In the world of Pokemon FireRed, HM01 Cut is one of the most important items you will ever find. It is a Hidden Machine that allows your Pokemon to chop down small trees that block your path. Without this move, you cannot reach many parts of the Kanto region, including the third gym in Vermilion City. My opinion is that getting Cut feels like the first time the game truly opens up for exploration.
I believe that many players get a bit lost trying to find it because it is hidden on a giant ship. You cannot just find it laying on the ground in a forest. You have to be a bit of a hero first. In this guide, I will explain the steps you need to take to get the HM from the captain of the S.S. Anne. I think that following these steps will make your journey much smoother and more fun.
Where to Find the S.S. Anne
Before you can get Cut, you must travel to Vermilion City. I believe that the best way to get there is by traveling south from Cerulean City through the Underground Path. Once you arrive in Vermilion City, you will see a large dock with a massive cruise ship called the S.S. Anne. My opinion is that this ship is one of the coolest locations in the game because it is full of trainers to fight and items to find.
I think it is important to remember that you need the S.S. Ticket to get on the boat. You get this ticket earlier in the game by helping Bill, the famous Pokemon researcher, at his house north of Cerulean City. I believe that once you have the ticket, the guard at the dock will let you board the ship so you can start your search for the captain.
Finding the Captain on the Ship
Once you are on the S.S. Anne, you need to find the Captain’s office. I believe that exploring the whole ship is a good idea because you can gain a lot of experience for your Pokemon. However, if you are in a hurry, you should head to the back of the ship and go up the stairs. My opinion is that the ship can be like a maze, so pay attention to where you are going.
Before you reach the captain, you will have to battle your rival. I think this is one of the tougher fights in the early game, so make sure your team is healed up. After you win the battle, you can enter the Captain’s room. You will find him standing near a bucket looking a bit sick. I believe that helping him is the key to getting your reward.
| Step to Take | Where to Go | What to Do |
| Get the S.S. Ticket | Sea Cottage (North of Cerulean) | Help Bill turn back into a human |
| Board the Ship | Vermilion City Docks | Show your ticket to the guard |
| Defeat Your Rival | Top Deck of S.S. Anne | Win the battle to reach the cabin |
| Talk to the Captain | Captains Quarters | Rub his back to help his seasickness |
How to Use HM Cut
After you rub the Captain’s back, he will feel much better and give you HM01 Cut as a thank you. I believe that you should teach this move to a Pokemon right away. My opinion is that “Normal” type Pokemon like Meowth or Rattata are great for this because they can learn many different HMs. I think you should avoid teaching it to your strongest starter Pokemon because you cannot easily delete HM moves later.
I also believe you need to remember that you cannot use Cut outside of battle until you have the Cascade Badge. You get this badge by defeating Misty, the gym leader in Cerulean City. Even if you have the HM in your bag, you must prove your skill as a trainer before the trees will listen to you. My opinion is that this makes the game feel very rewarding as you earn your way forward.
- Go to your Bag and select HM01 from the TM Case
- Choose a Pokemon that is compatible with the move
- Walk up to a small, skinny tree and press the A button
- Make sure you have defeated Misty to use the move outside of battle
Why Cut is So Important
I believe that Cut is the key to finding secret areas and shortcuts. In my opinion, the most important use for Cut is getting into the Vermilion City Gym. There is a small tree blocking the door, and you cannot fight Lt. Surge without cutting it down first. I think that once you have this move, you should go back to older routes to see what items were hidden behind those trees.
I also believe that Cut is a decent move for battles in the very beginning of the game. It has a good amount of power for a new trainer. However, my opinion is that its real value is in the utility it provides for your adventure. I think that every great Pokemon Master remembers the first time they cleared a path with Cut.
- It unlocks the path to the third Gym Leader
- It lets you find hidden items like Rare Candies
- It allows you to travel between cities more quickly
- It is required to finish the main story of the game
My Final Thoughts
In my opinion, getting HM Cut is a major milestone in Pokemon FireRed. It marks the moment where you move from being a beginner to a real explorer. I believe that the S.S. Anne is a great part of the story, and helping the captain is a nice way to earn such a powerful tool. I think that the sense of discovery you feel when you cut down that first tree is what makes Pokemon so special.
I hope this guide helped you find the ship and the captain without any trouble. Whether you are building a team to beat the Elite Four or just want to see every corner of Kanto, Cut is a tool you cannot live without. I believe that with this HM in your pocket, you are ready for the next big challenge. Happy training and enjoy your journey through the world of Pokemon.
- Help Bill to get the S.S. Ticket first
- Find the sick captain at the back of the ship
- Defeat Misty to unlock the power of Cut
- Use Cut to enter the Vermilion City Gym
I truly believe that the best way to enjoy Pokemon is to take your time and talk to everyone you meet. You never know who might have a helpful item or a great story to share. Do not be afraid to explore every room on the S.S. Anne before it sails away. Stay focused and keep your eyes on the goal of becoming the Champion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get back on the S.S. Anne after I get Cut
I believe the answer is no. Once you leave the ship after getting the HM, the ship will sail away forever. My opinion is that you should make sure to find all the items and fight all the trainers on board before you get off.
What happens if I delete Cut from my Pokemon
I think it is actually very hard to delete HM moves in FireRed. You have to find a special person called the Move Deleter in Fuchsia City. I believe this is to make sure you never get stuck in an area because you accidentally deleted a move you need to travel.
Is Cut a good move for my Charizard
In my opinion, you should save your move slots for stronger attacks like Flamethrower. I believe it is much smarter to catch a “utility” Pokemon that stays in your PC or at the back of your party just to use HMs like Cut and Flash.
Where do I go after I get Cut
I believe your next stop should be the Vermilion City Gym to challenge Lt. Surge. After that, you can use Cut to travel through Diglett’s Cave to get back to the areas near Pewter City. I think this is a great way to find new Pokemon and items you missed before.