Eight badges. The kid who set out to deliver an egg has become one of the best trainers in Johto. At the lab, Professor Elm has prepared a gift worthy of the feat, and the road to the League opens just behind the village, across the sea.

Goal
Visit Professor Elm, then prepare for the League
Rewards
Master Ball
Recommended level
40 to 45

🏠The Professor’s Gift

Fly to New Bark Town. At the lab, Professor Elm congratulates you on your eight badges and hands you the Master Ball, the only Ball in the game that is guaranteed to catch. He also reminds you that the Pokémon League lies to the east, across the sea, on the Indigo Plateau.

The Master Ball
“Look at the map on your PokéGear!”

📋Before Leaving for the League

The League is the point of no return of this part of the adventure: once you are in, you will fight five battles back to back. Now is the time to take stock:

  1. Build your team up to around level 45 to 50. The League Champion fields a level 50 Dragonite. Victory Road and the trainers on Route 27 are perfect for training.
  2. Cover the key types. You need at least one Ice attack (against the dragons), one Electric attack (against Gyarados and Flying Pokémon) and something to hit the Psychic and Dark types.
  3. Stock up on healing items. Hyper Potions, Max Potions, Full Heals and Revives are on sale at the Indigo Plateau, but it is cheaper to buy them in Goldenrod City.
  4. Pick up useful TMs. TM26 Earthquake on Victory Road, TM30 Shadow Ball from Morty, TM24 Dragon Breath from Clair.

New Bark Town

Map
Click to enlarge
Wild Pokémon
Surfing
Old Rod fishing
Good Rod fishing
Super Rod fishing
Given (starter Pokémon)

Teach Surf to a Pokémon and head east from the New Bark Town beach: Route 27 awaits you across the water.