Introduction

As the title says, this guide covers some complex issues concerning breeding and training superior Pokémon. Pokémon that stand out, have above average stats, and may be a source of pride (at least, as much as can be had from video game characters).

I'm going to say straight-away here: if you have a Gameshark, go away now. This guide makes the sweeping assumption that you are not using a cheating device and are honestly breeding and raising your own Pokémon. That you're actually spending time considering whether you really want to use that Earthquake TM because you only have one of them and to get another, you'd have to start your game over again from scratch. You agonize over having to choose between having a special move on your Pokémon or evolving it with a Stone. These and many other decisions become moot if you can just Shark any move, ability, stat, or level you want.

I acknowledge that Gameshark has its place. It allows people to focus on pure strategy instead of spending tens or hundreds of hours of mindless repetition in front of their screens. I understand and agree to a certain point. But I see that it can also cheapen the game and take away a persons satisfaction of having a well-raised Pokémon with an amazing moveset that required sacrificing both time and items to achieve. Anyone can spend a few dollars, push a few buttons, and have whatever Pokémon they want. And after the novelty of having a Sacred Fire Magikarp and level 255 Mewtwo with Aeroblast, you may find that the whole game has lost its meaning.

Time Management

It's a fact that we only have a given amount of free time in our lives. Some of us go to school, some of us work. Some people have homework, some people have chores. Friends need to be hung out with, significant others need our attention, pet gerbils need their cages cleaned. Things need to be washed, put away, repaired, updated, scheduled, rescheduled, filed, and maintained. Life, in other words, take time. We only have so much in the day, so it pays to get organized, know what you're trying to do, and maximize your efforts. All play and no life makes Jack something something...

Unless you cheat, breeding and training Pokémon takes time. Sometimes quite a bit of time, depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Whether it's beating Red in the Silver Cave, the Petite Cup in Stadium, or the PokéCup Master Ball championship in Stadium 2, raising your ultimate Pokémon requires an investment of time. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made: do you raise MegaSlash to level 100 or get your book report done? (Hint here: bad grades = loss of privileges = no Pokémon. You do the math.)

One of the primary goals of this guide is to help you minimize the amount of time you spend breeding and training your Pokémon so you can use it, have fun with it, and have an actual life too. One with actual people in it and not little colored icons.

Know What You're Doing

This is an Advanced FAQ, meaning that you should already fully understand what makes a Pokémon stand out from all the others. You must have an understanding of:

If any of these topics is new or unfamiliar to you, follow the links and be prepared for a lot of additional reading and preparation.

Recommendations

You may be lucky enough to be playing Pokémon Crystal, the most sophisticated out of all the Chromatic and Metallic versions, or you may still be on Pokémon Red. Regardless of what version you are using, knowing what's out there and what it can do for you is an important step in the overall experience.

Red, Blue, or Yellow Owners

Join the rest of us here in the 21st century and get Pokémon Gold, Silver, or Crystal. If you can, get Crystal since it offers the most bang for the buck. Don't get rid of your old carts, though, you'll be needing them later.

If possible, consider getting Pokémon Stadium. (This includes the following: a Nintendo 64 game console, Pokémon Stadium cartridge, at least two game controllers, and at least two transfer paks). Having the extra controllers and transfer paks allows for easy trading between multiple carts.

Gold, Silver, or Crystal Owners

Consider getting Pokémon Red, Blue, or Yellow (Yellow is usually preferable) if you are playing Gold, Silver, or Crystal and have access to either 1) another GBC and link cable, or 2) Stadium or Stadium 2. There are several reasons for this which I will discuss later

If possible, consider getting Pokémon Stadium 2 and/or Stadium. (This includes the following: a Nintendo 64 game console, Pokémon Stadium/Stadium 2 cartridge, at least two game controllers, and at least two transfer paks). Having the extra controllers and transfer paks allows for easy trading between multiple carts.

Stadium / Stadium 2 Owners

It is possible to play Stadium or Stadium 2 without benefit of the R/B/Y/G/S/C cartridges. You can play the games with Rental Pokémon. These are anemic, weak, basically boring Pokémon that make wild Pokémon look powerful and sophisticated. Nintendo is nefarious in this regard—they have made products that tie in and enhance themselves, so you are motivated to go out and spend more money on their merchandise to make the existing games you have more fun.

Tools of the Trade

A master Pokémon trainer needs to have a good knowledge of what can make his efforts most effective.

Hardware

This category includes all the legal merchandise that is available in the vast world of Pokémon. This includes

Table 1: Pokémon Devices
Device	Platform	Important Distinctions
Pokémon Red	GB	Pokémon 1-150 except for Sandshrew, Sandslash, Meowth, Persian, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel, Vulpix, Ninetales, Pinsir, Magmar Evolution Stones may be purchased in the Celadon Department Store
Pokémon Blue	GB	Pokémon 1-150 except for Ekans, Arbok, Mankey, Primeape, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Growlithe, Arcanine, Scyther, Electabuzz Evolution Stones may be purchased in the Celadon Department Store
Pokémon Yellow	GBC	Pokémon 1-150 except for Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Electabuzz, Magmar, Raichu, Koffing, Weezing, Ekans, Arbok, Meowth, Persian, Jynx Expanded movesets for many Pokémon compared to Red and Blue versions. Evolution Stones may be purchased in the Celadon Department Store
Pokémon Gold	GBC	New and improved movesets from R/B/Y, and ability to breed new, special moves on certain Pokémon. Pokémon 1-250 except for: Old Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Vulpix, Ninetales, Meowth, Persian, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Mew New Pokémon: Ledyba, Ledian, Phanpy, Donphan, Delibird, Skarmory
Pokémon Silver	GBC	New and improved movesets from R/B/Y, and ability to breed new, special moves on certain Pokémon. Pokémon 1-250 except for: Old Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Mankey, Primeape, Growlithe, Arcanine, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Mew New Pokémon: Spinarak, Ariados, Teddiursa, Ursaring, Gligar, Mantine
Pokémon Crystal	GBC	New and improved movesets from R/B/Y. Ability to breed new, special moves on certain Pokémon, including new breedable moves compared to Gold and Silver versions. Pokémon 1-250 except for: Old Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops, Mankey, Primeape, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, Mew New Pokémon: Vulpix, Ninetales, Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos, Girafarig, Remoraid, Octillery
Pokémon Stadium	N64	Provides advanced organizational features such as reordering of a Pokémon's moves, storage of up to 240 additional Pokémon in the N64 Boxes, storage of up to 100 items, easy reordering of Pokémon, Pokémon queries (such as "How many Pikachu's do I have?" or "What Flying-types do I own?"), Pokémon move queries ("What Pokémon do I have that have both Thunderbolt and Light Screen?"), use items such as HM's or TM's, easy trading between up to 4 Red, Blue, or Yellow cartridges. In-game emulator allows you to play your game on the N64; Doduo and Dodrio Mode allows playing the game at normal, x2, or x4 speed. Prize Pokémon: Pikachu with Surf, Psyduck with Amnesia
Pokémon Stadium 2	N64	Has all the organizational features included with Stadium, plus: storage of up to 280 Pokémon in N64 Boxes, up to 250 items, ability to release Eggs (in the game, you have to hatch the Egg before being able to release it), easy trading between all R/B/Y/G/S/C cartridges. Mystery Gift once per day per GSC cartridge with Carrie. Library of Pokémon, Items, Moves, Type Matchups, and breeding groups. Doduo and Dodrio Mode allows for playing your game (any of the R/B/Y/G/S/C cartridges) at normal, x2, or x3 speed. Prize Pokémon: Gligar with Earthquake, Farfetch'd with Baton Pass
Pokémon Pikachu 2GS	Handheld	Allows accumulation of "watts" while walking, and transferring watts to your G/S/C game in the form of Mystery Gifts such as Gold Berries, Miracleberries, and Rare Candy.

Items

Rare Candy Locations

	Here is a list of where I have found Rare Candy's in the G/S/C games. Olivine City Lighthouse (near Top) Waterway just south of entrance to Kanto from Johto Inside Union Cave past the Waterfall Route 34 (South of Goldenrod City) under a tree on the beach west of a dividing fence. Chairman in Pokémon Fan Club (Vermilion City) Cinnabar Island (Outside) Route 28 near Mt. Silver Pokémon Center In Ho-Oh's Tin Tower in Ecruteak City Whirl Islands, NW Entrance, NE corner of large cavern

The following are items that play a crucial part to breeding and raising your Pokémon juggernauts.

Exp. Share A Pokémon in your party holding this item will share in all experience earned in a battle, whether it participated or not. When the game is divvying up experience, it splits the XP equally between everyone that engaged in battle. Those awards, however, are then shared between that Pokémon and everyone in the party who happens to be holding an Exp. Share item. Stat XP is also shared equally between all battle participants and users of the item.
Lucky Egg This rare item increases the XP awarded to the individual holding it by 50%. It can be found on wild Chansey's 1.5% of the time.
Vitamins This includes Protein, Iron, Calcium, Carbos, and HP Up. Each application increases the hidden Stat XP of Attack, Defense, Special, Speed, or Health by 2,550 XP, up to a limit of 25,500 XP (ten applications). Each Vitamin costs 9,800.