Acquiring HM02 Fly in Pokémon FireRed is one of the most critical milestones for any trainer navigating the Kanto region. This essential Hidden Machine not only provides a powerful two-turn Flying-type attack in battle, but it also allows players to instantly fast-travel between previously visited towns. Securing this technique early streamlines your journey, saving valuable time spent backtracking across long routes.
Locating HM02 on Route 16
To obtain HM02 Fly, players must travel to Route 16, which is located directly west of Celadon City. You will encounter a Snorlax blocking the main path, requiring a Cut-capable Pokémon to chop down a small tree just above the sleeping creature. Passing through the secret northern gate leads to a secluded house hidden behind the trees.
Inside this quiet retreat, a girl will hand over HM02 in exchange for keeping her secret location quiet. Teaching this move to a suitable Pokémon grants instant access to fast travel once you earn the appropriate gym badge. Managing your party movesets effectively ensures you always have a capable flyer available for long journeys.
Unlocking Out-of-Battle Travel Requirements
Obtaining the HM item itself is only the first step toward fast travel across Kanto. To use Fly outside of combat encounters, trainers must first defeat Lt. Surge at the Vermilion City Gym to earn the Thunder Badge. Without this badge, the move remains restricted strictly to standard battle encounters.
Once the Thunder Badge is registered in your Trainer Card, opening the main menu allows you to select Fly from a compatible Pokémon's move list. Selecting any town marked on the regional map instantly transports your character there. This utility makes visiting Poke Marts or healing at centers significantly more convenient.
Best Early Game Candidates for Learning Fly
Pidgey and Spearow serve as two of the most accessible early-game Pokémon capable of learning Fly in FireRed. Both species can be caught on early routes such as Route 1 and Route 22 before reaching Pewter City. Evolving them into Pidgeotto or Fearow provides high mobility along with strong physical attack stats for campaign battles.
Another excellent option is Doduo, which can be found along Route 16 near the very location where HM02 is acquired. Doduo boasts impressive Speed and Attack growth, making it a formidable Flying-type choice for mid-game Gym battles. Having a reliable flyer simplifies traveling between main story locations while keeping your team competitive.
Strategic Advantages of Fly in Battle
Beyond its utility as a travel tool, Fly serves as a reliable 90-power physical move during Pokémon battles. When executed, the user flies up on the first turn, becoming invulnerable to most incoming attacks, before striking on the second turn. This turn-delay mechanic can be leveraged strategically to stall opponent turn timers or avoid heavy damage.
Trainers should note that certain moves like Gust and Thunder can still hit Pokémon while airborne. Pairing Fly with high physical attack stats ensures solid damage against Grass, Fighting, and Bug-type opponents. Balancing HM moves across your party helps maintain strong battle strategies while exploring the Kanto region.