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Pokemon Black and White Gym Leaders
Our Pokémon Black and White Gym Leaders guide gives you all the information and strategy tips you need to defeat all 8 gym leaders in the Unova region. It includes detailed information on a Gym Leader's team and strategy on how to defeat them. If you're looking for information on how to reach any of the eight gyms in Black & White or how to complete the puzzles in these gyms, check out our Black and White Walkthrough.
Pokémon Black White Gym Leaders
Gym #1 Sriaton City - Leader Chili, Cilan, Cress
#1 Lillipup
Type: 
Lv: 12
Ability: Vital Spirit
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Bite 
Work Up
Odor Sleuth
Helping Hand
#2 Pansear
Type:
Lv: 14
Ability: Gluttony
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Incinerate
Work Up
Lick 
Fury Swipes
#1 Lillipup
Type:
Lv: 12
Ability: Vital Spirit
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Bite
Work Up
Odor Sleuth
Helping Hand
#2 Pansage
Type:
Lv: 14
Ability: Gluttony
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Vien Whip
Work Up
Lick
Fury Swipes
#1 Lillipup
Type:
Lv: 12
Ability: Vital Spirit
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Bite
Work Up
Odor Sleuth
Helping Hand
#2 Panpour
Type:
Lv: 14
Ability: Gluttony
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Water Gun
Work Up
Lick
Fury Swipes
Strategy
Which of the three gym leaders above that you will face is determined by the starter Pokémon you chose. If you chose Snivy, you'll face Chili. If you chose Tepig, you'll face Cress. If you chose Oshawott, you'll face Cilan. This means that the gym leader will always have the type advantage against your starter.
To regain the type advantage, you should pick up a Pansage, Pansear, or Panpour by speaking to the black-haired girl in the Dreamyard to the east of town. She'll give you the correct "Pan" to get a type advantage.
Gym #2 Nacrene City - Leader Lenora
#1 Herdier
Type:
Lv: 18
Ability: Intimidate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Take Down
Bite
Retaliate
Leer
#2 Watchog
Type:
Lv: 20
Ability: Illuminate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Leer
Crunch
Retaliate
Hypnosis 
Strategy
Lenora uses Normal-type Pokémon. She has a Lv. 18 Herdier and a Lv. 20 Watchog. If you caught a Fighting-type or evolved Tepig you'll have some super effective options. But because it's a Normal-type gym thet type chart will play less of a role here, you should be able to use any team. Watchog knows Hypnosis and can put you to sleep, so watch out for that. She will also use a Super Potion if she can.
After defeating Lenora she will reward you with the Basic Badge. Traded Pokémon up to Lv. 30 will now obey you. She will also give you TM67 - Retaliate.
Gym #3 Castelia City - Leader Burgh
#1 Whirlipede
Type: 
Lv: 21
Ability: Poison Point
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Poison Tail
Struggle Bug
Pursuit
Screech
#2 Dwebble
Type:
Lv: 21
Ability: Sturdy
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Smack Down
Struggle Bug
Faint Attack
Sand-attack 
#3 Leavanny
Type:
Lv: 23
Ability: Swarm
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Razor Leaf
Struggle Bug
String Shot
Protect
Strategy
Burgh has a Lv. 21 Whirlipede, a Lv. 21 Dwebble, and a Lv. 32 Leavanny. It's a good idea to bring along some Antidotes, as his Pokémon can poison you. He has two Hyper Potions that he will use if his Pokémon get low on health. If you chose Tepig as your starter, this gym should be particularly easy. The only thing to note is that Dwebble is part Rock-type, so it doesn't have a Fire or Flying type weakness.
After defeating Burgh, you will receive the Insect Badge, which means Pokémon up to Lv. 40 will obey you. He'll also give you TM76 - Struggle Bug.
Gym #4 Nimbasa City - Leader Elesa
#1 Emolga
Type: 
Lv: 25
Ability: Static
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Pursuit
Quick Attack
Volt Switch
Aerial Ace
#2 Emolga
Type:
Lv: 25
Ability: Static
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Pursuit
Quick Attack
Volt Switch
Aerial Ace
#3 Zebstrika
Type:
Lv: 27
Ability: Lightningrod
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Quick Attack
Spark
Volt Switch
Flame Charge
Strategy
Elesa has two Lv. 25 Emolga and a Lv. 27 Zebstrika. The main thing of note is that her two Emolga can not be hit with Ground-type moves. This is why a Ground-type that knows a Rock-type move is very useful. She also has two Hyper Potions that she will use if you give her the chance. Her Zebstrika is powerful, but very susceptible to a couple Ground-type hits.
After winning the battle you'll get the Bolt Badge, which ensures Pokémon up to Lv. 50 will obey you. She'll also give you a copy of her favorite move TM72 - Volt Switch.
Gym #5 Nimbasa City - Leader Clay
#1 Krokorok
Type:
Lv: 29
Ability: Intimidate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Crunch
Swagger
Bulldoze
Torment
#2 Palpitoad
Type:
Lv: 29
Ability: Swift Swim
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Muddy Water
Aqua Ring
Bulldoze
Bubblebeam
#3 Excadrill
Type: 
Lv: 31
Ability: Sand Rush
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Slash
Rock Slide
Bulldoze
Hone Claws
Strategy
Clay uses a Lv. 29 Krokorok, a Lv. 29 Palpitoad, and a Lv. 31 Excadrill. The Excadrill can be quite tricky to deal with, as it's Steel-typing negates most of the Ground-type weaknesses. But Water-type moves should still do the trick. Don't keep Excadrill around too long though, as it will use Hone Claws to keep boosting its already high Attack stat. Clay also has two Hyper Potions he will use at the first opportunity.
After winning you'll get the Quake Badge, meaning Pokémon up to Lv. 60 will obey you. He says that he'll also give you a TM, but wants you to meet him at the end of Route 6 to collect it instead.
Gym #6 Mistralton City - Leader Skyla
#1 Swoobat
Type:
Lv: 33
Ability: Unaware
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Heart Stamp
Amnesia
Acrobatics
Assurance
#2 Unfezant
Type:
Lv: 33
Ability: Big Pecks
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Quick Attack
Air Slash
Leer
Razor Wind
#3 Swanna
Type:
Lv: 35
Ability: Keen Eye
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Aqua Ring
Aerial Ace
Air Slash
Bubblebeam
Strategy
Skyla uses a Lv. 33 Swoobat, a Lv. 33 Unfezant, and a Lv. 35 Swanna. Her Swanna could be tricky, but because of it's dual Water and Flying typing, you can probably OHKO with a solid Electric-type move. She also has two Hyper Potions that she'll use when she can.
Once you defeat Skyla you will be awarded the Jet Badge which means Pokémon up to Lv. 70 will now obey you. She'll also give you a copy of her favorite TM, TM62 - Acrobatics.
Gym #7 Icirrus City - Leader Brycen
#1 Vanillish
Type:
Lv: 37
Ability: Ice Body
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Mirror Shot
Acid Armor
Frost Breath
Astonish
#2 Cryogonal
Type:
Lv: 37
Ability: Levitate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Reflect
Aurora Beam
Frost Breath
Rapid Spin
#3 Espathra
Type:
Lv: 44
Ability: Opportunist
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Psychic
Quick Attack
Shadow Ball
Strategy
Brycen uses a Lv. 37 Vanillish, a Lv. 37 Cryogonal, and a Lv. 39 Beartic. The main things to be weary of in this battle are his ability to freeze you and confuse you with Beartic's Swagger. He also has two Hyper Potions he'll use if he can. Beyond that this is a pretty easy battle if you the type advantage, as his entire team is pure Ice-type.
After defeating Brycen you will get the Freeze Badge, which means that Pokémon up to Lv. 80 will obey you. He'll also give you his favorite, TM79 - Frost Breath.
Gym #8 Icirrus City - Leader Drayden or Iris
#1 Fraxure
Type:
Lv: 41
Ability: Rivalry
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Dragon Dance
Dragon Rage
Dragon Tail
Assurance
#2 Druddigon
Type:
Lv: 41
Ability: Rough Skin
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Chip Away
Revenge
Dragon Tail
Night Slash
#3 Haxorus
Type:
Lv: 43
Ability: Mold Breaker
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Dragon Dance
Slash
Dragon Tail
Assurance
#1 Fraxure
Type:
Lv: 41
Ability: Rivalry
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Dragon Dance
Dragon Rage
Dragon Tail
Assurance
#2 Druddigon
Type:
Lv: 41
Ability: Sheer Force
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Chip Away
Revenge
Dragon Tail
Night Slash
#3 Haxorus
Type:
Lv: 43
Ability: Mold Breaker
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Dragon Dance
Slash
Dragon Tail
Assurance
Strategy
You will either face Drayden (Black) or Iris (White) depending on the version of the game you are playing. Their teams are essentially the same either way, with the only differences being the gender and abilities of their Pokémon. They have a Lv. 41 Fraxure, a Lv. 41 Druddigon, and a Lv. 43 Haxorus. Be careful if you deal a lot of damage to Druddigon without killing it, as it can make you pay with the move Revenge. Combined with their two Hyper Potions, they can be tough if you aren't quite able to OHKO. Their Pokémon also know Dragon Dance, so they will be getting Attack and Speed buffs throughout.
After defeating Drayden or Iris you will receive the Legend Badge. This is the final gym badge, so all Pokémon will now obey you regardless of level or trade status! They will also reward you with their favorite TM82 - Dragon Tail.
Thanks for using our Pokémon Black White Gym Leaders guide!
