How to Get to Saffron City in Pokémon Yellow?
To reach Saffron City in Pokémon Yellow, you must first obtain a precious Silph Co. drink, either a Lemonade or a Soda Pop, and give it to the guard standing at the city’s gate.
Introduction: The Gatekeepers of Saffron
Saffron City, a bustling metropolis in the Kanto region, is a pivotal location in Pokémon Yellow. Home to the Fighting Dojo, the Psychic-type Gym led by Sabrina, and the enormous Silph Co. building, reaching Saffron City is crucial for progressing through the game. However, a rather peculiar obstacle blocks your path: thirsty gatekeepers. These guards, barring the entrances from the north, south, west and east, refuse to let anyone pass until they’ve quenched their parched throats. This seemingly simple roadblock has frustrated many players, leaving them wandering Kanto in search of a solution. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know to satisfy their thirst and finally gain access to Saffron City.
Preparing for Your Journey
Before attempting to enter Saffron City, it’s advisable to have a decent team of Pokémon, ideally around level 25-30. While the gatekeepers themselves pose no threat, the trainers within Saffron City, particularly in the Fighting Dojo and Silph Co., present significant challenges.
Furthermore, ensure you have at least one of the following drinks: Lemonade, Soda Pop, or Fresh Water. While Fresh Water works in Red and Blue, it is ineffective in Yellow. This is a critical distinction.
The Thirst Quenching Quest: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a detailed guide on how to appease the thirsty gatekeepers and gain entry to Saffron City:
Travel to Celadon City: This bustling city, located west of Saffron City, is your primary destination.
Locate the Celadon Department Store: This massive building, hard to miss, is located in the heart of Celadon City.
Navigate to the Rooftop Vending Machines: Take the elevator to the very top floor of the department store. Here, you’ll find vending machines selling refreshments.
Purchase Lemonade or Soda Pop: Both drinks will satisfy the Saffron City guards. The Lemonade costs $350, and the Soda Pop costs $300. It is advisable to buy one or two; this will prevent you from having to backtrack if, by chance, you mistakenly use the drink.
Head Back East to Saffron City: Retrace your steps eastward from Celadon City.
Speak to a Gate Guard: Approach any of the four guards blocking the entrances to Saffron City.
Offer a Drink: Talk to the guard. He will ask if you have a drink to offer. Select either the Lemonade or Soda Pop from your inventory.
Witness the Relief: The guard will gratefully accept your offering and step aside, allowing you entry into Saffron City.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
Using Fresh Water: Fresh Water doesn’t work on the Saffron City guards in Pokémon Yellow. Only Lemonade and Soda Pop will satisfy them.
Forgetting to Buy a Drink: This is the most common mistake. Double-check your inventory before approaching the gatekeepers.
Confusing Saffron City with Celadon City: The layout and size of these cities are similar, so ensure you are at the correct location.
Speaking to the Wrong NPC: Make sure you are talking to the uniformed guards blocking the city entrances, not other NPCs standing nearby.
Understanding the Mechanics: Why the Thirst?
The “thirsty guard” trope is a recurring gag in the Pokémon series, often used to gate progress or introduce a humorous element. In the context of Pokémon Yellow, it’s likely intended to encourage players to explore Celadon City and discover the rooftop vending machines – a minor but memorable part of the game. Furthermore, in Red and Blue, you can use Fresh Water to get in, the developers may have decided to force the player to buy Lemonade or Soda Pop as a way to force the player to spend money in Celadon City.
Navigation Tips: Optimizing Your Route
To quickly reach Saffron City from Celadon City, simply head east. The path is relatively straightforward, though you’ll encounter a few trainers along the way. Ensure your Pokémon are adequately healed before leaving Celadon City.
Celadon Department Store: A Valuable Resource
Beyond the necessary drinks, the Celadon Department Store offers a wealth of valuable items. From TMs to evolution stones, this location is a one-stop shop for trainers seeking to enhance their team.
| Item | Description | Floor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Ball | A better Poké Ball for catching Pokémon. | 2nd Floor | $600 |
| Potion | Heals a Pokémon’s HP. | 2nd Floor | $300 |
| Super Potion | Heals more HP than a Potion. | 3rd Floor | $700 |
| X Attack | Temporarily raises a Pokémon’s Attack stat in battle. | 4th Floor | $500 |
| X Defense | Temporarily raises a Pokémon’s Defense stat in battle. | 4th Floor | $550 |
| Thunderstone | Evolves certain Electric-type Pokémon. | 5th Floor | $2100 |
| Water Stone | Evolves certain Water-type Pokémon. | 5th Floor | $2100 |
| Fire Stone | Evolves certain Fire-type Pokémon. | 5th Floor | $2100 |
| Leaf Stone | Evolves certain Grass-type Pokémon. | 5th Floor | $2100 |
| Lemonade | A refreshing drink. | Rooftop | $350 |
| Soda Pop | A bubbly drink. | Rooftop | $300 |
Saffron City: Unveiling its Secrets
Once inside Saffron City, you can immediately challenge the Fighting Dojo and the Gym, and start the Silph Co. questline. However, be prepared for tough battles and intricate puzzles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if I don’t have enough money to buy a drink?
If you’re short on cash, consider battling trainers on Route 5, Route 6, Route 7, Route 8, or Route 16, all connecting to Celadon City. Defeating trainers rewards you with money. You can also sell unwanted items at any Poké Mart.
2. Can I use a different item instead of Lemonade or Soda Pop?
No. In Pokémon Yellow, the gate guards specifically require either Lemonade or Soda Pop. Fresh Water, which works in Red and Blue, is ineffective in Yellow.
3. Is there a way to bypass the guards without offering a drink?
There is no way to bypass the guards in Pokémon Yellow without giving them a drink. This is a required step to enter Saffron City.
4. What level should my Pokémon be before entering Saffron City?
Aim for an average level of 25-30 for your team. The trainers inside Saffron City, particularly in the Fighting Dojo and Silph Co., pose a considerable challenge.
5. Which drink is better, Lemonade or Soda Pop?
Both drinks work equally well. The only difference is their price: Soda Pop is cheaper ($300) than Lemonade ($350). Therefore, Soda Pop is usually the preferred choice.
6. Where exactly are the guards located?
The guards block all four entrances to Saffron City – north, south, east, and west. You can approach them from Route 5 (south), Route 7 (west), Route 8 (east), or Route 6 (north).
7. What if I accidentally use my drink before reaching a guard?
Unfortunately, you’ll have to return to Celadon City and purchase another drink. Be careful when using items in your inventory!
8. What happens after I give the guard a drink?
The guard will express their gratitude, step aside, and allow you to enter Saffron City. The other guards remain thirsty and still block their gates.
9. Does it matter which guard I give the drink to?
No, it doesn’t matter. Any of the four guards will accept the drink and grant you access.
10. Is there anything else to do in Celadon City besides buying drinks?
Yes! Celadon City is home to the Celadon Department Store which is a great place to buy key items. It also has the Celadon Gym and the Rocket Game Corner.
11. Can I come back to Saffron City after leaving?
Yes, once you have gained entry to Saffron City, you can freely enter and exit as you please.
12. Are there any missable items related to getting into Saffron City?
No, there are no missable items directly related to obtaining a drink for the guards. However, exploring Celadon City thoroughly will reward you with other valuable items and opportunities.