You're standing at the base of the Ever Grande City waterfall. You've got eight badges clinking in your Case. You think you're ready. But honestly? Most players hit a wall the second they step inside that cave. This isn't just another dungeon. It’s a gauntlet. The Pokémon Emerald Victory Road walkthrough isn't about finding the exit as fast as possible; it’s about managing your resources before the Elite Four shreds what’s left of your team.
Victory Road in Hoenn is legendary for its layout. It’s messy. It’s dark. It requires a ridiculous amount of HMs. If you don’t have a "slave" Pokémon or a very specific team setup, you’re going to be backtracking more than you’d like.
The HM tax is real
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. You can't just walk through here. To actually complete a successful Pokémon Emerald Victory Road walkthrough, you need Flash, Strength, Rock Smash, Surf, and Waterfall. That is five slots taken up by moves that, let's be real, mostly suck in high-level combat.
Flash is the biggest pain. If you don't bring it, the basement levels are pitch black. You'll be fumbling around in the dark while level 40 Hariyama and Loudred jump you every three steps. Most veterans suggest catching a Tropius or a Marill just to hold these moves so your Blaziken or Gardevoir can actually keep their "good" attacks.
Getting through the first floor
The entrance is deceptively simple. You walk in, and it looks like a standard cave. No gimmicks yet. You’ll see a bridge. Just follow the path north. You’re going to run into some trainers here, mostly Cooltrainers with high-level Pokémon.
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Don't burn your best items yet.
There's a ladder in the top-left corner. That leads down to the basement, and that’s where the real nightmare begins. This is where the Pokémon Emerald Victory Road walkthrough gets complicated because the terrain shifts. You’ll need to push boulders. You’ll need to smash rocks.
The basement maze and the "Wally" factor
The first basement level (B1F) is where the Flash requirement hits. Use it immediately. You'll see boulders scattered around. Use Strength to push the ones blocking your path—usually, you’re pushing them into holes or out of narrow corridors.
One thing people often forget: there are some actually decent items hidden here. Max Elixir. PP Up. You’re going to need these for the Elite Four. Don't skip them just because you're in a rush.
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The ladder in the bottom right takes you even deeper to B2F. This floor is defined by water. You’ll be Surfing across underground ponds and navigating waterfalls. It's actually a pretty cool aesthetic, but the encounter rate for Golbat and Hariyama is through the roof. If you aren't carrying at least 20 Max Repels, you're doing it wrong.
That final bridge
Eventually, you'll climb back up to the first floor, but on the other side of the ledges. You're almost at the exit. The music changes. You can almost feel the fresh air. But wait.
Wally is waiting.
This is the peak of his character arc. He isn't the sickly kid from Petalburg anymore. His Gardevoir is level 45, and it’s fast. If you’ve spent the last hour getting beaten down by wild Lairon and wandering trainers, Wally might actually beat you. He’s the final gatekeeper. His team is balanced, and he uses Altaria to set up Dragon Dance. Take him out quickly, or he’ll sweep your tired team.
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Survival tips for the long haul
Look, the Pokémon Emerald Victory Road walkthrough isn't just about the map. It's about stamina.
- The Repel Trick: If your lead Pokémon is level 45, using a Repel will block all the lower-level "trash" mobs but still let you encounter the higher-level ones if you're looking for XP.
- Healing: There is no doctor or nurse inside this version of Victory Road. Unlike later games where they put a healer halfway through, Emerald makes you suffer. Bring Hyper Potions. Bring Full Heals.
- The Exit: Once you pass Wally, the exit is just a short walk north. You'll emerge at the Pokémon League building.
What most people miss
There's a small section of the cave accessible only if you go back through with a specific mindset for exploration. You can find TM29 (Psychic) here, which is arguably one of the best moves in the game for the upcoming battles against Phoebe and Wallace. It’s tucked away behind a series of Strength puzzles on the basement levels.
Also, keep an eye out for the rare encounters. You can find Mawile (in Ruby/Emerald) or Sableye (in Sapphire/Emerald) here, but the real prize is the high-level Lairon. It’s great for a last-minute addition to the team if your physical tank is lacking.
Actionable next steps for your run
Before you step into the cave, do a final check.
First, go to Lilycove City and hit the Department Store. Buy 30 Ultra Balls and 20 Max Repels. You don't want to run out halfway through. Second, check your HMs. If your main team is full of HMs, consider visiting the Move Deleter later, but for now, ensure one "HM utility" Pokémon is in your party. Third, make sure your team is at least level 42-45. Anything lower and the trainers inside will stall you out, forcing a retreat back to the Pokémon Center in Ever Grande.
Once you emerge, don't just run into the Elite Four. Take the time to fly back to the Move Deleter if you need to optimize your movesets after using all those HMs to get through the cave. Your journey through the Pokémon Emerald Victory Road walkthrough is a rite of passage; once it's done, you're ready for the crown.