Navigating the Johto region in Pokémon SoulSilver requires acquiring key Hidden Machines to clear obstacles blocking your path. Among these essential field moves, HM01 Cut is one of the earliest techniques players must secure to progress through dense forests and unlock hidden shortcuts. Understanding how to locate and use this move ensures a smoother journey through the game's early story chapters.
Defeating Bugsy at the Azalea Town Gym
Before you can use Cut outside of battle, you must earn the Hive Badge from Azalea Town. Defeating the Gym Leader Bugsy grants your trainer profile the authority to command Pokémon using this field move. Without this badge, your party members will be unable to chop down the small trees blocking routes even after learning the technique.
Bugsy specializes in Bug-type Pokémon, making Fire-type and Flying-type moves particularly effective during the gym challenge. Preparing a strong team ensures a quick victory and opens up access to the nearby forest. Once the battle is won, heal your party before heading west toward Ilex Forest.
Completing the Farfetch'd Puzzle in Ilex Forest
Upon entering Ilex Forest, you will encounter a distressed apprentice who has lost his boss's two Farfetch'd. To acquire HM01 Cut, you must navigate the forest pathways and herd both escaped birds back to their trainer. This puzzle requires careful positioning because stepping on twig piles will startle the wild Pokémon and alter their direction.
Approach each Farfetch'd from behind to guide them toward the apprentice without driving them deeper into the woods. Once both Pokémon are safely reunited with their owner, the charcoal maker will arrive to express his gratitude. As a reward for your assistance, he gifts you HM01 Cut.
Teaching Cut and Clearing Obstacles
After receiving the HM, open your bag menu and teach Cut to an eligible Pokémon in your current party. Many early-game species can learn this move, turning them into reliable field utility partners. Teaching Cut allows you to immediately interact with the thin sapling blocking the main trail through Ilex Forest to continue toward Goldenrod City.
Unlocking Hidden Areas and Valuable Items
While Cut is mandatory for main story progression, it also serves as a key tool for optional exploration across Johto. Many early routes feature small trees that conceal hidden item Poké Balls, rare berries, and shortcuts past busy trainer paths. Revisiting earlier towns with Cut equipped allows players to discover secret areas that were previously unreachable.
Using Cut frequently throughout your journey rewards thorough players with helpful battle supplies and extra experience encounters. Clearing these hidden paths guarantees you get the absolute most out of every location in SoulSilver. Make sure to keep a Pokémon with Cut available whenever you enter new environments.