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You can get an EXP Share as early as your 4th gym badge, although the method is easy to miss.
All you need to do is bring the Red Scale earned by defeating Red Gyarados to Mr. Pokémon on Route 30. Then you can train your team more efficiently for the rest of the game!
You can also get additional EXP Shares by winning the Pokémon Lottery Corner in Goldenrod City, but this will take a lot of good luck and patience.
We’ll run through both methods in more detail below.
Method 1: Defeating Red Gyarados
This is the only reliable way to get your hands on an EXP share.
First, you’ll need to have beaten Gym Leader Morty to earn your 4th badge, and have received the HM03 Surf by saving the Kimono Girls in Ecruteak City from the Team Rocket Grunt.
After that, make your way to Mahogany Town, to the east of Ecruteak City.
Once you arrive in Mahogany Town, you’ll want to take the north exit to Route 43 and head toward the Lake of Rage.
The north exit of Mahogany Town that leads to Route 43 and the Lake of Rage
The way to the Lake of Rage is easy, just keep heading north on Route 43.
You’ll encounter some trainers and wild Pokémon along the way.
However, avoid entering the building in the picture below. If you do, Team Rocket Grunts will steal some of your money!
The building containing thieving Team Rocket Grunts. Stay out!
Once you reach the Lake of Rage, you should see an oddly-colored Gyarados swimming about on the waters.
This Gyarados is shiny. Shiny Pokémon have special alternate colors and usually only appear very rarely in the wild (a 1 in 8192 chance, to be exact), but Red Gyarados will always be shiny.
Shiny Pokémon aren’t any stronger than usual, the difference is just in looks and rarity. Nevertheless, this is your only chance to capture this one until you’ve beaten Lance and the Elite Four.
Red Gyarados will be at Level 30, so make sure to bring some strong Pokémon and decent Pokéballs along. A non-damaging status effect (like Paralyze or Sleep) or a Pokémon that knows False Swipe might also be helpful.
Red Gyarados, as seen from the shores of the Lake of Rage
To battle Red Gyarados, simply Surf onto the lake and ‘talk’ to it by pressing A.
Tip: Save beforehand, in case you mistakenly knock it out when you wanted to catch it.
Whether you capture or defeat Red Gyarados, you’ll pick up a Red Scale after the battle.
Picking up the Red Scale after the battle
Now you’ll have to head back to Mr. Pokémon.
Remember him? He’s the one whose house on Route 30 you visited on your very first task after receiving your starter Pokémon.
If you’ve already beaten the 5th gym and unlocked Fly, simply Fly to Cherrygrove City and head north.
If not, retrace your steps to Ecruteak City and head to Violet City through the shortcut you opened up by defeating Sudowoodo after the 3rd gym.
After that, it’s just a short walk to Mr. Pokémon’s house on Route 30.
Mr. Pokémon’s house on Route 30
Head inside and talk to him.
He’ll offer to trade your Red Scale for an EXP Share.
Mr. Pokémon giving the player an EXP Share for their Red Scale
Congratulations, you can now train weak Pokémon in a totally hassle-free way!
Bear in mind, you can only get one EXP Share this way. If you want more then you’ll have to try your luck at our next method.
Method 2: Winning At The Pokémon Lottery Corner
The second method for acquiring EXP Shares is available as soon as you reach Goldenrod City.
So, technically, you could get one before your 3rd badge – but only if you’re extremely lucky.
That’s because the Pokémon Lottery Corner works by generating a random number. If that number matches the ID number of any of your Pokémon, you’ll win a prize.
So, the only way to increase your chances of winning is by catching lots of Pokémon.
Don’t worry, though, you can try your luck once each day.
To play, head to Goldenrod Radio Tower.
Goldenrod Radio Tower, where you can play the Pokémon Lottery
Once you’re inside, talk to Felicity, the lady behind the desk as soon as you enter.
Felicity, the Pokémon Lottery Corner attendant on the bottom floor of Goldenrod Radio Tower
To win an EXP Share, three digits of one of your Pokémon’s ID must match the drawn number.
Other prizes include:
An Ultra Ball, for one digit matched
A PP UP, for two digits matched
A Max Revive, for four digits matched
A Master Ball, for five digits matched
Good luck, and don’t forget you can play again each new day!
Full-time freelance copywriter and long-time Pokémon trainer, currently rediscovering my childhood love for the classic games by bringing you all the info you need.
