In the world of Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, Hidden Machines (HMs) are crucial for navigating the Kanto region. Two early-game HMs that players often need are Flash and Cut. Knowing which Pokémon can learn these moves is essential for a smooth playthrough. Let’s explore the Pokémon from Generation 1 capable of learning these HMs.
Pokémon That Can Learn Cut in Generation 1
Cut is a Normal-type move that is not only useful in battle but also necessary to chop down small trees blocking your path. Many Pokémon can learn Cut, providing flexibility for your team. Here’s a list of notable Pokémon from Gen 1 that can learn Cut:
- Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur: The Grass/Poison-type starter evolution line.
- Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume: Another Grass/Poison-type line, offering coverage.
- Paras, Parasect: Bug/Grass-types, a bit more niche but available early.
- Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel: Grass/Poison-types known for their offensive capabilities.
- Exeggcute, Exeggutor: Grass/Psychic-types, providing unique type combination.
- Cubone, Marowak: Ground-types, offering different type coverage.
- Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan: Fighting-types, known for physical attacks.
- Scyther: Bug/Flying-type, a fast and offensive Pokémon.
- Pinsir: Bug-type, a strong physical attacker.
- Farfetch’d: Normal/Flying-type, a somewhat rare Pokémon in the wild.
- Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon: Normal-type with various evolutions, offering flexibility depending on your team needs.
- Kabuto, Kabutops: Rock/Water-types, fossil Pokémon with unique typing.
- Omanyte, Omastar: Rock/Water-types, another fossil line with different stats and movepools.
Pokémon That Can Learn Flash in Generation 1
Flash is a Normal-type move that lowers the opponent’s accuracy in battle and, more importantly, illuminates dark caves in the game, making navigation possible. Fewer Pokémon can learn Flash compared to Cut, but there are still viable options:
- Pikachu, Raichu: The iconic Electric-type mouse Pokémon and its evolution.
- Clefairy, Clefable: Normal-types known for their cuteness and decent stats.
- Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff: Normal-types, another cute line with high HP.
- Meowth, Persian: Normal-types, often found early in the game.
- Growlithe, Arcanine: Fire-types, popular choices for their offensive power.
- Ponyta, Rapidash: Fire-types, fast and elegant Pokémon.
- Magnemite, Magneton: Electric/Steel-types, resistant to many types.
- Voltorb, Electrode: Electric-types, known for their speed.
- Electabuzz: Electric-type, a strong special attacker.
- Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon: Again, the versatile Eevee and its evolutions can learn Flash.
- Omanyte, Omastar: The fossil Pokémon line makes another appearance.
Why These HMs Matter Early On
Both Cut and Flash are obtainable relatively early in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow. Cut is typically acquired in Vermilion City, while Flash is obtained in Cerulean City or Pewter City. Cut allows access to new areas and items by removing small trees, and Flash is indispensable for navigating Rock Tunnel and other dark caves, progressing the storyline. Having a Pokémon that can learn these HMs ensures you’re not blocked from exploring and advancing in your Gen 1 adventure.
Choosing Pokémon that can learn both Cut and Flash, if possible, can free up slots on your team. However, with the wide variety of Pokémon capable of learning each HM, you have ample choices to integrate these moves into your team without sacrificing your core battle strategy.
