Pokemon Crystal Phase 9: Gym Strategy - Southern Kanto Leaders

Gym Strategy - Southern Kanto Leaders

Vermilion City Gym Leader

Lt. Surge, Vermilion City Gym

Ground types ignore Electric, hit Magneton super-effectively, and make this badge nearly free if you respect Explosion.

ElectrodeLv 40 ElectrodeLv 40 MagnetonLv 40 RaichuLv 44 ElectabuzzLv 46

Electrode Lv 40 MovesScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion ReadExplosion + Screech.

Electrode Lv 40 MovesScreechDouble TeamSwiftExplosion ReadSame.

Magneton Lv 40 MovesLock-OnDouble TeamSwiftZap Cannon ReadZap Cannon.

Raichu Lv 44 MovesThunder WaveQuick AttackThunderboltThunder ReadThunder + Quick Attack.

Electabuzz Lv 46 MovesQuick AttackThunderPunchLight ScreenThunder Read★ Ace — Thunderpunch + Light Screen.

Counters: A Ground-type (Dugtrio, Golem, Donphan) is immune to Electric and super-effective on all of it — a near-free badge. Just respect Electrode's Explosion.

Saffron City Gym Leader

Sabrina, Saffron City Gym

Dark moves are the clean answer. Her team is fast and special-heavy, but Dark shrugs off the Psychic pressure.

EspeonLv 46 Mr. MimeLv 46 AlakazamLv 48

Espeon Lv 46 MovesSand-AttackQuick AttackSwiftPsychic ReadFast Psychic.

Mr. Mime Lv 46 MovesBarrierReflectBaton PassPsychic ReadBarrier/Reflect walling.

Alakazam Lv 48 MovesRecoverFuture SightPsychicReflect Read★ Ace — Future Sight + Recover.

Counters: Dark users like Sneasel, Umbreon, or Houndoom are the cleanest answers. Bug/Ghost also work. Hit Alakazam hard enough that Recover does not drag the fight out.

Cerulean City Gym Leader

Misty, Cerulean City Gym

Electric handles most of the team, but Quagsire is immune. Keep a Grass answer ready before committing.

GolduckLv 42 QuagsireLv 42 LaprasLv 44 StarmieLv 47

Golduck Lv 42 MovesSurfDisablePsych UpPsychic ReadPsychic coverage.

Quagsire Lv 42 MovesSurfAmnesiaEarthquakeRain Dance Read★ Electric-immune — needs Grass.

Lapras Lv 44 MovesSurfPerish SongBlizzardRain Dance ReadBlizzard + Perish Song.

Starmie Lv 47 MovesSurfConfuse RayRecoverIce Beam ReadAce — fast Ice Beam/Recover.

Counters: Electric (Magneton/Raichu/Lanturn) sweeps everything except Quagsire (Water/Ground). Bring Grass for Quagsire and switch if Lapras starts a Perish Song clock.

Celadon City Gym Leader

Erika, Celadon City Gym

Fire is the clean route. Her team can sleep and drain, so bring an Awakening and keep tempo.

JumpluffLv 41 TangelaLv 42 VictreebelLv 46 BellossomLv 46

Jumpluff Lv 41 MovesMega DrainLeech SeedCotton SporeGiga Drain ReadCotton Spore/Leech Seed stall.

Tangela Lv 42 MovesVine WhipBindGiga DrainSleep Powder ReadSleep Powder + Giga Drain.

Victreebel Lv 46 MovesSunny DaySynthesisAcidRazor Leaf ReadRazor Leaf.

Bellossom Lv 46 MovesSunny DaySynthesisPetal DanceSolarBeam Read★ Ace — Sunny Day + SolarBeam.

Counters: Fire sweeps the whole gym if you stay ahead of the status turns. Flying, Ice, Bug, and Poison also hit hard. Carry an Awakening.