Team Rocket HQ HGSS · Johto Area
Team Rocket’s hideout lies under the souvenir shop in Mahogany Town, and its radio signal is what has been forcing the Magikarp at the Lake of Rage to evolve. After you meet the Red Gyarados, Lance’s Dragonite exposes the hidden stairs, and the two of you clear the base floor by floor. It ends with a double battle with Lance against Executive Ariana and a Grunt, then shutting down the Electrode-powered generator, after which Lance gives you HM05 Whirlpool.
- Region
- Johto
- Wild Pokémon
- None
- Items
- 13
- Trainers
- 12
Connects to: Mahogany Town
Gift, legendary and roaming Pokémon
Electrode Lv. 23 · One-off encounter · Headquarters B2FThe generator for Team Rocket’s radio transmitter on B2F is powered by Electrode; Lance handles one side and you must catch or knock out the three on the left (each Lv23) to shut it down.
Wild Pokémon
No wild Pokémon here.
Trainers
| Trainer | Pokémon | Prize | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Rocket GruntGrunt |  Rattata 16Rattata 16Rattata 16Rattata 16 | ₽640 | Headquarters B1F |
 ScientistGregg |  Magnemite 20Magnemite 20Magnemite 20 | ₽640 | Headquarters B1F |
| Team Rocket GruntGrunt |  Venonat 18Venonat 18 | ₽720 | Headquarters B2F |
| Team Rocket GruntGrunt |  Golbat 18 | ₽720 | Headquarters B2F |
| Team Rocket GruntGrunt | Rattata 17 Zubat 17Rattata 17 | ₽680 | Headquarters B2F |
| ScientistRoss |  Koffing 22Koffing 22 | ₽704 | Headquarters B3F |
| ScientistMitch |  Ditto 24 | ₽768 | Headquarters B3F |
| Team Rocket GruntGrunt |  Raticate 19 | ₽760 | Headquarters B3F |
 Team Rocket GruntGrunt |  Ekans 18 Gloom 18 | ₽720 | Headquarters B3F |
Prize money is four times the level of the trainer’s last Pokémon times the trainer class’s rate (doubled in double battles). Trainers who give you their Pokégear number call when they want a rematch, with stronger teams as you progress.
Items
| Item | How | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Hyper Potion | Item ball | Headquarters B1F |
| Guard Spec. | Item ball | Headquarters B1F |
| Nugget | Item ball | Headquarters B1F |
| Revive | Hidden | Headquarters B1F |
| TM46 Thief | Item ball | Headquarters B2F |
| Full Heal | Hidden | Headquarters B2F |
| X Sp. Def | Hidden | Headquarters B2F |
| HM05 Whirlpool | Gift | Headquarters B2F |
| Protein | Item ball | Headquarters B3F |
| X Special | Item ball | Headquarters B3F |
| TM49 Snatch | Item ball | Headquarters B3F |
| Full Heal | Item ball | Headquarters B3F |
| Ultra Ball | Item ball | Headquarters B3F |
Hidden items can be found with the Dowsing MCHN Pokégear app.
Tips
- Walking past the Persian statues on B1F sets off an alarm and two Grunts; switch the cameras off at the computer in Scientist Gregg’s room.
- Two Grunts on B3F give you the passwords ‘SlowpokeTail’ and ‘RaticateTail’ for Giovanni’s office door.
- Executive Petrel on B3F uses Zubat Lv22, Raticate Lv24 and Koffing Lv22.
- Lance heals your party on B2F before the double battle against Ariana and a Grunt.
- You must catch or defeat three Lv23 Electrode to switch off the generator, and Lance then gives you HM05 Whirlpool.
- Pick up TM46 Thief on B2F and TM49 Snatch on B3F while you are here.
Walkthrough: Part 10: Lake of Rage, Team Rocket HQ and Pryce
FAQ
How do you get into Team Rocket HQ in HeartGold and SoulSilver?
After the Red Gyarados event at the Lake of Rage, go to the souvenir shop in Mahogany Town; Lance reveals the hidden stairs and joins you.
What are the passwords in Team Rocket HQ in HGSS?
SlowpokeTail and RaticateTail, which you get from two Grunts on B3F.
Can you catch the Electrode in the Rocket Hideout?
Yes. The three Lv23 Electrode on your side can be caught or knocked out, and either way the generator shuts down.
Where do you get HM05 Whirlpool in HGSS?
Lance gives it to you in Team Rocket HQ after you shut down the generator.
Sources & picture credits
Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon and encounter chances, items, trainers, rematch teams, gifts and shops come from the pret/pokeheartgold decompilation, and the Pokémon sprites and dungeon entrance pictures are drawn from the game’s own graphics in it. The position maps are the Gold/Silver wiki’s Pokégear map renders. Location pictures and trainer sprites © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, archived from the Pokémon Wiki on Fandom (listed on the image gallery).