So, you’ve finally made it to One Island. You’ve got the Tri-Pass, you’ve talked to Bill, and you’re staring at this massive volcano in the distance. Mt Ember is kind of a legendary spot in Pokemon LeafGreen, and not just because of the literal legendary bird sitting at the top. Most players treat it like a one-and-done errand, but if you actually want to unlock the post-game, there is way more to this "inactive" volcano than just chucking Ultra Balls at Moltres.
Honestly, it’s easy to get lost in the sauce here. You have two very different reasons to be at this mountain depending on where you are in the story. One is the "First Visit" where you're basically just exploring a new region. The other is the "Post-Elite Four" mission that basically saves the Sevii Islands from being a total waste of time.
Why Mt Ember is More Than Just a Moltres Spawning Point
Most people head straight for the summit. I get it. Moltres is a Level 50 Fire/Flying beast and it looks cool in your party. But if you're just rushing to the top, you're missing some of the best grinding spots in the early post-game.
The grass around the base of the mountain—specifically on Kindle Road leading up to it—is the only place in the game where you can find Ponyta and Rapidash in the wild. If you didn't pick Charmander, this is basically your best shot at a solid Fire-type before you hit the Elite Four. Plus, the Ember Spa right at the foot of the mountain is a lifesaver. You can heal your team for free without flying back to the Pokemon Center, which makes grinding levels significantly less annoying.
Getting to the Peak
To actually reach Moltres, you're going to need Strength. There’s no way around it. The boulder puzzles aren't exactly Zelda-tier difficulty, but they can be a bit of a headache if you’re just spamming the A button.
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- Head left when you enter the main mountain exterior.
- Use Strength to shove the boulders out of the way.
- Wind your way through the cave (bring Repels unless you want to fight fifty billion Geodudes).
- When you reach the summit, save your game. Seriously. Save it.
If you accidentally knock out Moltres, it’s gone. Forever. This isn't like the modern games where you can just beat the Elite Four again and have it respawn. In Pokemon LeafGreen, you get one shot.
The Secret Team Rocket Mission You Might Have Missed
This is the part that trips people up. After you beat the Elite Four and catch at least 60 different species of Pokemon, Professor Oak gives you the National Pokedex. Suddenly, Mt Ember becomes relevant again.
You’ll notice two Team Rocket Grunts standing outside a cave entrance on the right side of the mountain base. They’re whispering about a treasure. If you talk to them, they’ll start a fight. They aren't particularly tough if your team is already Hall of Fame caliber, but beating them is the only way to get into the Ruby Path.
Finding the Ruby Plate
Inside that cave is where things get "lore heavy." You’ll find a bunch of Braille on the walls—which was a huge deal back in 2004—and eventually, you’ll find the Ruby.
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- Step 1: Defeat the grunts.
- Step 2: Navigate the Strength puzzles underground.
- Step 3: Grab the Ruby at the very bottom.
- Step 4: Bring it back to Celio at the One Island Pokemon Center.
Giving that Ruby to Celio is what actually triggers the rest of the Sevii Islands adventure. Without it, you can't even get to Four, Five, Six, or Seven Island. It’s the literal gatekeeper to the rest of the game.
Common Mistakes People Make at Mt Ember
You’d be surprised how many people forget to bring Rock Smash. While Strength is required for the main path, Rock Smash opens up shortcuts and lets you find hidden items like Max Ether or Rare Candies.
Also, don't sleep on the NPCs. There’s a Hiker near the entrance who can teach one of your Pokemon Explosion. Is it a good move for a casual playthrough? Kinda. It’s hilarious to use on your rival's last Pokemon, at least.
Wild Pokemon Encounters
If you're hunting for specific mons, keep an eye out for these in the tall grass:
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- Ponyta: Super common, levels 30-34.
- Rapidash: Much rarer, but you can find them around level 38-40.
- Magmar: (FireRed exclusive, sorry LeafGreen players—you'll need to trade for this one).
- Machop/Machoke: Great if you need some Fighting-type muscle.
What To Do Next
Once you've cleared out the Rocket Grunts and secured the Ruby, your time at Mt Ember is mostly done, but the game is just getting started.
Take the Ruby back to Celio on One Island. He’ll give you the Rainbow Pass, which is your ticket to the deeper islands. From there, your next stop should be Four Island to check out the Daycare and deal with the Lorelei/Team Rocket situation at Icefall Cave. If you haven't caught Moltres yet, go back and do it now while your team is over-leveled—just don't forget those Ultra Balls. 50 is a safe number, but 70 is better if your luck is as bad as mine usually is.
Make sure you have a Pokemon that can use Surf and Strength in your party before you sail away, as the next few islands are heavy on the HMs.