HeartGold & SoulSilver Gym Order: All 16 Badges & Red

HeartGold & SoulSilver Gym Order: All 16 Badges & Red — Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver guide card

All 16 HGSS Gym Leaders in order with teams and levels, the Elite Four, Lance and Red, plus where to go after Morty and why the Route 40 gate is shut.

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HGSS gym order: all 16 Gym Leaders at a glance

Johto Gyms 1–8, in the order the story leads you
GymType · levelsBadge unlocksTM
1. Falkner — Violet CityFlying · Lv 9–13Zephyr Badge: Rock Smash · traded Pokémon obey to Lv 20TM51 Roost
2. Bugsy — Azalea TownBug · Lv 15–17Hive Badge: Cut · traded Pokémon obey to Lv 30TM89 U-turn
3. Whitney — Goldenrod CityNormal · Lv 17–19Plain Badge: StrengthTM45 Attract
4. Morty — Ecruteak CityGhost · Lv 21–25Fog Badge: Surf · traded Pokémon obey to Lv 50TM30 Shadow Ball
5. Chuck — Cianwood CityFighting · Lv 29–31Storm Badge: FlyTM01 Focus Punch
6. Jasmine — Olivine CitySteel · Lv 30–35Mineral Badge: Traded Pokémon obey to Lv 70TM23 Iron Tail
7. Pryce — Mahogany TownIce · Lv 30–34Glacier Badge: WhirlpoolTM07 Hail
8. Clair — Blackthorn CityDragon · Lv 38–41Rising Badge: Waterfall · all traded Pokémon obey (8 badges)TM59 Dragon Pulse
Kanto Gyms 9–16, in the suggested order (only Blue is fixed: last)
GymType · levelsBadge unlocksTM
9. Lt. Surge — Vermilion CityElectric · Lv 47–53Thunder Badge: No field moveTM34 Shock Wave
10. Sabrina — Saffron CityPsychic · Lv 53–55Marsh Badge: No field moveTM48 Skill Swap
11. Misty — Cerulean CityWater · Lv 49–54Cascade Badge: No field moveTM03 Water Pulse
12. Erika — Celadon CityGrass · Lv 51–56Rainbow Badge: No field moveTM19 Giga Drain
13. Janine — Fuchsia CityPoison · Lv 44–50Soul Badge: No field moveTM84 Poison Jab
14. Brock — Pewter CityRock · Lv 51–54Boulder Badge: No field moveTM80 Rock Slide
15. Blaine — Seafoam IslandsFire · Lv 54–59Volcano Badge: No field moveTM50 Overheat
16. Blue — Viridian CityMixed · Lv 52–60Earth Badge: Rock ClimbTM92 Trick Room

In HeartGold SoulSilver, Chuck, Jasmine and Pryce can be fought in any order. If you are stuck after Morty, start the medicine errand.

Note — Obedience counts badges, not towns: A traded Pokémon obeys up to level 10 with no badge, 20 with one badge, 30 with two, 50 once you hold the Fog Badge and 70 once you hold the Mineral Badge. Any eight badges — Johto or Kanto — remove the cap.

Where to go after Morty: the SecretPotion for Amphy

After the Fog Badge the game stops pointing in one direction, and the Route 40 gatehouse looks like the obvious next door. It is not. Jasmine, the Olivine Gym Leader, is at the top of the lighthouse nursing a sick Ampharos, and her Gym stays empty until you bring it medicine from across the sea.

Go west to Olivine City

From Ecruteak take Route 38 and Route 39 to Olivine City.

Climb the Olivine Lighthouse and talk to Jasmine

At the top Jasmine asks you for medicine for Amphy, her Ampharos. This conversation is the trigger: until you have had it, the Cianwood pharmacist only runs his shop.

Jasmine asking for medicine beside Amphy in the Olivine Lighthouse in HeartGold
Talk to Jasmine beside Amphy to start the medicine errand. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Surf to Cianwood City — Routes 40 and 41

The Fog Badge lets you use Surf. Head west from Olivine’s beach along Route 40 and south-west over Route 41 to Cianwood City.

Find the Cianwood Pharmacy entrance

The Cianwood Pharmacy building and south-facing entrance on the HGSS map
Enter the Cianwood Pharmacy through the door facing the beach.

Get the SecretPotion from the Cianwood Pharmacy

The pharmacist at the Cianwood Pharmacy gives you the SecretPotion for free. You do not need to beat Chuck first — the pharmacy checks no badge — though his Gym is next door and gives Fly.

The Cianwood pharmacist offering Jasmine’s requested medicine in HeartGold
After Jasmine’s request, the pharmacist offers the medicine for Amphy. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Bring it back to the lighthouse

Give Jasmine the SecretPotion. Amphy recovers, and Jasmine goes back down to the Olivine Gym, where you can now battle her.

Jasmine beside the recovered Amphy in the relit Olivine Lighthouse in HeartGold
After you give Jasmine the SecretPotion, Amphy recovers and the lighthouse lights up again. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Why the Route 40 gate (Battle Frontier) turns you away

The gatehouse on Route 40 leads to the Battle Frontier, which is post-game. The man inside says he is first in line for the Frontier and tells you to get in line behind him. He does not move for any badge: the game only lets him step aside once you have entered the Hall of Fame by beating the Elite Four and Lance. After that he is found asleep on his feet beside the door, and the Frontier is open. Nothing on the way to your eighth badge is behind this gate.

Johto Gym Leaders in HeartGold & SoulSilver

Gym 1: Falkner — Violet City, Flying

North of Cherrygrove City along Route 30 and Route 31. Nothing gates it once Professor Elm has sent you out.

Falkner in the Violet City Gym in HeartGold
Falkner waits on the raised platform at the end of the Violet Gym walkway. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Falkner — Zephyr Badge · Lv 9–13

  • Pidgey — Lv. 9 — Tackle, Sand-Attack
  • Pidgeotto — Lv. 13 — Tackle, Roost, Gust

How to beat: Electric and Rock moves hit both birds hard; a Geodude from Route 46 or a Mareep from Route 32 resists Gust. Pidgeotto heals with Roost, so hit it hard rather than chipping.

Gym 2: Bugsy — Azalea Town, Bug

South through Route 32 and Union Cave. The Gym opens once you have cleared Team Rocket out of the Slowpoke Well in Azalea Town.

Bugsy in the Azalea Town Gym in HeartGold
Bugsy stands at the far platform of the Azalea Gym, beyond the spider lifts. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Bugsy — Hive Badge · Lv 15–17

How to beat: Fire, Flying and Rock all beat Bug. Scyther is the whole fight: it is fast, holds a Sitrus Berry and U-turns out of bad match-ups. Rock moves hit it four times over.

Gym 3: Whitney — Goldenrod City, Normal

Through Ilex Forest (Cut needs the Hive Badge) and Route 34 to Goldenrod City.

Whitney in the Goldenrod City Gym in HeartGold
Whitney stands at the raised platform at the back of the Goldenrod Gym. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Whitney — Plain Badge · Lv 17–19

  • Clefairy — Lv. 17 — DoubleSlap, Mimic, Encore, Metronome
  • Miltank — Lv. 19 — Lum Berry — Rollout, Attract, Stomp, Milk Drink

How to beat: Miltank is the wall: Rollout doubles each turn and Milk Drink heals half its HP. Fighting moves hit it hard; a Geodude or Onix resists Rollout. Its Lum Berry cures the first status you land, so plan to put it to sleep twice. A male lead risks Attract — lead with a female Pokémon or one whose gender does not matter.

Gym 4: Morty — Ecruteak City, Ghost

North of Goldenrod on Route 36, a strange tree blocks the road. Whitney’s Plain Badge is what makes the Goldenrod flower shop hand you the SquirtBottle that wakes it. Ecruteak City is beyond Route 37.

Morty in the Ecruteak City Gym in HeartGold
Morty waits on the final lit platform of the dark Ecruteak Gym. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Morty — Fog Badge · Lv 21–25

  • Gastly — Lv. 21 — Lick, Spite, Mean Look, Curse
  • Haunter — Lv. 21 — Hypnosis, Dream Eater, Curse, Nightmare
  • Gengar — Lv. 25 — Sitrus Berry — Hypnosis, Shadow Ball, Mean Look, Sucker Punch
  • Haunter — Lv. 23 — Curse, Mean Look, Sucker Punch, Night Shade

How to beat: Dark moves are the answer — Bite from a Totodile line or an Umbreon evolved by friendship — and Normal-types are immune to his Lick and Shadow Ball. Mean Look traps you, so lead with the Pokémon you want in the fight. Gengar holds a Sitrus Berry; a Normal-type with Bite or a Dark-type ends it fastest.

Gym 5: Chuck — Cianwood City, Fighting

Across the sea west of Olivine: Surf along Route 40 and Route 41 to Cianwood City. You will be here anyway for the SecretPotion (see where to go after Morty). Turn off the Gym’s waterfall with the winch before challenging Chuck.

Chuck in the Cianwood City Gym in HeartGold
Chuck is beneath the running waterfall on the right. This shows the Gym before the winch is turned. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Chuck — Storm Badge · Lv 29–31

  • Primeape — Lv. 29 — Leer, Double Team, Focus Punch, Rock Slide
  • Poliwrath — Lv. 31 — Sitrus Berry — Hypnosis, Surf, Focus Punch, Body Slam

How to beat: Flying and Psychic moves: a Pidgeotto, Noctowl or Xatu handles both. Focus Punch only lands if his Pokémon is not hit first that turn, so attack every turn rather than setting up. Poliwrath carries Hypnosis and Surf — bring an Awakening.

Gym 6: Jasmine — Olivine City, Steel

The Gym is empty until you bring the lighthouse Ampharos its medicine; Jasmine only returns after that (the SecretPotion errand).

Jasmine in the Olivine City Gym in HeartGold
Jasmine waits at the back of the Olivine Gym after Amphy recovers. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Jasmine — Mineral Badge · Lv 30–35

  • Magnemite — Lv. 30 — Thunderbolt, Supersonic, SonicBoom, Thunder Wave
  • Magnemite — Lv. 30 — Thunderbolt, Supersonic, SonicBoom, Thunder Wave
  • Steelix — Lv. 35 — Sitrus Berry — Screech, Sandstorm, Rock Throw, Iron Tail

How to beat: Fire and Fighting moves beat all three; Ground moves beat the Magnemite and hit Steelix neutrally. Water moves are the safe answer to Steelix. The Magnemite carry Thunderbolt, so keep Water- and Flying-types away from them.

Gym 7: Pryce — Mahogany Town, Ice

East of Ecruteak along Route 42 (through Mt. Mortar) to Mahogany Town. The Gym has no story gate: Chuck, Jasmine and Pryce can be beaten in any order.

Pryce in the Mahogany Town Gym in HeartGold
Pryce stands at the back of the Mahogany Gym’s final ice room. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Pryce — Glacier Badge · Lv 30–34

  • Seel — Lv. 30 — Snore, Hail, Icy Wind, Rest
  • Dewgong — Lv. 32 — Sleep Talk, Ice Shard, Aurora Beam, Rest
  • Piloswine — Lv. 34 — Sitrus Berry — Hail, Ice Fang, Mud Bomb, Blizzard

How to beat: Fire, Fighting, Rock and Steel moves beat Ice. Piloswine is Ice/Ground, so Water and Grass hit it hard too, and Electric does nothing. His Seel and Dewgong Rest to heal — hit them when they wake.

Gym 8: Clair — Blackthorn City, Dragon

The man at Mahogany’s east exit turns you back until Team Rocket is driven out of the Radio Tower in Goldenrod. After that, Route 44 and the Ice Path lead to Blackthorn City. Beating Clair gets you her TM, not the badge: she hands it over after you pass the elders’ test in the Dragon’s Den behind the Gym.

Clair in the Blackthorn City Gym in HeartGold
Clair waits on the medallion platform beyond the lava. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Clair — Rising Badge · Lv 38–41

  • Gyarados — Lv. 38 — Twister, Dragon Rage, Bite, Dragon Pulse
  • Dragonair — Lv. 38 — Thunder Wave, Fire Blast, Slam, Dragon Pulse
  • Dragonair — Lv. 38 — Thunder Wave, Aqua Tail, Slam, Dragon Pulse
  • Kingdra — Lv. 41 — Sitrus Berry — SmokeScreen, Hydro Pump, Hyper Beam, Dragon Pulse

How to beat: Ice moves beat the Dragonair four times over, and Electric beats Gyarados. Kingdra (Water/Dragon) takes neutral damage from almost everything except Dragon moves — Dragon Pulse or Outrage is the cleanest answer. Both Dragonair carry Thunder Wave, so bring Parlyz Heals.

HeartGold Elite Four and Champion Lance

With all eight Johto badges, go through Route 27 and Route 26 to the Pokémon League Reception Gate, where a guard checks your badges, and on through Victory Road to the Indigo Plateau. The five battles are back to back; you can use items between them but cannot leave to heal.

Indigo Plateau entrance on the HeartGold and SoulSilver map
The Indigo Plateau entrance. Map view; the Elite Four and Champion rooms are inside.

Will waits in the first League room

Will is your first Elite Four opponent. Prepare Dark or Ghost moves for his Psychic team before entering.

Will standing at the end of the first Elite Four room in HeartGold
Will waits at the far end of the first Elite Four room. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

First-battle levels, held items and moves:

Elite Four Will — Psychic · Lv 40–42

  • Xatu — Lv. 40 — U-turn, Me First, Confuse Ray, Psychic
  • Jynx — Lv. 41 — DoubleSlap, Lovely Kiss, Ice Punch, Psychic
  • Exeggutor — Lv. 41 — Reflect, Hypnosis, Egg Bomb, Psychic
  • Slowbro — Lv. 41 — Curse, Amnesia, Water Pulse, Psychic
  • Xatu — Lv. 42 — Sitrus Berry — Aerial Ace, Ominous Wind, Confuse Ray, Psychic

Elite Four Koga

Koga in the Pokémon League room in HeartGold
Koga waits in the 2nd League room. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy with prepared League boundary flags. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

First-battle levels, held items and moves:

Elite Four Koga — Poison · Lv 40–44

  • Ariados — Lv. 40 — Poison Jab, Spider Web, Baton Pass, Giga Drain
  • Venomoth — Lv. 41 — Supersonic, Gust, Psychic, Toxic
  • Forretress — Lv. 43 — Protect, Swift, Explosion, Toxic Spikes
  • Muk — Lv. 42 — Black Sludge — Minimize, Screech, Gunk Shot, Toxic
  • Crobat — Lv. 44 — Sitrus Berry — Double Team, Quick Attack, Wing Attack, Poison Fang

Elite Four Bruno

Bruno in the Pokémon League room in HeartGold
Bruno waits in the 3rd League room. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy with prepared League boundary flags. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

First-battle levels, held items and moves:

Elite Four Bruno — Fighting · Lv 42–46

  • Hitmontop — Lv. 42 — Counter, Quick Attack, Dig, Triple Kick
  • Hitmonlee — Lv. 42 — Swagger, Focus Energy, Hi Jump Kick, Blaze Kick
  • Hitmonchan — Lv. 42 — ThunderPunch, Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Bullet Punch
  • Onix — Lv. 43 — DragonBreath, Earthquake, Sandstorm, Rock Slide
  • Machamp — Lv. 46 — Sitrus Berry — Rock Slide, Foresight, Revenge, Cross Chop

Elite Four Karen

Karen in the Pokémon League room in HeartGold
Karen waits in the 4th League room. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy with prepared League boundary flags. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

First-battle levels, held items and moves:

Elite Four Karen — Dark · Lv 42–47

  • Umbreon — Lv. 42 — Double Team, Confuse Ray, Faint Attack, Payback
  • Vileplume — Lv. 42 — Stun Spore, Acid, Moonlight, Petal Dance
  • Gengar — Lv. 45 — Lick, Spite, Focus Blast, Destiny Bond
  • Murkrow — Lv. 44 — Pluck, Whirlwind, Sucker Punch, Faint Attack
  • Houndoom — Lv. 47 — Sitrus Berry — Nasty Plot, Dark Pulse, Flamethrower, Crunch

Champion Lance

Lance in the Pokémon League room in HeartGold
Lance waits in the 5th League room. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy with prepared League boundary flags. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

First-battle levels, held items and moves:

Champion Lance — Dragon · Lv 46–50

  • Gyarados — Lv. 46 — Flail, Dragon Pulse, Waterfall, Ice Fang
  • Dragonite — Lv. 49 — Thunder Wave, Dragon Rush, Thunder, Hyper Beam
  • Dragonite — Lv. 49 — Thunder Wave, Dragon Rush, Blizzard, Hyper Beam
  • Aerodactyl — Lv. 48 — Aerial Ace, Crunch, Rock Slide, Thunder Fang
  • Charizard — Lv. 48 — Shadow Claw, Air Slash, Dragon Claw, Fire Fang
  • Dragonite — Lv. 50 — Sitrus Berry — Fire Blast, Safeguard, Outrage, Hyper Beam

How to beat them: Dark and Ghost moves for Will; Psychic and Ground for Koga; Flying and Psychic for Bruno (Onix aside); Fighting and Bug for Karen. Lance’s three Dragonite are Dragon/Flying and take four times damage from Ice — an Ice Beam user is the single most useful Pokémon for this whole run. Electric handles his Gyarados; Rock or Water handles Charizard and Aerodactyl.

Kanto gym order in HeartGold & SoulSilver

After the League, Professor Elm gives you the S.S. Ticket for the boat from Olivine to Vermilion, and the Reception Gate’s east exit leads along Route 22 into Viridian City. The Kanto leaders are all in the 44–60 range, so the order is yours; three rules decide it: Misty is away from her Gym until you find her on Route 25, Blaine can only be reached by Surf, and Blue opens his Gym only after the other seven.

Gym 9: Lt. Surge — Vermilion City, Electric

The S.S. Aqua from Olivine docks in Vermilion City, so Lt. Surge is the natural first Kanto Gym.

Lt. Surge in the Vermilion City Gym in HeartGold
Lt. Surge waits beyond the laser barriers. The barriers remain closed in this prepared leader-room arrival. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Lt. Surge — Thunder Badge · Lv 47–53

  • Raichu — Lv. 51 — Thunder Wave, Quick Attack, Shock Wave, Double Team
  • Electrode — Lv. 47 — Thunder Wave, Double Team, Shock Wave, Light Screen
  • Magneton — Lv. 47 — Supersonic, Double Team, Shock Wave, Mirror Shot
  • Electrode — Lv. 47 — Screech, Double Team, Selfdestruct, Charge Beam
  • Electabuzz — Lv. 53 — Sitrus Berry — Quick Attack, Shock Wave, Light Screen, Low Kick

How to beat: Ground-types are immune to every Electric move here and hit all five super-effectively; Magneton (Electric/Steel) takes four times damage from Ground. Mind Electrode’s Selfdestruct.

Gym 10: Sabrina — Saffron City, Psychic

Saffron City is one route north of Vermilion.

Sabrina in the Saffron City Gym in HeartGold
Sabrina stands at the central platform of the Saffron Gym, reached through its teleporters. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Sabrina — Marsh Badge · Lv 53–55

  • Espeon — Lv. 53 — Shadow Ball, Skill Swap, Calm Mind, Psychic
  • Mr. Mime — Lv. 53 — Mimic, Light Screen, Skill Swap, Psychic
  • Alakazam — Lv. 55 — Sitrus Berry — Skill Swap, Psychic, Energy Ball, Reflect

How to beat: Dark-types are immune to her Psychic and hit back super-effectively; Bug and Ghost moves also work. Espeon uses Calm Mind, so knock it out before it stacks.

Gym 11: Misty — Cerulean City, Water

Find Misty on Route 25

Misty is not in her Gym on your first visit: a Team Rocket grunt bolts out, and she is out on Route 25 north of Cerulean City. Find her there and she returns.

Misty speaking to the player beside the water on Route 25 in HeartGold
Misty reacts when you interrupt her date on Route 25, then returns to her Gym. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Return to Cerulean Gym

Return to the Cerulean Gym to challenge Misty after she leaves Route 25.

Misty in the Cerulean City Gym in HeartGold
Misty waits in the Cerulean Gym after returning from Route 25. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Misty — Cascade Badge · Lv 49–54

  • Golduck — Lv. 49 — Water Pulse, Disable, Psych Up, Psychic
  • Quagsire — Lv. 49 — Water Pulse, Amnesia, Earthquake, Rain Dance
  • Lapras — Lv. 52 — Water Pulse, Sing, Ice Beam, Body Slam
  • Starmie — Lv. 54 — Sitrus Berry — Water Pulse, Confuse Ray, Recover, Ice Beam

How to beat: Electric and Grass moves; Quagsire (Water/Ground) is immune to Electric and takes four times damage from Grass. Lapras can Sing you to sleep.

Gym 12: Erika — Celadon City, Grass

Celadon City is west of Saffron.

Erika in the Celadon City Gym in HeartGold
Erika stands at the raised garden at the back of the Celadon Gym. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Erika — Rainbow Badge · Lv 51–56

  • Jumpluff — Lv. 51 — U-turn, Leech Seed, Sunny Day, Giga Drain
  • Tangela — Lv. 52 — AncientPower, Wring Out, Giga Drain, Sleep Powder
  • Victreebel — Lv. 56 — Sunny Day, Synthesis, Grass Knot, Leaf Storm
  • Bellossom — Lv. 56 — Sitrus Berry — Sunny Day, Synthesis, Giga Drain, SolarBeam

How to beat: Fire and Flying moves. Her team sets up Sunny Day, which also powers up your Fire moves — a Fire-type is doubly good here.

Gym 13: Janine — Fuchsia City, Poison

Koga has joined the Elite Four; his daughter Janine runs the Gym in Fuchsia City. Her team is the lowest-levelled in Kanto.

Janine in the Fuchsia City Gym in HeartGold
Janine stands at the middle of the Fuchsia Gym, with its disguised trainers nearby. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Janine — Soul Badge · Lv 44–50

  • Crobat — Lv. 47 — Screech, Supersonic, Confuse Ray, Wing Attack
  • Weezing — Lv. 44 — Double Hit, Sludge Bomb, Toxic, Explosion
  • Ariados — Lv. 47 — Scary Face, Poison Jab, Pin Missile, Psychic
  • Ariados — Lv. 47 — Pin Missile, Poison Jab, Swagger, Night Shade
  • Venomoth — Lv. 50 — Sitrus Berry — Sludge Bomb, Double Team, Signal Beam, Psychic

How to beat: Psychic moves hit all five; Ground moves hit everything except Crobat. Weezing knows Explosion — do not leave a weakened Pokémon in front of it.

Gym 14: Brock — Pewter City, Rock

Pewter City is in the far north-west of Kanto, above Viridian City.

Brock in the Pewter City Gym in HeartGold
Brock stands at the back platform of the Pewter Gym. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Brock — Boulder Badge · Lv 51–54

  • Graveler — Lv. 51 — Defense Curl, Rock Slide, Rollout, Earthquake
  • Rhyhorn — Lv. 51 — Sandstorm, Scary Face, Earthquake, Horn Drill
  • Omastar — Lv. 53 — AncientPower, Brine, Protect, Spike Cannon
  • Onix — Lv. 54 — Sitrus Berry — Iron Tail, Rock Slide, Screech, Sandstorm
  • Kabutops — Lv. 52 — Rock Slide, Aqua Jet, Endure, Giga Drain

How to beat: Water and Grass moves; Graveler, Rhyhorn and Onix take four times damage from both. Omastar and Kabutops resist Water — use Grass on them.

Gym 15: Blaine — Seafoam Islands, Fire

Cinnabar Island’s volcano destroyed his Gym, so Blaine battles inside the Seafoam Islands on Route 20 — Surf there from Fuchsia or from Cinnabar Island.

Blaine in the Seafoam Islands Gym in HeartGold
Blaine stands at the cave Gym in the Seafoam Islands. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Blaine — Volcano Badge · Lv 54–59

How to beat: Water and Ground moves. Every Pokémon holds a White Herb, which undoes the Special Attack drop from its first Overheat — expect two full-power Overheats, not one.

Gym 16: Blue — Viridian City, Mixed

Always last. The Viridian City Gym is locked, and Blue stands on Cinnabar Island. With fewer than seven Kanto badges he sends you away; with seven he tells you to meet him in Viridian, and the Gym opens.

Blue in the Viridian City Gym in HeartGold
Blue stands at the back platform of the Viridian Gym, beyond the arrow tiles. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Gym Leader Blue — Earth Badge · Lv 52–60

  • Exeggutor — Lv. 55 — Leaf Storm, Psychic, Hypnosis, Trick Room
  • Arcanine — Lv. 58 — Roar, Dragon Pulse, Flare Blitz, ExtremeSpeed
  • Rhydon — Lv. 58 — Megahorn, Stone Edge, Thunder Fang, Earthquake
  • Gyarados — Lv. 52 — Ice Fang, Waterfall, Dragon Dance, Return
  • Machamp — Lv. 56 — DynamicPunch, Earthquake, Stone Edge, ThunderPunch
  • Pidgeot — Lv. 60 — Sitrus Berry — Return, Whirlwind, Air Slash, Mirror Move

How to beat: No single type covers him. Exeggutor sets up Trick Room, which lets his slow Rhydon and Machamp move first for five turns — knock Exeggutor out quickly or stall the turns with Protect. Pidgeot is his strongest Pokémon; Electric and Ice beat it.

How to get to Mt. Silver and beat Red

  1. Show Professor Oak all 16 badges Talk to Oak in his lab in Pallet Town with every Johto and Kanto badge. He arranges permission to enter Mt. Silver.
  2. Go west from the Pokémon League Reception Gate The gate’s west exit is Route 28, which leads to Mt. Silver. Red stands silently at the summit.

Red waits at the snowy summit

Prepare your counter-team before speaking to Red at the summit.

Red above the snowy summit staircase on Mt. Silver in HeartGold
Red stands above the summit staircase. In-game screenshot, Pokémon HeartGold (Nintendo DS), captured in melonDS from a prepared local save copy. © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK.

Pokémon Trainer Red — Mt. Silver summit · Lv 80–88

  • Pikachu — Lv. 88 — Light Ball — Volt Tackle, Iron Tail, Quick Attack, Thunderbolt
  • Lapras — Lv. 80 — Blizzard, Brine, Psychic, Body Slam
  • Snorlax — Lv. 82 — Shadow Ball, Crunch, Blizzard, Giga Impact
  • Venusaur — Lv. 84 — Sludge Bomb, Giga Drain, Sleep Powder, Frenzy Plant
  • Charizard — Lv. 84 — Flare Blitz, Air Slash, Blast Burn, Dragon Pulse
  • Blastoise — Lv. 84 — Focus Blast, Hydro Cannon, Blizzard, Flash Cannon

How to beat him: this is the hardest fight in the game and there is no level cap to hide behind — bring a team in the 70s–80s and Full Restores. Pikachu holds a Light Ball, which doubles its attacks: a Ground-type that outlasts Iron Tail ends it. Lapras, Snorlax and Blastoise all carry Blizzard, so a Fire- or Steel-type blunts three of his six. Venusaur and Charizard are the two to plan a counter for.

HGSS gym order FAQ

Where do I go after Morty in HeartGold and SoulSilver?
To Olivine City: climb the lighthouse, then Surf west over Routes 40 and 41 to Cianwood for the SecretPotion, and bring it back to Jasmine. Chuck, Jasmine and Pryce can then be fought in any order.
Where is the SecretPotion in HeartGold?
The pharmacist in Cianwood City gives it to you for free — but only after you have spoken to Jasmine at the top of the Olivine Lighthouse.
Do I have to beat Chuck before getting the SecretPotion?
No. The Cianwood Pharmacy checks no badge; talking to Jasmine first is the only condition.
Why won’t the man in the Route 40 gate let me through?
That gate is the entrance to the Battle Frontier, which opens after you enter the Hall of Fame. He stands aside once you have beaten the Elite Four and Lance.
What is the Kanto gym order in HeartGold?
Any order you like, with Blue last. A common route is Lt. Surge, Sabrina, Misty, Erika, Janine, Brock, Blaine, then Blue in Viridian City.
How do you get to Mt. Silver in HeartGold and SoulSilver?
Collect all 16 badges and show them to Professor Oak in Pallet Town. Then leave the Pokémon League Reception Gate to the west along Route 28.
What level is Red in HeartGold and SoulSilver?
His team is level 80–88, led by a level 88 Pikachu holding a Light Ball.