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Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen (FRLG)

How to Beat Lt. Surge: Vermilion City Gym Guide

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Pokemon FRLG - How to Beat Lt. Surge

This is a guide for Vermilion City's Gym Leader, Lt. Surge, in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen (FRLG). Learn how to beat Lt. Surge, his Pokemon team and specialty, and the recommended Pokemon to use against Lt. Surge!

Previous Gym Next Gym
Misty Erika

List of Contents

Lt. Surge's Pokemon Team and Types

Type and Suggested Level

Type Specialty Pokemon FRLG - Electric
Rec. Level Lv. 24 ~ Lv. 26

Lt. Surge specializes in Electric-type Pokemon, which are known for their high Speed and powerful special attacks. Electric-type moves such as Shock Wave can deal consistent damage while ignoring accuracy, making them very reliable in battle.

Electric-types only have one major weakness: Ground. Ground-type Pokemon are also immune to Electric attacks, which makes them the perfect counter to Lt. Surge’s team. Trainers should aim to bring Pokemon around Level 24 to Level 26 to handle the gym battle safely.

Weakness and Type Chart

Lt. Surge's Pokemon

Pokemon Type Abilities Moves
Pokemon FRLG - Voltorb Voltorb
(Lvl. 21) 		Pokemon FRLG - Electric ・Soundproof
・Static
・Screech
・Shock Wave
・Sonic Boom
・Tackle
Pokemon FRLG - Pikachu Pikachu
(Lvl. 18) 		Pokemon FRLG - Electric ・Static
・Double Team
・Quick Attack
・Shock Wave
・Thunder Wave
Pokemon FRLG - Raichu Raichu
(Lvl. 24) 		Pokemon FRLG - Electric ・Static
・Double Team
・Quick Attack
・Shock Wave
・Thunder Wave

Lt. Surge uses a team of Electric-type Pokemon including Voltorb, Pikachu, and his ace Raichu. These Pokemon rely on their Speed and Electric-type attacks to quickly overwhelm opponents.

While Voltorb and Pikachu serve as setup attackers, Raichu can be particularly dangerous due to its higher stats and moves like Shock Wave. Trainers who bring Ground-type Pokemon can completely neutralize Surge’s Electric attacks and defeat his team with ease.

How to Beat Lt. Surge

Use Ground Type Pokemon

Geodude

Lt. Surge's Pokemon is weak against Ground-type Pokemon. Make sure your Pokemon are at least two levels higher than all of his Pokemon.

List of All Ground Type Pokemon

Get A Diglett or Dugtrio From The Diglett Cave

Catch a Ground Type Pokemon in Diglett

Your best bet would be to get a Diglett or Dugtrio from the Diglett Cave near Vermilion City. Head east from Vermilion City and you'll come across this cave, where you can catch wild Diglett and encounter a Level 29 to 31 Dugtrio.

Diglett learns Dig and Magnitude through leveling up and also evolves into Dugtrio at Level 26, which is perfect for the gym battle. Ground-type Pokemon are also immune to Electric attacks, which makes the gym fight way easier.

Also, if you caught a Geodude back in Mt. Moon, you can use it instead of Dugtrio since it evolves into a Graveler at Level 25.

Diglett's Cave Location Guide

Best Team to Beat Lt. Surge

Recommended Pokemon to Bring

Pokemon Recommended Moves
Pokemon FRLG - Dugtrio Dugtrio
Pokemon FRLG - Ground
・Dig
・Magnitude
・Sand Attack
・Slash
・Ground-type moves deal super effective damage to Electric-types.
・Immune to Electric attacks.
Pokemon FRLG - Graveler Graveler
Pokemon FRLG - Rock Pokemon FRLG - Ground
・Defense Curl
・Magnitude
・Rock Throw
・Rock/Ground typing provides strong defensive stats.
・Ground-type moves easily defeat Surge’s Pokemon.
Pokemon FRLG - Sandshrew Sandshrew
Pokemon FRLG - Ground
・Defense Curl
・Dig
・Sand Attack
・Slash
・Reliable Ground-type attacker.
・Can evolve into Sandslash for stronger stats later in the game.

※ Move recommendations for solo experience only and may not be reflective of the Pokemon's use in competitive play.

You can bring a full party of six Pokemon, but these Ground-type Pokemon are the most effective counters against Lt. Surge’s Electric-type team.

Because Electric attacks do not affect Ground-types, these Pokemon can safely enter the battle and defeat Surge’s team without taking much damage.

When Starting with Bulbasaur

Pokemon FRLG - Ivysaur Ivysaur Pokemon FRLG - Dugtrio Dugtrio
Pokemon FRLG - Graveler Graveler

Ivysaur doesn't have a natural type-advantage over Lt. Surge's team, but it can apply various status effects against his Pokemon like Poison and Sleep. You can then switch into Dugtrio to easily knock Lt. Surge's Pokemon out or a Graveler if you have it.

When Starting with Charmander

Pokemon FRLG - Charmeleon Charmeleon Pokemon FRLG - Dugtrio Dugtrio
Pokemon FRLG - Graveler Graveler

Charmeleon isn't weak to Electric but also doesn't have a lot of moves to choose from to deal with Lt. Surge's Pokemon, apart from lowering their accuracy with Smokescreen or inflicting Burn through Ember. Again, just use a Dugtrio from the Diglett Cave to easily beat this gym battle or a Graveler if you have it.

When Starting with Squirtle

Pokemon FRLG - Wartortle Wartortle Pokemon FRLG - Dugtrio Dugtrio
Pokemon FRLG - Graveler Graveler

Wartortle will be having the hardest time with this gym battle since it is weak to Electric-type Pokemon. Water-type attacks only deal normal damage against Electric-types. Use Dugtrio first and have Wartortle as a backup instead. You can also use Graveler instead of Dugtrio if you have it.

Previous and Next Gym Leaders

Previous Gym Next Gym
Misty Erika

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen (FRLG) Related Guides

Pokemon FRLG - Walkthrough

100% Walkthrough Guide

Walkthrough Guides by Type

Gym Leader Guides Elite Four Guide
Giovanni Fights and Teams Rival Fights and Teams

All Gym Leader Guides

1 Brock 2 Misty
3 Lt. Surge 4 Erika
5 Koga 6 Sabrina
7 Blaine 8 Giovanni

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