Pokemon Fire Red any% FAQ
 
Q: What are you playing on?
A: A GameCube using a GameBoy Player, I use a gamecube controller rather than the gameboy advance SP.
 
Q: What are you trying to do?
A: Beat the game as fast as possible.
 
Q: What is the best time?
A: 2:05:33 by ExarionU, this is in real time as apposed to in-game time.

Q: Why are you using Charmander? Isn't Squirtle normally used for this speedrun?
A: Yes, Squirtle is the generally accepted route for Fire Red any%. However, the Charmander route is quite similar in speed to the Squirtle route. The Charmander route does have some splits where it loses time to Squirtle, the most obvious being the Brock and Rock Tunnel splits due to type disadvantage. I decided to run Charmander as I find the route more engaging, entertaining and challenging to run.

Q: What are the hardest fights in the run?
A: Cerulean Rival is by far the hardest fight in the run and possibly the riskiest fight in Pokemon speedrunning. This fight is closely followed by SS Anne Rival, Brock and Misty.
 
Q: Why are you resetting?
A: Probably because my Charmander's stats are bad.
 
Q: What stats are you looking for?
A: Any Charmander with 20+ IV Special Attack, 20+ IV Attack and 9+ IV Speed. I will not accept natures that reduce attack or special attack or increase speed.

Q: Why do you want "bad" speed?
A: In general, Charmanders with speed IVs of 23 or higher lose time and increase risk on the Brock fight. This is due to his trainer AI, which forces him to use rock tomb on turn 1, as you outspeed Onix. This can cause a heal loop as well as risking dying to a critical rock tomb.
 
Q: Why are stats so important?
A: Bad stats cause me to die in important fights. Good stats allow me to hit damage ranges that save a lot of time. Special Attack is the most important stat for Charmander, hence +SpAtk natures are highly preferred.
 
Q: What is your goal time?
A: My goal time is sub 2:09 RTA, which is second place on the speedrun.com leaderboards.