How to Get the Sapphire in FireRed
To obtain the Sapphire in Pokémon FireRed, you must complete a series of tasks that begin after you have already completed the main storyline and become the Champion of the Indigo Plateau. The process involves traveling to the Sevii Islands, defeating members of Team Rocket, and navigating a few challenging areas. This is a post-game quest that adds significant playtime and exploration to the game.
Journey to the Sevii Islands and Beyond
Initial Preparations
Before you embark on the quest for the Sapphire, you need to have achieved the following:
- Defeated the Elite Four and Champion: This unlocks the Sevii Islands storyline.
- Obtained the National Pokédex: Speak to Professor Oak after defeating the Elite Four and capturing (or seeing) at least 60 Pokémon. He will upgrade your Pokédex.
- Completed the Ruby Quest: You must have already retrieved the Ruby from Mt. Ember on One Island and given it to Celio at the One Island Pokémon Center. This allows you to travel to more islands.
- Have Pokémon that know Surf and Waterfall: These are crucial for navigating the Sevii Islands. A strong Pokémon team is also recommended to deal with the trainers and wild Pokémon you will encounter.
Traveling to Five Island
Once you’re prepared, head back to Vermilion City and speak to the sailor. Select the option to travel to One Island. From there, speak to the sailor again to travel to Five Island.
Exploring Five Island and Entering Icefall Cave
Upon arriving on Five Island, you’ll notice a mostly undeveloped area. Your first goal is to reach Icefall Cave. It is located north of Five Island. You need to Surf along the coastline to find the entrance to Icefall Cave. Be aware that there are trainers along the way and some areas require you to navigate narrow paths.
Navigating Icefall Cave
Icefall Cave is a complex dungeon with puzzles involving sliding on ice. You’ll need to carefully navigate these areas to proceed. Strength and Rock Smash may be helpful, although not strictly necessary. Here’s a general outline of how to proceed through the cave:
- Entrance Area: Head straight and then to the right.
- Ice Puzzle: Navigate the ice puzzle to the next area. This typically involves sliding in specific directions to reach different platforms.
- Waterfall Ascent: Use Waterfall to ascend the waterfall.
- Sapphire Location: Continue through the cave, battling trainers and wild Pokémon. Eventually, you’ll reach a room with a Team Rocket scientist who stole the Sapphire.
Battling and Defeating Team Rocket
The Team Rocket scientist, typically named Wes, will challenge you to a battle. Prepare for Pokémon around level 40-45. After defeating him, he will reveal that he was forced to steal the Sapphire for Team Rocket. He will drop the Sapphire after his defeat.
Recovering the Sapphire
Once you defeat the scientist, pick up the Sapphire that he drops. This completes the main part of the quest!
Returning to Celio
With the Sapphire in hand, travel back to One Island and speak to Celio in the Pokémon Center. He will take the Sapphire and connect the network, allowing you to trade with Pokémon from Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald versions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What level should my Pokémon be before attempting the Sapphire quest?
It is recommended that your Pokémon team be around levels 50-60 to easily handle the trainers and wild Pokémon in the Sevii Islands, especially inside Icefall Cave.
2. Do I need to beat the Elite Four more than once to start this quest?
No, you only need to defeat the Elite Four and Champion once. After that, Professor Oak will give you the National Pokédex, which unlocks the Sevii Islands storyline.
3. Can I start the Sapphire quest before getting the National Pokédex?
No, you must obtain the National Pokédex from Professor Oak before the Sevii Islands storyline becomes available.
4. Is it possible to skip any steps in this quest?
No, the steps are sequential. You must retrieve the Ruby first before you can proceed to the Sapphire quest.
5. What are the most challenging aspects of Icefall Cave?
The ice puzzles can be tricky. It’s essential to plan your movements carefully to avoid slipping in the wrong direction and having to start over. Having patience is crucial!
6. What Pokémon are recommended to bring for the Sapphire quest?
Pokémon that know Surf and Waterfall are essential. Having a Pokémon with Strength and Rock Smash is helpful but not required. A well-rounded team with good type coverage will make battling trainers easier.
7. Is there a way to avoid the Team Rocket battle in Icefall Cave?
No, the battle with the Team Rocket scientist is mandatory to retrieve the Sapphire.
8. What happens if I lose the battle against the Team Rocket scientist?
If you lose, you will be transported back to the last Pokémon Center you visited. You will need to retrace your steps back to Icefall Cave and challenge the scientist again. The Sapphire will be back with the scientist.
9. Can I catch any rare Pokémon in Icefall Cave?
Yes, Icefall Cave is home to Pokémon like Snorunt, which is rare and can be difficult to find elsewhere in the game.
10. Does completing the Sapphire quest unlock anything else in the game?
Completing the Sapphire quest is primarily for connecting with other Game Boy Advance Pokémon games. It allows you to trade Pokémon from Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald to FireRed.
11. What specific items should I bring to Icefall Cave?
Bring healing items like Potions, Super Potions, or Hyper Potions to heal your Pokémon during battles. Repels can also be useful for avoiding random wild Pokémon encounters if you wish to proceed quickly.
12. What is the easiest way to navigate the ice puzzles in Icefall Cave?
There is no single “easiest” way, as the puzzles involve trial and error. Draw out a simple map on paper to plan out your slide routes. Be patient and methodical with your movements.
13. Does the order in which I defeat the Elite Four members matter for this quest?
No, the order in which you defeat the Elite Four members does not matter. The key is to defeat all of them and the Champion to unlock the post-game content.
14. After giving the Sapphire to Celio, can I still access the Sevii Islands?
Yes, giving the Sapphire to Celio doesn’t restrict your access to the Sevii Islands. You can freely travel between them and the Kanto region.
15. What happens if I lose the Sapphire after defeating the Team Rocket member?
You cannot lose the Sapphire after defeating the Team Rocket scientist; once defeated, the sapphire will be dropped and the player can immediately pick it up. You are able to return to Celio to continue the story.