Lance and Red battle preparation
Prepare for the first Champion and the optional summit battle with different teams and supplies.
Spoiler notice: This guide discusses story progression or late-game content.
Nintendo DS remakes; version-exclusive encounters differ between HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Plan for the first Elite Four
Will uses Psychic types, Koga Poison-themed tactics, Bruno Fighting types and Karen Dark types. Each team contains secondary typings or exceptions. Bring varied coverage and status cures, and do not let one easy matchup drain the PP needed for the Champion.
Make Ice coverage durable
Lance’s Dragonite make Ice attacks particularly useful. Give the move to a Pokémon with enough bulk or speed to act, rather than choosing solely from the move’s type. Keep a separate answer for Gyarados; Electric coverage helps there but cannot safely substitute for the full Champion plan.
Train through the second region
Kanto supplies a substantial set of further battles. Use it to develop more of your party instead of rushing directly toward Red with a single overlevelled Pokémon. Rotate reserve members when the matchup is favourable, and revisit their held items and moves as new options become available.
Red’s party is mixed
The summit battle includes Pikachu, Lapras, Snorlax and the three fully evolved Kanto starters. A one-type sweep is unreliable. Prepare answers to bulky targets and powerful coverage moves, then account for Mt. Silver’s weather while deciding whether a damaged teammate can survive another turn.
Treat optional battles as optional
You do not need a perfect competitive team to enjoy the postgame. If Red is too strong, leave, train and return. Save before the summit and carry recovery supplies. Check rematch teams separately: later League visits do not necessarily use the original levels or roster.
Check the edition note above before following a route. Suggested preparation and tactics are editorial recommendations; alternative teams and routes can also work.