16 badges · Johto + Kanto · Original GBC
Gym leader levels checklist for Pokemon Gold & Silver
Exact gym leader levels, ace Pokémon, recommended party ranges, badge effects, and TM rewards for every Johto and Kanto gym in original Gold & Silver (not HeartGold/SoulSilver). Parties match the live Gyms tool. Tick badges as you go—progress stays in this browser.
Fast Answer
Match the ace, not the city name
Train until your main party sits in the recommended range (usually near the leader’s ace). Johto peaks at Clair’s Kingdra Lv.40; Kanto peaks at Blue Lv.58. Whitney (Lv.20 Miltank) and Clair are the usual walls—use their dedicated guides when you need move-by-move plans. Everything here is original GBC Gold/Silver data shared by both versions.
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Lookup · original GBC
All 16 gym leader levels
Ace = highest level on the leader’s party. Recommended range is a comfortable overworld party target, not a hard gate. Open a leader name for full team cards.
| # | Badge | Leader | City | Type | Party | Ace | Target you | Counters | TM | Done |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Zephyr Badge |  Falkner | Violet City | Flying | Lv.7–9 | Lv.9 | Lv.8–10 | Electric, Rock | TM31 Mud-Slap | |
| 2 |  Hive Badge |  Bugsy | Azalea Town | Bug | Lv.14–16 | Lv.16 | Lv.14–17 | Fire, Flying, Rock | TM49 Fury Cutter | |
| 3 |  Plain Badge |  Whitney | Goldenrod City | Normal | Lv.18–20 | Lv.20 | Lv.18–21 | Fighting, Rock | TM45 Attract | |
| 4 |  Fog Badge |  Morty | Ecruteak City | Ghost | Lv.21–25 | Lv.25 | Lv.22–26 | Dark, Psychic | TM30 Shadow Ball | |
| 5 |  Storm Badge |  Chuck | Cianwood City | Fighting | Lv.27–30 | Lv.30 | Lv.28–31 | Flying, Psychic | TM01 Dynamicpunch | |
| 6 |  Mineral Badge |  Jasmine | Olivine City | Steel | Lv.30–35 | Lv.35 | Lv.31–36 | Water, Fire, Ground, Fighting | TM23 Iron Tail | |
| 7 |  Glacier Badge |  Pryce | Mahogany Town | Ice | Lv.27–31 | Lv.31 | Lv.29–33 | Fire, Fighting, Grass | TM16 Icy Wind | |
| 8 |  Rising Badge |  Clair | Blackthorn City | Dragon | Lv.37–40 | Lv.40 | Lv.38–41 | Ice, Dragon | TM24 Dragonbreath | |
| 9 |  Thunder Badge |  Lt. Surge | Vermilion City | Electric | Lv.40–46 | Lv.46 | Lv.42–47 | Ground | — | |
| 10 |  Marsh Badge |  Sabrina | Saffron City | Psychic | Lv.46–48 | Lv.48 | Lv.46–49 | Dark, Ghost, Bug | — | |
| 11 |  Rainbow Badge |  Erika | Celadon City | Grass | Lv.41–46 | Lv.46 | Lv.42–47 | Fire, Flying, Ice, Bug | TM19 Giga Drain | |
| 12 |  Soul Badge |  Janine | Fuchsia City | Poison | Lv.33–39 | Lv.39 | Lv.36–41 | Psychic, Ground | TM06 Toxic | |
| 13 |  Cascade Badge |  Misty | Cerulean City | Water | Lv.42–47 | Lv.47 | Lv.43–48 | Electric, Grass | — | |
| 14 |  Boulder Badge |  Brock | Pewter City | Rock | Lv.41–44 | Lv.44 | Lv.42–45 | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground | — | |
| 15 |  Volcano Badge |  Blaine | Seafoam Islands | Fire | Lv.45–50 | Lv.50 | Lv.46–51 | Water, Ground, Rock | — | |
| 16 |  Earth Badge |  Blue | Viridian City | Mixed | Lv.54–58 | Lv.58 | Lv.55–59 | Water, Electric, Ice, Dark | — |
Low backtracking
Recommended 16-gym route
Johto is mostly linear. After Morty, the usual loop is Olivine lighthouse → Cianwood (Chuck) → return for Jasmine → Mahogany (Pryce) → Blackthorn (Clair). Kanto is flexible after the S.S. Aqua; this strip matches the site’s low-backtracking order and leaves Blue for last.
1 FalknerAce 9
2 BugsyAce 16
3 WhitneyAce 20
4 MortyAce 25
5 ChuckAce 30
6 JasmineAce 35
7 PryceAce 31
8 ClairAce 40
Suggested 9 · SurgeAce 46
Suggested 10 · SabrinaAce 48
Suggested 11 · ErikaAce 46
Suggested 12 · JanineAce 39
Suggested 13 · MistyAce 47
Suggested 14 · BrockAce 44
Suggested 15 · BlaineAce 50
16 BlueAce 58
- Johto 1–4: Violet → Azalea → Goldenrod (watch Whitney) → Ecruteak. Grab early HMs on the HM checklist.
- Johto 5–8: Surf to Cianwood for Chuck, cure Amphy, beat Jasmine, clear Rocket/Mahogany for Pryce, Ice Path to Clair. Deep guide: Clair.
- League: Victory Road → Elite Four → Lance (E4 guide), then S.S. Aqua to Kanto.
- Kanto: Flexible badge order; finish Blue last, then plan Mt. Silver / Red.
Before each badge
Prep tips that apply to every gym
Level to the ace
If your lead is 4+ levels under the ace, grind on the route outside the city first. The recommended column is a soft target, not a softlock line.
Badge obedience
Hive Badge (Bugsy) raises obedience to Lv.30; Fog Badge (Morty) to Lv.50; Storm Badge (Chuck) to Lv.70. Traded Pokémon care more than your starter.
Type answers
Pack one mon for the specialty type and one general wall. Use the Team Planner so HM slaves do not eat your six slots.
Heal & items
Full heal at the city’s Poké Center before the leader. Stock X Accuracy for DynamicPunch lines, Full Heals for Attract/status, and Revives for gauntlets. Shops tool.
Whitney wall
Miltank’s Attract + Rollout is the mid-game spike. Female Fighting-types and Rock walls help—see the Whitney guide.
Version note
Leader parties are identical in Gold and Silver. Toggle sprites only if you care about front sprites; strategy does not change.
#1 · Johto · Violet City
Falkner · Violet Gym
ZEPHYRBADGE raises the attack power of POKEMON. It also enables POKEMON to use FLASH, if they have it, anytime.
Reward: TM31 Mud-Slap
Pidgeotto's Mud-Slap can snowball accuracy drops; fast Electric or Rock damage keeps the fight short.
Slot 1
Pidgey · Lv.7
Moves: Tackle, Mud-Slap
Slot 2 · Ace
Pidgeotto · Lv.9
Moves: Tackle, Mud-Slap, Gust
Approach: New Bark Town → Route 29 → Cherrygrove → Routes 30–31 → Violet City Clear Sprout Tower first, heal in Violet, then enter the gym from the city center. Full fight guide: How to beat Falkner.
#2 · Johto · Azalea Town
Bugsy · Azalea Gym
If you have it, POKEMON up to L30 will obey you. POKEMON that know CUT will be able to use it outside of battle too.
Reward: TM49 Fury Cutter
Scyther is the real check. Break Fury Cutter momentum with status or a clean Fire, Flying, or Rock hit.
Slot 1
Metapod · Lv.14
Moves: Tackle, String Shot, Harden
Slot 2
Kakuna · Lv.14
Moves: Poison Sting, String Shot, Harden
Slot 3 · Ace
Scyther · Lv.16
Moves: Quick Attack, Leer, Fury Cutter
Approach: Violet City → Route 32 → Union Cave → Route 33 → Slowpoke Well → Azalea Gym Resolve the Slowpoke Well event before the gym opens, then heal at Azalea's Pokémon Center.
#3 · Johto · Goldenrod City
Whitney · Goldenrod Gym
PLAINBADGE lets your POKEMON use STRENGTH outside of battle. It also boosts your POKEMON's SPEED.
Reward: TM45 Attract
Miltank combines Attract, Stomp, Milk Drink, and Rollout. A female wall, paralysis, or Fighting damage is safest.
Slot 1
Clefairy · Lv.18
Moves: DoubleSlap, Mimic, Encore, Metronome
Slot 2 · Ace
Miltank · Lv.20
Moves: Rollout, Attract, Stomp, Milk Drink
Approach: Azalea Town → Ilex Forest → Route 34 → Goldenrod City Pick up useful department-store supplies before entering the flower-shaped gym maze.
#4 · Johto · Ecruteak City
Morty · Ecruteak Gym
By having FOG- BADGE, POKEMON up to L50 will obey you. Also, POKEMON that know SURF will be able to use that move anytime.
Reward: TM30 Shadow Ball
Hypnosis plus Mean Look is the danger. Bring sleep recovery and avoid relying on Normal- or Fighting-type attacks.
Slot 1
Gastly · Lv.21
Moves: Lick, Spite, Mean Look, Curse
Slot 2
Haunter · Lv.21
Moves: Hypnosis, Mimic, Curse, Night Shade
Slot 3 · Ace
Gengar · Lv.25
Moves: Hypnosis, Shadow Ball, Mean Look, Dream Eater
Slot 4
Haunter · Lv.23
Moves: Spite, Mean Look, Mimic, Night Shade
Approach: Goldenrod City → Route 35 → National Park → Route 36 → Ecruteak City Trigger the Burned Tower rival battle, then cross the gym's invisible-floor route one trainer at a time.
#5 · Johto · Cianwood City
Chuck · Cianwood Gym
STORMBADGE makes all POKEMON up to L70 obey, even traded ones. It also lets your POKEMON use FLY when you're not in a battle.
Reward: TM01 Dynamicpunch
Flying or Psychic coverage handles both foes. Electric is useful only against Poliwrath; Primeape takes neutral damage.
Slot 1
Primeape · Lv.27
Moves: Leer, Rage, Karate Chop, Fury Swipes
Slot 2 · Ace
Poliwrath · Lv.30
Moves: Hypnosis, Mind Reader, Surf, DynamicPunch
Approach: Ecruteak → Olivine Lighthouse → Routes 40–41 → Cianwood City Challenge Chuck during the SecretPotion trip so HM02 Fly is available for the return journey.
#6 · Johto · Olivine City
Jasmine · Olivine Gym
MINERALBADGE raises POKEMON's DEFENSE.
Reward: TM23 Iron Tail
Remove the Magnemite pair without taking paralysis, then answer Steelix with Water, Fire, Ground, or Fighting damage.
Slot 1
Magnemite · Lv.30
Moves: Thunderbolt, Supersonic, SonicBoom, Thunder Wave
Slot 2
Magnemite · Lv.30
Moves: Thunderbolt, Supersonic, SonicBoom, Thunder Wave
Slot 3 · Ace
Steelix · Lv.35
Moves: Screech, Sunny Day, Rock Throw, Iron Tail
Approach: Cianwood Pharmacy → return to Olivine Lighthouse → Olivine Gym Deliver the SecretPotion to Amphy first; Jasmine then returns to the otherwise trainer-free gym.
#7 · Johto · Mahogany Town
Pryce · Mahogany Gym
That BADGE will raise the SPECIAL stats of POKEMON. It also lets your POKEMON use WHIRL- POOL to get across real whirlpools.
Reward: TM16 Icy Wind
Fighting pressures all three. Electric helps against Seel and Dewgong, but Piloswine is Ground-type and immune; Rock is not a universal answer either.
Slot 1
Seel · Lv.27
Moves: Headbutt, Icy Wind, Aurora Beam, Rest
Slot 2
Dewgong · Lv.29
Moves: Headbutt, Icy Wind, Aurora Beam, Rest
Slot 3 · Ace
Piloswine · Lv.31
Moves: Icy Wind, Fury Attack, Mist, Blizzard
Approach: Ecruteak City → Route 42 → Mahogany → Lake of Rage → Rocket Hideout → Mahogany Gym Clear the Lake of Rage and Rocket Hideout sequence before sliding through the ice puzzle.
#8 · Johto · Blackthorn City
Clair · Blackthorn Gym
RISINGBADGE enables outdoor Waterfall and makes all Pokémon obey without question (including traded ones). Awarded after Dragon's Den, not only the gym fight.
Reward: TM24 Dragonbreath
Ice is super-effective on the three Dragonair. Kingdra is only weak to Dragon, so use a bulky neutral answer if safe Dragon damage is unavailable; Electric is not super-effective on this team.
Slot 1
Dragonair · Lv.37
Moves: Thunder Wave, Surf, Slam, DragonBreath
Slot 2
Dragonair · Lv.37
Moves: Thunder Wave, Thunderbolt, Slam, DragonBreath
Slot 3
Dragonair · Lv.37
Moves: Thunder Wave, Ice Beam, Slam, DragonBreath
Slot 4 · Ace
Kingdra · Lv.40
Moves: Smokescreen, Surf, Hyper Beam, DragonBreath
Approach: Goldenrod Radio Tower clear → Route 44 → Ice Path → Blackthorn City Bring a Pokémon that can use Strength, then complete Dragon's Den after the battle to receive the badge.
Suggested #9 · Kanto · Vermilion City
Lt. Surge · Vermilion Gym
SURGE: THUNDER- BADGE increases POKEMON's speed.
Reward: Badge (see Gym tool for extras)
A Ground type blanks most of the team, but watch Electabuzz's coverage and the Electrode pair's speed.
Slot 1
Raichu · Lv.44
Moves: Thunder Wave, Quick Attack, Thunderbolt, Thunder
Slot 2
Electrode · Lv.40
Moves: Screech, Double Team, Swift, Explosion
Slot 3
Magneton · Lv.40
Moves: Lock-On, Double Team, Swift, Zap Cannon
Slot 4
Electrode · Lv.40
Moves: Screech, Double Team, Swift, Explosion
Slot 5 · Ace
Electabuzz · Lv.46
Moves: Quick Attack, ThunderPunch, Light Screen, Thunder
Approach: Indigo Plateau → New Bark → S.S. Aqua → Vermilion City Vermilion is the cleanest first Kanto base after the S.S. Aqua trip; the old trash-can locks are already disabled.
Suggested #10 · Kanto · Saffron City
Sabrina · Saffron Gym
SABRINA: MARSH- BADGE draws out your subliminal powers…
Reward: Badge (see Gym tool for extras)
Her team is fast and special-heavy. Dark Pokémon are immune to Psychic, while strong physical attacks exploit lower Defense.
Slot 1
Espeon · Lv.46
Moves: Sand-Attack, Quick Attack, Swift, Psychic
Slot 2
Mr. Mime · Lv.46
Moves: Barrier, Reflect, Baton Pass, Psychic
Slot 3 · Ace
Alakazam · Lv.48
Moves: Recover, Future Sight, Psychic, Reflect
Approach: Vermilion City → Route 6 → Saffron City Use the warp-pad rooms methodically and keep a note of the pad that leads back to the entrance.
Suggested #11 · Kanto · Celadon City
Erika · Celadon Gym
RAINBOWBADGE is a Kanto League badge from Erika. No new field HM gate beyond Johto badges; required for the 16-badge total and Mt. Silver access path.
Reward: TM19 Giga Drain
Sleep and recovery are the main risks. Fire or Flying attacks keep Victreebel and Bellossom from settling in.
Slot 1
Tangela · Lv.42
Moves: Vine Whip, Bind, Giga Drain, Sleep Powder
Slot 2
Jumpluff · Lv.41
Moves: Mega Drain, Leech Seed, Cotton Spore, Giga Drain
Slot 3 · Ace
Victreebel · Lv.46
Moves: Sunny Day, Synthesis, Acid, Razor Leaf
Slot 4 · Ace
Bellossom · Lv.46
Moves: Sunny Day, Synthesis, Petal Dance, SolarBeam
Approach: Saffron City → Route 7 → Celadon City Celadon is a short westbound detour and offers the department store for a full restock.
Suggested #12 · Kanto · Fuchsia City
Janine · Fuchsia Gym
SOULBADGE is Janine's Kanto badge. No new outdoor HM gate; complete it for the full badge count toward Oak / Mt. Silver.
Reward: TM06 Toxic
Psychic or Ground hits her Poison members super-effectively. Rock only helps against Crobat, Ariados, and Venomoth and is neutral against both Weezing.
Slot 1
Crobat · Lv.36
Moves: Screech, Supersonic, Confuse Ray, Wing Attack
Slot 2
Weezing · Lv.36
Moves: Smog, Sludge Bomb, Toxic, Explosion
Slot 3
Weezing · Lv.36
Moves: Smog, Sludge Bomb, Toxic, Explosion
Slot 4
Ariados · Lv.33
Moves: Scary Face, Giga Drain, String Shot, Night Shade
Slot 5 · Ace
Venomoth · Lv.39
Moves: Foresight, Double Team, Gust, Psychic
Approach: Celadon City → Cycling Road (Routes 16–18) → Fuchsia City The gym is full of Janine impersonators; check each trainer and use the walls to identify the real leader.
Suggested #13 · Kanto · Cerulean City
Misty · Cerulean Gym
CASCADEBADGE is Misty's Kanto badge. The gym also hides the Machine Part for the Power Plant / Snorlax quest after a Rocket interruption.
Reward: Badge (see Gym tool for extras)
Quagsire blocks Electric attacks, so pair Electric coverage with Grass or a strong neutral answer before facing Starmie.
Slot 1
Golduck · Lv.42
Moves: Surf, Disable, Psych Up, Psychic
Slot 2
Quagsire · Lv.42
Moves: Surf, Amnesia, Earthquake, Rain Dance
Slot 3
Lapras · Lv.44
Moves: Surf, Perish Song, Blizzard, Rain Dance
Slot 4 · Ace
Starmie · Lv.47
Moves: Surf, Confuse Ray, Recover, Ice Beam
Approach: Lavender → Route 10 Power Plant → Cerulean City → Route 25 → return to Cerulean Gym Recover the Machine Part and interrupt Misty's date at Cerulean Cape before she returns to the gym.
Suggested #14 · Kanto · Pewter City
Brock · Pewter Gym
BROCK: Your POKEMON- MON's powerful at- tacks overcame my rock-hard defense…
Reward: Badge (see Gym tool for extras)
Water or Grass moves pressure all five Pokémon, but Omastar and Kabutops can punish careless physical trades.
Slot 1
Graveler · Lv.41
Moves: Defense Curl, Rock Slide, Rollout, Earthquake
Slot 2
Rhyhorn · Lv.41
Moves: Fury Attack, Scary Face, Earthquake, Horn Drill
Slot 3
Omastar · Lv.42
Moves: Bite, Surf, Protect, Spike Cannon
Slot 4 · Ace
Onix · Lv.44
Moves: Bind, Rock Slide, Bide, Sandstorm
Slot 5
Kabutops · Lv.42
Moves: Slash, Surf, Endure, Giga Drain
Approach: Restore Power Plant → Lavender Radio Tower → wake Snorlax → Diglett's Cave → Pewter City The restored Poké Flute radio channel opens the shortest western Kanto route through Diglett's Cave.
Suggested #15 · Kanto · Seafoam Islands
Blaine · Seafoam Gym
VOLCANOBADGE is Blaine's badge on Seafoam Islands (Cinnabar Gym relocated). No new HM gate; needed for the 16-badge total.
Reward: Badge (see Gym tool for extras)
All three Pokémon are vulnerable to Water and Ground. Magmar knows Sunny Day, so do not give it a free setup turn; Rapidash is simply the fastest foe.
Slot 1
Magcargo · Lv.45
Moves: Curse, Smog, Flamethrower, Rock Slide
Slot 2
Magmar · Lv.45
Moves: ThunderPunch, Fire Punch, Sunny Day, Confuse Ray
Slot 3 · Ace
Rapidash · Lv.50
Moves: Quick Attack, Fire Spin, Fury Attack, Fire Blast
Approach: Pewter → Pallet Town → Route 21 → Cinnabar Island → Seafoam Gym Visit the ruined Cinnabar Island first, then Surf east to Blaine's temporary gym in Seafoam Islands.
#16 · Kanto · Viridian City
Blue · Viridian Gym
EARTHBADGE is Blue's Viridian badge—the last Kanto gym. Finish this after the other Kanto badges, then speak to Oak for Mt. Silver access.
Reward: Badge (see Gym tool for extras)
There is no single counter. Build coverage for Pidgeot, Alakazam, Rhydon, Gyarados, Exeggutor, and Arcanine separately.
Slot 1
Pidgeot · Lv.56
Moves: Quick Attack, Whirlwind, Wing Attack, Mirror Move
Slot 2
Alakazam · Lv.54
Moves: Disable, Recover, Psychic, Reflect
Slot 3
Rhydon · Lv.56
Moves: Fury Attack, Sandstorm, Rock Slide, Earthquake
Slot 4 · Ace
Gyarados · Lv.58
Moves: Twister, Hydro Pump, Rain Dance, Hyper Beam
Slot 5 · Ace
Exeggutor · Lv.58
Moves: Sunny Day, Leech Seed, Egg Bomb, SolarBeam
Slot 6 · Ace
Arcanine · Lv.58
Moves: Roar, Swift, Flamethrower, ExtremeSpeed
Approach: Speak to Blue on Cinnabar Island → Fly to Viridian City → final Kanto gym Save Blue for last: his six-Pokémon team is the broadest test before Mt. Silver opens.
Common questions
Gym levels FAQ
What are the gym leader levels in Pokemon Gold and Silver?
Johto ace levels run Falkner 9, Bugsy 16, Whitney 20, Morty 25, Chuck 30, Jasmine 35, Pryce 31, Clair 40. Kanto aces range Janine 39 through Blue 58. Gold and Silver share the same leader parties.
What level should I be for each gym in Gold and Silver?
Use the recommended party ranges on this page: roughly ace level or one or two levels above. Whitney is often fought around 18–21; Clair around 38–41; Blue around 55–59.
Is the gym order different in Gold vs Silver?
No. Leader teams, levels, moves, badges, and TM rewards match in original Gold and Silver. Only version exclusives and some wild encounters differ.
Do Kanto gyms have a fixed order after the Elite Four?
No fixed order. A low-backtracking plan after the S.S. Aqua is Vermilion (Surge), Saffron (Sabrina), Celadon (Erika), Fuchsia (Janine), Cerulean (Misty), Pewter (Brock), Seafoam (Blaine), then Viridian (Blue).
Where is the full gym guide with maps and trainers?
Open the live Gyms tool for every leader party, gym trainers, map pins, counters, and the recommended 16-badge route. Deep write-ups exist for Whitney and Clair.
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