Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have revamped the entire Gym system. You now have more flexibility in terms of the order in which you can challenge the Gyms. However, there is still an optimal level and order that will allow you to defeat them more easily.
In this comprehensive guide, I will cover everything you need to know about the Gyms in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
How Gym Mechanics Work in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Here are some key things you need to understand about how Gyms function in these games:
- You can challenge the Gyms in any order, but there is a recommended order based on level that will give you the best chance of winning
- Each Gym has a Gym Test puzzle you must solve before you can challenge the Gym Leader
- Instead of Gym trainers, you often have to battle regular NPC trainers as part of the Gym Test
- Gym Badges no longer restrict the levels of Pokemon that will obey you, just the number of badges affects this
- Gym Leaders and other major battles feature Terastallizing, which adds a Tera Type to Pokemon in battle
Recommended Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Gym Order
Here is the recommended order for taking on the Gyms from easiest to most difficult:
- Bug Gym – Cortondo – Levels 14-15
- Grass Gym – Artazon – Levels 16-17
- Electric Gym – Levincia – Levels 23-24
- Water Gym – Cascarrafa – Levels 29-30
- Normal Gym – Medali – Levels 35-36
- Ghost Gym – Montenevera – Levels 41-42
- Psychic Gym – Alfornada – Levels 44-45
- Ice Gym – Glaseado – Levels 47-48
Now let‘s take an in-depth look at each Gym.
Cortondo Gym – Bug Type
The first Gym you should challenge belongs to Katy in Cortondo. Here are the key details:
Recommended Levels: 14-15
Tera Type Used: Bug
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Rock
Gym Test
Katy’s Gym Test takes place in a small maze right outside the Gym. You must push an olive to the end of the maze to open the way to the Gym.
Pokemon Lineup
Katy uses three Pokemon:
- Nymble (Bug)
- Tarountula (Bug)
- Teddiursa (Normal/Bug)
Teddiursa is Terastallized into the Bug Tera Type.
Strategy
Use Fire, Flying, or Rock-type moves to deal super effective damage. Avoid Grass and Fighting-type Pokemon.
Reward
TM021 Pounce – Deals damage and lowers the target’s Speed
Bug Badge
Artazon Gym – Grass Type
Up next is Brassius in Artazon who uses Grass types:
Recommended Levels: 16-17
Tera Type Used: Grass
Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug
Gym Test
Find and bring Brassius 10 Sunflora to get access to the Gym. Some will also attack you.
Pokemon Lineup
Brassius has:
- Petilil (Grass)
- Smoliv (Grass/Normal)
- Sudowoodo (Grass)
The Sudowoodo is Terastalized.
Strategy
Counter them with Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug moves. Avoid Grass, Ground, Water types.
Reward
TM020 Trailblaze – Damages and raises user’s Speed
Leaf Badge
Levincia Gym – Electric Type
The third stop brings an Electric challenge from Gym Leader Iono in Levincia:
Recommended Levels: 23-24
Tera Type Used: Electric
Weaknesses: Ground
Gym Test
You must battle and defeat Trainers hiding among NPCs in the crowd. There are 3 total you must find and beat.
Pokemon Lineup
Iono has:
- Wattrel (Electric/Flying)
- Bellibolt (Electric)
- Luxio (Electric)
- Mismagius (Electric)
The Mismagius is Terastalized.
Strategy
Ground attacks are super effective. Avoid Electric, Grass, Bug, and Flying types. Beware paralysis moves.
Reward
TM048 Volt Switch – Damages and switches user’s Pokemon
Bolt Badge
Cascarrafa Gym – Water Type
For the fourth Gym challenge, face the Water-wielding leader Kofu in Cascarrafa:
Recommended Levels: 29-30
Tera Type Used: Water
Weaknesses: Grass, Electric
Gym Test
Help find Kofu’s lost wallet in Porto Marinada and participate in the local seaweed auction to unlock access to the Gym.
Pokemon Lineup
Kofu uses:
- Veluza (Water/Psychic)
- Wugtrio (Water)
- Crabominable (Water)
Crabominable is Terastalized.
Strategy
Counter them with Grass and Electric Pokemon. Avoid Fire, Water, Ice types.
Reward
TM022 Chilling Water – Water attack that lowers target’s Attack
Rain Badge
Medali Gym – Normal Type
The tricky Normal-type Gym in Medali is led by Larry:
Recommended Levels: 35-36
Tera Type Used: Normal
Weaknesses: Fighting
Gym Test
Figure out and order the secret menu item from Gym Trainers hints to get access to Larry. You must battle 2 Trainers.
Pokemon Lineup
Larry has:
- Komala (Normal)
- Dunsparce (Normal)
- Staraptor (Normal)
The Staraptor is Terastalized.
Strategy
Fight them with Fighting Pokemon and moves. Ghosts are ineffective though.
Reward
TM025 Facade – Doubles damage if user is status afflicted
Badge
Montenevera Gym – Ghost Type
Spirit-user Ryme awaits in Montenevera with her Ghost types:
Recommended Levels: 41-42
Tera Type Used: Ghost
Weaknesses: Dark, Ghost
Gym Test
Beat Trainers in Double Battles while spectators periodically boost your stats. Fight 2 Battles.
Pokemon Lineup
Ryme has:
- Banette (Ghost)
- Mimikyu (Ghost/Fairy)
- Houndstone (Ghost)
- Toxtricity (Electric/Poison)
Toxtricity is Terastralized.
Strategy
Fight Ghosts with Ghost, Dark Pokemon. Avoid Psychic, Normal moves. Watch out for Mimikyu‘s disguise.
Reward
TM114 Shadow Ball – Ghost move that may lower Special Defense
Specter Badge
Alfornada Gym – Psychic Type
Style-maven Tulip and her Psychic crew are next in Alfornada:
Recommended Levels: 44-45
Tera Type Used: Psychic
Weaknesses: Bug, Ghost, Dark
Gym Test
Select the correct emotion button choices from Gym Trainers to open the way to Tulip. Battle 2 Trainers.
Pokemon Lineup
Tulip has:
- Farigiraf (Normal/Psychic)
- Gardevoir (Psychic/Fairy)
- Espathra (Psychic)
- Florges (Psychic)
Florges is Terastralized.
Strategy
Counter with Bugs, Ghosts, and Dark creatures. Avoid Fighting and Psychic moves.
Reward
TM120 Psychic – Damages and may lower Special Defense
Badge
Glaseado Gym – Ice Type
Last is Grusha in the frosty Glaseado Gym wielding Ice:
Recommended Levels: 47-48
Tera Type Used: Ice
Weaknesses: Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel
Gym Test
Ride Koraidon/Miraidon down icy slopes through gates under a time limit.
Pokemon Lineup
Grusha uses:
- Frosmoth (Ice/Bug)
- Beartic (Ice)
- Cetitan (Ice)
- Altaria (Ice/Dragon)
The Altaria is Terastralized.
Strategy
Fight back with Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel moves. Avoid Ice types. Counter dual types properly.
Reward
TM124 Ice Spinner – Ice move that clears terrain
Frozen Badge
Take on the Pokemon League Next
Once you conquer all eight Gyms, you can take on the Elite Four and Champion. Check out our detailed guide on how to beat the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Elite Four and become Champion.
We also have a complete walkthrough on the optimal Pokemon Scarlet and Violet story path order, from beginning to end.
I hope this guide helps you strategize to defeat all the Gyms and continue your adventure in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet! Let me know if you have any other questions.
