Eight Gyms, eight puzzles, eight Gym Leaders. Unova innovates right from the first one with a trio of brothers, changes Gym Leader depending on the version for the last one, and gives you a reusable TM with every victory. Here are all the teams and our strategies, in the order of the adventure.
- 1
Cilan, Chili or CressStriaton CityTrio BadgeGrassFireWater - 2
LenoraNacrene CityBasic BadgeNormal - 3
BurghCastelia CityInsect BadgeBug - 4
ElesaNimbasa CityBolt BadgeElectric - 5
ClayDriftveil CityQuake BadgeGround - 6
SkylaMistralton CityJet BadgeFlying - 7
BrycenIcirrus CityFreeze BadgeIce - 8
DraydenIrisOpelucid CityLegend BadgeDragon
In Striaton City, you face the brother whose type has the advantage over your starter Pokémon. In Opelucid City, the Gym Leader depends on the version: Drayden in Black, Iris in White.
🍽️1. Striaton City: Cilan, Chili or Cress
You face the brother whose type is strong against your starter Pokémon. The girl at the Dreamyard conveniently gives you the monkey that beats him. Details at step 4.
Cilan, Chili or Cress
- Work Up
- Bite
- Odor Sleuth
- Helping Hand
Ability: Pickup
- Work Up
- Incinerate
- Lick
- Fury Swipes
Ability: Gluttony
- Work Up
- Bite
- Odor Sleuth
- Helping Hand
Ability: Pickup
- Work Up
- Water Gun
- Lick
- Fury Swipes
Ability: Gluttony
Don’t let Work Up pile up: attack from the first turn, and keep your monkey for the opposing monkey.
📚2. Nacrene City: Lenora
Lenora
Normal
Fighting-type Pokémon rule: Timburr, Sawk, Throh or Pignite. Beware of Retaliate, which doubles in power after a knock-out, and Watchog’s Hypnosis.
🐝3. Castelia City: Burgh
Burgh
Bug
- Poison Tail
- Struggle Bug
- Screech
- Pursuit
Ability: Swarm
- Smack Down
- Struggle Bug
- Sand Attack
- Feint Attack
Ability: Shell Armor
- Razor Leaf
- Protect
- String Shot
- Struggle Bug
Ability: Swarm
Fire and Flying first: Leavanny is four times weak to them. Dwebble, for its part, fears Water, Rock and Steel.
⚡4. Nimbasa City: Elesa
Elesa
Electric
Emolga are immune to Ground: target them with Rock or Ice. A Sandile, immune to Electric, takes care of Zebstrika.
⛏️5. Driftveil City: Clay
Clay
Ground
Water and Grass clean house. Palpitoad is four times weak to Grass, Excadrill to Fire, Fighting, Ground and Water. The Quake Badge lets you use Fly outside of battle.
✈️6. Mistralton City: Skyla
Skyla
Flying
Electric and Rock hit her whole team. Swanna is four times weak to Electric.
🧊7. Icirrus City: Brycen
Brycen
Ice
Fire, Fighting, Rock and Steel. Prefer physical attacks against Cryogonal and Vanillish, which reflects special attacks with Mirror Shot.
🐉8. Opelucid City: Drayden or Iris
Drayden or Iris
Dragon
- Dragon Tail
- Dragon Dance
- Dragon Rage
- Assurance
Ability: Rivalry
- Dragon Tail
- Night Slash
- Chip Away
- Revenge
Ability: Rough Skin
- Dragon Tail
- Dragon Dance
- Slash
- Assurance
Ability: Mold Breaker
Ice is your best weapon. All three Pokémon know Dragon Tail, which forces you to switch Pokémon: prepare a solid team rather than counting on stat boosts.
💿The Gym Leaders’ TMs
| Gym Leader | TM received | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cilan, Chili or Cress | TM83 Work Up | Raises Attack and Special Attack |
| Lenora | TM67 Retaliate | Power doubled if an ally was knocked out on the previous turn |
| Burgh | TM76 Struggle Bug | Lowers the opponent’s Special Attack |
| Elesa | TM72 Volt Switch | Strikes, then lets you switch Pokémon |
| Clay | TM78 Bulldoze | Lowers Speed; given again at the entrance of Chargestone Cave |
| Skyla | TM62 Acrobatics | Power doubled with no held item |
| Brycen | TM79 Frost Breath | Always a critical hit |
| Drayden or Iris | TM82 Dragon Tail | Forces the opponent to switch Pokémon |
After the eight badges, head for the League: our guide The Elite Four and Alder takes over.
