Your guide to defeating Erika and earning the Rainbow Badge in Pokémon Crystal. Learn about her team, recommended levels, and the rewards you'll get!
Alright, so you've made it to Celadon City and you're ready to take on Erika for the Rainbow Badge! This part of the guide will walk you through what you need to know to snag that eighth badge. It's a bit of a backtrack from the Saffron City Gym, so make sure you're healed up and ready to go!
- 1Head West from Saffron City: After getting your tenth Gym Badge (which is actually the eighth in Kanto's order, confusing, I know!), you'll need to backtrack out of the Saffron City Gym. If you're lost, don't sweat it – the map in the source text can help you retrace your steps. Once you're back outside, make a stop at the Pokémon Center to heal your team. Then, head west out of Saffron City onto Route 7.
- 2Route 7: This route is pretty straightforward, much like Route 6. It's mostly just a path with some grass. Just keep heading west until you reach Celadon City.
- 3Explore Celadon City: Celadon City is a bustling place with a few key items you'll want to grab before heading to the Gym.
- Department Store & Game Corner: The Department Store is in the northwest, and the Game Corner is in the middle. If you're feeling lucky, head to the second set of slot machines in the Game Corner. On the east side, in one of the southern seats, you can snag 1 Coin.
- 4Game Freak Headquarters: Two buildings east of the Department Store is the Game Freak building. Head to the third floor from the front entrance to get diplomas for completing your Pokédex from the Director. If you go around the back and enter, then go to the very top room, you can get TM03 (Curse) at night!
- 5Leftovers: In the southeast corner of the city, enter the building. A person at the northern part of the counter will give you Leftovers. This is a fantastic held item that restores 6.25% of your Pokémon's HP each turn.
- 6PP Up: Just east of the building where you got Leftovers, there's a path through some trees. Go as far north as you can in this path, face north, and examine the tree. You'll find a PP Up!
- 7Find the Celadon City Gym: Speaking of that southeast building, head south from it. You'll find a Cut tree. Use Cut to clear the path and follow it to find the Celadon City Gym.
Celadon City Gym - Leader Erika
Erika's Gym has a pretty simple layout. You'll find a few Trainers hanging out in the open, with Erika herself waiting at the north end. Your goal is to challenge and defeat all the Trainers before you can face Erika.
Erika's Pokémon Party:
| Pokémon | Level | Type | Item | Move 1 | Move 2 | Move 3 | Move 4 |
| Tangela | Lv. 42 | Grass | - | Vine Whip | Bind | Giga Drain | Sleep Powder |
| Jumpluff | Lv. 41 | Grass/Flying | - | Mega Drain | Leech Seed | Cotton Spore | Giga Drain |
| Victreebel | Lv. 46 | Grass/Poison | - | Sunny Day | Synthesis | Acid | Razor Leaf |
| Bellossom | Lv. 46 | Grass | - | Sunny Day | Synthesis | Petal Dance | Solar Beam |
Recommended Levels: Level 55+
Strategy Tips:
- Erika's team is primarily Grass-type, with a couple of Grass/Flying and Grass/Poison types thrown in. This means Fire, Ice, and Flying-type Pokémon or moves will be super effective here.
- If you picked a Fire starter, you're in luck! Pokémon like Typhlosion, or any legendary birds you might have caught (like Ho-Oh), or even Entei will make this battle a breeze.
- Moves like Flamethrower, Ice Beam, or Aerial Ace will be your best friends.
- Watch out for Sleep Powder and Cotton Spore, which can disable your Pokémon. Having Full Heals or Antidotes handy might be useful, or just switching out immediately if a status condition hits.
- Bellossom and Victreebel have Sunny Day, which powers up Grass moves and weakens Fire moves. Be ready to counter this if needed.
- Rainbow Badge: This badge gives your Grass-type moves a 12.5% power boost.
- TM19 (Giga Drain): A solid Grass-type move that also restores HP.
- $4600
After you defeat Erika, you'll earn the Rainbow Badge and TM19 (Giga Drain). Great job on getting your eighth badge!
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