Finding the location of HM02 Fly in Pokémon FireRed is a significant milestone for any trainer navigating the Kanto region. This specific Hidden Machine grants the ability to fast-travel to any previously visited Pokémon Center, effectively cutting down travel time across the map. While some HMs are handed to the player as part of the main story progression, Fly is tucked away in a semi-hidden location that is easy to overlook if one is simply following the primary path to the next Gym.

The exact location of HM02 Fly

To obtain HM02 Fly, the player must head to Route 16, which is situated directly to the west of Celadon City. Many players mistakenly believe they must first resolve the situation with the sleeping Snorlax blocking the main path on Route 16 to access the HM. However, this is not the case. The actual house containing the Fly HM is accessible through a side path that requires the use of HM01 Cut.

Upon entering Route 16 from Celadon City, there is a small, cuttable tree located just above the main path, before reaching the spot where Snorlax is sleeping. By using Cut on this tree, the player can access the northern section of Route 16. Following this upper path to the west will lead through a gatehouse building. Once on the other side of this building, there is a secluded house with a blue roof. Inside, an NPC (a young girl) will gift the player HM02 Fly, asking for her secret hideout to remain confidential.

Essential prerequisites for getting and using Fly

Obtaining the HM is only half the battle. To successfully acquire and utilize Fly in Pokémon FireRed, several gameplay milestones must be reached first. These requirements ensure that the player has progressed sufficiently through the Kanto narrative.

The Cascade Badge and HM01 Cut

Since the path to the hidden house on Route 16 is blocked by a small tree, the player must already possess HM01 Cut. This HM is obtained from the Captain of the S.S. Anne in Vermilion City. Additionally, the Cascade Badge, earned by defeating Misty in Cerulean City, must be in the player's possession to use Cut outside of battle. Without the ability to remove that specific tree on Route 16, the house where Fly is located remains inaccessible.

The Thunder Badge for Overworld Travel

It is important to distinguish between "teaching" the move and "using" the move for travel. A player can teach Fly to a compatible Pokémon as soon as they receive the HM, provided the Pokémon is capable of learning it. However, the ability to use Fly to travel between cities on the map is locked until the player earns the Thunder Badge. This badge is obtained by defeating Lt. Surge at the Vermilion City Gym. If a player attempts to use Fly for travel before obtaining this badge, the game will indicate that a specific badge is required.

Navigating the route from Celadon City

Celadon City serves as the primary hub for reaching the Fly HM. As one of the largest cities in the game, it is accessible after navigating through the Underground Path from Route 8, bypassing Saffron City which remains closed during this portion of the game.

Once in Celadon, the player should heal their team at the Pokémon Center and then exit through the western gate. Immediately upon entering Route 16, look toward the northern fence. The cuttable tree is visible right there. After using Cut and passing through the gatehouse, the environment shifts to a quiet, grassy area. This transition often makes players feel like they have found a secret area, which is precisely why the NPC inside the house mentions her desire for privacy. Talking to her triggers the dialogue that ends with the player receiving HM02.

Detailed mechanics of the move Fly

Fly is more than just a convenience for world navigation; it is a Flying-type physical move with specific combat properties that can influence battle strategy.

Statistical breakdown

  • Type: Flying
  • Category: Physical (In Gen III, all Flying moves are categorized as Physical)
  • Power: 70
  • Accuracy: 95%
  • PP: 15
  • Effect: The user flies up high on the first turn and strikes on the second turn.

Combat utility and the "Semi-Invulnerable" state

During the first turn of Fly, the Pokémon enters a semi-invulnerable state. In this state, most attacks from the opponent will miss. This can be used strategically to avoid powerful one-turn moves or to stall out opponents who are suffering from status conditions like Poison or Burn.

However, the move is not without risks. Certain moves can still hit a Pokémon while it is in the air. For instance, the moves Gust, Twister, Thunder, and Sky Uppercut can deal damage to a flying target, with some even dealing double damage. Furthermore, because Fly is a two-turn move, it allows the opponent an opportunity to switch to a resistant Pokémon (like a Rock or Steel type) on the turn the user is in the air, potentially neutralizing the impact of the attack.

Best Pokémon candidates for Fly in FireRed

Choosing which Pokémon should occupy one of its four move slots with an HM like Fly is a critical decision, as HMs cannot be easily deleted. In the FireRed version, several Flying-type Pokémon are excellent candidates for this role.

Pidgeot

As the final evolution of Pidgey, which is available very early on Route 1, Pidgeot is the most common choice for many trainers. It has balanced stats and serves as a reliable team member throughout the journey. Teaching Fly to Pidgeot allows the player to have a consistent travel companion who can also hold their own in Gym battles, especially against Grass-type specialists like Erika in Celadon City.

Fearow

Fearow is often considered a more offensive alternative to Pidgeot. With higher base Attack and Speed, Fearow can make better use of Fly’s 70 base power. Since Spearow can be caught early on Route 3 or Route 22, it is a practical choice for players looking for a faster-paced playthrough.

Dodrio

While it may seem counterintuitive for a flightless bird to use Fly, Dodrio is arguably one of the best users of the move in Kanto. Its high Attack stat makes the physical nature of the move very effective. Dodrio is found later in the game (Route 17, also known as Cycling Road), but it is a top-tier choice for those optimizing their endgame team.

Charizard

If the player chose Charmander as their starter, Charizard eventually becomes a Fire/Flying type. While Charizard has access to many powerful moves, Fly can be a useful addition for a balanced moveset, especially if the player does not want to carry a dedicated "Flyer" like Pidgey or Spearow.

Dragonite

For those willing to put in the time at the Safari Zone or the Celadon Game Corner, Dragonite represents the pinnacle of Kanto's Flying-type attackers. While teaching an HM to a pseudo-legendary Pokémon might seem like a waste to some, Fly’s utility combined with Dragonite’s massive Attack stat makes it a viable option for clearing the Elite Four.

Managing HM moves and the Move Deleter

A common concern for players is the inability to remove HM moves like Fly when they want to teach their Pokémon a more powerful or tactically superior move. In Pokémon FireRed, this can only be solved by visiting the Move Deleter.

The Move Deleter is located in Fuchsia City, in a house next to the Pokémon Center. He is the only NPC who can make a Pokémon forget an HM move. This is particularly relevant if the player plans to transfer their Pokémon to later generations or if they find a more powerful Flying-type move like Aerial Ace (TM40) or Sky Attack later in the game. It is suggested to keep at least one Pokémon in the PC or party with Fly at all times to avoid being stranded in distant areas like Cinnabar Island without a quick way back.

Strategic timing: When to go get Fly

While Fly is available as soon as you reach Celadon City, the optimal time to grab it is right after obtaining the Silph Scope from the Rocket Hideout or after defeating Erika. Since the player is already in Celadon City for the fourth Gym badge, taking the two-minute detour to Route 16 is highly efficient.

Interestingly, the game’s progression often leads players back to Lavender Town after Celadon to use the Silph Scope in the Pokémon Tower. Having Fly at this exact moment is a massive advantage, as it allows the player to bypass the walk back through Route 7 and Route 8, moving instantly between Celadon and Lavender Town.

Fly vs. Other Travel Methods

Before obtaining Fly, players are restricted to walking or using the Bicycle (obtained via the Bike Voucher in Cerulean City). While the Bicycle significantly increases movement speed on the overworld, it still requires manual navigation through tall grass and past trainers. Fly is the only mechanic that allows for instantaneous teleportation.

It is also worth noting that Fly only works for locations where the player has already entered the Pokémon Center. If a player has visited a city but skipped the Pokémon Center, that city may not appear as a valid destination on the Fly map. It is a good habit to step into every Pokémon Center in new towns to ensure the flight path is registered.

Technical limitations and nuances

In the 2004 engine of FireRed, Fly is programmed with certain limitations compared to modern entries in the series. For example, you cannot Fly from inside buildings or caves; you must be in an open-air area. Additionally, the map interface for Fly is the same as the Town Map item.

For players looking to maximize their efficiency, it is helpful to know that Fly can also be used to escape certain areas that are otherwise tedious to leave. For example, after finishing the quests in the Sevii Islands (an expansion area in FireRed and LeafGreen), Fly becomes essential for hopping between the different islands and returning to the Kanto mainland once the network machine is repaired.

Conclusion on HM02 Fly

HM02 Fly remains one of the most iconic and necessary tools in the Pokémon FireRed experience. Its location on Route 16 is a classic example of the game rewarding exploration and the clever use of previously acquired HMs like Cut. By securing the Thunder Badge and reaching the secret house west of Celadon, trainers unlock a level of freedom that transforms the mid-to-late game experience, allowing for rapid backtracking, easier grinding, and more fluid exploration of the Kanto region. Whether taught to a reliable Pidgeot or a powerful Dragonite, Fly is a staple of any successful trainer's journey.