Location: Violet City
Gym Leader: Falkner
Specialty: Flying-type
Reward: Zephyr Badge, TM31, Can use HM05 - Flash

Puzzle:
The first leader in Johto is the young Flying-type master. His gym has no puzzle to complete, and can be challenged as soon as you get to Violet City. However, it is recommended you train in Sprout Tower before taking on the gym challenge. The S-shaped gym hosts two trainers before Falkner, both of whom use the Flying-type birds Pidgey and Spearow that you meet early in the game. Falkner himself isn't that much of a challenge; Cyndaquil or Totodile can take them out quickly. If you chose the former, watch for their special move Mud-Slap, which deals Ground-type damage and lowers your Pokemon's accuracy. Chikorita will need to call in assistance from another Pokemon like Geodude or Onix, who can be caught in the Dark Cave or traded for in Violet City respectively. The prizes for this match are TM31 Mud Slap, the Zephyr Badge, the ability to use Flash outside of battle, and a slight boost in your Pokemon's Attack stat.

Gym Leader Falkner	Pidgey	Pidgeotto
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 7	Level 9
	Attacks: Tackle Mud-Slap	Attacks: Tackle Mud-Slap Gust

Location: Azalea Town
Gym Leader: Bugsy
Specialty: Bug-type
Reward: Insect Badge, TM49, Can use HM01 - Cut

Puzzle:
The gender ambiguous Bugsy is your next challenge in Azalea Town. Like in Violet City, there is no true gym puzzle - simply beat the trainers to get to the leader. The gym, of course, is packed with Bug-type users, and can only be accessed once Team Rocket is cleared out of the Slowpoke Well. Bugsy's first two Pokemon shouldn't be any trouble, as they have very weak attacks and low stats. Cyndaquil or a good Rock-type/Flying-type Pokemon can make quick work of them. Scyther, however, is a bit trickier. It will use the move Fury Cutter, which increases in power as it is used repeatedly. This can be very dangerous if you don't have a Pokemon who can resist it. Fortunately, since it is part Flying-type itself, a Flaaffy can best it with a strong Thundershock move. The prizes for besting the Bug-type trainee are TM49 Fury Cutter, the Hive Badge, the ability to use Cut outside of battle, and the full command of outsider Pokemon up to Level 30.

Gym Leader Bugsy	Metapod	Kakuna	Scyther
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 14	Level 14	Level 16
	Attacks: Tackle String Shot Harden	Attacks: Poison Sting String Shot Harden	Attacks: Quick Attack Leer Fury Cutter

Location: Goldenrod City
Gym Leader: Whitney
Specialty: Normal-type
Reward: Plain Badge, TM45, Can use HM04 - Strength

Puzzle:
Goldenrod Gym's Clefairy maze shouldn't be that hard to navigate, although Whitney is a very frustrating Gym Leader in battle. Boasting the incredible Pokemon Miltank, the young lass will annoy you to no end with moves like Stomp, Metronome, Rollout, Mimic, Encore, and Milk Drink. Your best bet is to either use a Gastly you caught earlier in the game or trade for the Machop at the Department Store. Miltank's Attract can be very annoying, since it will more likely then not render your starter useless if it's of the male gender. Bayleef may actually come in handy here, as it resists Rollout. Rollout, like Fury Cutter, increases in damage as momentum is built, though it is much more powerful. If you beat Whitney, you'll receive TM45 Attract, a slight bump in the Speed of your Pokemon, the Plain Badge, and the ability to use Strength outside of battle. You will also be able to get the Squirtbottle in the flower shop next door to spray Sudowoodo with. Whitney will try and refuse to give you the badge at first, but if you talk to the trainer below her, you'll find out how to change her mind.

Gym Leader Whitney	Clefairy	Miltank
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 18	Level 20
	Attacks: Doubleslap Mimic Encore Metronome	Attacks: Rollout Attract Stomp Milk Drink

Location: Ecruteak City
Gym Leader: Morty
Specialty: Ghost-type
Reward: Fog Badge, TM45, Can use HM03 - Surf

Puzzle:
Morty's gym features the first true puzzle: there is a path in the dark field you must navigate or else you'll be sent back to the front. It might take some practice, but if you make sure to face every trainer you'll get it eventually. The trainers in the gym all use Ghost-type Pokemon, which can't be hit by Normal-type or Fighting-type moves. Conversely, they cannot hit Normal-type Pokemon. Use that to your advantage with a Noctowl or Togetic that can hit back with Flying-type or Psychic-type attacks. Alternatively, bring a Gastly of your own in to get the job done, or win an Abra at the Goldenrod City Game Corner. Morty is just more of the same; he has a Gastly, two Haunters, and a Gengar. Assuming you're using a Normal-type, the first three can only put you to sleep or try and Mimic your own attacks. They can also use Curse, which takes away half their health in exchange for removing a quarter of yours each turn. These can be used to your advantage by switching out, as long as they haven't locked you in with Mean Look. Gengar is a bit more tricky but anything with a strong Dark, Psychic, or Ground-type move can take it out. It will try and put you asleep with Hypnosis, then use Dream Eater to heal itself. Switch out if you can when it does this. Shadow Ball is kind of useless on it as it has terrible Attack. When you win, you receive TM34 Shadow Ball, the Fog Badge, the ability to use Surf outside of battle, and command of Pokemon up to Level 50. Go check out the Ecruteak Theatre now to try and get HM03 Surf.

Gym Leader Morty	Gastly	Haunter	Haunter	Gengar
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 21	Level 21	Level 23	Level 25
	Attacks: Lick Spite Mean Look Curse	Attacks: Hypnosis Mimic Curse Night Shade	Attacks: Spite Mean Look Mimic Night Shade	Attacks: Hypnosis Shadow Ball Mean Look Dream Eater

Location: Cianwood City
Gym Leader: Chuck
Specialty: Fighting-type
Reward: Storm Badge, TM01, Can use HM02 - Fly

Puzzle:
Chuck's gym requires Strength, found in the Olivine City Cafe. Other than that there is no puzzle: just fight the trainers. They use Pokemon like Hitmonchan and Mankey and shouldn't be that hard if you have a Psychic, Flying, or Ghost-type. Chuck's Primeape can't even hit a Ghost-type, though watch for Poliwrath's Surf. A good Pokemon here would be Xatu, who double resists Fighting-type moves and can hit back with Psychic. Poliwrath likes to use Mind Reader then DynamicPunch, which always confuses you and deals massive damage. Again, a Ghost-type like Gengar would have nothing to fear. If you win, you'll get the Storm Badge, the use of Fly outside of battle (Chuck's wife gives you HM02), command of Pokemon up to Level 70, and TM01 DynamicPunch.

Gym Leader Chuck	Primeape	Poliwrath
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 27	Level 30
	Attacks: Leer Rage Karate Chop Fury Swipes	Attacks: Hypnosis Mind Reader Surf Dynamicpunch

Location: Olivine City
Gym Leader: Jasmine
Specialty: Steel-type
Reward: Mineral Badge, TM231

Puzzle:
The gym is very straightforward, although you will need to bring Jasmine the Secretpotion from Cianwood Pharmacy at the top of the Glitter Lighthouse before she'll fight you. No trainers, just Jasmine. The former Rock-type user is proficient in Steel-types like Steelix, so bring a Fire-type. Quilava or Typhlosion works incredibly well here, and although Feraligatr might seem like a good choice too, it needs to watch out for Magnemite. Steelix will try to hit your Fire-type with a Rock Throw, though if you're faster you should be able to take it out in one hit. Growlithe, Flareon, or Magmar all do the job very well if you didn't start with Typhlosion, and a Sandslash can hit hard with Ground-type moves if its Attack is strong. Defeat Jasmine for TM23 Iron Tail, a boost in your Pokemon's Defense stat, and the Mineral Badge.

Gym Leader Jasmine	Magnemite	Magnemite	Steelix
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 30	Level 30	Level 35
	Attacks: Thunderbolt Supersonic Sonicboom Thunder Wave	Attacks: Thunderbolt Supersonic Sonicboom Thunder Wave	Attacks: Screech Sunny Day Rock Throw Iron Tail

Location: Mahogany Town
Gym Leader: Pryce
Specialty: Ice-type
Reward: Glacier Badge, TM16, Can use HM06, Waterfall

Puzzle:
This gym has a very annoying ice sliding puzzle. Use the rocks as stopping points, fight the trainers, and navigate your way to Pryce. To battle the senior Ice-type master, use a Fire-type. Don't worry about Dewgong and Seel - they don't have any Water-type moves to extinguish you with. They can use Rest to heal all damage but will be unable to move for two turns so try and strike them then. If you have a good Water-type Piloswine will fall before STAB moves and can't hit very hard with its own. When defeated, Pryce will cough up the Glacier Badge, a boost in your Pokemon's Special Attack and Special Defense, the ability to use Whirlpool outside of battle, and TM16 Icy Wind.

Gym Leader Pryce	Seel	Dewgong	Piloswine
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 27	Level 29	Level 31
	Attacks: Headbutt Icy Wind Aurora Beam Rest	Attacks: Headbutt Icy Wind Aurora Beam Rest	Attacks: Icy Wind Fury Attack Mist Blizzard

Location: Blackthorn City
Gym Leader: Clair
Specialty: Dragon-type
Reward: Rising Badge, TM24, Can use HM07, Whirlpool

Puzzle:
The final gym. Lance's cousin is the hardest leader in the game. Her gym is no cakewalk either; you must fight several trainers and complete a puzzle involving Strength to build bridges across lava. Many trainers use Dratini or Horsea so bring a Pokemon who can wield Ice-type and Electric-type moves. Perhaps look for something that can learn the elemental punches. When you face Clair, you will need to use something that can survive Paralysis and has good Ice-type attacks. Luckily, you can catch a Swinub in the Ice Path and evolve it into the powerful Piloswine. Piloswine can take the Ice-type and Electric-type moves the first two Dragonair like to use, and hit with either Ice Beam or Icy Wind to lower Speed. The other Dragonair, however, has Surf, so watch out. Lanturn is also a great choice as it resists the three elemental moves the Dragonairs use. Kingdra is a very annoying Pokemon as its only weakness is Dragon-type. To beat it, try inflicting status on it and whittle its health down slowly. It's a very tricky Pokemon to defeat, especially because of Smokescreen. Upon defeating Clair, you'll have the first set of Gym Leaders under your belt. To get the badge, though, you must retrieve the Dragon's Fang from deep in the Dragon's Den. This requires the use of Surf and Whirlpool. Upon claiming the fang, Clair will bestow on you the Rising Badge, TM24 Dragonbreath, and the ability to use Pokemon of any level in battle. It is recommended you give TM24 to a Kingdra for use during the Champion battle. Now you are ready for the Pokemon League!

Gym Leader Clair	Dragonair	Dragonair	Dragonair	Kingdra
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 37	Level 37	Level 37	Level 40
	Attacks: Thunder Wave Surf Slam Dragonbreath	Attacks: Thunder Wave Thunderbolt Slam Dragonbreath	Attacks: Thunder Wave Ice Beam Slam Dragonbreath	Attacks: Smokescreen Surf Hyper Beam Dragonbreath

Location: Vermilion City
Gym Leader: Lt. Surge
Specialty: Electric-type
Reward: Thunder Badge

Puzzle:
The electrifying Lt. Surge is probably the first leader you'll meet in Kanto. You can use Cut or Surf to get to the gym. Lt. Surge's gym has an interesting novelty - you need to check for two switches hidden in the garbage cans to open the automatic doors. The second is always next to the first, be it the can north, south, east, or west, but will be difficult anyways to find as the locks reset if you click on the wrong can. The trainers are all fairly easy to beat, however you may need to heal a few times should your Pokemon become paralyzed. Surge has a new team with buffed up Electric-type moves like Zap Cannon and Thunderbolt. Zap Cannon, like DynamicPunch, has a low accuracy but high base damage, and will always cause a status ailment, in this case paralysis. Magneton will use Lock-On to make sure it hits. A Ground-type Pokemon like Nidoking or Steelix is great here as it can wipe the floor with the team and have very little used against it. The prize for this match is the Thunderbadge.

Gym Leader Lt. Surge	Raichu	Electrode	Electrode	Magneton	Electabuzz
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 44	Level 40	Level 40	Level 40	Level 45
	Attacks: Thunder Wave Quick Attack Thunderbolt Thunder	Attacks: Screech Double Team Swift Explosion	Attacks: Screech Double Team Swift Explosion	Attacks: Lock-On Double Team Swift Zap Cannon	Attacks: Quick Attack Thunderpunch Light Screen Thunder

Location: Saffron City
Gym Leader: Sabrina
Specialty: Psychic-type
Reward: Marsh Badge

Puzzle:
Sabrina's gym is back with a network of teleporters. Have fun trying to navigate through this mess. Again, a hint - you will need to battle a few of the trainers, who use Psychic-types like Exeggcute. Sabrina has a new team this time, composed of Pokemon that are completely useless against Dark-types like Houndour and Umbreon. The infamous female Mr. Mime will try and set up reflects to aid her team mates, and Baton Pass any Barriers it has up in the process. Ghost-type Pokemon are great here, just like with Will. Defeat her for the Marsh Badge.

Gym Leader Sabrina	Espeon	Mr. Mime	Alakazam
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 46	Level 46	Level 48
	Attacks: Sand-Attack Quick Attack Swift Psychic	Attacks: Barrier Reflect Baton Pass Psychic	Attacks: Recover Future Sight Psychic Reflect

Location: Celadon City
Gym Leader: Erika
Specialty: Grass-type
Reward: Rainbow Badge, TM19

Puzzle:
The Celadon Gym is home to the nature-loving princess Erika. Bring a lot of Full Restores because of status moves the gym trainers like to inflict. Erika has a new lineup featuring Bellossom and Jumpluff. Instead of Mega Drain though, the move of choice is now Giga Drain, which does the same thing but with more damage. Her team likes to use Sunny Day to drench the field, which makes Solarbeam hit in one turn instead of two and Synthesis heal much more HP. However, this will also buff your Fire-type attacks which is fantastic. Defeat her for TM19 Giga Drain and the Rainbow Badge.

Gym Leader Erika	Tangela	Jumpluff	Victreebel	Bellossom
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 42	Level 41	Level 46	Level 46
	Attacks: Vine Whip Bind Giga Drain Sleep Powder	Attacks: Mega Drain Leech Seed Cotton Spore Giga Drain	Attacks: Sunny Day Synthesis Acid Razor Leaf	Attacks: Sunny Day Synthesis Petal Dance Solarbeam

Location: Fuchsia City
Gym Leader: Janine
Specialty: Poison-type
Reward: Soul Badge, TM06

Puzzle:
With her father now a member of the Elite Four, Janine has taken over as the new leader of Fuchsia City's Pokemon Gym. She is also the weakest, and shouldn't be that hard to beat if Koga wasn't. The gym still uses the invisible walls, and this time everyone is dressed up like Janine, making her tricky to spot in a crowd. Psychic and Ground-type moves will be your greatest help here, though pretty much any neutral move gets the job done considering the levels of her Pokemon. Defeat Janine for the Soul Badge and TM06 Toxic.

Gym Leader Janine	Crobat	Weezing	Weezing	Ariados	Venomoth
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 36	Level 36	Level 36	Level 33	Level 39
	Attacks: Screech Supersonic Confuse Ray Wing Attack	Attacks: Smog Sludge Bomb Toxic Explosion	Attacks: Smog Sludge Bomb Toxic Explosion	Attacks: Scary Face Giga Drain String Shot Night Shade	Attacks: Foresight Double Team Gust Psychic

Location: Cerulean City
Gym Leader: Misty
Specialty: Water-type
Reward: Cascade Badge, TM03

Puzzle:
To battle Misty, you'll have to go to Cerulean Cape just above the city and interrupt her date. Furious at this, she'll gladly battle you back at the gym. You can skip all the trainers by using Surf in the water, though they don't have very strong teams anyways. Meganium's time to shine is here, where it can sap health from everything using Giga Drain or slice up foes with Razor Leaf. Keep an eye on Lapras and Starmie though as they both use Ice-type moves. If you didn't pick Meganium, an Ampharos or Raichu also does great work here. Misty shouldn't be that hard making the Cascadebadge is an easy prize to win.

Gym Leader Misty	Golduck	Quagsire	Lapras	Starmie
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 42	Level 42	Level 44	Level 47
	Attacks: Surf Disable Psych Up Psychic	Attacks: Surf Amnesia Earthquake Rain Dance	Attacks: Surf Perish Song Blizzard Rain Dance	Attacks: Surf Confuse Ray Recover Ice Beam

Location: Pewter City
Gym Leader: Brock
Specialty: Rock-type
Reward: Boulder Badge

Puzzle:
Brock's gym hasn't change in simplicity. Defeat the lone trainer then go up against the Rock-type master. He's evolved his Geodude, caught a Rhyhorn, and resurrected the two fossil Pokemon from the first games. Meganium works well here as its Grass-type moves do 4x super effective damage. Alternatively, try a Water-type for the first three and Electric-type moves for the fossils. Contrary to popular belief Electric-type moves do hit Rock-types so make full use of them. Brock will give you the Boulderbadge upon defeat.

Gym Leader Brock	Graveler	Rhyhorn	Omastar	Onix	Kabutops
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 41	Level 41	Level 42	Level 44	Level 42
	Attacks: Defense Curl Rock Slide Rollout Earthquake	Attacks: Fury Attack Scary Face Earthquake Horn Drill	Attacks: Bite Surf Protect Spike Cannon	Attacks: Bind Rock Slide Bide Sandstorm	Attacks: Slash Surf Endure Giga Drain

Location: Seafoam Islands
Gym Leader: Blaine
Specialty: Fire-type
Reward: Volcano Badge

Puzzle:
Poor Blaine's gym was totalled in the Cinnabar Island volcanic eruption, and he's now stuck in the Seafoam Island cave. He's still insistent on the need for a Burn Heal, and with moves like Fire Punch, Flamethrower, and Fire Blast in his arsenal you better have one. Magmar has Thunderpunch to fight back against your Water-types, but the rest of his triad are sitting ducks. If you can't use a good Water-type for whatever reason, Rock and Ground-type moves are fantastic too. Defeat Blaine for the Volcano Badge and move onto Viridian City.

Gym Leader Blaine	Magcargo	Magmar	Rapidash
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 45	Level 45	Level 50
	Attacks: Curse Smog Flamethrower Rock Slide	Attacks: Thunderpunch Fire Punch Sunny Day Confuse Ray	Attacks: Quick Attack Fire Spin Fury Attack Fire Blast

Location: Viridian City
Gym Leader: Blue
Specialty: None
Reward: Earth Badge

Puzzle:
Since Giovanni's departure, the gym has been under new management. However, this old foe will "smell ya later" until you collect the other seven Kanto badges. This Lego-built gym doesn't have any puzzle and is a straight up challenge against Blue. He has a very diverse team and is probably just as tricky to beat as he was at the end of Red and Blue. With the classic core of Grass/Fire/Water, you should probably bring a Dragon-type if you can to resist their powerful moves. Alakazam has the very powerful Psychic but can be taken out by anything faster than it with a physical attack. Pidgeot can get zapped with Electric-type moves, stoned with Rock-type moves, or chilled with Ice-type moves. The latter of those can also be used for Rhydon, or with Grass-type and Water-type moves instead. Bring lots of potion and a well balanced team for this match and you shouldn't have too much issue. Win, and you'll get the Earth Badge, which gives you access to Mt. Silver after you talk to Professor Oak. There, the ultimate trainer awaits...

Gym Leader Blue	Pidgeot	Alakazam	Rhydon	Gyarados	Exeggutor	Arcanine
Battle Type Single Battle Items	Level 56	Level 54	Level 56	Level 58	Level 58	Level 58
	Attacks: Quick Attack Whirlwind Wing Attack Mirror Move	Attacks: Disable Recover Psychic Reflect	Attacks: Fury Attack Sandstorm Rock Slide Earthquake	Attacks: Twister Hydro Pump Rain Dance Hyper Beam	Attacks: Sunny Day Leech Seed Egg Bomb Solar Beam	Attacks: Roar Swift Flamethrower Extremespeed