Choosing the first Pokémon in FireRed and LeafGreen has much greater consequences than expected, and a new generation is discovering this now

Depending on whether you choose Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle at the beginning of your Kanto adventure in Pokémon Leaf Green or Fire Red, you will have a chance to encounter a different legendary Pokémon in the game.

What is affected? There are many myths surrounding Pokémon that players have shared with each other. For example, the belief that you just have to press the B button really hard to ensure that the Pokéball actually stays closed around the Pokémon you want to catch.

However, one myth turns out to be true. The choice of starter in the Kanto region in the Leaf Green and Fire Red editions, that is, between Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, influences which legendary Pokémon, Entei, Suicune, or Raikou, you will encounter later in the game.

The latest generation is heralded with the editions Wind and Wave:

Pokémon for Pokémon

Who encounters whom? You can only encounter the legendary three feline Pokémon in the post-game, that is, after the Elite Four. Thus, the choice of starter is linked to the encounter:

• If you chose the Grass-type Pokémon Bulbasaur, you will encounter Entei.
• If you started your adventure with Charmander, you can meet Suicune.
• If you chose Squirtle, you have the chance to catch Raikou.

Entei, Suicune, and Raikou are not easy to catch. You will randomly encounter them in Kanto in tall grass, and they will flee immediately as a first move. Therefore, saving the Master Ball is essential, or you manage to bind the legendary Pokémon in battle directly with a status effect.

Unfortunately, you will only have the chance to catch one legendary feline Pokémon per game save. To complete the Pokédex, you are forced to trade.

Players who tried to catch them all in the original editions on the GBA will surely remember this mechanic. However, those who discover the games now on the Switch will be just as surprised as the previous generation was back then when the choice of starter has unexpected effects.

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There are a total of 386 Pokémon that can be caught in the Fire Red and Leaf Green editions. Until the release on the Nintendo Switch, some Pokémon were only available through attending an event. However, that has now changed, allowing the Pokédex to be completed after 22 years: After 22 years, you can finally complete your Pokédex in Fire Red and Leaf Green on the Nintendo Switch