After successfully conquering the Lavaridge Gym in the Hoenn region, you’re likely wondering, “What comes next?” Whether you’ve just defeated Flannery and earned your Heat Badge or you’re simply looking for the next steps in your Pokémon journey, there’s plenty to explore. In this post-gym guide, we’ll walk you through what to do after Lavaridge Gym, from new areas to explore, additional challenges to face, and key items to obtain.
1. **Head to Fiery Path and Route 112**
After earning your badge from Flannery, your immediate next step is to exit Lavaridge Town and head towards the Fiery Path, which connects to Route 112. Here, you’ll be navigating through a maze-like area filled with wild Pokémon and obstacles. This path is critical for advancing your adventure and offers key moments for training and catching new Pokémon.
While you’re here, keep an eye out for items like **TM50 Overheat**, a powerful Fire-type move. If you haven’t yet explored these areas in full, this is a great chance to stock up on potions, battle wild Pokémon, and enhance your team’s roster with new captures.
2. **Climb the Fiery Path to Route 112**
Route 112 takes you up towards the cable car station. This is a prime area to catch a glimpse of the surrounding environment and an excellent place to prepare your Pokémon for upcoming battles. The route is filled with trainers eager to challenge you, so it’s wise to have a diverse set of Pokémon with various move types.
Along the route, there’s also a **Herb Shop** where you can purchase items to heal your Pokémon or stock up on useful supplies. Make sure to replenish your stock before heading up the cable car!
3. **Ride the Cable Car to Mt. Chimney**
Once you’ve passed Route 112, your next exciting destination is the **Mt. Chimney** summit, accessible via a cable car. This area is both breathtaking in its design and challenging in terms of trainers. As you ascend the volcano, you’ll encounter new obstacles, trainers, and possibly wild Pokémon with higher levels.
Here’s where things get interesting: Mt. Chimney is home to Team Magma (or Team Aqua, depending on your version of the game). You’ll need to confront them in a pivotal battle that pushes the story forward. Be sure to have a strong team of Pokémon to tackle their challenging line-up. After defeating them, you’ll be able to explore further into the region and unlock additional story progression.
4. **Battle in Jagged Pass and Route 112**
After finishing up your business in Mt. Chimney, head down through **Jagged Pass**. This area can be a bit tricky with its rocky terrain, but it’s an excellent place to level up your Pokémon before proceeding. The trainers on Jagged Pass will provide ample opportunity for your Pokémon to grow stronger, and you might even encounter new wild Pokémon that can add diversity to your team.
5. **Progress Towards the Next Gym: Petalburg City**
As you continue your journey across Hoenn, your next major destination is **Petalburg City**, where you will face the **Norman Gym**, your father, in a crucial battle. Be sure to prepare your Pokémon thoroughly and consider upgrading your team with some stronger Pokémon types that can help against Norman’s formidable lineup of Normal-type Pokémon.
6. **Unlock New Opportunities: Sidequests and Exploration**
In addition to progressing through the main storyline, after completing Lavaridge Gym, there are numerous sidequests and areas to explore in Hoenn. From catching legendary Pokémon to exploring hidden caves, there’s no shortage of exciting content to dive into. You can also challenge the Battle Frontier after completing the main game or even explore more parts of the Pokémon world that were previously locked.
7. **Tips for Your Journey Post-Lavaridge Gym**
– **Level Up:** Keep training your Pokémon to ensure they’re at the appropriate level for upcoming challenges. Consider battling wild Pokémon and trainers to maximize experience points.
– **Stock Up:** Be sure to have plenty of healing items, Poké Balls, and status healers, as upcoming battles, especially with Team Magma or Aqua, can get intense.
– **Diversify Your Team:** If you haven’t already, consider adding new Pokémon to your roster that can counter a variety of types. A balanced team with strong Fire, Water, Electric, and Fighting-type Pokémon will be incredibly valuable as you progress.
Conclusion
After the Lavaridge Gym, your journey through Hoenn continues to unfold with exciting new locations, battles, and challenges. From the treacherous Fiery Path to the explosive encounters with Team Magma, there’s no shortage of thrilling moments ahead. As you climb to new heights and defeat formidable foes, keep your team strong, diverse, and ready for the many challenges that await in the vibrant world of Pokémon.
With each victory and defeat, your adventure becomes more engaging, and the promise of new badges, new friends, and new legendary Pokémon awaits. Keep exploring, training, and battling, and soon you’ll be one step closer to becoming the ultimate Pokémon Master!
