How to Get Past the Guard to Saffron City
The most direct route to unlocking the bustling metropolis of Saffron City in the early Pokémon games is by offering the thirsty guards a refreshing beverage. Specifically, you need to give them drinks obtained from the Celadon Department Store. Present either a Fresh Water, Soda Pop, or Lemonade to each guard blocking the city’s entrances. Doing so will quench their thirst, leading them to step aside and grant you passage into Saffron City.
Understanding the Saffron City Blockade
Saffron City, home to the powerful Psychic-type Gym and the Dojo, is a significant location in the Kanto region. However, accessing it isn’t as simple as just walking in. Guards posted at each entrance prevent entry due to their extreme thirst. This is a clever obstacle designed to encourage exploration and highlight the interconnectedness of the Pokémon world. You can’t battle your way past them; bribery with beverages is the only solution.
The Thirsty Guards: Why Are They Blocking the Way?
The reason behind the guards’ thirst is never explicitly stated in the game. However, the implication is that they are suffering from the heat and dryness of the surrounding areas, particularly Route 5 and Route 8. Their extreme thirst makes them willing to overlook their duty in exchange for a refreshing drink.
Finding the Solution: The Celadon Department Store
The key to solving this problem lies in the Celadon Department Store, located in Celadon City. This massive shopping complex offers a variety of goods, but the most important for this particular quest are the drinks available on the rooftop vending machines.
Step-by-Step Guide to Bypassing the Guards
Here’s a detailed walkthrough of how to gain entry into Saffron City:
- Reach Celadon City: Progress through the game until you reach Celadon City. This typically involves navigating through Mt. Moon, Route 4, and Route 24/25, obtaining the Cascade Badge from Misty in Cerulean City, and obtaining the Rainbow Badge from Erika in Celadon City.
- Enter the Celadon Department Store: Locate the large department store in Celadon City. It’s a prominent building, hard to miss.
- Reach the Rooftop Vending Machines: Navigate through the store to the rooftop level. You’ll find vending machines offering Fresh Water, Soda Pop, and Lemonade.
- Purchase the Drinks: Buy at least one of these drinks. While any of them will work, buying several is advisable, especially if you intend to enter Saffron City multiple times via different routes before replenishing your supply.
- Travel to a Saffron City Entrance: Choose any of the entrances to Saffron City that are blocked by guards. These are typically located on Route 5, Route 6, Route 7 and Route 8.
- Talk to the Guard: Approach the guard blocking the entrance and initiate a conversation.
- Offer the Drink: The game will prompt you to offer the guard a drink. Select “Yes.”
- Watch the Guard Relish the Drink: The guard will gratefully accept and consume the drink, expressing their satisfaction.
- Gain Entry: The guard, now refreshed, will step aside and allow you to enter Saffron City.
- Repeat: Repeat this process for any other entrances to Saffron City that you wish to use.
Alternative Methods & Considerations
While providing drinks is the primary method, there are a few nuances and alternative considerations to keep in mind.
Which Drink to Choose?
Any of the three drinks – Fresh Water, Soda Pop, or Lemonade – will work equally well. The choice is purely based on your preference and budget. Fresh Water is the cheapest, making it the most economical option.
Can I Use Another Item?
No, the guards are specifically craving a refreshing beverage sold at the Celadon Department Store. Other items, including potions, berries, or even other types of drinks, will not satisfy them.
What if I Run Out of Drinks?
If you run out of drinks, you’ll need to return to the Celadon Department Store and purchase more. Keep an eye on your inventory to avoid being caught short.
Can I Bypass the Guards Some Other Way?
In the original games (Red, Blue, and Yellow), there is no alternative method to bypass the guards other than offering them a drink. This is a mandatory step in progressing the storyline and accessing Saffron City. There are no glitches or secret passages that allow you to circumvent this requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to getting past the guard to Saffron City:
1. What happens if I refuse to give the guard a drink?
If you refuse to give the guard a drink, they will simply remain blocking the entrance, preventing you from entering Saffron City. You’ll need to return with a drink to proceed.
2. Can I battle the guard instead of giving them a drink?
No, you cannot battle the guards. They are not programmed as trainers and will only accept a drink as a means of passage.
3. Do I need to give a drink to every guard at every entrance?
Yes, each guard at each separate entrance to Saffron City requires a drink to grant you passage. If you want to use multiple routes to enter the city, you’ll need to provide a drink to each blocking guard.
4. Is there a limit to how many times I can give a guard a drink?
No, there’s no limit. However, once a guard grants you access, they will not require another drink on subsequent visits via that specific route unless the game mechanics reset.
5. Are the drinks useful for anything else besides getting into Saffron City?
While their primary purpose in the early game is to bypass the guards, the drinks themselves don’t have any other significant utility. You can use them to restore a small amount of HP to your Pokémon, but potions are a more effective and readily available option.
6. Where else can I buy drinks besides the Celadon Department Store?
The Celadon Department Store is the only location to purchase these specific drinks in the original Red, Blue, and Yellow versions. Later games may introduce other locations, but for the first generation, Celadon is the key.
7. What level should my Pokémon be before entering Saffron City?
It’s generally recommended to have Pokémon around level 30 or higher before tackling the Saffron City Gym (especially if you’re facing Sabrina’s Psychic-type team). However, you can enter the city earlier for exploration and side quests.
8. Is there anything to do in Saffron City before giving a drink to the guards?
No, you need to get past the guard to enter Saffron City.
9. What’s the best order to obtain the badges in Kanto?
While not strictly required, a common and recommended order is: Brock, Misty, Lt. Surge, Erika, Koga, Sabrina, Blaine, and finally Giovanni. This allows for a smoother difficulty curve.
10. How do I get to Celadon City?
You can reach Celadon City by navigating through Route 7 or Route 16. Route 7 connects Celadon City to Saffron City, while Route 16 leads from Fuchsia City.
11. What happens if I accidentally use the drink on my Pokémon?
If you accidentally use the drink on your Pokémon, it will restore a small amount of HP. It’s not a huge loss, but you’ll need to buy another one to get past the guard.
12. Are there any differences in how the guards react to different drinks?
No, there’s no difference. The guards react the same way regardless of whether you give them Fresh Water, Soda Pop, or Lemonade.
13. Does this method work in all versions of the Gen 1 Pokémon games (Red, Blue, Yellow)?
Yes, this method works identically in all three original Gen 1 Pokémon games: Red, Blue, and Yellow.
14. Can I use a Pokémon with the “Thick Fat” ability to cool them off?
No, the game mechanics do not implement this. You need to buy a drink from the Celadon Department Store.
15. Can I give the drink to the police officer in Pewter City after the Nugget Bridge quest for a reward?
No, you cannot. Only the guards blocking Saffron City entrances accept the drinks.