Unleash Electric Fury: Your Guide to TM Thunderbolt in Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green
Do you want to electrify your Pokémon team in Fire Red and Leaf Green? You need TM24. This Technical Machine teaches the powerful Electric-type move, Thunderbolt. It’s not just any move; it’s arguably the best you can find in these classic games. Forget early-game Electric attacks. Thunderbolt is where power lies. Let’s explore how to obtain this crucial TM and transform your Pokémon into shocking powerhouses.
Where to Find and Acquire TM Thunderbolt
Where can you get this electrifying TM? No need to battle trainers or explore caves for this one. Head to bustling Celadon City Game Corner. This place of delightful, and sometimes frustrating, mini-games holds the key to Thunderbolt for your team. Stay focused; you have a mission.
Go straight to the counter on the right side of the Game Corner. A clerk there won’t accept your Poké Dollars. She deals in coins – the Game Corner’s currency. For a hefty sum of 4,000 coins, she will give you TM24, Thunderbolt. That amount may seem daunting, but it’s worth it. Consider it an investment in raw power. To put it in perspective, that coin cost counts as about 80,000 Poké Dollars if bought directly. Trust me, it’s worth making.
While in Celadon City Game Corner, remember it’s a TM treasure trove. You can also grab TM23, Iron Tail, for 4,000 coins. Iron Tail is a Steel-type move. Feeling fiery? TM35, Flamethrower, another strong move, is available for 4,000 coins. Celadon Game Corner is the place for a serious Pokémon movepool upgrade.
TM Number and Move Details
Let’s get the numbers right. Thunderbolt is TM24 in Fire Red and Leaf Green. Interestingly, in earlier generations and remakes like Brilliant Diamond, Thunderbolt is TM024 or simply TM24. Regardless of numbering, the move remains the same electrifying force.
Thunderbolt is a pure Electric-type move. It was introduced in Generation I for a reason. It deals direct damage, hitting hard and fast. But there’s more. Thunderbolt also has a 10% chance to paralyze opponents. This paralysis can change the game. It can halve the opponent’s Speed and give them a 25% chance to be fully paralyzed each turn. Such a fantastic bonus can swing battles in your favor.
Pokémon Ready to Learn Thunderbolt
Now, who can learn this incredible move? Quite a few Pokémon can, especially Electric-types and those with electric affinity. Notable Pokémon that can learn Thunderbolt include:
- Pikachu and Raichu: The classic Electric rodents. Thunderbolt is practically their signature move.
- Jolteon: Eevee’s Electric evolution. It is naturally speedy, and Thunderbolt amplifies its offensive presence. Jolteon outshines Vaporeon in speed and Flareon has its own challenges. Zapdos may be stronger, but Jolteon is more accessible in your playthrough.
- Electabuzz and Electivire: Strong Electric-types that fit Thunderbolt perfectly into their movepool. Even their pre-evolution, Elekid, can learn it.
- Eelektrik and Zekrom: Later generation Pokémon that also benefit greatly from Thunderbolt.
This is just a selection, of course. Many Electric-types and some non-Electric types can learn Thunderbolt, making it widely applicable.
Thunderbolt vs. Thunder: Reliability Matters
You may wonder, “Isn’t there another powerful Electric move called Thunder?” Yes, there is. Thunder is stronger than Thunderbolt in base power. However, there’s a catch: accuracy. Thunderbolt has solid 100% accuracy. It hits every time unless the opponent uses a defensive move. Thunder has only 70% accuracy. Almost one in three times, it will miss completely, wasting a turn.
In Pokémon battles, reliability is key. You want moves that hit consistently to pressure and defeat opponents efficiently. Thunderbolt’s perfect accuracy makes it more dependable than Thunder. While Thunder might seem tempting with higher power, missed attacks can lead to prolonged battles. Thunderbolt becomes the superior choice in most situations. It likely “finishes off your opponent faster.”
Other Useful TMs Nearby
Since we’re talking TMs in Celadon City and nearby areas, let’s mention other useful TMs you can obtain:
- TM25 (Thunder): Ironically, while I championed Thunderbolt, TM25 is indeed Thunder. It’s found at the Kanto Power Plant. If you feel lucky or have a Pokémon with Compound Eyes for accuracy boosting, Thunder can still be worth considering.
- TM28 (Dig): Dig is a Ground-type move. TM28 is available in two ways. First, defeat a Team Rocket Grunt in Cerulean City after obtaining the SS Ticket from Bill. Alternatively, you can buy it from Celadon City Department Store. Dig assists with type coverage and escaping caves.
- TM36 (Sludge Bomb): For post-game players, Five Island features TM36, Sludge Bomb. It is a potent Poison-type move, excellent against Grass and Fairy types (in later generations).
In Fire Red and Leaf Green, TMs are often obtained by defeating Gym Leaders, completing quests, finding items, or buying them in stores. Celadon City, especially the Game Corner and Department Store, is a significant hub for TMs. Explore thoroughly.
So there you have it. TM Thunderbolt, your reliable Electric-type move, awaits you in Celadon City Game Corner. Invest those coins wisely, teach it to a deserving Pokémon. Watch opponents get thoroughly shocked.
