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Complete guide to all Gym Leaders in Pokémon Polished Crystal including teams, strategies, and recommended counters
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All 16 Gym Leaders from both the Kanto and Johto regions are available, each with their own type specialty. You can rematch all of them after beating the Elite Four!
Falkner's team is all Flying-type. His Pokémon range from level 10–13.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Flying types are weak to Electric, Rock, and Ice moves. Electric and Rock moves are super effective against Hoothoot and Pidgeotto. Watch out for Mud-Slap - it reduces accuracy and gets annoying fast. Pidgeotto can heal itself with Roost, and Hoothoot's Hypnosis will put you to sleep. Bring Awakening items (or just power through)!
AI Behavior: Falkner uses Super Potions and switches Pokémon strategically, targeting opponents with reduced accuracy using Mud-Slap.
Recommended Counters:
After beating Falkner, you'll receive the Zephyr Badge, which lets Pokémon up to level 20 obey, plus TM51 (Roost).
Bugsy's team is all Bug-type, mostly with Flying dual-typing. His Pokémon range from level 14–17.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Bug-types are weak to Fire, Flying, and Rock attacks. Three of his Pokémon are Bug/Flying, making them 4× weak to Rock. Beedrill is Bug/Poison though. Flying-types like Pidgey, Spearow, and Fearow are weak to Electric. Butterfree has both Sleep Powder and Poison Powder. Scyther is fast and powerful but has low Defense.
AI Behavior: Bugsy uses Super Potions and sometimes switches Pokémon. He focuses on inflicting status conditions and uses Double Team to stall.
Recommended Counters:
After defeating Bugsy, you'll get the Hive Badge (allows Cut outside battle) and TM89 (U-Turn).
Whitney's team features Normal-type Pokémon with some Fairy-type moves. They range from level 19–21.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Normal types are weak to Fighting. Whitney's Miltank is legendary for Defense Curl → Rollout (doubles in power each turn: 8, 16, 32, 64, 128). Fresh Snack heals her, and Lum Berry cures status. Scrappy means Ghost types can't dodge using their immunity. Attract is brutal against male Pokémon, so bring female or genderless ones. Break the Rollout chain by taking Miltank out or making it miss.
AI Behavior: Whitney uses Hyper Potions and occasionally switches Pokémon. She's very aggressive with Defense Curl + Rollout and won't switch when the combo is active.
Recommended Counters:
After beating Whitney, you'll get the Plain Badge (allows Strength outside battle) and TM45 (Attract).
Morty's team consists of Ghost-type Pokémon and other spooky Pokémon. His team levels range from 24–26.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Ghost-types are weak to Ghost and Dark moves. Pure Ghost-types are immune to Normal and Fighting moves, making those types useless here. Levitate on Haunter and Gengar makes them immune to Ground moves too. Hypnosis is super dangerous - Gengar uses Dream Eater to heal while you sleep, and Noctowl's Hex deals double damage to sleeping targets. Bring Awakening items! Misdreavus can boost with Nasty Plot. Dark-types resist Ghost moves and deal super effective damage, making them your best bet.
AI Behavior: Morty relies on Hyper Potions and will switch Pokémon occasionally. He uses sleep-based control strategies, combining Hypnosis + Dream Eater to stall and regain health.
Recommended Counters:
Defeating Morty gives you the Fog Badge, which lets you use Surf outside of battle, and TM30 (Shadow Ball)!
Chuck's team consists of Fighting-type Pokémon with some coverage. His team levels range from 28–31.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Fighting-types are weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy moves. Dynamic Punch has low accuracy but hits hard and confuses when it connects. Poliwrath is Water/Fighting, making it weak to Flying, Psychic, Fairy, Electric, and Grass. Hitmontop's Intimidate lowers your Attack. Primeape's Defiant ability raises its Attack if its stats are lowered.
AI Behavior: Chuck uses Full Heals to cure status and may switch Pokémon. His strategy is aggressive, using high-risk, high-reward moves like Dynamic Punch.
Recommended Counters:
After defeating Chuck, you'll get the Storm Badge, which allows Fly outside of battle, and TM01 (Focus Punch).
Jasmine's team is all Steel-type with a focus on Defense. Her team levels range from 33–37.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Steel-types are weak to Fire, Fighting, and Ground moves. Jasmine's team has high Defense but lower Special Defense - use special attackers. Steelix (Steel/Ground) is 2× weak to Water, Fire, Fighting, and Ground moves, and immune to Electric. Watch out for Spikes from Skarmory and Forretress. Iron Tail can lower Defense. Magneton is 4× weak to Ground and 2× weak to Fire.
AI Behavior: Jasmine uses Max Potions and will sometimes switch Pokémon. She plays defensively, setting up Spikes early and stalling with high-Defense Pokémon.
Recommended Counters:
After Jasmine is defeated, you'll obtain the Mineral Badge and TM23 (Iron Tail).
Pryce's team is pure Ice-type with a few dual-types. His Pokémon range from level 38–42.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Ice-types are weak to Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel moves. Most of Pryce's team is dual Water/Ice, making Electric and Rock moves effective. Mamoswine is Ice/Ground, making it 4× weak to Water and Grass. Watch out for Lapras's Sing and Rain Dance boosting Water moves. Dewgong's Rest + Chesto Berry combo restores full HP. Sneasel is fast and dangerous after Swords Dance.
AI Behavior: Pryce relies on Max Potions and will occasionally switch Pokémon. He tries to control battle pace with weather conditions and sleep.
Recommended Counters:
After defeating Pryce, you'll get the Glacier Badge, which lets you use Headbutt outside of battle, and TM16 (Icy Wind).
Clair has a team of Dragon-type and Dragon-like Pokémon. Her Pokémon range from level 43–47.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Dragon-types are weak to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy attacks. However, Kingdra is only weak to Dragon and Fairy, making Ice attacks useless against it. Several Pokémon use Thunder Wave - be prepared for paralysis. Dragonair uses Ice Beam for coverage. Gyarados is 4× weak to Electric attacks. Yanmega uses Double Team to raise evasion. Ampharos isn't Dragon-type but uses Dragon Pulse.
AI Behavior: Clair uses Full Heals and Max Potions, making her well-equipped for long fights. She switches Pokémon frequently and loves to spam Thunder Wave to slow your team down.
Recommended Counters:
After defeating Clair, you'll get the Rising Badge, which lets you use Waterfall outside of battle, and TM24 (Dragon Breath).
Brock's team has Rock-type Pokémon and Fossils. His Pokémon range from level 63–68.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Rock-types are weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel attacks. Brock's Pokémon have high Defense but lower Special Defense - special attackers work best. Water moves are 4× effective on Golem, Rhydon, and Onix. Kabutops and Omastar are part Water and weak to Electric and Grass. Many Pokémon have Earthquake. Omastar uses Spikes.
AI Behavior: Brock uses Full Heals and Max Potions and occasionally switches Pokémon. He employs a defensive grind strategy with Spikes and Rollout sweep attacks.
Recommended Counters:
Once you defeat Brock, you'll receive the Boulder Badge and TM48 (Rock Slide)!
Misty's team features Water-type Pokémon with various coverage types. They range from level 60–64.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Water-types are weak to Electric and Grass moves. Misty uses Calm Mind to build momentum and Rain Dance, then follows with powerful Water moves. Quagsire is immune to Electric but 4× weak to Grass. Lanturn is Water/Electric and weak to Ground and Grass. Starmie can heal with Recover and has high Speed. Watch out for boosted Water moves when she uses Rain Dance. Lapras is bulky and uses Perish Song.
AI Behavior: Misty uses Full Heals and Max Potions, and switches Pokémon frequently. She likes to set up with Calm Mind and Rain Dance.
Recommended Counters:
After beating Misty, you'll get the Cascade Badge and TM63 (Water Pulse).
Lt. Surge's team consists of Electric-type Pokémon. His team levels range from 56–60.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Electric-types are weak to Ground-type attacks. Ground-types are immune to Electric attacks, making them ideal opponents. Be cautious of Magnezone - it's resistant to many attacks and carries Zap Cannon. Electrode has two other Electrodes that can use Explosion. Lt. Surge puts up Light Screen to reduce damage. Jolteon and Raichu are fast Pokémon.
AI Behavior: Lt. Surge uses Full Heals, Max Potions, and may switch Pokémon. He uses Light Screen to reduce special damage and might use Explosion if cornered.
Recommended Counters:
Erika's team features Grass-type Pokémon with support from Sunny Day. Her Pokémon range from level 61–65.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Grass Pokémon are weak to Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying, and Bug moves. Erika's team uses Sunny Day, which increases Fire moves by 50% and removes Solar Beam's charge turn. Watch out for Sleep Powder and healing moves. In Faithful Mode, Politoed evolves into Parasect.
AI Behavior: Erika uses Full Heals, Max Potions, and sometimes switches. She relies on Sunny Day to power up her strategy.
Recommended Counters:
Once you've defeated Erika, you'll get the Rainbow Badge and TM19 (Giga Drain)!
Janine's team features Poison-type Pokémon with a status focus. Her Pokémon range from level 61–66.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Poison-types are weak to Ground and Psychic attacks. Janine relies on attrition with Toxic and evasive maneuvers, rarely switching once her strategy starts. Steel-types are immune to Toxic. Crobat is extremely fast. Weezing can use Explosion. Nidoqueen (Poison/Ground) has different weaknesses (Water, Psychic, Ice, Ground). Watch out for Double Team and Minimize.
AI Behavior: Janine uses Full Heals, Max Potions, and will sometimes switch. She relies on Toxic and evasion tactics.
Recommended Counters:
Once you've defeated Janine, you'll get the Marsh Badge and TM66 (Poison Jab).
Sabrina uses Psychic-type Pokémon ranging from level 58–62.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Psychic-types are weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark moves. Dark-types are immune to Psychic. Her Pokémon have high Special Attack and Speed. Wobbuffet uses Counter and Mirror Coat defensively. Watch out for Hypnosis followed by Dream Eater. Mr. Mime uses Baton Pass to transfer stat boosts.
AI Behavior: Sabrina uses Full Heals, Max Potions, and switches. She employs Calm Mind and Nasty Plot sweepers, plus Baton Pass from Mr. Mime.
Recommended Counters:
Upon defeating Sabrina, you'll receive the Soul Badge and TM29 (Psychic).
Blaine's team is all Fire-type Pokémon ranging from level 65–69.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Fire-types are weak to Water, Ground, and Rock attacks. Blaine uses Sunny Day to boost Fire attacks and Will-O-Wisp to weaken physical attackers. Magcargo (Fire/Rock) is 4× weak to Water and Ground. Many Pokémon have high Speed.
AI Behavior: Blaine uses Full Heals and Max Potions, possibly switching. He boosts Fire power with Sunny Day.
Recommended Counters:
After beating Blaine, you'll get the Volcano Badge and TM61 (Will-O-Wisp)!
Blue's team doesn't have a specific type specialty - it's diverse. His Pokémon range from level 66–70.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Blue uses Full Heals and Full Restores, making him very hard to wear down. He switches frequently and adapts strategies based on your team. His use of Trick Room and stalling makes things complex. You can't counter a specific type - you need a balanced team with good coverage. His Pokémon are all high-level with varied movesets. Umbreon stalls with Toxic, Machamp uses low-accuracy Dynamic Punch, and Exeggutor sets up Trick Room. This is the toughest Gym Leader battle.
AI Behavior: Blue adapts constantly, switching to favorable matchups and using items liberally.
Recommended Counters:
Defeating Blue will earn you the Earth Badge and TM71 (Stone Edge).
Each badge you earn provides benefits beyond just allowing you to progress:
Badges increase the level at which traded Pokémon will obey you:
Certain badges allow you to use HM moves outside of battle: