Gym Leaders: Teams, Levels & Movesets
Introduction
Pokemon Heart and Soul 2 has all 16 Gym Leaders: eight in Johto, then eight in Kanto after the Elite Four. Each section below pairs the source-backed team display with the few details that matter when you are planning the fight: level range, awkward coverage, held items, and a sensible counter plan.
The team cards are the final word on roster, levels, moves, and held items. Do not assume a vanilla Crystal team is close enough. It usually is not.
Gym order and level guide
| Region | Leaders | Team levels |
|---|---|---|
Johto | Falkner → Bugsy → Whitney → Morty → Chuck → Jasmine → Pryce → Clair | 8–45 |
Kanto | Brock → Misty → Lt. Surge → Erika → Janine → Sabrina → Blaine → Blue | 57–69 |
For any individual fight, use the team display in that leader's section rather than assuming vanilla Crystal teams. If you are building around a coming badge, the Team Builder, Type Chart, and each linked Pokemon profile are the useful next stops.
Johto Gym Leaders
Falkner - Violet City
Team overview
Falkner opens with Pidgey at level 8 and finishes with a level 11 Noctowl holding a Sitrus Berry. Noctowl brings Mud-Slap and Peck, so a fragile Rock-type can still have an annoying time.
Key Pokemon: Noctowl is the important target. Its Sitrus Berry can turn a near knockout into another chance to lower accuracy or chip with Peck.
Strategy & tips: Bring a reliable Rock or Electric attack if you have one, but do not make the whole plan depend on a slow, low-level Rock-type landing through Sand-Attack. Keep a backup damage option.
AI behavior: There is no source-backed turn script here. Plan around Sand-Attack and Mud-Slap as disruption tools rather than expecting a fixed move order.
Recommended counters: Electric-, Rock-, and Ice-type attacks are the clean answers. Fast neutral damage also works at these levels.
After defeating Falkner, you'll get the Zephyr Badge.
Bugsy - Azalea Town
Team overview
Bugsy uses Pineco and Ledian at level 15, then a level 16 Scyther with Berry Juice. The team is not pure Bug coverage: Ledian has ThunderPunch, while Scyther has U-turn and Pursuit.
Key Pokemon: Scyther is the closer and has the highest level. Berry Juice gives it extra staying power; Fury Cutter can also snowball if you let it keep attacking.
Strategy & tips: Fire, Flying, and Rock attacks all help, but watch Ledian before treating Water- or Flying-types as automatic answers. Remove Scyther before Fury Cutter gets repeated turns.
AI behavior: Pineco can stall with Harden, Ledian can set Reflect or confuse with Supersonic, and Scyther has pivoting pressure through U-turn.
Recommended counters: Fire-types are the most comfortable answer. Rock moves are excellent into Scyther, while Flying attacks handle the Bug core without relying on a slow matchup.
After defeating Bugsy, you'll get the Hive Badge.
Whitney - Goldenrod City
Team overview
Whitney has Clefairy and Teddiursa at level 20, followed by a level 21 Miltank holding a Sitrus Berry. Miltank carries Rollout, Attract, Stomp, and Milk Drink.
Key Pokemon: Miltank is still the fight. Milk Drink can erase progress, while Rollout becomes dangerous if it connects repeatedly.
Strategy & tips: Interrupt Rollout early if possible and do not leave a Pokemon in against repeated Stomp flinches just because it is close to winning. Bring reliable Fighting damage, but have a backup for Attract.
AI behavior: Clefairy can cause trouble with Charm, Sweet Kiss, and Metronome. Miltank's set rewards it for staying on the field, especially if Rollout is allowed to build.
Recommended counters: Fighting-types and strong Fighting moves are best. Rock- and Steel-types can take Normal damage better, but they still need a way to stop Miltank from healing.
After defeating Whitney, you'll get the Plain Badge.
Morty - Ecruteak City
Team overview
Morty uses Stantler at level 23, Haunter and Misdreavus at level 24, then a level 25 Gengar with a Sitrus Berry. Sleep, nightmares, Curse, Perish Song, Mean Look, and Dream Eater are all on the table.
Key Pokemon: Gengar is the main threat because Hypnosis plus Mean Look and Dream Eater can trap a bad matchup. Misdreavus also brings Perish Song and Pain Split.
Strategy & tips: Bring an awake, durable answer and avoid treating the battle as a simple Ghost-versus-Psychic quiz. A sleeping target gives Morty far too much room. Keep an Awaken or similar recovery item if your rules allow it.
AI behavior: Multiple team members use Hypnosis, and the Ghosts have punishment for long fights. Do not expect Morty to play like a straight damage race.
Recommended counters: Dark- and Ghost-type attacks are the direct route. Normal-types can ignore Ghost attacks, but they must handle the team's status and secondary coverage.
After defeating Morty, you'll get the Fog Badge.
Chuck - Cianwood City
Team overview
Chuck's level 29–31 team includes Primeape, Hitmontop, Sudowoodo, and Poliwrath. Poliwrath holds a Black Belt and uses Hypnosis, Mind Reader, Surf, and DynamicPunch.
Key Pokemon: Poliwrath is the closer. Mind Reader removes DynamicPunch's usual accuracy problem, and Hypnosis can create the turn it needs.
Strategy & tips: Do not bring one Psychic- or Flying-type and call the job done. Sudowoodo has Rock Slide and Wood Hammer, while Primeape carries Ice Punch. Focus down Poliwrath before a Mind Reader setup gets going.
AI behavior: Chuck has real coverage for the obvious counters. Sudowoodo and Primeape are there to punish a one-note anti-Fighting team.
Recommended counters: Fast Psychic and Flying attackers work well with a safe switch plan. Water- and Grass-types help against Sudowoodo, but Grass-types need to respect its Wood Hammer.
After defeating Chuck, you'll get the Storm Badge.
Jasmine - Olivine City
Team overview
Jasmine's level 35–36 team is Skarmory, Corsola, Magneton, Scizor, and Steelix. Scizor holds a Focus Band; Steelix holds a Quick Claw. Rain Dance appears on both Corsola and Magneton.
Key Pokemon: Steelix is the heavy hitter with Earthquake, Rock Slide, Iron Tail, and Crunch. Scizor can use Agility and Swords Dance before attacking with Bullet Punch.
Strategy & tips: Fire and Ground remain good, but Rain Dance can weaken Fire moves and Magneton punishes casual Water or Flying switches. Do not ignore Corsola just because it looks like the odd one out; Recover can drag the fight out.
AI behavior: Spikes, Rain Dance, setup moves, and speed manipulation make this more than a simple Steel-type check.
Recommended counters: Ground attackers are the most broadly useful. Fire-types are strong when rain is not active. Fighting coverage is useful into Steelix and Magneton but does not solve every member.
After defeating Jasmine, you'll get the Mineral Badge.
Pryce - Mahogany Town
Team overview
Pryce uses Dewgong and Jynx at level 31, Sneasel at level 32, and Piloswine at level 33 with a Sitrus Berry. Dewgong and Jynx both carry Rain Dance.
Key Pokemon: Piloswine is the final threat with Earthquake, Ice Fang, and Ancient Power. Jynx has Lovely Kiss plus Ice Punch and Psychic, while Sneasel carries Avalanche.
Strategy & tips: Fire is useful, but rain can blunt it and Piloswine has Ground coverage. Do not send an Electric-type in blindly: Piloswine is immune, and Sneasel has Metal Claw.
AI behavior: Sleep from Jynx and rain from the Water/Ice members can create ugly turns before Piloswine arrives.
Recommended counters: Fighting- and Rock-type attacks handle several members. Steel-types resist Ice attacks well, but they need a safe answer to Piloswine's Earthquake.
After defeating Pryce, you'll get the Glacier Badge.
Clair - Blackthorn City
Team overview
Clair's team ranges from level 42 to 45: Dragonair, Gyarados, Lapras, Dudunsparce, and Kingdra. Kingdra holds Leftovers and brings Agility, Surf, Hyper Beam, and Dragon Pulse.
Key Pokemon: Kingdra is the closer and is built to stay around. Lapras has Rest plus a Chesto Berry, while Gyarados has Ice Fang for Grass-type answers.
Strategy & tips: Do not build only for Dragonair. Clair's Water core means Ice, Dragon, Fairy, Electric, and Grass coverage all need to be chosen with the actual opposing member in mind. Keep Kingdra from getting a free Agility if you can.
AI behavior: Status, healing, and varied coverage make Clair's roster harder to solve with one type. Dragonair has Thunder Wave, Lapras can reset with Rest, and Kingdra can accelerate.
Recommended counters: Strong Dragon-, Fairy-, and Ice-type attacks are good into the Dragon side; Electric- and Grass-type attacks are useful for Gyarados and Lapras. Bring more than one answer.
After defeating Clair, you'll get the Rising Badge.
Kanto Gym Leaders
Brock - Pewter City
Team overview
Brock fields six level 66 Pokemon: Golem, Aerodactyl, Kabutops, Omastar, Relicanth, and Kleavor. Several carry offensive items, including Quick Claw, Hard Stone, Scope Lens, and Focus Band.
Key Pokemon: Aerodactyl has Sky Attack, Earthquake, and Fire Fang; Kabutops can set up Swords Dance; Kleavor has Stone Axe and Swords Dance. This is a full team, not a Golem speed bump.
Strategy & tips: Water and Grass are good starting points, but Aerodactyl punishes careless Grass-types and Relicanth has Thunderbolt. Do not depend on a single special Water-type with no plan for Omastar's Toxic or Kabutops setting up.
AI behavior: Brock's roster has setup, strong Rock coverage, and enough secondary moves to punish a narrow anti-Rock team.
Recommended counters: Water-, Grass-, Ground-, Fighting-, and Steel-type coverage all have uses. Prioritize a flexible team over six copies of Surf.
After defeating Brock, you'll get the Boulder Badge.
Misty - Cerulean City
Team overview
Misty's six-Pokemon team ranges from level 61 to 63: Golduck, Quagsire, Vaporeon, Milotic, Lapras, and Starmie. Vaporeon holds Leftovers, Lapras has Never-Melt Ice, and Starmie holds Mystic Water.
Key Pokemon: Starmie is the fastest-looking closer with Surf, Psychic, Recover, and Thunderbolt. Quagsire is the important exception to an Electric-first plan because it is immune to Electric attacks.
Strategy & tips: Bring Grass coverage for Quagsire, then keep an answer for Lapras and Starmie. Ice Beam is widespread across this team, so do not lean only on Grass-types without a defensive plan.
AI behavior: Rain Dance, Recover, Rest plus Sleep Talk, Reflect, and varied coverage can make Misty a long fight if you cannot force knockouts.
Recommended counters: Electric-types are excellent for most of the roster; Grass-types are required for Quagsire. Dark or Bug coverage helps with Starmie's Psychic side, though direct damage is usually simpler.
After defeating Misty, you'll get the Cascade Badge.
Lt. Surge - Vermilion City
Team overview
Lt. Surge uses Electrode at level 57, Lanturn and Manectric at 58, Magnezone and Electivire at 59, and Raichu at 60. Electrode has Explosion, while both Magnezone and Raichu can pair Rain Dance with Thunder.
Key Pokemon: Lanturn breaks the usual Ground-only answer through Hydro Pump. Electivire has both Fire Punch and Ice Punch, and Raichu has Surf.
Strategy & tips: Ground-types are still valuable, but only if you do not treat them as invincible. Bring a second answer for Lanturn and Raichu, and do not leave a weakened Pokemon in front of Electrode if Explosion would decide the fight.
AI behavior: Rain support makes Thunder reliable. Surge also carries paralysis, reflection, confusion, coverage punches, and one very obvious self-destruct button.
Recommended counters: Ground coverage handles Electrode, Magnezone, and Raichu well. Grass coverage is useful for Lanturn, while bulky special attackers can survive the team's broad coverage better than frail sweepers.
After defeating Lt. Surge, you'll get the Thunder Badge.
Erika - Celadon City
Team overview
Erika's team ranges from level 60 to 62: Jumpluff, Roserade, Tangrowth, Venusaur, Victreebel, and Bellossom. Venusaur has Leftovers and Sunny Day plus Solar Beam; Victreebel has Poison Barb and Swords Dance.
Key Pokemon: Venusaur is the weather setter and has Sleep Powder. Victreebel can set up with Swords Dance, while Jumpluff has Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, and U-turn.
Strategy & tips: Fire, Flying, Psychic, Ice, and Bug moves are all useful, but sleep is the tax you pay for showing up unprepared. Have a plan for Sunny Day strengthening Fire attacks on Erika's side too, especially if you rely on a Water-type.
AI behavior: Sleep, Leech Seed, Toxic, Stun Spore, Sunny Day, and setup moves give Erika multiple ways to slow the game down.
Recommended counters: Fast Flying- and Psychic-type attackers avoid some of the Grass resistance games. Fire-types are strong, but they should be ready for sleep and sun-boosted opposing Solar Beam.
After defeating Erika, you'll get the Rainbow Badge.
Janine - Fuchsia City
Team overview
Janine's level 61–64 team is Weezing, Muk, Swalot, Nidoqueen, Crobat, and Venomoth. Weezing holds Leftovers, Nidoqueen holds a Quick Claw, and Venomoth holds Bright Powder.
Key Pokemon: Nidoqueen is the coverage problem with Earthquake, Thunder, Superpower, and Cross Poison. Venomoth uses Toxic and Double Team, while Muk can set up Minimize and Acid Armor.
Strategy & tips: Psychic and Ground attacks are obvious, but Ground-types must respect Nidoqueen's coverage and Crobat's Air Slash. Bring accurate moves or a way to avoid getting bogged down by evasion and defensive setup.
AI behavior: Status and defensive moves are everywhere. Toxic, Confuse Ray, Minimize, Acid Armor, Amnesia, Stockpile, and Double Team can make a clean matchup painfully slow.
Recommended counters: Psychic-types handle most of the roster; Ground attacks are great into the grounded Poison-types. Rock or Electric coverage helps with Crobat.
After defeating Janine, you'll get the Soul Badge.
Sabrina - Saffron City
Team overview
Sabrina's team ranges from level 64 to 66: Mr. Mime, Jynx, Slowbro, Wobbuffet, Espeon, and Alakazam. Slowbro has a Chesto Berry, Wobbuffet holds Leftovers, and Alakazam holds a Twisted Spoon.
Key Pokemon: Alakazam is the fast closer with Psychic, Shadow Ball, Recover, and Calm Mind. Wobbuffet changes the usual damage race with Counter and Mirror Coat.
Strategy & tips: Do not throw your strongest attack into Wobbuffet without checking whether it is physical or special. Keep a Dark- or Bug-type answer healthy for Alakazam, and be ready for Slowbro to use Rest plus Sleep Talk.
AI behavior: Reflect, Substitute, recovery, sleep, Trick Room, Calm Mind, Counter, and Mirror Coat all reward patient play from Sabrina's side.
Recommended counters: Dark-, Ghost-, and Bug-type attacks are the direct answers to the Psychic core. Physical Dark attackers should be careful around Wobbuffet's Counter; special attackers should be careful around Mirror Coat.
After defeating Sabrina, you'll get the Marsh Badge.
Blaine - Cinnabar Island
Team overview
Blaine's six-Pokemon team ranges from level 65 to 67: Rapidash, Magmortar, Houndoom, Magcargo, Torkoal, and Camerupt. He has Sunny Day on Rapidash and Houndoom, while Torkoal carries a White Herb.
Key Pokemon: Camerupt has Earth Power and Eruption, Torkoal has Heat Wave after defensive setup, and Rapidash can use Sunny Day into Flare Blitz or Solar Beam.
Strategy & tips: Water and Ground are good answers, but sun cuts Water damage and several members carry coverage for the expected switch. Keep an eye on Camerupt if you are relying on Electric-types, and do not feed Torkoal free setup turns.
AI behavior: Blaine uses sun, recovery, bulk boosts, sleep, Yawn, and mixed coverage. It is a Fire team with more going on than clicking Flamethrower.
Recommended counters: Ground and Rock coverage are broadly valuable. Water-types are strong when sun is not active, while Fighting-types can help into Magcargo and Houndoom.
After defeating Blaine, you'll get the Volcano Badge.
Blue - Viridian City
Team overview
Blue's final Gym team ranges from level 67 to 69: Rhyperior, Pidgeot, Machamp, Exeggutor, Tyranitar, and Arcanine. Every member has a held item, including Leftovers on Exeggutor and a Focus Band on Tyranitar.
Key Pokemon: There is no single ace to prepare for. Rhyperior has Rest and Toxic, Exeggutor can set Trick Room, Tyranitar brings Dark and Rock pressure, and Arcanine has Extreme Speed.
Strategy & tips: Blue punishes type-specialist teams. Bring a balanced group with Water or Grass for Rhyperior, Electric or Rock for Pidgeot, Dark or Bug for Exeggutor, Fighting or Ground for Tyranitar, and a safe answer to Arcanine. Check your team for shared weaknesses before you walk in.
AI behavior: Blue has weather-free coverage, healing, Trick Room, priority, status, and several bulky attackers. Expect him to exploit whichever matchup you leave exposed.
Recommended counters: A balanced team is the counter. Water, Grass, Electric, Rock, Fighting, Ground, Dark, and Bug coverage all have jobs here; no one type carries the whole battle.
After defeating Blue, you'll get the Earth Badge.
Useful planning links
- Locations — find available encounters and revisit areas before a major battle.
- Type Chart — check weaknesses, resistances, and immunities.
- Team Builder — compare a prospective team against the battles ahead.
- Level Caps — plan around the level limits in your selected settings.
- TM & HM Locations — find source-verified field moves and useful battle options.
- Walkthrough & Progression Guide — see how each Gym fits into the wider Johto route.
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