So, you’ve finally made it. You have eight shiny badges in your case, your team is roughly level 45 to 50, and you’re standing at the entrance of the most notorious "vibe check" in Kanto history. Victory Road Leaf Green isn't just a cave; it’s a gatekeeper. It’s the game’s way of asking, "Did you actually learn how to play, or did you just overlevel your Charizard and hope for the best?"
Most people treat this place like a chore to rush through. They pop a Max Repel, shove some boulders, and pray they don't run into a random Onix every three steps. But honestly? If you rush it, you're going to get absolutely rocked by the Elite Four. Victory Road is where you actually finalize your build. It's the laboratory for your endgame.
The Boulder Problem (and How to Not Lose Your Mind)
Let’s get the annoying stuff out of the way first. You need Strength. If you don’t have a "HM Slave" or a beefy Pokémon like Machamp or Snorlax to move these rocks, you aren't getting past the first room. Period.
The mechanic is simple: push the white boulder onto the circular floor switches to lower the transparent barriers on the higher ledges. It sounds easy until you accidentally push a boulder into a corner and realize you have to reset the entire room by walking out the door. It’s frustrating. We’ve all been there.
The "big" puzzle that trips everyone up is on the third floor. You have to push a boulder into a hole, jump down after it to the second floor, and then push that same boulder onto a switch that was previously inaccessible.
- Quick Tip: Don’t just mindlessy shove. Take a look at the path to the switch first.
- The Reward: Solving these isn't just about progress. This cave is loaded. You’re looking at TM02 (Dragon Claw) on the first floor and TM50 (Overheat) on the third. These are high-tier moves that can literally carry your team through the champion fight.
Stop Skipping the Trainers
I know, I know. You're low on PP and you just want to see the Indigo Plateau. But skipping the trainers in Victory Road Leaf Green is a massive mistake.
The "Cooltrainers" here—specifically Naomi and Rolando—don't just have higher-level Pokémon; they have diverse teams. We’re talking Ninetales, Rapidash, and fully evolved starters. These battles are basically "Elite Four Lite." If you can’t beat Rolando’s Charizard or Ivysaur without burning through three Hyper Potions, you are not ready for Lorelei or Lance.
Think of these trainers as free XP that you don't have to grind for. By the time you reach the exit, your lead Pokémon should ideally be touching level 52 or 53. If you’re still sitting at 46 because you used Repels the whole way, the Elite Four is going to feel like hitting a brick wall.
The Moltres Misconception
Wait, where is the flaming bird?
If you grew up playing the original Red or Blue, you’re probably wandering around the second floor of Victory Road looking for Moltres. Stop. In Pokémon LeafGreen, Moltres was moved. It’s no longer in Victory Road.
You’ll find the legendary fire bird at the top of Mt. Ember on One Island. This catches so many returning players off guard. They spend an hour scouring every corner of the cave only to realize they’re looking for a ghost. If you want a legendary bird for your endgame team before the Elite Four, you need to take the ferry from Vermilion City after beating Blaine.
Surviving the Wild Encounters
The wild Pokémon here are mostly annoying, but they serve a purpose. You’ll see plenty of Onix, Machoke, and the occasional Marowak.
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If you’re playing LeafGreen specifically, you’ll run into Sandslash (it’s Arbok in FireRed). Honestly, unless you’re desperate for a Ground-type, don't bother catching much here. The catch rates are low, and they’ll just sap your team's health.
What you should do is bring a Pokémon with Surf. There’s a tiny bit of water you might need to cross, but more importantly, many of the wild encounters are weak to Water or Grass. A Blastoise or Venusaur with a decent movepool makes this cave a breeze.
Preparation: What to Buy Before You Enter
Before you even step foot past the badge checks on Route 23, hit the Viridian City Poké Mart.
- Max Repels: Buy 20. Even if I said don't use them the whole time, you’ll want them when you’re backtracking or lost.
- Escape Ropes: Just in case you trap a boulder or your team is about to faint.
- Full Heals: The trainers here love status effects. Confuse Ray and Toxic are everywhere.
- Revives: You can’t buy Max Revives, so stock up on the standard ones.
The Secret "Move Tutor"
Most people miss this, but right before the exit of Victory Road (near the end of the cave), there’s an NPC who acts as a Move Tutor. He will teach one of your Pokémon Double-Edge.
Is it worth it? Maybe. It’s a massive 120-power Normal-type move, but the recoil is nasty. If you have a Pokémon with the Rock Head ability (like Golem or Aerodactyl), it’s a god-tier addition because they won't take recoil damage. Otherwise, it's a bit of a gamble.
How to Handle the "Elite Four Wall"
Once you step out of Victory Road and see the Indigo Plateau, the game changes. There’s a PC and a shop right there.
The biggest piece of advice I can give anyone finishing Victory Road Leaf Green is this: don't go in immediately. Use the VS Seeker on the trainers outside the cave or back on the Sevii Islands to get everyone to at least level 50. If your team is lopsided—like a level 65 Charizard and a bunch of level 30 "HM slaves"—you will get swept. Lorelei’s Ice-types will destroy your flyer, and Bruno’s fighting types will delete your Snorlax.
Next Steps for Your Journey
Now that you’ve cleared the cave, your focus shifts to the final gauntlet. To ensure you don't have to restart the League ten times, you should:
- Check Your Movepools: Did you pick up the TM for Dragon Claw? Teach it to a Lapras or a Dragonite now.
- Ditch the HM Slave: You don't need Strength or Rock Smash inside the Elite Four building. Go to the PC and swap your "utility" Pokémon for a dedicated combatant or a "tank" like Chansey.
- Final Grind: Use your remaining Rare Candies (there’s one hidden on the first floor of Victory Road if you missed it) only after you’ve reached level 50+ to maximize the stat gains.