Goal and guidelines

The goal of this guide is to provide a path through Pokémon Gold and Silver that allows you to complete a Living Pokédex efficiently while still giving you the freedom to play the game however you want. Here is how the guide works:

• Pick a "main version" where you will store all your Pokémon.
• If you are playing Pokémon Crystal, you will have to adapt some steps yourself. Thankfully, the location data for all 3 games is available.
• Each chapter is ordered according to the story except for the Post-game cleanup which is ordered by importance.
• The Pokémon within each area are ordered by rarity (and floor if there are some): focus on the rare Pokémon first.
• The version specific steps can be done at any time, as long as you can trade the Pokémon with the main version easily.
• The guide assumes you are playing during the day. Morning Pokémon are usually similar, but night Pokémon can be very different. If a particular time other than day is required, it will be specified. Once again, refer to the location data for help.

Rules

Because there are a lot of ways to get each Pokémon and play through the game, I set some limitations on what is allowed while writing the guide. The goal is to keep to the spirit of challenge (catching every Pokémon in Gen 2) as opposed to the technical aspect of the challenge (getting every Pokémon on a Gen 2 version). We also keep our main version as legitimate as possible. Here are the rules:

• Every version we use starts from a clean "New Game" file.
• Only the Pokémon who don't appear in Gen 2 can be obtained using Gen 1. Every other Pokémon is obtained in Gen 2.
• Any unique encounter available on the main version is done on this version.
• Catching a Pokémon is always preferred over getting it via in-game trade when possible. Catching is also preferred over hatching an egg, unless the Pokémon is not immediately accessible (choice or separate playthrough required).
• Any glitch used is only performed when absolutely necessary (unavailable Pokémon or item) and not on the main version.

Recommandations

In order for you to have a fun and smooth experience, here are some recommendations on how to play while going for a Living Pokédex:

• You should play the main version until Mt. Silver before starting any other step, so you have access to all HM and areas.
• While playing through the story, use Pokémon whose evolution can only be obtained via level-up or friendship. There are a lot of them, the earlier you start the better. Make sure to get the Exp.Share on Route 30 by giving the Red Scale to Mr. Pokémon as soon as you can.
• Because evolution stones are difficult to obtain in Gen 2, the guide assumes you will trade with the Gen 1 game once you are done with its specific step, buy the required stones, evolve the Pokémon and trade back.
• Going for a specific Pokémon before it is listed is unnecessary, as you can encounter it naturally before then. However, we all have our favorites, and getting the team you like is one of the joys of Pokémon. Feel free to adapt the guide by using the Pokémon info page.
• To learn more about how catching works, the mechanics introduced in Gen 2, or just want to learn general tips, check out the extra info. A bit of extra knowledge can shorten your playtime significantly and make the experience more enjoyable.
• This checklist is linked to the Pokédex tracker and any Pokémon marked as caught on one page will be on the other. If you have both pages open, make sure to refresh whenever you change one of them to keep your data up to date.
• Getting a Living Dex is a blast! Have fun!

Violet City

• Get Togepi and evolve it into Togetic (Friendship)

Route 36

• Catch Sudowoodo - Unique encounter

Lake of Rage

• Catch Gyarados - Unique encounter

Team Rocket Hideout

• Catch Geodude - Trap floor
• Catch Voltorb - Trap floor
• Catch Koffing - Trap floor
• Catch Koffing and evolve it into Weezing (level 35)
• Catch Electrode - Transmitter room

Vermilion City

• Catch Snorlax - Unique encounter

New Bark Town

• Get your starter Pokémon

Union Cave

• Catch Sandshrew - 30% encounter rate (1F or B1F)

Azalea Town

• Headbutt trees to find Caterpie - 65% encounter rate (common tree)

Goldenrod City

• Get Eevee (Bill's house, after meeting him in Ecruteak City) and evolve it into Vaporeon (Water Stone)

National Park

• Catch Metapod - 30% encounter rate

Route 41

• Catch Mantine - 10% encounter rate

Route 45

• Catch Gligar - 20% encounter rate
• Catch Teddiursa - 10% encounter rate

Slowpoke Well

• Pick up King's Rock - B2F, given by NPC

Route 26

• Catch Sandslash - 30% encounter rate

S.S. Aqua

• Pick up Metal Coat - Given as part of the story

Route 7

• Catch Growlithe - 25% encounter rate
• Catch Growlithe and evolve it into Arcanine (Fire Stone)

Route 9

• Catch Mankey - 30% encounter rate
• Catch Primeape - 5% encounter rate

Route 2

• Catch Butterfree - 10% encounter rate (morning)
• Catch Spinarak - 30% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Ariados - 5% encounter rate (night)

Mt. Silver

• Catch Ursaring - 30% encounter rate (1F)

New Bark Town

• Get your starter Pokémon

Route 32 or 33

• Catch Ekans - 30% encounter rate

Azalea Town

• Headbutt trees to find Weedle - 65% encounter rate (common tree)

Goldenrod City

• Get Eevee (Bill's house, after meeting him in Ecruteak City) and evolve it into Jolteon (Thunderstone)

National Park

• Catch Kakuna - 30% encounter rate

Ice Path

• Catch Delibird - 20% encounter rate (any floor)

Route 45

• Catch Phanpy - 10% encounter rate
• Catch Skarmory - 5% encounter rate

Slowpoke Well

• Pick up King's Rock - B2F, given by NPC

Route 27

• Catch Arbok - 30% encounter rate

S.S. Aqua

• Pick up Metal Coat - Given as part of the story

Route 7

• Catch Meowth - 30% encounter rate
• Catch Vulpix - 25% encounter rate
• Catch Vulpix and evolve it into Ninetales (Fire Stone)
• Catch Persian - 5% encounter rate

Route 2

• Catch Ledyba - 30% encounter rate (morning)
• Catch Beedrill - 10% encounter rate (morning)
• Catch Ledian - 5% encounter rate (morning)

Mt. Silver

• Catch Donphan - 30% encounter rate (1F)

New Bark Town

• Get your starter Pokémon

Goldenrod City

• Get Eevee (Bill's house, after meeting him in Ecruteak City) and evolve it into Flareon (Fire Stone)

Ilex Forest

• Catch Celebi - GS Ball event (given in the Goldenrod Pokémon Center after entering the Hall of Fame on VC, cheat/glitch required on cartridge)

Pallet Town

• Get your starter Pokémon - 1st playthrough
• Get your starter Pokémon - 2nd playthrough
• Get your starter Pokémon - 3rd playthrough

Mt. Moon

• Pick up either the Helix Fossil (Omanyte) or the Dome Fossil (Kabuto) - 1st playthrough
• Pick up either the Helix Fossil (Omanyte) or the Dome Fossil (Kabuto) - 2nd playthrough

Route 8

• Catch Mew - Trainer-Fly glitch

Cinnabar Island

• Revive either Omanyte (Helix Fossil) or Kabuto (Dome Fossil) - 1st playthrough
• Revive either Omanyte (Helix Fossil) or Kabuto (Dome Fossil) - 2nd playthrough

Seafoam Islands

• Catch Articuno - Unique encounter

Power Plant

• Catch Zapdos - Unique encounter

Victory Road

• Catch Moltres - Unique encounter

Cerulean Cave

• Catch Mewtwo - Unique encounter

Mt. Silver

• Catch Ponyta - 30% encounter rate (exterior)
• Catch Rapidash - 10% encounter rate (exterior)
• Catch Dodrio - 5% encounter rate (exterior)
• Catch Sneasel - 10% encounter rate (exterior - night)
• Fish Poliwag - 80% encounter rate (Super Rod - exterior)
• Catch Poliwhirl - 90% encounter rate (Surf - exterior)
• Catch Poliwhirl and evolve it into Poliwrath (Water Stone)
• Catch Poliwhirl, give it King's Rock and evolve it into Politoed (Trading)
• Catch Larvitar - 5% encounter rate (any floor)
• Catch a level 20 Larvitar and evolve it into Pupitar (level 30)
• Catch a level 20 Larvitar, evolve it into Pupitar (level 30) then into Tyranitar (level 55)
• Catch Onix - 30% encounter rate (1F or summit)
• Catch Onix, give it Metal Coat and evolve it into Steelix (Trading)
• Catch Seaking - 90% encounter rate (Surf - 2F)
• Catch Golduck - 30% encounter rate (2F or item chambers)
• Catch Misdreavus - 30% encounter rate (item chambers - night)
• Catch Golbat - 50% encounter rate (summit)
• Catch Golbat and evolve it into Crobat (Friendship)

Burned Tower

• Smash rocks to find Krabby - 90% encounter rate (1F)
• Smash rocks to find Shuckle - 10% encounter rate (1F)
• Catch Magmar - 10% encounter rate (B1F)

Tin Tower

• Catch Rattata - 100% encounter rate
• Catch Gastly - 80% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Ho-Oh - Unique encounter

Route 42

• Catch Mareep - 30% / 50% encounter rate

Mt. Mortar

• Catch Goldeen - 90% encounter rate (Surf - any floor)
• Catch Machop - 35% encounter rate (1F)
• Pick up Dragon Scale - 2F, northwest
• Catch Graveler - 30% encounter rate (2F)
• Catch Graveler and evolve it into Golem (Trading)
• Catch Machoke - 30% encounter rate (2F)
• Catch Machoke and evolve it into Machamp (Trading)
• Catch Marill - 1% encounter rate (entrance - swarm possible)
• Catch Marill and evolve it into Azumarill (level 18)
• Get Tyrogue (B1F, given by NPC) and evolve it into Hitmontop (level 20 - Attack = Defense)

Route 1

• Catch Pidgey - 45% encounter rate
• Catch Sentret - 20% encounter rate
• Catch Furret - 5% encounter rate

Route 2

• Catch Pikachu - 5% encounter rate
• Catch Pikachu and evolve it into Raichu (Thunderstone)

Diglett's Cave

• Catch Diglett - 90% encounter rate
• Catch Dugtrio - 10% encounter rate

Mt. Moon

• Catch Paras - 10% encounter rate
• Catch Paras and evolve it into Parasect (level 24)
• Catch Clefairy - 5% encounter rate
• Catch Clefairy and evolve it into Clefable (Moon Stone)

Route 4

• Catch Jigglypuff - 10% encounter rate
• Catch Jigglypuff and evolve it into Wigglytuff (Moon Stone)

Route 24

• Catch Bellsprout - 60% encounter rate (morning)

Route 25

• Catch Venonat - 30% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Venomoth - 20% encounter rate (night)

Route 5

• Catch Oddish - 60% / 30% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Gloom - 10% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Gloom and evolve it into Vileplume (Leaf Stone)
• Catch Gloom and evolve it into Bellossom (Sun Stone)

Saffron City

• Pick up an Up-Grade - Silph Co.

Route 8

• Catch Abra - 20% encounter rate
• Catch Kadabra - 5% encounter rate
• Catch Kadabra and evolve it into Alakazam (Trading)
• Catch Haunter - 30% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Haunter and evolve it into Gengar (Trading)

Route 10

• Catch Electabuzz - 10% encounter rate

Rock Tunnel

• Catch Cubone - 30% encounter rate (B1F)
• Catch Marowak - 5% encounter rate (B1F)
• Catch Kangaskhan - 5% encounter rate (B1F)

Route 11

• Catch Hypno - 10% encounter rate

Route 7

• Catch Murkrow - 35% / 30% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Houndour - 5% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Houndour and evolve it into Houndoom (level 24)

Route 17

• Catch Fearow - 40% encounter rate
• Catch Slugma - 35% encounter rate
• Catch a level 27 Slugma and evolve it into Magcargo (level 38)
• Catch Grimer - 80% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Muk - 15% encounter rate (night)

Route 14

• Catch Nidorina - 30% encounter rate
• Catch Nidorina and evolve it into Nidoqueen (Moon Stone)
• Catch Nidorino - 30% encounter rate
• Catch Nidorino and evolve it into Nidoking (Moon Stone)
• Catch Pidgeotto - 20% encounter rate
• Catch Pidgeotto and evolve it into Pidgeot (level 36)
• Catch Skiploom - 9% encounter rate
• Catch Skiploom and evolve it into Jumpluff (level 27)
• Catch Noctowl - 20% encounter rate (night)
• Catch Chansey - 1% encounter rate
• Catch Chansey and evolve it into Blissey (Friendship)
• Catch Chansey then trade it for Aerodactyl (Route 14)

Route 21

• Catch Tangela - 90% encounter rate
• Catch Mr. Mime - 10% encounter rate
• Fish Shellder - 30% encounter rate (Super Rod)
• Fish Shellder and evolve it into Cloyster (Water Stone)
• Fish Chinchou - 40% encounter rate (Super Rod)
• Fish Lanturn - 10% encounter rate (Super Rod)

Victory Road

• Catch Rhyhorn - 5% encounter rate

Route 26

• Catch Raticate - 40% / 70% encounter rate

Route 27

• Catch Doduo - 50% encounter rate
• Catch Quagsire - 50% / 55% encounter rate

Route 37

• Catch Stantler - 30% encounter rate

National Park

• Catch Sunkern - 25% encounter rate
• Catch Sunkern and evolve it into Sunflora (Sun Stone)
• Catch Hoothoot - 100% encounter rate (night)

Route 35

• Catch Psyduck - 90% encounter rate (Surf)
• Catch Nidoran♀ - 30% encounter rate
• Catch Nidoran♂ - 30% encounter rate
• Catch Yanma - 1% encounter rate (swarm possible)

Route 34

• Catch Drowzee - 50% encounter rate
• Catch Ditto - 5% encounter rate

Azalea Town

• Headbutt trees to find Exeggcute - 15% encounter rate (any tree)
• Headbutt trees to find Exeggcute and evolve it into Exeggutor (Leaf Stone)
• Headbutt trees to find Pineco - 30% encounter rate (rare tree)
• Headbutt trees to find Pineco and evolve it into Forretress (level 31)

Slowpoke Well

• Catch Zubat - 85% encounter rate (B1F)
• Catch Slowpoke - 90% encounter rate (B2F)
• Catch Slowpoke, give it King's Rock and evolve it into Slowking (Trading)
• Catch Slowbro - 10% encounter rate (Surf - B2F)

Route 33

• Catch Hoppip - 35% encounter rate

Union Cave

• Catch Wooper - 60% encounter rate (Surf - 1F or B1F)
• Catch Lapras - Unique encounter (B2F, every Friday)

Ruins of Alph (from Union Cave)

• Catch Unown - 100% encounter rate (interior)
• Catch Natu - 90% encounter rate (exterior)
• Catch a level 24 Natu and evolve it into Xatu (level 25)
• Catch Smeargle - 10% encounter rate (exterior)

Route 32

• Fish Qwilfish - 10% encounter rate (Super Rod - swarm possible)

Route 43

• Catch Flaaffy - 40% encounter rate
• Catch Flaaffy and evolve it into Ampharos (level 30)
• Catch Girafarig - 30% encounter rate

Route 44

• Catch Weepinbell - 35% encounter rate
• Catch Weepinbell and evolve it into Victreebel (Leaf Stone)
• Catch Lickitung - 15% encounter rate
• Fish Remoraid - 10% encounter rate (Super Rod - swarm possible)
• Fish Remoraid and evolve it into Octillery (level 25)
• Headbutt trees to find Aipom - 20% encounter rate (any tree)
• Headbutt trees to find Spearow - 80% encounter rate (common tree)
• Headbutt trees to find Heracross - 30% encounter rate (rare tree)

Ice Path

• Catch Swinub - 40% encounter rate (any floor)
• Catch a level 25 Swinub (B3F) and evolve it into Piloswine (level 33)
• Catch Jynx - 10% encounter rate (any floor)

Dragon's Den

• Fish Dratini - 30% encounter rate (Super Rod)
• Fish Dragonair - 10% encounter rate (Super Rod)
• Fish Dragonair and evolve it into Dragonite (level 55)
• Fish Dragonair then trade it for Rhydon (Blackthorn City, ♀ required)

Dark Cave (Route 45)

• Catch Wobbuffet - 15% encounter rate

Dark Cave (Route 31)

• Catch Dunsparce - 1% encounter rate (swarm possible)

Route 38

• Catch Snubbull - 1% encounter rate (swarm possible)
• Catch Snubbull and evolve it into Granbull (level 23)

Route 39

• Catch Magnemite - 20% encounter rate
• Catch Magnemite and evolve it into Magneton (level 30)
• Catch Farfetch'd - 10% encounter rate
• Catch Tauros - 5% encounter rate
• Catch Miltank - 5% encounter rate

Olivine City

• Catch Tentacool - 90% encounter rate (Surf)
• Fish Magikarp - 85% encounter rate (Old Rod)
• Fish Corsola - 30% encounter rate (Super Rod)
• Fish Staryu - 30% encounter rate (Super Rod - night)
• Fish Staryu and evolve it into Starmie (Water Stone)

Whirl Islands

• Catch Seel - 15% encounter rate (any floor)
• Fish Kingler - 20% encounter rate (Super Rod - any floor)
• Fish Seadra - 10% encounter rate (Super Rod - any floor)
• Fish Seadra, give it Dragon Scale and evolve it into Kingdra (Trading)
• Catch Horsea - 90% encounter rate (Surf - B2F)
• Catch a level 26 Seel (B3F) and evolve it into Dewgong (level 34)
• Catch Tentacruel - 30% encounter rate (Surf - B3F)
• Catch Lugia - Unique encounter (B3F)

National Park (Bug-Catching Contest)

• Catch Scyther - 5% encounter rate
• Catch Scyther, give it Metal Coat and evolve it into Scizor (Trading)
• Catch Pinsir - 5% encounter rate

Celadon City

• Purchase Porygon from the Prize Corner (9999 coins)

Roaming Pokémon

• Catch Raikou - Roaming in Johto
• Catch Entei - Roaming in Johto
• Catch Suicune - Roaming in Johto

Baby Pokémon

• Hatch Pichu from Pikachu, Raichu
• Hatch Cleffa from Clefairy, Clefable
• Hatch Igglybuff from Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff
• Hatch Togepi from Togetic
• Hatch Tyrogue from Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Hitmontop
• Hatch Smoochum from Jynx
• Hatch Elekid from Electabuzz
• Hatch Magby from Magmar

Eggs

• Hatch Eevee
• Hatch Eevee and evolve it into Espeon (Friendship - morning and day)
• Hatch Eevee and evolve it into Umbreon (Friendship - night)
• Hatch Porygon, give it Up-Grade and evolve it into Porygon2 (Trading)
• Hatch Bulbasaur
• Hatch Bulbasaur and evolve it into Ivysaur (level 16)
• Hatch Charmander
• Hatch Charmander and evolve it into Charmeleon (level 16)
• Hatch Squirtle
• Hatch Squirtle and evolve it into Wartortle (level 16)
• Hatch Omanyte
• Hatch Kabuto
• Hatch Chikorita
• Hatch Chikorita and evolve it into Bayleef (level 16)
• Hatch Cyndaquil
• Hatch Cyndaquil and evolve it into Quilava (level 14)
• Hatch Totodile
• Hatch Totodile and evolve it into Croconaw (level 18)
• Hatch Tyrogue and evolve it into Hitmonlee (level 20 - Attack > Defense)
• Hatch Tyrogue and evolve it into Hitmonchan (level 20 - Attack < Defense)

Remaining evolutions

• Evolve Bulbasaur into Ivysaur (level 16) then into Venusaur (level 32)
• Evolve Charmander into Charmeleon (level 16) then into Charizard (level 36)
• Evolve Squirtle into Wartortle (level 16) then into Blastoise (level 36)
• Evolve Omanyte into Omastar (level 40)
• Evolve Kabuto into Kabutops (level 40)
• Evolve Chikorita into Bayleef (level 16) then into Meganium (level 32)
• Evolve Cyndaquil into Quilava (level 14) then into Typhlosion (level 36)
• Evolve Totodile into Croconaw (level 18) then into Feraligatr (level 30)