A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
After navigating around the southern ledges, you soon come across Crasher Wake speaking with Barry. The Gym Leader mentions how you have grown so tough that you are even training here now. Barry points out that Stark Mountain is just up ahead, and that Buck is headed there as well. He promises to find the volcano's treasure before him, and dashes off. Wake warns that the wild Pokémon that call the volcano home are very tough, and advises that you prepare well for the challenges ahead.
Rest, and Restore Health
After Crasher Wake leaves, visit the nearby house and speak to the elderly woman inside. She asks if your Pokémon are feeling tired, and offers to let them rest here. Doing so restores your party members to full health, leaving them ready to explore the volcano.
Butting Heads with Buck
After riding the Bicycle across the eastern plank bridge, you find Buck nearby. He is surprised to see that you are headed to Stark Mountain too, as he thinks you are "pretty wimpy" and asks if you're sure that you are going to be okay. He declares that if you see each other on the mountain, then the race is on to see who can find the Magma Stone first!
Stark Mountain
Stark Mountain, ExteriorStark Mountain, EntranceStark Mountain, Main CavernStark Mountain, Interior Cavern
Stark Mountain is a rugged volcano located to the north of Route 227. Inside the mountain, fissures formed in hardened lava form enormous caverns.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.
Enter the volcano to find yourself on a cliff littered with rocky debris. Use Rock Smash to clear a path, then use Strength to move the boulder northward down the stairs and across the tunnel. Detour to the west to move another boulder and reach an Escape Rope, then turn eastward. Move the two outer boulders eastward first, then the middle boulder to either side to continue. Collect the PP Up from the upper level to the south, then head north to the opposite cliff. Use Strength to move another boulder and proceed westward, and pick up the nearby Burn Heal. Go east and clear the way with Rock Smash, then climb the stairway to the middle level. Push the final boulder a few steps eastward, so that it stops between the two nearby stairways, then cross them both to reach a Full Restore. Continue on to the top of the cliff to find Barry, who is disappointed with his recent loss to Buck, and enter the next cavern.
Main Cavern
It's Dangerous to Go Alone
Go north to find Buck at the foot of the nearest stairway. He tells you that Barry challenged him to a battle; he made sure that he was "taught a lesson", but isn't sure he could beat him again. He warns you of the tough Trainers and Pokémon here, so you decide to team up and travel together. Like with Cheryl, Mira, and Riley, Buck and his Claydol will assist in each battle, turning all wild battles into Double Battles, and all Trainer battles that may otherwise be Double Battles into Multi Battles. It is impossible to use Rock Climb while traveling with Buck, so some areas are inaccessible at first.
Begin by moving westward, then down the stairway on the north side of the hill. Climb the stairway a few steps to the north, then go southward. Walk down the stairway, then loop around the pit to battle Ace Trainers Keenan and Kassandra, and pick up the nearby Rare Candy. Backtrack over the two previous stairways, then go north and west to reach a boulder. Use Strength to push it westward, then battle Ace Trainers Stefan and Jasmin and pick up TM50 (Overheat) to the south of them. Backtrack to the first stairway, then continue eastward. Detour at the next possible northward turn to reach a Calcium in the central pit. Backtrack to this turn and move eastward to battle Bird Keeper Krystal and Black Belt Ray. Climb up the nearby stairway, then down another stairway to the southeast. Go east to battle Psychics Chelsey and Sterling, then pick up the Iron Ball from the southeast pit. Head north from the two Psychics and take the first left turn. Battle Dragon Tamer Kenny and Veteran Harlan, then climb up the stairway to reach a Max Revive. Backtrack to the southeast past Kenny and Harlan, and climb up the stairway to the south. Move west then north and walk down the next stairway. Continue to the northwest and use Rock Smash to clear the way. Climb up the next stairway to battle Dragon Tamer Drake and Black Belt Jarrett. Follow the hilltop around to the north wall and go down the stairway. Push the boulder all the way eastward, then climb up the final stairway to reach the entrance to the Interior Cavern. Buck points out that the volcano's treasure is likely just ahead, and hurries off on his own.
Interior Cavern
When you catch up to Buck, he declares that since he was the first to find the Magma Stone, that makes him the greatest Trainer of all. He collects the stone, which causes the volcano to quake for a moment. Unconcerned and with the treasure in hand, he tells you to say hello to Barry for him, as he leaves the cavern. Use an Escape Rope to quickly return to the exit, then use Fly to follow him back to the Survival Area.
Survival Area
Returning the Treasure
The house to the west of the Pokémon Center belongs to Buck’s grandfather, and his grandson has already arrived. Speak to the elderly man, who warns that if the Magma Stone has been found, then the volcano’s Pokémon could awake and cause an eruption. Speak to Buck afterward, who realizes the danger and leaves to return the stone. There are no Pokémon Centers to Fly to on Stark Mountain, so retrace your steps through Route 226, Route 227, and the volcano exterior to catch up with him.
Stark Mountain
Main Cavern
With Buck no longer tagging along, be sure to collect any remaining items along the way. Turn eastward, then go north along the ridge and use Rock Smash to clear the way. Walk down the second stairway on the left and continue northward. Battle Ace Trainers Skylar and Natasha if you have not already, then use Rock Climb to scale the wall and reach the Interior Cavern.
Interior Cavern
When you arrive, Buck and the Magma Stone are nowhere to be seen, but the volcano's Pokémon has already appeared! With the stone still missing, the Pokémon must be subdued before it can cause an eruption. Examine it to draw the Pokémon into battle.
VS Heatran
Heatran is a legendary Fire/Steel-type Pokémon. Avoid using Ground-type attacks, as they deal massive damage to such Pokémon, and Poison-type attacks, as Steel Pokémon are immune to such moves. Begin with Water- and Fighting-type attacks to wear it down quickly, then follow up with moves of other types to further chip away at its health. Moves that cause sleep or paralysis are also useful, as Heatran's typing leaves it immune to burns and poisoning. Once its health is low, use Dusk Balls or Ultra Balls for greatest effect. If run from, it respawns upon leaving the area.
