Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen: Gym Leaders & How to Beat Them

Brock of Pewter City

Type: Rock
Prizes: $1400, TM39 Rock Tomb, Availability to Flash
Suggested Pokemon: Mankey

Geodude
Geodude @ None
Level 12
Ability: Rock Head
– Tackle
– Defense Curl
Onix
Onix @ None
Level 14
Ability: Rock Head
– Tackle
– Bind
– Rock Tomb

Brock, being the first gym leader, is also the easiest. His team can be taken down by a Water-type or a Grass-type. Thing is… there aren’t any of these available before him. Mankey, on the other hand, can put a hurting on Brock’s team, despite Onix’s excellent Defense. Your starter will also help, especially Squirtle and Bulbasaur, but Charmander gets access to Metal Claw at level 13, so there’s no worries there.

Misty of Cerulean City

Spr FRLG Misty Type: Water
Prizes: $2100, TM03 Water Pulse, Availability to Cut
Suggested Pokemon: Paras, Pikachu

Staryu
Staryu @ None
Level 18
Ability: Natural Cure
– Tackle
– Recover
– Harden
– Water Pulse
Starmie
Staryu @ None
Level 21
Ability: Natural Cure
– Rapid Spin
– Swift
– Recover
– Water Pulse

Paras is a great candidate for Misty, as well as Pikachu. With availability to Bug AND Grass type moves, it’s the perfect counter for Starmie. Stun Spore or Poisonpowder it, then spam Leech Life or switch into Pikachu to zap it.

Lt. Surge of Vermillion City

Spr FRLG Lt Surge Type: Electric
Prizes: $2400, TM34 Shock Wave, Availability to Fly
Suggested Pokemon: Geodude

Voltorb
Voltorb @ None
Level 21
Ability: Soundproof
– Shock Wave
– Tackle
– Sonicboom
– Screech
Pikachu
Pikachu @ None
Level 18
Ability: Static
– Quick Attack
– Double Team
– Thunder Wave
– Shock Wave
Raichu
Raichu @ None
Level 24
Ability: Static
– Quick Attack
– Double Team
– Thunder Wave
– Shock Wave

Geodude shouldn’t have much of an issue here, considering none of their attacks can really damage it much. It learns Magnitude at level 16, and that’s all you’re going to need to defeat Lt. Surge.

Erika of Celadon City

Spr FRLG Erika
Type: Grass
Prizes: $2900, TM19 Giga Drain, Availability to Strength
Suggested Pokemon: Fearow, Pidgeotto, Vulpix/Growlithe

Victreebel
Victreebel @ None
Level 29
Ability: Chlorophyll
– Giga Drain
– Stun Spore
– Acid
– Poisonpowder
Tangela
Tangela @ None
Level 24
Ability: Chlorophyll
– Poisonpowder
– Constrict
– Ingrain
– Giga Drain
Vileplume
Vileplume @ None
Level 29
Ability: Chlorophyll
– Sleep Powder
– Acid
– Stun Spore
– Giga Drain

Erika’s team isn’t very defensive (besides Tangela) and can be taken down by any strong Flying-type, like Pidgeot and Fearow. Fly will take down just about every one of Erika’s team. Vulpix and Growlithe will also deal with Erika well.

Koga of Fuschia City

Spr FRLG Koga Type: Poison
Prizes: $4300, TM06 Toxic, Availability to Surf
Suggested: Hypno, Kadabra

Koffing
Koffing @ None
Level 37
Ability: Levitate
– Sludge
– Smokescreen
– Toxic
– Selfdestruct
Koffing
Koffing @ None
Level 37
Ability: Levitate
– Sludge
– Smokescreen
– Toxic
– Selfdestruct
Muk
Muk @ None
Level 38
– Minimize
– Acid Armor
– Toxic
– Sludge
Weezing
Weezing @ None
Level 43
– Tackle
– Sludge
– Toxic
– Smokescreen

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Koga’s team is unbalanced, but his Pokemon are sturdy to non-supereffective attacks. Bring along a strong Psychic-type to take him down. Hypno works by hypnotizing them and using Dream Eater or can just attack head on with Psychic. Alakazam is even better, but Hypno is sturdier and easier to obtain.

Sabrina of Saffron City

Spr FRLG Sabrina Type: Psychic
Prizes: $4300, TM04 Calm Mind, Availability to Rock Smash
Suggested Pokemon: Haunter/Gengar

Kadabra
Kadabra @ None
Level 38
– Psybeam
– Reflect
– Future Sight
– Calm Mind
Mr. Mime
Mr. Mime @ None
Level 38
– Psybeam
– Barrier
– Baton Pass
– Calm Mind
Venomoth
Venomoth @ None
Level 38
– Psybeam
– Gust
– Supersonic
– Leech Life
Alakazam
Kadabra @ None
Level 38
– Psychic
– Recover
– Future Sight
– Calm Mind

Sabrina’s pretty challenging, considering Psychic is a great offensive type. Ghost is your only hope of beating her, so use a Haunter or Gengar to smack her team around. Venomoth will need a Fire-type or Rock-type, but besides that, you shouldn’t have much of a problem.

Blaine of Cinnabar Island

Spr FRLG Blaine
Type: Fire
Prizes: $4700, TM50 Overheat, Availability to Waterfall
Suggested Pokemon: Golduck, Gyarados

Growlithe
Growlithe @ None
Level 42
Ability: Intimidate
– Bite
– Take Down
– Roar
– Fire Blast
Ponyta
Ponyta @ None
Level 40
Ability: Flash Fire
– Stomb
– Bounce
– Fire Spin
– Fire Blast
Rapidash
Rapidash @ None
Level 42
Ability: Flash Fire
– Stomb
– Bounce
– Fire Spin
– Fire Blast
Arcanine
Arcanine @ None
Level 47
Ability: Intimidate
– Bite
– Take Down
– Roar
– Fire Blast

Blaine’s team is basically the same two Pokemon just stronger. A Gyarados will take care of him completely, as well as a Golduck. Rain Dance sets are great as well, and dampen his Pokemon’s ability.

Giovanni of Viridian City

Spr FRLG Giovanni
Type: Ground
Prizes: $5000, TM26 Earthquake
Suggested Pokemon: Gyarados, Starmie

Rhyhorn
Rhyhorn @ None
Level 45
Ability: Lightningrod
– Take Down
– Scary Face
– Rock Blast
– Earthquake
Dugtrio
Dugtrio @ None
Level 42
Ability: Sand Veil
– Slash
– Sand Tomb
– Mud Slap
– Earthquake
Nidoqueen
Nidoqueen @ None
Level 44
Ability: Poison Point
– Poison Sting
– Body Slam
– Double Kick
– Earthquake
Nidoking
Nidoking @ None
Level 45
Ability: Poison Point
– Poison Sting
– Thrash
– Double Kick
– Earthquake
Rhyhorn
Rhyhorn @ None
Level 50
Ability: Lightningrod
– Take Down
– Scary Face
– Rock Blast
– Earthquake

Gyarados will be able to sufficiently take down Giovanni, though a special Water-type like Starmie will also work great, especially for Nidoking and Nidoqueen.