Kanto story route and roadblocks
A practical route from Pallet Town through the League, with the key items that open the map.
Spoiler notice: This guide discusses story progression or late-game content.
Game Boy Advance remakes; not the original Red/Blue or Let’s Go games.
| Order | Leader / city | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brock — Pewter | Rock |
| 2 | Misty — Cerulean | Water |
| 3 | Lt. Surge — Vermilion | Electric |
| 4 | Erika — Celadon | Grass |
| 5 | Koga — Fuchsia | Poison |
| 6 | Sabrina — Saffron | Psychic |
| 7 | Blaine — Cinnabar | Fire |
| 8 | Giovanni — Viridian | Ground |
Pewter to Vermilion
Deliver Oak’s Parcel before leaving the opening area behind. Defeat Brock, cross Mt. Moon and continue to Cerulean. Bill’s event provides the S.S. Ticket; use it in Vermilion and obtain Cut aboard the S.S. Anne. Cut and the necessary badge let you reach Lt. Surge’s Gym.
Celadon solves two roadblocks
The Rocket Hideout supplies the Silph Scope for Pokémon Tower. Tea from Celadon allows passage through the thirsty guards around Saffron. These are separate items with different purposes. If one road opens but the other remains blocked, revisit the corresponding event rather than seeking another badge.
Lavender and Fuchsia
Complete Pokémon Tower to obtain the Poké Flute, then wake a blocking Snorlax when you are ready. In the Safari Zone, find Surf and the Gold Teeth. Return the teeth to the Warden for Strength. Plan a Safari visit around those goals before using all its steps on optional captures.
Saffron and Cinnabar
Resolve Silph Co. and challenge Sabrina. On Cinnabar, the Pokémon Mansion contains the key needed for Blaine’s Gym. Kanto allows some flexibility in Gym order, so compare your missing badge with your unfinished story events instead of assuming the route below is the only legal sequence.
Viridian and the final approach
Return to Viridian for Giovanni’s Gym after obtaining the other badges. Use Route 22 and the badge gates toward Victory Road. Reach the League’s healing facilities before reorganising field-move users out of your battle party. Keep a save before beginning the consecutive League fights.
Check the edition note above before following a route. Suggested preparation and tactics are editorial recommendations; alternative teams and routes can also work.