How to Avoid Wild Pokémon in a Pokémon Game

Last Updated: October 8, 2020

Your Pokémon are low on health and you need to get back to a Pokémon Center right away before they faint. But how do you get past the wild Pokémon lurking in the grass ready to make your Pokémon faint? Try these easy steps, and see if they work!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Gen. II and Up

1
Attach a Cleanse Tag to your Lead Pokémon (The Pokémon in the front of your party). Cleanse Tags act as permanent Repels, stopping wild Pokémon that are a lower level than your Lead from appearing.
2
If you don't have a Cleanse Tag, stock up on Repels, Super Repels or Max Repels. Repels work the same as Cleanse Tags, however they only last a certain number of steps.
- Remember to use one before you enter the grass.
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3
Wild Pokémon who are of a lower level than your Lead Pokémon will not appear.
4
Use another Repel before you take another step when it runs out.
5
Give your Pokémon a smoke ball to escape without fail.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Alternative Method

1
Face the grass. It should be on the next square in front of you.
2
Select a Pokémon that knows the HM Cut and use the move in the Pokémon menu. Three squares of grass directly in front of you should disappear.
3
Step into the grass-free area and repeat for every patch of grass.

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Community Q&A

Question

What about in caves (Victory Road Gen1)?

Community Answer

Repels should work for weak Pokemon (weak meaning a lower level than your lead Pokemon).
Question

Will the grass grow back if I cut it?

Bun bun

Top Answerer

When you leave the route, yes.
Question

Does the cut method work in Gen 4 and up?

Bun bun

Top Answerer

Nope.
Question

Does the cut method work in gen 3?

Dudhhr McDudhhr

Community Answer

The cut method only works in Generations 1 and 2. It was removed in Gen 3 and has not returned.