Vermilion Gym

Vermilion Gym
クチバジム Kuchiba Gym
Vermilion Gym JN.png
Location Vermilion City
Gym Leader Lt. Surge
Visquez (substitute, anime only)
Badge Thunder Badge
Dominant Type Electric
Region Kanto
Vermilion Gym battlefield JN.png
Battlefield

The Vermilion Gym (Japanese: クチバジム Kuchiba Gym) is the official Gym of Vermilion City. It is based on Electric-type Pokémon. The Gym Leader is Lt. Surge. Trainers who defeat him receive the Thunder Badge.

In the games

Vermilion City
Pokémon Gym
Leader: Lt. Surge
The Lightning American!

Vermilion City
Pokémon Gym
Leader: Lt. Surge
The Lightning
American

Vermilion City Pokémon Gym
Leader: Lt. Surge
The Lightning American

Vermilion City Pokémon Gym
Leader: Lt. Surge
The Lightning American

In all games where HMs are present, either Cut or Surf is required to access the Vermilion Gym. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the Secret Technique Chop Down is required instead; the player cannot use Sea Skim due to the barriers erected around the Gym's exterior. The Gym guide declares that this is the prerequisite for challenging the Gym. Thus, in Generation VII, there is effectively no additional prerequisite for challenging the Gym, unlike most other Kanto Gyms.

Vermilion Gym appears in all games that include the Kanto region, appearing much the same in each: the main room contains 15 trash cans in three rows and five columns, and Trainers are scattered about this room. Another room lies behind the main room, guarded by electric doors in Generation I, and an electric fence from Generation III onward. The only way to get in the final room, where Lt. Surge is located, is to find two hidden switches inside the trash cans. Discounting glitches, the second switch is always next to (orthogonally adjacent to) the first switch. If the first switch is found, but the player incorrectly guesses the second one, the traps reset.

A field based on the Gym also appears in Pokémon Stadium's Gym Leader Castle and Stadium 2's Kanto Gym Leader Castle.

Puzzle mechanics

Generation I

Pokémon Red and Blue
  • The first switch will be in one of eight cans, forming a checkerboard pattern starting from the corners.
  • Due to a glitch, the top-left can can always contain the second switch regardless of whether the first can is adjacent to it.
    • If the first switch was in one of the middle column cans, the second will be in the can to the left, right, middle, or in the top-left can.
    • If the first switch was in the rightmost column, the second will be in the can to the middle or in the top-left can.
    • If the first switch was anywhere else, the second will be in the can to the right or in the top-left can.

In all cases, the positions for the switches have even chances of being selected.

Pokémon Yellow
  • The first switch can be in one of eight cans as in Red and Blue.
  • If the first can was one of the four corners:
    • There is a 25% chance that one neighbor contains the second switch, a 25% chance that the other neighbor contains the second switch, and a 50% chance that both neighbors contain the second switch (in which case either choice will unlock the door).
  • If the first can was the one in the second column:
    • There is a 50% chance that the west and north neighbors both contain the second switch, a 25% chance that only the south neighbor contains the second switch, and a 25% chance that only the east neighbor contains the second switch.
  • If the first can was the one in the fourth column:
    • There is a 50% chance that the west and north neighbors both contain the second switch, and a 50% chance that the south and east neighbors both contain the second switch.
  • If the first can was the top can of the middle column:
    • Due to yet another glitch, the game attempts to randomly pick from 256 possible pairs of cans for the second switch, most of which correspond to blank neighbor data or partially-invalid data about the neighbors of other cans[1]. As a result, there is a 216/256 (~84%) chance that only the top-left can has the second switch, a 2/256 (~0.8%) chance that no can has the second switch at all, and a 38/256 (~15%) chance that either one or two cans anywhere among the four rightmost columns have the second switch (with uneven probability).
  • If the first can was the bottom can of the middle column:
    • The above glitch applies but with slightly different data, resulting in a 225/256 (~88%) chance that only the top-left can has the second switch, a 1/256 (~0.4%) chance that no can has the second switch at all, and a 30/256 (~12%) chance that either one or two cans among the four rightmost columns have the second switch.

Generation II

The traps are not turned on.

Generations III and IV

The first switch is randomly in one of the 15 cans, and the second switch is randomly in one of the cans next to the first switch.

Generation VII

The fourth can in the bottom row is an empty red trash can, while the second can in the middle row is an empty blue trash can. When defeated, the Trainers in the Gym hint that a can next to the blue can contains a switch, while none of the cans next to the red can contain a switch. Together this narrows the switch locations down to two pairs of possibilities, with the correct locations being the center trash can and the can directly north of it. These locations will remain fixed even if the traps are reset. The two switches can be activated in either order.

Appearance

       
Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV

Trainers

Core series

Pokémon Red and Blue
Trainer Pokémon
 
Sailor
Reward: $630
  Pikachu Lv.21
No item
  Pikachu Lv.21
No item
 
Rocker
Reward: $500
  Voltorb Lv.20
No item
  Magnemite Lv.20
No item
  Voltorb Lv.20
No item
 
Gentleman
Reward: $1610
  Pikachu Lv.23
No item


Lt. Surge has one X Speed per Pokémon, using it randomly 25% of the time.



Pokémon Yellow
Trainer Pokémon
 
Sailor
Reward: $720
  Magnemite Lv.24
No item
 
Rocker
Reward: $500
  Voltorb Lv.20
No item
  Voltorb Lv.20
No item
  Voltorb Lv.20
No item
 
Gentleman
Reward: $1540
  Voltorb Lv.22
No item
  Magnemite Lv.22
No item


Lt. Surge has an X Speed, using it randomly 25% of the time.



Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Trainer Pokémon
 
Juggler Horton
ジョナサン Jonathan
Reward: $1320
  Electrode Lv.33
No item
  Electrode Lv.33
No item
  Electrode Lv.33
No item
  Electrode Lv.33
No item
 
Guitarist Vincent
ジュンイチ Jun'ichi
Reward: $1024
  Magnemite Lv.27
No item
  Voltorb Lv.33
No item
  Magnemite Lv.32
No item
  Magnemite Lv.32
No item
 
Gentleman Gregory
アンソニー Anthony
Reward: $2376
  Pikachu Lv.37
No item
  Flaaffy Lv.33
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.


Lt. Surge has a Hyper Potion.



Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Trainer Pokémon
 
Sailor Dwayne
タツヒコ Tatsuhiko
Reward: $672
  Pikachu Lv.21
No item
  Pikachu Lv.21
No item
 
Engineer Baily
フミオ Fumio
Reward: $1008
  Voltorb Lv.21
No item
  Magnemite Lv.21
No item
 
Gentleman Tucker
オルソン Olson
Reward: $1656
  Pikachu Lv.23
No item
Trainers with a Vs. Seeker by their names, when alerted for a rematch using the item, may use higher-level Pokémon.


Lt. Surge has a Super Potion and a Full Heal.



Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Trainer Pokémon
 
Juggler Horton
ジョナサン Jonathan
Reward: $1376
Potential Double Battle with Vincent
  Electrode Lv.43
No item
  Electrode Lv.43
No item
  Electrode Lv.43
No item
 
Guitarist Vincent
ジュンイチ Jun'ichi
Reward: $1008
Potential Double Battle with Horton or Gregory
  Jolteon Lv.45
No item
  Voltorb Lv.43
No item
  Magnemite Lv.42
No item
 
Gentleman Gregory
アンソニー Anthony
Reward: $8400
Potential Double Battle with Vincent
  Pikachu Lv.46
No item
  Flaaffy Lv.43
No item
  Electrike Lv.42
No item
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.




Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Trainer Pokémon
 
Sailor Dwayne
タツヒコ Tatsuhiko
Reward: $1,320
  Magnemite Lv.22
No item
 
Rocker Baily
フミオ Fumio
Reward: $616
  Voltorb Lv.22
No item
  Voltorb Lv.22
No item
 
Gentleman Tucker
オルソン Olson
Reward: $2,640
  Pikachu Lv.22
No item




Rematch



Side series

Pokémon Stadium
Round 1
Trainer Pokémon
 
Sailor
  Machop Lv.50-100
No item
  Spearow Lv.50-100
No item
  Krabby Lv.50-100
No item
  Slowpoke Lv.50-100
No item
  Shellder Lv.50-100
No item
  Golduck Lv.50-100
No item
 
Rocker
  Porygon Lv.50-100
No item
  Voltorb Lv.50-100
No item
  Electrode Lv.50-100
No item
  Pikachu Lv.50-100
No item
  Electabuzz Lv.50-100
No item
  Magnemite Lv.50-100
No item
 
Old Man
  Growlithe Lv.50-100
No item
  Nidoran♂ Lv.50-100
No item
  Nidoran♀ Lv.50-100
No item
  Ponyta Lv.50-100
No item
  Charmeleon Lv.50-100
No item
  Charmander Lv.50-100
No item




Round 2
Trainer Pokémon
 
Sailor
  Machoke Lv.50-100
No item
  Fearow Lv.50-100
No item
  Kingler Lv.50-100
No item
  Slowbro Lv.50-100
No item
  Primeape Lv.50-100
No item
  Golduck Lv.50-100
No item
 
Rocker
  Porygon Lv.50-100
No item
  Golbat Lv.50-100
No item
  Electrode Lv.50-100
No item
  Raichu Lv.50-100
No item
  Kangaskhan Lv.50-100
No item
  Magneton Lv.50-100
No item
 
Old Man
  Parasect Lv.50-100
No item
  Arcanine Lv.50-100
No item
  Victreebel Lv.50-100
No item
  Persian Lv.50-100
No item
  Charmeleon Lv.50-100
No item
  Butterfree Lv.50-100
No item




Pokémon Stadium 2
Round 1



Round 2



Items

Item Location Games
  TM24 (Thunderbolt) Reward for defeating Lt. Surge  R  B  Y 
  TM34 (Shock Wave) Reward for defeating Lt. Surge  FR  LG  HG  SS 
  Autograph Reward for defeating Lt. Surge  P  E 
  TM36 (Thunderbolt) Reward for defeating Lt. Surge  P  E 

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

Artwork depicting the Vermilion Gym is seen in Lt. Surge's mindscape.

Lt. Surge & Electrode
 

In the anime

 
The Vermilion Gym's battlefield in its debut
 
The Vermilion Gym in its debut

Main series

The Vermilion Gym first appeared in Electric Shock Showdown. Ash and his friends arrived at the Gym for Ash's third Gym battle, with Surge calling Ash a baby and calling him out on not having evolved his Pikachu yet. Ash was determined to prove Surge wrong, but his Pikachu was easily defeated by Surge's Raichu. Later, Ash challenged Surge to a rematch, having figured out that Raichu's weakness was that it had evolved too fast, never learning the speed moves it could only learn as a Pikachu. With his superior speed and new Agility and Quick Attack, Ash's Pikachu was able to overwhelm Surge's Raichu and defeat it, earning Ash the Thunder Badge and Surge's respect.

In Destination: Coronation!, over a thousand episodes later, Ash revisited the Gym in order to have his first World Coronation Series match against Visquez, a substitute Gym Leader looking after the Gym while Lt. Surge was away training. Upon arrival, Ash learned that Visquez had heard of his Vermilion Gym battle from Lt. Surge. After a tough battle, Ash emerged victorious, increasing his World Coronation Series ranking.

In its first appearance, the Gym resembled a warehouse with lightning bolts painted on it. In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, it had gone through major renovations, with the interiors now resembling the Gym's appearance in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. There are also metallic plates along the sides of the battlefield. Several Trainers and personnel dressed in military uniforms also work at the Gym, including Steve and Tony.

Pokémon used in the Gym

Used by Lt. Surge
 
Raichu
Main article: Lt. Surge's Raichu

Raichu made its appearance in Electric Shock Showdown, when Surge used it to battle Ash's Pikachu.

Debut Electric Shock Showdown
Voice actors
Japanese Urara Takano
English Urara Takano
Used by Visquez
 
Raichu
Raichu is Visquez’s first known Pokémon. He was first seen battling a Trainer's Hypno and defeated it with Volt Tackle. After the battle, Raichu was lifting a dumbbell alongside Visquez when they received word of a Trainer coming to challenge them.

Raichu was the first Pokémon used in Visquez battle against Ash, where he went up against Pikachu before Pikachu was recalled in favor of Gengar. After a hard-fought battle, Raichu was defeated.

Raichu's known moves are Volt Tackle, Thunderbolt, and Reflect.

Debut Destination: Coronation!
Voice actors
Japanese Fumiko Takekuma
English Fumiko Takekuma
 
Electrode
Electrode is Visquez‘s second known Pokémon. It was first used to battle Ash's Gengar and was able to defeat it before going up against Pikachu. Despite Electrode's great speed, Pikachu managed to defeat it. Electrode attempted to take Pikachu down with it, only for Pikachu to protect himself, thus leading to only Electrode going down and causing Visquez to lose the match.

Electrode's known moves are Magnet Rise, Discharge, and Rollout, and its Ability is Aftermath.

Debut Destination: Coronation!
Voice actors
Japanese Rikako Aikawa

Pokémon Origins

 
Vermilion Gym in Pokémon Origins

Red was seen visiting the Vermilion Gym in File 2: Cubone. He had a tough battle against the Gym Leader, Lt. Surge, but was able to pull through and earn the Thunder Badge.

Pokémon used in the Gym

 
Raichu
Main article: Lt. Surge's Raichu

Raichu was used in Red and Surge's Gym battle, but was defeated off-screen.

Debut File 2: Cubone

In the manga

 
The Vermilion Gym in Pokémon Zensho

Pokémon Zensho

The Vermilion Gym appeared in Vermilion City, where Satoshi challenged Lt. Surge. The Gym battle was conducted between Satoshi's Charmeleon and Lt. Surge's Electabuzz. Even though Charmeleon was driven into a corner, it was able to use a piece of the barbed-wire fence surrounding the arena to tie Electabuzz up and then finish it off with a Fire-type attack. After the battle, Satoshi received a Thunder Badge from Lt. Surge and an HM01 (Cut) from the captain of the S.S. Anne, whom he had met earlier and was friends with Lt. Surge.

In the TCG

The Vermilion Gym was featured in the TCG as both a Japan-exclusive Theme Deck and as a card. The following is a list of cards mentioning or featuring Vermilion City Gym in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Vermilion Gym
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Vermilion City Gym T [St] Gym Heroes   120/132 Leaders' Stadium    
      Kuchiba City Gym    
Lt. Surge's Strategy Su Unbroken Bonds   178/214 Night Unison   051/055
Hidden Fates   60/68      
 


Trivia

References


Gym Leaders of the Kanto region
Pewter Gym  
 
Brock
Cerulean Gym  
 
Misty
Vermilion Gym  
 
Lt. Surge
Celadon Gym  
 
Erika
Fuchsia Gym  
   
Koga Janine
Saffron Gym  
 
Sabrina
Cinnabar Gym  
 
Blaine
Viridian Gym  
   
Giovanni Blue


  This article is part of Project Locations, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every location in the Pokémon world.