Johto Pokédex Completion Handbook
In Pokémon Gold & Silver, the Johto Pokédex expands to 249 species
(not counting Mew). Completing the Pokédex is a major challenge—some Pokémon
only appear in one version, some roam the wilds, and others exist as
one-of-a-kind legendaries. This handbook provides practical strategies
for finding, weakening, and capturing Pokémon efficiently.
1. Where to Find Wild Pokémon
Wild Pokémon can appear in many different environments. Knowing where to search
will save you a lot of time.
- Grass Fields: The most common place to encounter wild Pokémon.
Walk through tall grass to trigger battles. - Caves & Towers: Encounters are frequent and random. Bring
healing items and an Escape Rope in case your team is weakened. - Breakable Rocks (Rock Smash):
With Rock Smash, you can shatter cracked rocks. Sometimes wild
Pokémon like
Krabby or
Shuckle will appear. - Headbutt Trees:
Using Headbutt on special trees can drop hidden Pokémon.
Trees are divided into Forest-type and Mountain-type,
each with different Pokémon. - Surfing:
With the move Surf, you can travel across water. Encounters include
unique water Pokémon like
Psyduck that only appear
this way. - Fishing:
Using Old Rod, Good Rod, or Super Rod, you can fish
for water Pokémon. The stronger the rod, the rarer the catches.
Headbutt Tree Encounter Examples
| Tree Type | Possible Encounters |
|---|---|
| Forest Trees |  Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree, Exeggcute, Aipom, Heracross |
| Mountain Trees |  Spearow, Exeggcute, Pineco, Aipom, Heracross |
2. Weakening & Status Effects
Throwing a Poké Ball immediately rarely works. Instead, reduce HP and
inflict status conditions to improve capture rates.
Status Effect Effectiveness
| Status | Effectiveness | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep | Very High | Sing, Hypnosis, Spore |
| Freeze | Very High (unreliable) | Ice-type attacks |
| Paralysis | Medium | Thunder Wave |
| Poison / Burn | Medium (danger of fainting) | Poison Gas, Will-O-Wisp |
- Spore (100% accuracy) from
Parasect is the ultimate sleep move. - False Swipe: Leaves foes at 1 HP. Learned by
Scyther, 
Farfetch’d,
Cubone, 
Marowak. - Mean Look / Spider Web: Prevents escape. Useful against
Abra and roaming Pokémon.
3. Spray Items Strategy
Repel, Super Repel, and Max Repel block encounters with Pokémon
weaker than your lead’s level. Use this to filter for stronger encounters.
- Targeting High-Level Pokémon:
If your target spawns at the highest level in the area, set your lead
to that level and use a Repel to increase encounter chances. - Roaming Legendaries (Raikou, Entei, Suicune):
All appear at Lv.40. Set your lead to Lv.40 and use Repels to filter
encounters almost exclusively to these roaming beasts.
4. Version Exclusives & Trading
Some species are only found in Gold or Silver. Trade with other players
to complete your collection. Plan ahead for Pokémon that evolve by trade
or require special items.
5. Essential Tools & Preparation
- Plenty of Poké Balls: Stock Great Balls, Ultra Balls, and special balls where available.
- Recovery Items: Potions and status healers are vital during long hunts.
- Escape Tools: Carry Escape Rope or a Pokémon with Dig for quick exits.
6. Ideal Capture Team
- Sleep Inducer: A reliable sleep move (Parasect with Spore recommended).
- HP Controller: A False Swipe user to leave enemies at 1 HP.
- Escape Preventer: Mean Look or Spider Web to stop fleeing Pokémon.
- Level Matcher: Adjusted to use Repel tricks for specific hunts.
