View Full-size

Soon, you can butt heads with the first Gym Leader.

This tranquil city is where you can challenge your first Gym Leader! Before that though, it would be a good idea to rest up and then take a tour of the city. That’s what being on an adventure is all about! As you enter Pewter City, your rival will shout at you from ahead. He’ll hand you 5 Potions in case you need them for your Gym challenge.

Once you’re back in control, be sure to visit the nearby Pokémon Center, especially if your Pokémon pals need healing. Even if they have full HP, you should probably heal them anyway to restore the PPs for their moves. Better safe than sorry, especially when you’ve got a potentially fearsome opponent just around the corner.

Inside the Pokémon Center, there’s a man near the top-left corner who’s selling Pewter Crunchies for 500 Poké Dollars. These can be used to restore a Pokémon from all status conditions (eg. Poison and Sleep). If you’ve got the cash to spare, feel free to splurge out. Unfortunately you can only buy one a day, but one is probably enough for emergencies.

Start by heading west from the Pokémon Center. Over here, there’s a modern-looking house that you can peek inside if you want. Outside, move around to the left of the house, then go up along the narrow path. When you reach the corner with the street lamp nearby, push through the bush to find an X Defense hiding near the Pokémon Center.

Return towards the Pokémon Center, then navigate anti-clockwise around the city. Near the south-east, there are some flower patches that you can admire. North of there is the Poké Mart, if you need to do some more shopping; now might be the time to stock up on Potions. East from the Poké Mart is the entrance to Route 3, but you won’t be allowed through.

North of the Poké Mart is another house towards the right and the Pewter City Museum to the left. If you have time and money to burn, you can visit the Museum and check out the fossil and space exhibits. To the left of the Museum is a lady and a Slowpoke. Speak to the lady and you can babysit the Slowpoke for a Big Pearl. This can be sold for profit.

Finally, south from here is the Pewter City Gym, which is the last remaining–and quite large–building in the city. When you think you’re ready, head on inside to begin your Gym challenge. Don’t worry, you can leave early if things are looking grim, so put your best foot forward!