Gym Leaders
A Gym Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー Gym Leader) is the highest ranking member of a Pokémon Gym. The main job of a Gym Leader is to test Players and their Pokémon so that they are strong and resourceful enough to compete against the Elite Four. If a Trainer defeats a Gym Leader in battle, then the Trainer earns that Gym's Badge.
A Gym Leader's job is not just to test upcoming Trainers. They must oversee how their respective Gym is run and to maintain it. Great care must be taken to make sure that their Gym reflects the best environment for the Pokémon type and playing style of choice, usually an environment that suits that type of Pokémon used there (like pools in a Water Gym or flowers and plants in a Grass Gym). According to Morty, teaching young people how to battle with Pokémon can also be the job of a Gym Leader. All of the Gym Leaders can be challenged to rematches at the Goldenrod Battle Bar. The Johto Gym Leaders can be invited by the player after becoming champion, and the Kanto Gym Leaders can be invited after defeating Blue. Each Gym Leader will be available during a specific weekly schedule for one battle per day.
Johto Gym Leaders
Falkner
Falkner is the first Gym Leader players will encounter. A master of Flying-type Pokémon, Falkner runs the Violet Gym, which he inherited from his father; the Pokémon he uses in battle also formerly belonged to him. Falkner's father is reported to be traveling, but is never seen in the game.
Known as "The Elegant Master of Flying Pokémon", Falkner is adored as a cool and handsome Trainer. He looks up to and reveres his father, who was Gym Leader before him. Falkner aspires to follow in his dad's footsteps and be the greatest bird master. Falkner uses, notably, the lowest leveled Pokémon found in any Gym in any region. His Pidgeotto, in fact, is at an illegitimate level. Once defeated in battle, he will award winners with the Zephyr Badge and a Technical Machine: TM31 (Mud-Slap). All of his Pokémon know Mud Slap; Falkner uses this move as part of his battle strategy.
Pidgey | Pidgeotto | - | - | - | - |
LVL 9 | LVL 13 | - | - | - | - |
Bugsy
Bugsy is the second Gym Leader to be challenged, although he cannot be fought until Team Rocket has been driven out of the Slowpoke Well. A master of Bug-type Pokémon, Bugsy runs the Azalea Gym.
Because of his research on Bug Pokémon, Bugsy's knowledge makes him an authority on them. He even discovered the move Fury Cutter, which is the signature move on his Scyther. This research has led to his given title, "The Walking Bug Pokémon Encyclopedia". He claims to never lose when it comes to Bug Pokémon, but—once defeated by the player—will admit his research isn't yet finished. Upon defeat he will hand out the Hive Badge, and TM49 (Fury Cutter).
Metapod | Kakuna | Scyther | - | - | - |
LVL 15 | LVL 15 | LVL 17 | - | - | - |
Whitney
Whitney is the third Gym Leader that Trainers must defeat to move further in the game. She is known as "The Incredibly Pretty Girl!". A master of Normal-type Pokémon, Whitney runs the Goldenrod Gym
Whitney uses the Normal-type, and although she only began battling a little while ago, her talent attracted the Pokémon League to choose her as a Gym Leader. Her Gym is filled with other young girls like herself, who use cute Normal-type Pokémon like Meowth, and is shaped like a Clefairy. She will throw a temper tantrum upon defeat and refuse to give the Plain Badge. A Gym Trainer will tell the player that she will eventually calm down. Once calmed down, however, she will give not only the Badge, but TM45 (Attract) as well. Apparently, this move is perfect for a cutie like her, because it makes full use of a Pokémon's cuteness.
Clefairy | Miltank | - | - | - | - |
LVL 18 | LVL 20 | - | - | - | - |
Morty
Morty is the fourth Gym Leader to be encountered. A user of the Ghost type, Morty is known as "The Mystic Seer of the Future". Morty is a follower of legendary Pokémon, and trains in Ecruteak City so he may be able to see the rainbow bird Ho-Oh. He is friends with Eusine.
The body of Morty's Gym is a dark pit. Trainers appear to float over it, standing on an invisible floor. Some Trainers are scared away by the ghosts within the Gym. A challenger able to navigate along the invisible floor can safely reach Morty and challenge him. Once defeated, he will yield the Fog Badge, and TM30 (Shadow Ball).
Morty does not spend all of his time in Ecruteak Gym. He joins Eusine in the Burned Tower where they study the legendary Pokémon Suicune, Entei, and Raikou.
Gastly | Haunter | Haunter | Gengar | - | - |
LVL 21 | LVL 21 | LVL 23 | LVL 25 | - | - |
Chuck
Chuck is the Leader of the Cianwood Gym and the fifth Gym Leader. A Fighting-type Trainer, he is known to spar with his Pokémon to train both them and himself. His in-game title is "His Roaring Fists Do the Talking". Chuck is married, but spends little time with his wife. She isn't too fond of this, and spends her time standing outside the Gym, perhaps waiting in hope that he will come home.
Once challengers have made their way through his Gym, Chuck will attempt to intimidate them before battle by telling how his Pokémon "will crush stones and shatter bones." He then lifts and tosses a boulder prior to accepting the challenge.
Chuck enjoys a good battle, but after losing he vows to train 24 hours a day. After he is defeated, his wife will give the player HM02 (Fly), which the successful Trainer will now be able to use outside of battle. She also comments that she is grateful that her husband would be doing more training, since he was getting "a little chubby". In addition to the Storm Badge, Chuck gives out TM01 (DynamicPunch).
Even though Chuck is the fifth gym leader he can be battled after Jasmine and/or Pryce.
Primeape | Poliwrath | - | - | - | - |
LVL 29 | LVL 31 | - | - | - | - |
Jasmine
Jasmine is the Gym Leader of the Olivine Gym and the Sixth Gym Leader. Her title is "The Steel-Clad Defense Girl."
Jasmine is a very shy girl and has trouble speaking. She is a compassionate girl, and when the Ampharos in the Shining Lighthouse (nicknamed Amphy) falls ill, Jasmine is so worried she cannot even smile. Amphy and Jasmine appear to be close, because once medicine is brought for Amphy, it will only take it from her.
Typically Jasmine is the sixth Gym Leader to be challenged in the Johto region, although she is the fifth to be encountered. When she is first met she will refuse to battle the player, as she is busy taking care of a sick Ampharos. She requests that a special medicine be brought from the Cianwood City pharmacy. When it is retrieved, she will heal the Ampharos and return to the Gym. In battle, she uses the newly-discovered Steel-type Pokémon, but it's said that she used to train a different type until recently. A Gentleman in the Lighthouse says she used to train Rock-type Pokémon, like Onix. Once defeated she will yield the Mineral Badge and TM23 (Iron Tail).
While Jasmine is considered the Sixth Gym Leader she can be battled before or after Chuck and/or Pryce.
Magnemite | Magnemite | Steelix | - | - | - |
LVL 30 | LVL 31 | LVL 35 | - | - | - |
Pryce
Pyrce is the Gym Leader of the Mahogany Gym, he is the Seventh Gym Leader in Johto. He bares the title of "The Teacher of Winter's Harshness."
Pryce is the oldest Gym Leader players will face and he has been training Pokémon for over fifty years. The secret behind his power is daily meditation under a waterfall. Pryce claims that this strengthens both his body and his mind.
Pryce's Mahogany Gym cannot be challenged the first time the player arrives in Mahogany Town. A man is blocking entry to the Gym: he will only leave once Team Rocket has been defeated at their headquarters and the Gyarados at the nearby Lake of Rage have been calmed. Once an icy maze inside the Gym has been traversed, Pryce will battle with the player. Upon defeat, he will yield both the Glacier Badge, and TM16 Icy Wind.
While Pryce is considered as the Seventh Gym Leader he can be battled before either Chuck and/or Jasmine.
Seel | Dewgong | Piloswine | - | - | - |
LVL 30 | LVL 32 | LVL 34 | - | - | - |
Clair
Clair is the Leader of the Blackthorn Gym. She is the eighth and final Gym Leader to be met in the Johto region, and defeating her will allow Trainers to advance to Indigo Plateau. Known as "The Blessed User of Dragon Pokémon", Clair is descended from a long line of Dragon-type Trainers including her cousin, Elite Four member Lance, and the elder of Blackthorn's Dragon Clan.
Clair is confident of her abilities as a Trainer, and speaks of herself as "the world's best dragon master". She can hold her own against the Elite Four: her only known loss is against Lance, now the Champion. Even if the player defeats her in battle, she refuses to accept his or her talents unless they pass the "Dragon User's Challenge". The Rising Badge that victors of the Blackthorn Gym are entitled to remains in Clair's possession until Trainers have navigated the Dragon's Den and located a shrine at its center. Only then will Clair acknowledge her loss. She will also encourage the player to excel at the Pokémon League; this is mainly personal, so she will feel less upset about her defeat at the hands of a child. As well as the Rising Badge, she will also issue a Dragon Technical Machine: TM24 (DragonBreath). Many of her own Pokémon know this move.
Dragonair | Dragonair | Dragonair | Kingdra | - | - |
LVL 37 | LVL 37 | LVL 37 | LVL 40 | - | - |
Kanto Gym Leaders
Brock
The Leader of the first gym in Kanto, Pewter City Gym, he bares the title of "The Rock-Solid Pokémon Trainer!" He is a master of the Rock type. For Players from Johto he is the third Gym Leader available to be faced in Kanto.
Golem | Rhydon | Omastar | Kabutops | Onix | - |
LVL 51 | LVL 51 | LVL 53 | LVL 53 | LVL 54 | - |
Misty
The Leader of the second gym in Kanto, Cerulean City Gym, she bares the title of "The Tomboyish Mermaid." For Players from Johto she is the second Gym Leader available to be faced in Kanto. She is a master of the Water type. Initially she is not in her gym. Once the Missing Part has been returned to the Power Plant she can be found on a date at the Cerulean Cape on Route 25. While initially angry for ruining her date she is intriqued by the idea of battling a trainer from Johto.
Golduck | Quagsire | Lapras | Starmie | - | - |
LVL 49 | LVL 49 | LVL 52 | LVL 54 | - | - |
Lt. Surge
The Leader of the third gym in Kanto, Vermilion City Gym, he bares the title of "The Lightning American." He is a master of the Electric type. For Players from Johto he is the first Gym Leader available to be faced in Kanto. His Lt. title seems to be a legitimate title as one of his gym trainers mentions having been in a war with Lt. Surge.
Raichu | Electrode | Electrode | Magneton | Electabuzz | - |
LVL 51 | LVL 47 | LVL 47 | LVL 47 | LVL 53 | - |
Erika
The Leader of the fourth gym in Kanto, Celadon City Gym, she bares the title of "The Nature-Loving Princess!" She is a master of the Grass type. For Players from Johto she, along with Sabrina, Janine, and Blaine, can be the 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th gym leader faced in Kanto.
Jumpluff | Tangela | Victreebel | Bellossom | - | - |
LVL 53 | LVL 54 | LVL 58 | LVL 58 | - | - |
Janine
The Leader of the fifth gym in Kanto, Fuchsia City Gym, she bares the title of "The Nature-Loving Princess!" She is a master of the Poison type. For Players from Johto she, along with Sabrina, Erika, and Blaine, can be the 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th gym leader in Kanto. Her father, Koga of the Elite Four, was the previous Fuchsia Gym Leader and passed the title to Janine when he joined the Elite Four.
Crobat | Weezing | Ariados | Ariados | Venomoth | - |
LVL 53 | LVL 50 | LVL 52 | LVL 52 | LVL 55 | - |
Sabrina
The Leader of the sixth gym in Kanto, Saffron City Gym, she bares the title of "The Mistress of Psychic Pokémon!" She is a master of the Psychic type. For Players from Johto she, along with Erika, Janine, and Blaine, can be the 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th gym leader faced in Kanto.
Espeon | Mr. Mime | Alakazam | - | - | - |
LVL 55 | LVL 55 | LVL 57 | - | - | - |
Blaine
The Leader of the seventh gym in Kanto, Cinnabar Island Gym, he bares the title of "The Hotheaded Quiz Master!". Since the Cinnabar Island Volcano erupted he has moved his gym to the Seafoam Islands. He is a master of the Fire type. For Players from Johto he, along with Sabrina, Erika, and Janine, can be the 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th gym leader faced in Kanto.
Magcargo | Magmar | Rapidash | - | - | - |
LVL 56 | LVL 56 | LVL 61 | - | - | - |
Blue
The Leader of the final gym in Kanto, Viridian City Gym, he cannot be battled until all other Gym Leaders have been beaten. Three years before the story he became Champion only to be quickly defeated by his rival, Red. He is from Pallet Town and is the Grandson of Prof. Oak.
Exeggutor | Rhydon | Machamp | Gyarados | Arcanine | Pidgeot |
LVL 57 | LVL 60 | LVL 57 | LVL 55 | LVL 60 | LVL 63 |
Characters |
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Team Rocket |
Professor Oak | Professor Elm |
Strong Trainers | Kolben Staff |
Kurt | Kimono Girls | Eusine |