Gold, Silver and Crystal are still accessible games, but their start can be surprising: a Flying-type Gym Leader who batters Chikorita, a Miltank that traumatized generations, a world that changes with the time of day. Here is everything you need to know to get off to a good start.

Which starter Pokémon should you choose?

  • ChikoritaGrass

    The hard choice. At a disadvantage against Falkner, Bugsy and Pryce, it makes up for it with high Defense and support moves. Ideal if you like long battles.

  • CyndaquilFire

    The easy choice. It dominates Bugsy, Jasmine and Erika, evolves early and learns Flame Wheel. The best for a first playthrough.

  • TotodileWater

    The balanced choice. Strong against Fire and Rock Pokémon, it evolves quickly and has excellent Attack. It learns Surf and Waterfall by HM.

The best early catches

  • Mareep (Route 32, Gold and Silver): it becomes Ampharos, a solid Electric Pokémon for the whole adventure. In Crystal, where it can’t be caught, take Chinchou (Good Rod) or Magnemite (Route 38) instead.
  • Onix (trade in Violet City for a Bellsprout): the answer to Falkner’s birds.
  • Geodude (Union Cave, Dark Cave): sturdy, effective against Falkner and Bugsy.
  • Machop (trade at the Goldenrod Dept. Store): the key against Whitney.
  • Hoothoot (at night, everywhere): it becomes Noctowl, which learns Hypnosis and can learn Psychic by TM.
  • Abra (Route 34, 35): hard to catch, but Alakazam (obtained by trade) is one of the most powerful Pokémon in the game.

Understanding the clock

The game follows a real-time clock: morning (4 AM-10 AM), day (10 AM-6 PM) and night (6 PM-4 AM) bring out different Pokémon. Some events only happen on a specific day: the Bug-Catching Contest (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday), Lapras in Union Cave (Friday), the seven siblings (one member per day). Remember to play at different times to see everything.

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Gold, Silver and Crystal follow a real-time clock: morning from 4 AM to 10 AM, day from 10 AM to 6 PM, night from 6 PM to 4 AM.

Managing your money

Your mom can set aside part of your winnings. It’s useful for building a reserve, but she sometimes spends that money to buy you items. Battles against PokéGear trainers (rematches) and selling Nuggets are the best sources of income.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Don’t waste the Master Ball: save it for Raikou or Entei, which flee on the first turn.
  • Don’t neglect happiness: it evolves Togepi, Eevee and Golbat, and powers up Return.
  • Balance your team: a single overtrained Pokémon won’t be enough against Miltank or the Elite Four.
  • Teach HMs to “utility” Pokémon: they can’t easily be forgotten (only the Move Deleter in Blackthorn City allows it).