To reach the 4th Gym in Pokemon Emerald, you need to defeat the third Gym Leader, Roxanne, then make your way through Granite Cave, Dewford Town, and eventually to Mauville City to challenge the Gym Leader there. You will need the HM01 Cut to get through some areas and the HM05 Flash to navigate through a cave. The fourth Gym Leader you’ll face is Wattson, specializing in Electric-type Pokémon, located in the Mauville City Gym.
Embarking on your journey to become the Hoenn League Champion is an exciting adventure, and reaching the 4th Gym in Pokémon Emerald is a significant milestone. This guide will walk you through every step, from your early days in Littleroot Town to challenging the formidable Electric-type Gym Leader, Wattson, in Mauville City. We’ll cover essential items, key locations, and the Pokémon you’ll need to catch and train to overcome the obstacles ahead.
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Your Path Begins: From Littleroot Town to the First Gym
Your adventure starts in Littleroot Town. After choosing your starter Pokémon (Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip) and battling your rival, you’ll receive your first Poké Balls and the Potion from Professor Birch. Your initial goal is to reach the Petalburg City Gym, but first, you must visit other towns and acquire necessary HMs.
Key Early Steps:
- Talk to Mom: Get your running shoes to move faster.
- Professor Birch’s Assistance: Receive your starter Pokémon.
- First Rival Battle: Test your starter against your rival.
- Poké Balls and Potions: Obtain crucial starting items.
Your journey will quickly lead you to Route 101 and then Route 103, where you’ll encounter wild Pokémon and have your first taste of trainer battles. The objective is to reach Oldale Town, then head west to Petalburg City.
Reaching Petalburg City
Petalburg City is your first major destination. Here, you’ll meet your rival’s father, Wally, and help him catch his first Pokémon. This event is crucial as it sets you on a path that ultimately leads to more powerful Pokémon and abilities.
What to Do in Petalburg City:
- Meet Wally: Assist Wally in catching a Ralts. This event is key for later progression.
- Talk to the Gym Leader’s Father: Learn about the Petalburg City Gym. While you can’t challenge the Gym Leader, Norman, yet, you’ll gain insight into the Gym’s challenge.
Your immediate task after Petalburg City is to head east towards Route 104.
Navigating Route 104 and Rustboro City
Route 104 is a scenic path with trainers and wild Pokémon. You’ll also encounter the Petalburg Woods, a small forest area that acts as a gateway to the next town.
Petalburg Woods
Inside Petalburg Woods, you’ll meet a member of the villainous Team Aqua or Team Magma, depending on your game version. You’ll need to battle them to save a captured Devon Corporation employee. This encounter grants you the HM01 Cut.
HM01 Cut: This HM is essential for progressing through many parts of the game. It allows you to cut down small trees blocking your path.
Once you exit Petalburg Woods, you’ll reach the northern section of Route 104. Here, you can visit a berry house and then proceed to Rustboro City.
Rustboro City and the First Gym
Rustboro City is home to the first Gym Leader, Roxanne, a Rock-type specialist.
Gym Battle Strategy: Roxanne
- Weaknesses: Water and Grass-type Pokémon are highly effective against Rock-type Pokémon.
- Recommended Pokémon: Your starter (if it’s Mudkip or Treecko), Lotad, Seedot, or Marill are good choices.
- Moves: Water Gun, Vine Whip, or Absorb will be your go-to attacks.
After defeating Roxanne, you’ll receive the Stone Badge and the TM39 Rock Tomb. With your first badge secured, your path continues eastward.
The Journey Continues: Granite Cave and Dewford Town
After defeating Roxanne, you’ll head back through Route 104, but this time you’ll need to go south of Petalburg City, onto Route 104’s southern section, and enter Route 107.
Route 107 and Granite Cave
Route 107 is a coastal route where you’ll encounter trainers. At the end of Route 107, you’ll find the entrance to Granite Cave.
Inside Granite Cave:
- Navigate Carefully: Granite Cave is a multi-leveled cave. You’ll need to explore to find your way through.
- Wild Pokémon: Encounter Pokémon like Geodude, Zubat, and Makuhita.
- Key Item: Inside Granite Cave, you’ll find the HM05 Flash. This HM is crucial for navigating dark caves later in the game, though it’s not strictly necessary for reaching the 4th gym, it’s highly recommended.
- Encounter Steven: You’ll meet Steven Stone, the Hoenn Champion, who will give you a Hard Stone.
Reaching Dewford Town
Exiting Granite Cave, you’ll find yourself on Route 106. Following this route will lead you to Dewford Town.
What to Do in Dewford Town:
- Talk to the Old Man: He will give you the Old Rod, allowing you to fish for Pokémon. This is a great opportunity to catch Magikarp and eventually Gyarados.
- Gym Battle: The Dewford Town Gym Leader is Brawly, a Fighting-type specialist.
Gym Battle Strategy: Brawly
- Weaknesses: Flying and Psychic-type Pokémon are effective against Fighting-type Pokémon.
- Recommended Pokémon: Taillow, Wingull, or Ralts are excellent choices.
- Moves: Flying-type moves like Wing Attack or Gust, or Psychic-type moves like Confusion.
After defeating Brawly, you’ll earn the Knuckle Badge and TM08 Bulk Up. Your next destination is Slateport City.
Slateport City and the Oceanic Museum
From Dewford Town, you’ll sail back to Route 109, a beach area leading to Slateport City.
Route 109
This route is known for its trainers and a small fishing area. As you approach Slateport City, you’ll see the harbor.
Slateport City
Slateport City is a bustling port town with several important locations.
Key Activities in Slateport City:
- Oceanic Museum: You’ll need to pay an entry fee to access the museum, but it contains interesting exhibits.
- Team Aqua/Magma Hideout: You’ll encounter Team Aqua or Team Magma members causing trouble. This usually involves a confrontation in the museum or the shipyards.
- TM31 Brick Break: After dealing with the villains, you’ll often be rewarded with this TM.
- Old Man’s House: A man will give you the Great Ball.
Your primary goal in Slateport City is to interrupt Team Aqua’s plan to steal the Devon Goods. After you thwart their efforts, you’ll receive the TM46 Thief.
The Path to Mauville City: Route 110 and Cycling Road
After your business in Slateport City, you’ll head back north to Route 110. This is a crucial route that leads you directly towards Mauville City.
Route 110 and the Trick House
Route 110 is a long route filled with trainers. You’ll also encounter the Trick House again, offering a new set of puzzles.
Navigating Route 110:
- Trainer Battles: Be prepared for numerous trainer battles.
- Trick House: Solving the puzzles here often yields useful items.
Cycling Road (Route 110 – Northern Section)
As you move north on Route 110, you’ll enter the northern part, which is essentially the beginning of Cycling Road. However, you won’t get the Bicycle just yet. You’ll need to reach Mauville City first.
Mauville City and the Electric Gym Leader
Mauville City is your next major destination, and it’s home to the 4th Gym. To reach Mauville City, you’ll continue north from Route 110, passing through the northern section of Route 110 and then Route 103 again.
Route 110 – North and Route 103 Revisited
You’ll traverse north on Route 110, encountering more trainers and wild Pokémon. Eventually, you’ll reach the junction that leads back to Route 103. Head north on Route 103.
Verdanturf Town and the Contest Hall
Before reaching Mauville City, you’ll pass through Verdanturf Town.
What to Do in Verdanturf Town:
- Name Rater: If you wish to change the nickname of your Pokémon.
- Couple’s House: A couple will offer you HM01 Cut again if you lost it.
- Contest Hall: This is where Pokémon Contests are held, a different type of challenge from Gym battles.
Route 102 and the Abandoned Power Plant Hint
Heading west from Verdanturf Town on Route 102, you’ll find the entrance to a cave. This is not directly on the path to Mauville but is a significant location for later game content related to the Electric-type Pokémon and the Power Plant.
Back to Mauville City via Route 103 and Route 117
To get to Mauville City from Verdanturf Town, you need to head east back onto Route 117. This route is known for its gardeners and wild Pokémon.
Route 117:
- Trainer Battles: Engage in battles with various trainers.
- Breeding Center: A key feature here is the Pokémon Day Care, where you can leave two compatible Pokémon to breed.
- Contest Hall Access: You can enter the Contest Hall from here.
Reaching Mauville City Proper
Following Route 117 eastward will lead you directly into Mauville City.
Mauville City Gym: Wattson
Mauville City is a hub with various facilities, including a Poké Mart, Pokémon Center, and the all-important Gym. The Gym Leader is Wattson, a master of Electric-type Pokémon.
Gym Battle Strategy: Wattson
- Weaknesses: Ground-type Pokémon are immune to Electric attacks and are super effective against them.
- Recommended Pokémon: Geodude, Sandshrew, or Trapinch are excellent choices. If you have a Pokémon with a Ground-type move like Dig or Mud-Slap, it will also be very useful.
- Key Pokémon: Wattson’s team typically includes Magnemite, Voltorb, and Electrike. His ace is usually Magneton.
- Moves: Ground-type attacks like Dig, Mud-Slap, or Bulldoze are your best bet.
Remember that Electric-type Pokémon are fast and can paralyze your Pokémon with moves like Thunder Shock or Spark, so be cautious.
Essential Items and HMs for Your Journey
Throughout your journey to the 4th Gym, you will acquire several crucial HMs and items that are vital for progression.
Crucial HMs:
- HM01 Cut: Obtained in Petalburg Woods. Allows you to clear paths blocked by small trees.
- HM05 Flash: Found in Granite Cave. Lights up dark caves, making navigation easier, though not strictly required for the 4th Gym.
- HM03 Surf: This is a key HM that you will obtain after defeating Wattson. It allows you to travel across water.
- HM04 Strength: This HM is obtained later in the game, after passing through Mauville City and exploring more of Hoenn. It allows you to push boulders.
Key Items to Collect:
- Running Shoes: Given by your mother early on.
- Old Rod: Obtained from an old man in Dewford Town for fishing.
- Hard Stone: Given by Steven Stone in Granite Cave.
- TMs: Various TMs for useful moves will be found or rewarded.
Recommended Pokémon Teams for the Journey
To successfully navigate the challenges up to the 4th Gym, building a balanced team is essential. Here are some Pokémon that are readily available and effective:
| Location | Pokémon Available | Strengths | Weaknesses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Littleroot Town | Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip | Varies based on starter. Mudkip is strong against early gyms. | Varies | Starter Pokémon is crucial. |
| Route 103/104 | Taillow, Wingull | Flying-type attacks are excellent against Fighting and Grass. | Electric, Rock | Taillow evolves into Swellow. |
| Route 102/104 | Lotad, Seedot | Water/Grass or Grass/Dark typing. Good against Rock and Ground. | Varies | Lotad evolves into Lombre, Seedot into Nuzleaf. |
| Granite Cave | Geodude, Makuhita | Geodude is a Rock/Ground type, resistant to Electric. Makuhita is Fighting. | Varies | Geodude evolves into Golem. |
| Dewford Town Area | Magikarp (fishing) | Evolves into Gyarados, a powerful Water/Flying type. | Rock, Electric | Requires patience to train. |
| Mauville City Area | Electrike, Plusle, Minun | Electric-types. Need Ground-type counters. | Ground | Good for speed and special attacks. |
Table of Gym Leaders and Their Types:
| Gym Leader | Location | Pokémon Type | Badge Name | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roxanne | Rustboro City | Rock | Stone Badge | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| Brawly | Dewford Town | Fighting | Knuckle Badge | Flying, Psychic |
| Wattson | Mauville City | Electric | Dynamo Badge | Ground |
By following this comprehensive guide, you should be well-equipped to overcome the trainers, solve the puzzles, and ultimately defeat Gym Leader Wattson to earn your 4th Gym Badge. Your journey through the Hoenn region is just getting started!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Do I need HM01 Cut to get to the 4th Gym?
A1: Yes, you will need HM01 Cut to progress through Petalburg Woods, which is on the path to Rustboro City, and it’s required to clear certain paths before reaching Mauville City.
Q2: Where do I find the HM03 Surf?
A2: You obtain HM03 Surf after defeating Wattson in the Mauville City Gym. Surf is essential for navigating the water routes and reaching new areas.
Q3: What is the best Pokémon to use against Wattson?
A3: Ground-type Pokémon are the best counter to Wattson’s Electric-type Pokémon. Geodude, Sandshrew, or Trapinch are excellent choices due to their typing and availability.
Q4: Can I skip any of the towns before Mauville City?
A4: While you might be tempted to rush, each town and route offers important trainers, items, and progression points. Skipping towns can leave you under-leveled and without necessary HMs. It’s best to explore thoroughly.
Q5: What Pokémon does the Third Gym Leader use?
A5: The Third Gym Leader is Brawly in Dewford Town, and he specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon. Your Flying or Psychic-type Pokémon will be most effective against him.