Vermilion City Gym Guide (How to Beat Lt. Surge) | Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen

Vermilion City Gym is the third gym in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Lt. Surge is the Electric-type trainer handing out the Thunder Badge. He gives out TM34 (Shock Wave) for winning the badge, as well as the ability to use HM02 (Fly) outside of battle—so long as you find and teach a Pokémon to use it.

Lt. Surge's gym is also the first gym in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen to make players solve a puzzle before taking on the gym leader. 

To reach the Vermilion City Gym, you must have received HM01 (Cut) from the S.S. Anne Captain to access the gym's front door. If you don't yet have it yet, you can't access this gym.

1. Teach a Pokémon HM01 (Cut).
2. Navigate to the Vermilion City Gym, which is down and to the left of the PokéMart.
3. Chop down the tree blocking access by using Cut and head to the front door.

How to prep for the Vermilion City Gym

Before you enter the gym to take on Lt. Surge, you must be prepared. Lt. Surge and his gym is full of Electric-type Pokémon. Ground-type Pokémon are a good option, and you may have already found one in the Diglett Cave near Vermilion City. If not, head east of the city until you reach the cave. Diglett and Dugtrio are both in the cave, up to a Level 30+ Dugtrio. Lt. Surge's Pokémon are levels 18 to 24, so a Level 30 Dugtrio from the cave is perfect. Magnitude and Dig, learned by Diglett at levels 9 and 17 respectively, make quick work of Electric-types.

A Geodude or Graveler (which Geodude evolves into at Level 25) from Mt. Moon is also a good choice. If you didn't catch one of these on your way through, you need Cut to get back to the Pewter City after going through Diglett Cave. Nidoqueen and Nidoking are also good options; Nidoran♀ and Nidoran♂ can be found on Route 3 and leveled up to Nidorina and Nidorino. Use a Moon Stone from Mt. Moon to get the final evolution. It's a little more work, but both Pokémon are great later in the game, too. Two of these Pokémon, alongside your starter, will be enough to defeat everyone in the Vermilion City Gym, as long as they're level 22 or higher.

Any Pokémon with TM28 (Dig) is helpful. Electric-type Pokémon are quite quick, and you want to get your attack started before they can paralyze you. Paralyze Heals are handy, just in case.

Sailor Dwyane

The reward for beating Sailor Dwayne is 672 Pokédollars.

Engineer Bailey

The reward for beating Engineer Bailey is 1,008 Pokédollars.

Gentleman Tucker

The reward for beating Gentleman Tucker is 1,656 Pokédollars.

Solving the Vermilion City Gym puzzle

Lt. Surge is blocked off by two laser gates that are unlocked by hitting switches hidden in the trash cans around the room. Hit two switches to unlock the gate. The catch is that you must hit the switches one right after the other, else the gate closes again. Search the room for the first switch. The second switch will be adjacent to the first, either above, below, or to the left or right. If you don't find it on the first try, the puzzle is reset. It may take several tries. When the gate is open, head up to Lt. Surge.

Gym Leader Lt. Surge

The reward for beating Lt. Surge is 2,400 Pokédollars, TM34 (Shock Wave), and the Thunder Badge.