Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green don't hold your hand the way modern entries do, and tracking down HM01 Cut is a perfect example of that old-school design philosophy. You need this move to slash through obstacles blocking key paths across Kanto, including the shortcut into Vermilion City Gym. The good news is that once you know the route, picking it up is straightforward. Here's everything you need to get Cut, use it, and decide which Pokémon should carry it.
Where Is HM01 Cut Located?
HM01 Cut is found inside the Captain's Cabin aboard the S.S. Anne, which is docked in Vermilion City. The Captain gives it to you after you help him with his seasickness. Getting there, though, requires a few steps.
S.S. Anne docked in Vermilion
How to Get the S.S. Anne Ticket
Before you can board the ship, you need the S.S. Anne Ticket, which comes from Bill at his Sea Cottage on Route 25.
Here's the path to reach Bill:
- From Cerulean City, head north across Nugget Bridge.
- Defeat your rival at the top of the bridge, then beat every trainer along the bridge.
- Head east through the trainer maze until you arrive at the Sea Cottage.
- Help Bill with his Pokémon experiment to receive the S.S. Anne Ticket as thanks.
tip
Battle every trainer on Nugget Bridge before moving on. The experience points are worth it before you face the rival on the S.S. Anne.
How to Reach Vermilion City
With the ticket in hand, backtrack to Cerulean City and head south:
- Exit Cerulean City south onto Route 5.
- Enter the Underground Path and follow it south.
- Exit onto Route 6, which leads directly into Vermilion City.
How to Get Cut Aboard the S.S. Anne
Once you're in Vermilion City, head to the southern dock and board the ship using your ticket. Inside the S.S. Anne, you'll find plenty of trainers to battle in the cabins. Fighting them all is optional, but the experience points are genuinely useful at this stage of the game.
To reach the Captain:
- Take the stairs on the left to reach the upper floor.
- Navigate to the far-right corner of the upper deck.
- Your rival will challenge you to a battle here. Defeat them to proceed.
- Head up the next set of stairs into the Captain's Cabin.
- Interact with the Captain, who is seasick. Helping him prompts him to hand over HM01 Cut.
What Is Your Rival's Team on the S.S. Anne?
Your rival's lineup depends on which starter you chose at the beginning of the game:
warning
Kadabra hits hard with special attacks. Make sure your party is healed before engaging your rival on the upper deck.
Can You Use Cut Right Away?
Not quite. Teaching HM01 Cut to a Pokémon is only the first step. To actually use Cut in the overworld to clear obstacles, you must first earn the Cascade Badge by defeating Misty at the Cerulean City Gym. If you've already beaten Misty before boarding the S.S. Anne (which is the natural progression order), you're good to go immediately after receiving the HM.
important
Cut has a base power of only 50, which makes it a poor choice for competitive battles. Treat it as a utility move, not a combat staple.What Are the Best Pokémon to Teach Cut?
Because HM moves cannot be deleted through normal means, you want to be thoughtful about which Pokémon learns Cut. Here's a breakdown of your options:
HM Slave Options (Utility Only)
If you want to keep your main team's movesets clean, Paras and Oddish are popular picks as dedicated HM carriers. Both can learn Cut and are easy to find early in the game. The downside is that they occupy a party slot and won't contribute much in battles.
Balanced Options (Utility Plus Battle Value)
If you'd rather not waste a party slot on a weak HM slave, these Pokémon can learn Cut and still pull their weight in fights:
- Scyther (available via the Game Corner or the Safari Zone)
- Rhydon (evolves from Rhyhorn, found later in the game)
- Kabutops (revived from the Dome Fossil, available later)
tip
Unlike TMs in Fire Red and Leaf Green, which break after a single use, HMs are permanent and can be taught to as many Pokémon as needed throughout your playthrough.How Do You Delete Cut Later?
If you ever want to free up that move slot, the only way to remove an HM move like Cut is by visiting the Move Deleter in Fuchsia City. You cannot delete HM moves at a normal Pokémon Center or through the standard move-management menu.
Move Deleter in Fuchsia City
Quick Reference: HM01 Cut Checklist
With HM01 Cut in your inventory and the Cascade Badge earned, you're ready to clear those pesky shrubs and unlock new areas across Kanto. Just be smart about which Pokémon carries it so you don't permanently tie up a valuable moveslot on a 50 base power Normal-type move.