Pokémon Poliwhirl Version

Gohan's Tips
Feb 27
3 min read

Updated: Mar 16

Author: Dom_Dom.

PROGRESS: Project Version 1.1.2 - 22/02/2026 - This game offers a complete Kanto story from start to finish with a unique Poliwhirl starter, featuring a significant step up in challenge.

Embark on a fresh Kanto adventure with a unique Poliwhirl by your side in this FireRed ROM hack. Designed as a significant step up in challenge from the base game, it introduces a mass migration of Johto and select Hoenn Pokémon to the Sevii Islands, expanding the Pokédex to 281 catchable species. Featuring a Physical/Special Split, completely overhauled learnsets, custom moves, regional forms, and extensively rebalanced Pokémon and trainers, this hack provides a challenging yet fair experience. With a strong focus on gameplay enhancements and Quality of Life, it's a vibrant and engaging journey to become the champion.

🛑Features:

➡️Unique Poliwhirl Starter: Begin your journey with a special Poliwhirl by your side (your rival starts with Bellsprout).

➡️Expanded Pokédex (281 Catchable): Encounter all Kanto and Johto Pokémon, plus extras like Mismagius, Lickilicky, and select Hoenn Pokémon, primarily found on the Sevii Islands.

➡️Physical/Special Split: Modernized battle mechanics allowing moves to be categorized as physical or special based on their type.

➡️Overhauled Learnsets, Stats & Abilities: Most Pokémon have completely new level-up learnsets, along with stat and ability changes to make them viable throughout the entire game (excluding early-game gimmicky Pokémon).

➡️Regional Form Replacements: Some Kanto Pokémon are replaced by their regional forms (e.g., Alolan Persian, Alolan Dugtrio, Alolan Golem) for type diversity.

➡️New & Custom Moves: Incorporates moves from future generations (Nasty Plot, Poison Jab, Dark Pulse, Liquidation) and entirely custom moves like Dune Splash (Physical Ground), Static Slice, Infernal Bash, and Glacial Smash.

➡️Challenging Trainers: Most trainers have been enhanced with improved AI, better teams, higher levels, and more Pokémon, providing a significant difficulty increase from the base game.

➡️Map Edits & New Areas: Features small map edits, new maps (including an EV training spot on Island Seven), and event islands for Legendary Pokémon like Ho-Oh, Lugia, and Deoxys.

➡️Story Edits: Minor story adjustments including some mandatory and non-mandatory dialogue.

➡️New Item "Trade Stone": Simplifies trade evolutions; Pokémon that previously required trading now evolve by holding a Trade Stone and leveling up.

➡️EVs Effectively Removed: EVs have been largely removed from the main game to ensure a more equal footing between your Pokémon and opponents, increasing overall difficulty (limited, non-purchasable EV-raising items still exist).

➡️New Fakemon: Cactip & Cactussle: Introduces the beta "Cactus" Pokémon (now Cactussle, Grass/Steel) with a completely custom pre-evolution, Cactip.

➡️Reworked Encounter Tables: Complete overhaul of wild Pokémon encounter tables for a fresh and varied experience.

➡️Early Fossil Revival: The Cinnabar Island lab has been moved to Cerulean City, allowing for earlier fossil revival.

➡️Type Chart Edits: Some specific adjustments have been made to the type chart (details in documentation).

➡️Post-Game Difficulty Spike: Post-game League rematches are designed to be extremely challenging, pushing players to their limits.

➡️Cheaper Items: General items are more affordable in Poké Marts.

➡️Lucky Eggs on Sale: Lucky Eggs are now readily available for purchase in the Viridian City Poké Mart.

➡️Removed Obstacle Trees: Cut trees blocking paths, such as the one to Erika's gym, have been removed.

➡️Buyable TMs: All TMs are available for purchase on Island Seven.

SCREENSHOTS