The gym progression in the Pokémon franchise has been linear since the beginning. However, the system received a massive overhaul with the introduction of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
The game’s true open-world experience lets you challenge the gym battles in any order you want. Although there are limitations, such as the northern half of Paldea being inaccessible until you defeat Team Star’s Fire or Dark Crews.
So, not planning your progression early on will force you to dart back and forth in between locations. However, this guide helps you level efficiently and overcome all the gym battles in the most efficient way possible. Let’s begin.
Best Order to Beat Gyms and Pokémon Recommendations
| Gym | Gym Pokémon Level | Gym Leader Pokémon | Recommended Pokémon Counters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cortondo (Bug) | 14-15 | Nymble – Bug Tarountula – Bug Teddiursa – Normal, Bug Terastallize | Fletchling – Normal/Flying, South Province (Area Two) Starly – Normal/Flying, South Province (Area Two) Nacli – Rock, South Province (Area Two) |
| Artazon (Grass) | 16-17 | Petilil – Grass Smoliv – Grass/Normal Sudowoodo – Rock, Grass Terastallize | Nymble – Bug, South Province (Area Three) Rookidee – Flying, South Province (Area Three) Squawkabilly – Normal/Flying, South Province (Area Three) |
| Levincia (Electric) | 23-24 | Wattrel – Electric/Flying Bellibolt – Electric Luxio – Electric Mismagius – Ghost, Electric Terastallize | Diglett – Ground, East Province (Area Two) Silicobra – Ground, East Province (Area Two) Larvitar – Rock/Ground, (Scarlet only) East Province (Area Two) Rolycoly – Rock, East Province (Area Two) |
| Cascarrafa (Water) | 29-30 | Veluza – Water/Psychic Wugtrio – Water Crabominable – Fighting/Ice, Water Terastallize | Capsakid – Grass, West Province (Area One) Flaaffy – Electric, West Province (Area Two) Skiddo – Grass, West Province (Area One) |
| Medali (Normal) | 35-36 | Komala – Normal Dudunsparce – Normal Staraptor – Flying/Normal, Normal Terastallize | Primeape – Fighting, West Province (Area Three) Breloom – Grass/Fighting, West Province (Area Three) |
| Montenevera (Ghost) | 41-42 | Mimikyu – Ghost/Fairy Banette – Ghost Houndstone – Ghost Toxtricity – Electric/Poison, Ghost Terastallize | Greavard – Ghost, Glaseado Mountain Sneasel – Dark/Ice, Glaseado Mountain |
| Alfornada (Psychic) | 44-45 | Farigiraf – Normal/Psychic Espathra – Psychic Gardevoir – Psychic/Fairy Florges – Fairy, Psychic Terastallize | Banette – Ghost, South Providence (Area Six) Sableye – Ghost, South Providence (Area Six) Drifblim – Ghost/Flying, South Providence (Area Six) Deino – Dark/Dragon, South Providence (Area Six) |
| Glaseado (Ice) | 47-48 | Frosmoth – Ice/Grass Type Beartic – Ice Type Cetitan – Ice Type Altaria – Dragon/Flying Type, Ice Terastallize | Magneton – Electric/Steel, Glaseado Mountain Crabominable – Fighting/Ice, Glaseado Mountain Bronzong – Steel/Psychic, Glaseado Mountain |
Tips for catching Pokémon for Gym Battles
Recharge Tera Orb – Terastallization is a new feature in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that players are still getting used to. After Terastallization you’ll have to visit the PokeCenter to recharge the orb. So only use the ability when you’re within earshot of a Pokémon Center.
Watchtowers offer more than just a fast travel point. They also provide a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area, allowing you to plan your route and destination before setting off. Additionally, watchtowers can be particularly useful for reaching remote locations that lack a Pokémon Center.
Take advantage of the Let’s Go feature, which allows your leading Pokémon to explore the world with you. Not only can they engage in battles, but they can also collect crafting items that are scattered throughout the game.
Pay attention to the Area and Province numbers, as they serve as indicators of trainer and Pokémon levels in any given region. As you venture further away from Cabo Poco, the Pokémon you encounter will become stronger. Keep this in mind when searching for new Pokémon in the wild.
Keep a few Pokémon Dolls on hand, as you may encounter wild Pokémon that are much stronger than your current team. These dolls can be used to escape from tough battles.