Gary

**Gary**, also known as Gary Oak and Blue from the Manga, is the rival from the Kanto Region in Fire Red and Leaf Green. He is generally snotty, proud and tough. He acts as a test of skill as a trainer while on your travels.

At the start of the adventure, he will pick which ever Pokémon counters your starter.

* If you choose Bulbasaur he will choose Charmander. His Eevee will become a Leafeon and he will have a Gyarados.
* If you choose Squirtle he will choose Bulbasaur. His Eevee will become a Vaporeon and have a Arcanine.
* If you choose Charmander, he will choose Squirtle. His Eevee will become a Flareon and have an Exeggutor.

This will persist throughout the Kanto adventure. He will generally have Pokémon to fill the other rolls, see the fight guide below.

## Pokémon

### First battle

The first battle is a slap fest. Gary will have your starter's counter as his only Pokémon. It will have a Normal type move (Tackle or Scratch), a debuff (Tail Whip or Growl), and possibly a move that will be super effective against you (Vine Whip, Bubble, Ember). Losing to him is possible (unlucky critical hits happen), just train up for the next fight!

**Strategy:**
Its a good idea do perform at least one, maybe two, debuff move on his starter (Tail Whip or Growl) to soften it up or reduce his damage output, then spam your Normal type attack (Tackle or Scratch). He will likely just use his Normal Type attack against you, though he may use a debuffing move. DO NOT use your less effect same type attack against him. It is a waste and should be avoided for this first fight if you want to win.
It should only take 2-6 turns to defeat him.

### Second battle (Optional)

This one is out of the way if you are eager to get to Pewter to face Brock. Take your time, train up, beat the snot out of Gary and take more of his money. If you go north that patch of grass west of Viridian City, then west towards the Pokémon League, then you will find Gary waiting to tell you that you need to git bud scrub. You won't face him for a while after this, so use him as a cash grab (his 1000 dollar prize money means 5 extra Pokeballs) as you prep for Brock and Mt. Moon.

**Strategy:**
If Gary has \*Squirtle or \*Bulbasaur, there are local Pokémon that are effective against them that you can capture. Spearow, Doduo, Ponyta are effective against Bulbasaur. Oddish and Bellsprout are effective against Squirtle, as well as Brock's team, so they are worth the pickup. Charmander is a bit trickier, as there are no easily available Water types this early in the game. A Ponyta around Level 8 can tank the Ember attacks and has Quick Attack, so it can go first. Gary's Pidgey can be be taken down with anything you choose around the same level that isn't Fighting, Grass or Bug type. Pikachu can be caught in the Viridian Forest if you want one for Gary and Misty.

Gary will switch out for a more favorable matchup, so be aware of that. It's a good idea to have a few extra Pokémon that you don't mind fainting, such as a lower level Rattata or Sentret.

### Third battle

Just north of Cerulean City, is the Nugget Bridge. Right before you get to it, Gary shows up and he challenges you. You'll need to take him on to progress in Vermillion. You need to be prepared for Pokémon level 16 and higher. Even so, this fight is challenging.

**Strategy:**
Abra is a sign of things to come, though is fairly useless this fight Plan accordingly for the next encounter when he has Kadabra, a fast Special attack sweeper. His Rattata can be deal with by anything around the same level, though Fighting type moves from Mankey (Karate Chop) or Double Kick from Pikachu will do alright. Pikachu's Electric type moves will defeat Pidgey easily too. Plus Misty is around the corner.
If you chose Bulbasaur, This fight is easy a Geodude or Onix from Mt. Moon can tank the damage from all of his Pokémon. Grass types can handle his Wartortle with Vine Whip from Bellsprout or Absorb / Mega Drain from Oddish. Ivysaur can be managed with Flying types, but be wary of Leech Seed.

### Fourth battle

In the kanto Harbor, the S.S. Anne sits docked waiting for the Captain to stop feeling seasick. Right before his cabin, Gary is waiting for you, taunting you about his exploits catching Pokémon. Time to stick it to him again. Again, this is a test of strength, so be prepared for level 25 Pokémon

**Strategy:**
You just got TM 28 Dig in Cerulean, right? It might be a good time to teach it to a Pokémon if you didn't grab a Geodude from Mt. Moon. Its strong against Charmeleon or Ivysaur, and you dodge a move. Dig is effective enough against his Raticate. Pidgeotto just spams Quick Attack. It may have Wing Attack or Gust, so take care using Grass or Fighting types against it. It's easy to knockout with Rock-type attacks from Geodude or a Thundershock from Pikachu. Kadabra is physically weak, but strong in special attack and defense, and fast. It's Psybeam is strong against Poison types and Pokémon weak in special defense. Raticate or Meowth with Bite could be effective around the same level. Ivysaur should go down against Flying-type or Fire-type attacks. Wartortle will be vulnerable to Electric or Grass type attacks.

### Fifth battle

Right after the first floor stairs in Pokémon Tower, your next challenge from Gary is waiting.

**Strategy:**
Gary starts the fight with an Eevee, a sign of things to come. Easily defeated with Fighting type moves or what ever is round the same level. Gary shelved Raticate for a more potent Gyarados. Electric-type attacks have x4 effectiveness, so Pikachu is looking good right now. Though a Pokémon that knows Shock Wave will also do well against Gyarados and Pidgeotto. Kadabra is physically weak, but strong in special attack and defense, and fast. It's Psybeam is strong against Poison types and Pokémon weak in special defense. Raticate or Meowth with Bite could be effective around the same level. Ivysaur should go down against Flying-type or Fire-type attacks. Wartortle will be vulnerable to Electric or Grass type attacks. Charmeleon can be taken down with Ground or Water type attacks such as Water Pulse.

### Sixth battle

On the road to Giovanni round 2, Gary shows his mug in Silph Co. He is the test for Giovanni, if you can't beat him, go train, scrub. Make sure you rest at at the twins beds before both Gary and Giovanni

**Strategy:**
Gary opens with Pidgeot; Rock-type or Electric-type moves (You know the drill). His Eevee has evolved by this point, depending on what your starter was, it could be a Jolteon, Flareon, Vaporeon, Glaceon, or Leafeon. Alakazam is potent. Psychic is one of its best attacks. Venusaur, Blastoise, or Charizard you know what works by now. Gyarados is also strong. Waterfall can make you flinch, so watch out for chained flinches.

### Seventh battle

He's back. Once you defeat Giovanni, Gary will be waiting for you at the same spot as before on Route 22. He has a Max Potion, and he will use it.

**Strategy:**
Are you ready? Because this is a fight. Alakazam is fast, you need to be faster. A Bite attack from a Persian with Technician can one-shot it and the cat is faster. Rhydon can be taken down with a Water-type attack like Surf. Electric type attacks can knock out Gyarados and Pidgeot. His Eevee-lution and starter will vary depending on what you have started with.

### Ninth battle (Champion, post-Sevii)

*This section is a work in progress so please feel free to update it!*