The Ultimate Mt. Moon Speedrun Path: Fastest Route Through Firered's Caves
Blocking the northern exit corridor of B2F stands Super Nerd Miguel. Unlike the optional trainers scattered across the upper levels, Miguel acts as a mandatory gatekeeper. Step into his vision radius to trigger a battle against three Poison- and Electric-type threats: Grimer (Level 12), Voltorb (Level 12), and Koffing (Level 12). Voltorb falls quickly to physical strikes, while Grimer and Koffing crumble against early special attacks or a high-attack Wartortle's Water Gun.
Defeating Miguel prompts him to yield and offer you a choice between two priceless geological specimens lying on the stone pediment behind him:
| Fossil Choice | Resulting Pokémon | Battle Typing | Strategic Utility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dome Fossil (Left) | Kabuto → Kabutops | Rock / Water | High physical Attack (115 Base); Battle Armor prevents crits. |
| Helix Fossil (Right) | Omanyte → Omastar | Rock / Water | Heavy Special Attack (115 Base); Shell Armor blocks crits. |
Neither fossil can be revived inside the mountain. As established in canonical Gen III mechanics, both relics require delivery to the Pokémon Lab in Cinnabar Island, where an automated laboratory device handles the Kabuto and Omanyte resurrection process. For standard any% speedruns, runners routinely mash the A-button and pick the Dome Fossil strictly because it rests one tile closer to the player's pathing line, trimming precious frames off the overall time.
Past Miguel's pedestal, you face one final Team Rocket Grunt fielding a Level 13 Zubat and a Level 13 Ekans. Drop them, then ascend the northwest ladder to begin the final sequence out of the cave.
