Pokemon Fire Red dual run FAQ

Pokemon Fire Red dual run (Any% + Round 2) FAQ

Q: What are you playing on?
A: A GameCube using a GameBoy Player.

Q: What are you trying to do?
A: I am playing two categories at once. The category I choose depends on my trainer ID, which is random. For any%, I want to beat the game as fast as possible using the Charmander evolution line. For Round 2, I want to beat the second round of the Elite Four as fast as possible, which involves starting with Squirtle and switching to Zapdos as soon as you get the Master Ball.

Q: How does trainer ID affect your category?
A: Each ID generates a unique list of starter stats by frame. The list is the same for all three starters, but Charmander's stat requirements are slightly different than Squirtles. So some IDs might be better suited for any% than Round 2, and vice versa.

Q: How are the stat requirements different?
A: The main one is that Charmander actually prefers to have bad Speed, while Squirtle wants to be as speedy as possible. So if I see a starter with a Rash nature and IVs 31/31/31/31/31/16, I'm choosing Charmander and running any%, but if that Rash has IVs 31/31/16/31/31/31, I'm choosing Squirtle and running Round 2. Special Attack is by far the most important stat for both starters.

Q: Why are stats so important?
A: In general, bad stats = more deaths and slower fights. For these categories, Charmander and Squirtle often need to maintain low health to activate their ability, which boosts the power of their Fire- or Water-type moves by 50%. Missing a damage range or being outsped while at low health would likely end the run.

Q: Why are you resetting?
A: Probably because I didn't get the stats I wanted. The ID method to manipulate starters is inconsistent even if I'm frame perfect, because the RNG doesn't always advance at the same speed in Pallet Town.

Q: How do you find the list of starter stats by ID?
A: I use a Java program created by MKDasher, which is available here: http://forums.pokemonspeedruns.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=499

Q: Is Charmander faster than Squirtle for any%?
A: Probably not, but it's close. Charmander can beat the current world record, which uses Squirtle, by using a risky route.

Q: Could Charmander be faster than Squirtle for round 2?
A: Probably not, but I'm not sure because I haven't routed it thoroughly yet.

Q: What is the world record?
A: The any% record is 1:59:51 by me, according to the in-game timer, and uses the Squirtle route. The best Charmander time is nearly 8 minutes slower than this, but I've had runs ahead of WR that died in the late game. The Round 2 record is 3:29, according to the in-game timer, and uses the Squirtle/Zapdos route.

Q: Why are you catching Pokemon?
A: For any%, I need one HM slave (Pidgey or Rattata). For Round 2, I need to catch 60 Pokemon to get the National Dex, which unlocks several sidequests that unlock the second round of the Elite Four.

Q: What do the different colors in the Pokedex counter mean?
A: Blue: I always catch this Pokemon in the run, but I haven't yet. Black: I always catch this Pokemon, and I have caught it. Red: I don't always catch this Pokemon, but I have caught it, so it is a bonus.

Q: What is your goal?
A: To beat both WR times, which should happen with any deathless run.