
    • Heat: The cave is incredibly hot, causing small amounts of damage to your Pokémon over time. You’ll need Pokémon with good HP or items to mitigate this damage.
    • Wild Pokémon: Expect to encounter Fire-type Pokémon like Numel and Slugma. Bring Pokémon that resist Fire-type attacks.
    • Trainer Encounters: There might be a few trainers inside the cave, so be ready for battle.

Exiting Fiery Path and Reaching Lavaridge Town

  • Navigating the Cave: The Fiery Path is a relatively straightforward cave system, but it can be maze-like. Pay attention to the twists and turns.
  • Emerging into New Territory: Upon exiting the Fiery Path, you will find yourself on a new route leading directly to Lavaridge Town.

Lavaridge Town: The Fourth Gym’s Location

  • Welcome to Lavaridge Town: You have successfully reached your destination. Lavaridge Town is a charming town known for its hot springs.
  • Pokémon Center: Heal your Pokémon at the Pokémon Center.
  • Hot Springs: Explore the town and interact with the locals. The hot springs are a unique feature of this town.
  • Gym Challenge: The Pokémon Gym is located within Lavaridge Town.

The Fourth Gym Leader: Flannery

  • Flannery’s Specialty: Flannery is the Gym Leader of Lavaridge Town, and she specializes in Fire-type Pokémon.
  • Gym Puzzle: The Lavaridge Gym often features a puzzle involving switches that rotate rooms or open doors. You’ll need to solve this puzzle to reach Flannery.
    • Switch Mechanics: The puzzle typically involves stepping on switches in a specific order. Incorrect steps might send you back to the start or trigger trainers.
  • Flannery’s Team: Flannery’s team usually consists of Pokémon like Numel, Slugma, and Torkoal.
    • Type Matchups: Bring Pokémon that are strong against Fire-types, such as Water, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon. Pokémon with resistance to Fire-type moves are also crucial.
    • Potential Pokémon to Use:
      • Marshtomp/Swampert: Excellent against Flannery’s entire team.
      • Grovyle/Sceptile: Can handle Numel and Slugma effectively.
      • Geodude/Graveler/Golem: Strong against Fire-types with their Rock-type moves.
      • Rhydon: Another powerful Ground/Rock type.

Key Items and Support Along the Way

Throughout your journey to Lavaridge Town, keep an eye out for important items. These can include:

  • Potions and Antidotes: Essential for healing your Pokémon during battles and against status conditions.
  • Repels: Useful for avoiding unwanted wild encounters when you need to focus on trainers.
  • TMs: You may find valuable Technical Machines (TMs) that teach your Pokémon new moves. For instance, you might find TMs that teach Water or Ground-type moves, which are beneficial for the upcoming Gym battle.
  • Berries: Some berries can heal HP or status conditions, offering an alternative to items.

Important Pokémon Encounters and Strategies

  • Route 110 & 117: Consider catching a Wingull or Marill. Their Water-typing will be invaluable against the Fire-type Pokémon you’ll face later. Kecleon can also be a versatile addition to your team, though its color-changing ability can make predicting its type tricky.
  • Route 111: A Trapinch caught on Route 111 can evolve into a powerful Vibrava and then Flygon, both of which are strong against Fire-types due to their Ground typing. Sandshrew also offers a solid Ground-type option.
  • Fiery Path: While Fire-types like Numel and Slugma are prevalent, catching one of them can be a strategic move if you lack a strong Fire-type attacker for later in the game, though they are not ideal for fighting Flannery herself.

Pre-Gym Preparations

Before challenging Flannery, ensure your Pokémon team is:

  1. Well-Leveled: Aim for your Pokémon to be around level 25-30. The exact levels needed can depend on your team’s type coverage and your battling skill.
  2. Fully Healed: Visit a Pokémon Center to restore HP and PP.
  3. Equipped with Effective Moves: Make sure your Pokémon know powerful Water, Ground, or Rock-type moves. If your starter is a Grass-type (like Treecko), ensure it has learned a strong secondary move or has high stats to compensate.
  4. Carrying Potions: Stock up on Potions, Super Potions, and potentially Full Heals.

Navigating the Gym Puzzle: A Closer Look

The Lavaridge Gym puzzle is a recurring theme in Hoenn’s Gyms. It’s designed to test your observation and logic.

  • The Goal: To reach the central platform where Flannery awaits.
  • The Mechanism: You’ll encounter a series of switches. Activating a switch typically changes the layout of the gym, either by opening doors, moving walls, or potentially triggering trainer battles.
  • A Common Pattern: Often, these puzzles require you to activate certain switches in a sequence. For example, you might need to activate a switch, move to a new area, activate another switch, and then return to an earlier area.
  • Trial and Error: Don’t be discouraged if you get stuck. Some trial and error is often part of the process. Note which switches lead to dead ends or unwanted battles.
  • Trainer Placement: Trainers within the gym are strategically placed to challenge you before you reach Flannery. Defeating them is usually necessary to progress through the puzzle.

Strategy for the Flannery Battle

When you finally reach Flannery, remember her Fire-type specialization.

  • Numel: This Pokémon has a dual Ground/Fire typing, making it weak to Water and Grass, but resistant to Fire, Bug, Steel, and Fairy. Its Ground typing gives it an advantage against Electric and Rock types.
  • Slugma: A pure Fire-type. Weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. Resistant to Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, and Fairy.
  • Torkoal: Another pure Fire-type. Similar weaknesses and resistances as Slugma. Torkoal is known for its high Defense and Special Defense and access to moves like Lava Plume, which can burn your Pokémon.

Key to Victory:

  • Water-type Pokémon: Having a strong Water-type Pokémon like Marshtomp or Lombre with access to Water-type moves is your best bet.
  • Ground-type Pokémon: Pokémon like Geodude or Trapinch can also be effective, especially if they learn moves like Dig or Mud-Slap.
  • Avoid: Bringing Pokémon with Fire, Grass, or Bug typing is generally not recommended, as they will be at a significant disadvantage. Electric-type Pokémon are also risky as they only resist Fire and have no strong offensive advantage.

Recap of the Journey

To summarize the path to the fourth Gym:

  • Start after defeating Wattson in Mauville City.
  • Travel south to Route 110.
  • Navigate Route 110 towards Slateport City.
  • Complete the events in Slateport City, including the museum.
  • Return to Route 110 and head west towards Verdanturf Town.
  • Travel through Route 117.
  • Head south onto Route 111.
  • Cross the desert section of Route 111.
  • Continue on Route 112 to enter the Fiery Path.
  • Exit the Fiery Path and arrive in Lavaridge Town.
  • Challenge Flannery in the Lavaridge Gym.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the fastest way to get to the 4th Gym in Pokémon Emerald?
The fastest way involves following the direct path outlined: Mauville City -> Route 110 -> Slateport City (briefly) -> Route 110 -> Route 117 -> Route 111 -> Route 112 -> Fiery Path -> Lavaridge Town. While there might be minor deviations depending on the exact sequence of events you trigger, this route is the most efficient.

Q2: Can I skip Slateport City and still reach Lavaridge Town?
No, your progression through the story typically requires you to visit Slateport City to advance certain plot points that are necessary to unlock the full path to Lavaridge Town. You cannot bypass this crucial step.

Q3: Who is the Gym Leader of the 4th Gym in Pokémon Emerald?
The Gym Leader of the fourth Gym in Pokémon Emerald is Flannery, who specializes in Fire-type Pokémon.

Q4: What Pokémon are effective against Flannery?
Water, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon are most effective against Flannery’s Fire-type team. Pokémon that resist Fire-type attacks are also beneficial.

Q5: What level should my Pokémon be to beat Flannery?
Your Pokémon should ideally be between level 25 and 30. Some players might find success with slightly lower levels depending on their team’s type coverage and their own battling strategy.

Q6: Do I need HM Surf to reach the 4th Gym?
No, HM Surf is not required to reach the 4th Gym in Lavaridge Town. The primary HM you’ll need for exploration leading up to this point is HM Cut, though even that isn’t strictly mandatory for the main path to Lavaridge. The Fiery Path is a cave, not an underwater route.

Q7: What kind of puzzle is in the Lavaridge Gym?
The Lavaridge Gym puzzle typically involves activating switches to navigate through the gym, opening paths and reaching the Gym Leader. It requires careful observation and sometimes trial and error.

Q8: What items can I find on Route 110, Route 111, and Route 117?
You can find various items like Potions, Antidotes, Repels, and TMs on these routes. Specific items vary, so exploring thoroughly is recommended. You might also find evolutionary stones or useful berries.

Q9: Is Norman a Gym Leader I need to fight before the 4th Gym?
No, Norman is your father and the Gym Leader in Petalburg City, which is the second Gym you typically challenge. You do not need to fight him again before the fourth Gym.

Q10: How do I get past the desert on Route 111?
The desert on Route 111 doesn’t have a specific puzzle to get through, but rather requires careful navigation to find your way across, avoiding trainers and wild Pokémon. Be mindful of the sandstorm weather effect if it’s present.