The Ultimate 5-Step Guide To Conquering Pokémon Emerald's Victory Road Map (Updated 2025)

Victory Road in Pokémon Emerald is the final, grueling gauntlet that stands between you and the Hoenn Elite Four. As of December 2025, the core challenge of this three-floor maze remains a true test of a Trainer's preparedness, requiring a perfect blend of Hidden Machine (HM) mastery, battle strategy, and resource management. This cave is more than just a path; it is the ultimate proving ground for your Pokémon team, and getting lost here is the fastest way to drain your supplies before the real challenge even begins.

This comprehensive, step-by-step guide breaks down the complex map of Victory Road (1F, B1F, and B2F), detailing every required HM, highlighting the most challenging trainers, revealing the hidden items, and providing the optimal strategy to ensure you emerge ready to face the powerful Pokémon League at Ever Grande City. Do not step inside without a full understanding of the labyrinth ahead.

The Essential Checklist: HMs and Preparation for Hoenn's Final Cave

Before you even set foot on Route 128 to reach the entrance of Victory Road, your team must be fully equipped. Unlike previous caves, Victory Road demands a full suite of utility moves to navigate its intricate puzzles. Failing to bring the right "HM Slaves"—Pokémon dedicated to carrying these moves—will force you to backtrack, a costly mistake in time and resources.

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Required Hidden Machines (HMs):

• HM03 Surf: Essential for crossing large bodies of water on 1F and B2F.
• HM04 Strength: Required to push boulders onto switches to open pathways, primarily on B1F.
• HM06 Rock Smash: Necessary to break small, cracked rocks blocking paths, especially on B1F.
• HM07 Waterfall: The final HM, required to climb the waterfall leading to the Pokémon League entrance.
• HM05 Flash (Recommended): While not strictly mandatory, Flash is highly recommended for B1F. This floor is notably dark, and using Flash significantly aids navigation and prevents missed items.

Key Preparation Tips:

• Healing Items: Stock up on at least 30-40 Great Balls, Hyper Potions, and Full Heals. You will be facing high-level trainers and wild Pokémon.
• Repels: Max Repels are your best friend. Use them liberally to avoid unnecessary wild encounters, saving your Pokémon's PP and HP for trainer battles.
• Level Check: Your lead Pokémon should ideally be at least Level 48-50. The trainers inside field Pokémon ranging from Level 43 to Level 47, and Wally's team peaks at Level 53.

Floor-by-Floor Map Breakdown: 1F, B1F, and B2F

Victory Road is composed of three interconnected floors: 1F (Ground Floor), B1F (Basement 1), and B2F (Basement 2). Each floor presents unique challenges, from boulder puzzles to hidden water routes.

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1F: The Entry Point and Initial Maze

The first floor is relatively straightforward but introduces the need for Surf. Upon entering from Route 128, you'll immediately head north. The main path requires you to use Surf to cross a large pool of water to reach the next section. This area is also home to the first few trainers, including Cooltrainer Hope and her Level 45 Roselia. The main objective on 1F is to locate the staircase leading down to B1F.

B1F: The Dark Cave and Boulder Puzzles

B1F is the most complex section of the cave, famously known for its darkness (where Flash is helpful) and its boulder puzzles. You will need both Strength and Rock Smash here. The main puzzle involves pushing a boulder onto a switch to open a gate. Remember these key entities:

• Boulder Puzzle: Use Strength to move the boulder onto the circular switch, which opens the path to the next area.
• Hidden Item: A valuable item, often a Full Restore or a rare Poké Ball, is usually found near the puzzle area.
• Trainers: Expect to battle Black Belt and Cooltrainer trainers, often fielding Fighting-type Pokémon like Hariyama and Machoke, or Rock-types like Lairon.

B2F: The Final Water Gauntlet and Wally's Stand

The final basement floor is heavily reliant on water traversal and features the last few trainers before the exit. You will use Surf multiple times here. After navigating a series of water channels and small land patches, you will find the final staircase. This staircase leads to the exit chamber, where the most important battle of Victory Road takes place.

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Before you can exit and use HM07 Waterfall to climb to the Pokémon League, you must defeat your friendly rival, Wally.

The Final Challenge: Wally's Pokémon Team and Strategy

Wally's battle is a rite of passage and a final check on your team's strength. He is waiting just before the cave exit, near the waterfall. His team is a balanced mix designed to test various types and strategies. You must treat this as a mini-Elite Four challenge.

Wally's Pokémon League Team (Levels 47-53):

Battle Strategy: The biggest threat is Altaria, which has a 4x weakness to Ice-type moves. A powerful Ice Beam from a Pokémon like Milotic or Starmie can one-shot it. Magneton is also easily dispatched with a Ground-type move like Earthquake. If you can handle Wally's team, you are ready for the Elite Four's initial challenges.

Hidden Items and Rare Encounters: What to Find Inside

Victory Road is not just a path; it is also a treasure trove of valuable items and a unique habitat for several powerful Pokémon. Taking the time to explore every corner, especially with the Dowsing Machine, is highly recommended.

Valuable Items and TMs

Beyond the standard Potions and Full Restores, there are several high-value items scattered across the three floors. One notable find is TM 18 (Rain Dance), which can be found in a small room on B2F after using Dive in the water area and resurfacing. Other common hidden items include Rare Candies, Full Restores, and sometimes Dragon Scale, which is vital for evolving certain Pokémon.

Wild Pokémon for Elite Four Training

The wild Pokémon found in Victory Road are generally high-leveled (Level 35-45) and provide decent experience points. Key encounters include:

• Lairon / Aron: Found on B1F and B2F. Great for grinding against Fighting-type moves.
• Hariyama / Machoke: Common Fighting-types. Good targets for Flying or Psychic-type attacks.
• Golbat / Zubat: Flying/Poison types. Easy to defeat with Electric, Ice, or Rock moves.
• Meditite: Psychic/Fighting-type. A good target for Flying or Ghost-type attacks.

While Victory Road is a solid grinding spot, many expert trainers prefer the Interviewer Gaby & Ty rematch strategy on Route 111 for faster money and experience, as they can be rebattled infinitely using the PokéNav Trainer's Eye feature. However, if you prefer cave grinding without leaving, Victory Road is the best location before the Elite Four.

Topical Authority: Connecting Victory Road to Elite Four Strategy

The true purpose of Victory Road is to finalize your team's composition and strategy for the Elite Four. The trainers within the cave serve as a preview of the challenges ahead.

• Cooltrainer Battles: The Cooltrainers and Black Belts in Victory Road often use a variety of types (Rock, Fighting, Grass, Normal) which mirror the diverse teams of the Elite Four members: Sidney (Dark), Phoebe (Ghost), Glacia (Ice), and Drake (Dragon).
• Move Set Finalization: Use the battles here to test your final move sets. Ensure your Pokémon have strong coverage moves like Earthquake, Ice Beam, Flamethrower, and Thunderbolt to exploit the weaknesses of the Elite Four's Pokémon.
• Wally's Altaria: The battle against Wally's Altaria is an excellent practice run for Elite Four Drake's powerful Dragon-types. If you can one-shot Altaria, you are well-prepared for Drake's Salamence and Flygon.

By treating Victory Road not as a simple maze, but as a final training facility, you ensure your team is not just high-leveled, but strategically optimized. Once you defeat Wally, climb the waterfall, and enter the Pokémon League building, there is no turning back. With this detailed map and strategy guide, you have all the knowledge required to emerge victorious and challenge the Champion.