Where To Get Charcoal in Pokémon HGSS

In Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver, there are only 2 ways to get Charcoal.

The first charcoal you can get is in Azalea Town from the charcoal cutter. You’ll get it after rescuing his Farfetch’d in Ilex Forest. Another charcoal can be found later in the game in the Ruins of Alph, but only after catching Ho-Oh.

Charcoal is a held item that increases the damage of all Fire-type attacks by 20%. It can be obtained before challenging the Bug-type Gym in Azalea town.

If you’re struggling with the Gym, this item can give you quite the advantage if you have a Fire-type Pokémon on your team.

Method 1: Rescue the Farfetch’d

The player standing inside the charcoal cutter’s house before rescuing the Farfetch’d

The first Charcoal is given to you after rescuing the Farfetch’d that belong to the charcoal cutters in Azalea town.

This quest can only be done after defeating Team Rocket and rescuing the Slowpoke from Slowpoke well.

Step 1: Exit Azalea town through the West exit. Upon trying to leave you will be confronted by your rival. After defeating him in a battle you can then enter Ilex Forest.

The player being challenged by the rival at the exit of Azalea town

Step 2: After entering the forest, talk to the NPC standing near the entrance. He will tell you that the Farfetch’d have escaped and asks you to catch them for him.

To catch the Farfetch’d, you need to sneak up behind them or they will run away.

The player talking to the charcoal cutter in Ilex Forest.

Step 3: To catch the first Farfetch’d, step on the first set of branches. This causes the Farfetch’d to look in your direction. Then walk around the trees, as shown below, to sneak up on the Farfetch’d.

Make sure not to step on the second set of branches or else the Farfetch’d will hear you, and you’ll need to restart the process.

The player sneaking up on the first Farfetch’d

Step 4: The second Farfetch’d is a little trickier to catch.

First, you’ll need to interact with it from the front, causing it to run away to the side.

The player approaching the second Farfetch’d from the front

Step 5: Next, you need to walk around the trees and step on the branches as shown below. This will cause the Farfetch’d to face West, allowing you to sneak up on it.

The player attracting the attention of the Farfetch’d

Step 6: Then backtrack so you can sneak up behind the Farfetch’d as shown below, making sure not to step on any other branches.

The player sneaking up on the Farfetch’d

Step 7: After rescuing the charcoal cutter’s Pokémon, he will reward you with the HM01: Cut. Return to Azalea town and go to the house located East of the Gym.

The player outside the charcoal cutter’s house in Azalea town

Step 8: Speak to the NPC on the right and he will give you the Charcoal.

The player receiving the charcoal

Method 2: The Ruins of Alph

The player standing in the hidden room in the Ruins of Alph

There is a way for you to obtain an additional piece of Charcoal. It can be found in the Ruins of Alph. However, it can only be accessed by having the HM Surf and having a Ho-Oh in your party.

Step 1: Start by entering Union cave. In this guide, we will be entering through the entrance located at the bottom of Route 32.

The player standing at the entrance to Union cave on Route 32

Step 2: After entering the cave, head West. Once you reach the point pictured below, head North.

Head North at this point

Step 3: Continue North and enter the staircase to the left. If you follow the exact path shown in the image below, you can avoid the battle with the Firebreather.

The player standing in front of the staircase

Step 4: After descending the stairs, use Surf to cross the water and head North.

Head North past this body of water

Step 5: Continue heading North past the Hiker.

Head North past the Hiker

Step 6: Head west past the other Hiker and continue up the stairs.

Head West towards the staircase

Step 7: Use Surf to cross the water and head North. Then go up the staircase to the West and exit the cave.

Head North past this body of water

Step 8: After exiting the cave, you will arrive at the Ruins of Alph. Defeat the Psychic standing in front of the entrance and enter the building on the right.

The player standing outside the exit to Union cave in the Ruins of Alph

Step 9: After entering the building, interact with the slab in the back of the room with Ho-Oh in the first slot of your party. The wall will open, revealing a secret room.