How to beat all gym leaders in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl - TechnW3

Each gym leader has a type specialty that you can easily defeat.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl has some truly challenging battles when it comes to Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and finally the reigning Champion. You'll need to take advantage of each Pokémon's strengths and weaknesses to come out on top. To help you strategize, here's a list of each gym leader or Elite Four member's Pokémon, along with suggestions for the best team to defeat them.

Be the very best

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

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Fight gym leaders and the Elite Four

There are eight gym leaders and the Elite Four to defeat in the Sinnoh region, including the reigning Champion, Cynthia. Take them all down by leveling up the best Pokémon team you can create.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl All Gym leaders and how to beat them

As with all Pokémon games, there are a grand total of eight Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl gym leaders, and each one tends to gravitate around a specific type of Pokémon. Here are the Pokémon they'll throw out, along with tips for beating them.

Roark - Oreburgh City

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Geodude	Rock	12	Ground, Ice, Water, Fighting, Steel, Grass
Onix	Rock	12	Fighting, Steel, Ice, Ground, Grass, Water
Cranidos	Rock	14	Fighting, Steel, Ground, Grass, Water

I highly recommend your party be between Level 10 and Level 14 during this fight. Piplup and Turtwig can make quick work of any opponent here with their respective Water or Grass attacks. If you get Chimchar up to Level 14 and evolved into Monferno before fighting Roark, this monkey will learn a Fighting move that will also be deadly to the gym leader's team.

Roark Rematch

Down the road, you can come back and fight Roark again. Here are the Pokémon he'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Tyranitar	Rock/Dark	68	Fighting, Steel, Ground, Bug, Grass, Fairy, Water
Aerodactyl	Rock/Flying	66	Ice, Steel, Water, Electric, Rock
Armaldo	Rock/Bug	70	Rock, Steel, Water
Probopass	Rock /Bug	68	Fighting, Ground, Water
Relicanth	Water/Rock	64	Fighting, Ground, Grass, Electric
Rampardos	Rock	72	Fighting, Steel, Ground, Grass, Water

Gardenia - Eterna City

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Cherubi	Grass	19	Ice, Fire, Bug, Flying, Poison
Turtwig	Grass	19	Ice, Fire, Flying, Bug, Poison
Roserade	Grass/Poison	22	Ice, Fire, Psychic, Flying

You're going to want your Pokémon to be between Level 15 and Level 18 to make quick work of this team. To make things go more smoothly, I recommend having Zubat or Drifloon in your party so you can use their Poison and Flying attacks.

Gardenia Rematch

Down the road, you can come back and fight Gardenia again. Here are the Pokémon she'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Jumpluff	Grass/Flying	66	Flying, Ice, Poison, Fire, Rock
Sunflora	Grass	70	Ice, Bug, Flying, Poison
Cherrim	Grass	69	Ice, Fire, Bug, Poison, Flying
Breloom	Grass/Fighting	68	Ice, Flying, Poison, Psychic, Fire, Fairy
Torterra	Grass/Ground	68	Ice, Fire, Flying, Bug
Roserade	Grass/Poison	72	Ice, Fire, Psychic, Flying

Maylene - Veilstone City

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Meditite	Psychic/Fighting	27	Ghost, Flying, Fairy
Machoke	Fighting	27	Psychic, Flying, Fairy
Lucario	Fighting/Steel	30	Fighting, Fire, Ground

When you get here, things will go better if your Pokémon are between Level 20 and Level 23 (or higher). Additionally, having Staravia or Machop on your side will make beating this team a whole lot easier as long as you use their Flying and Fighting attacks.

Maylene Rematch

Down the road, you can come back and fight Gardenia again. Here are the Pokémon she'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Hitmontop	Fighting	64
Breloom	Grass/Fighting	68	Ice, Flying, Poison, Psychic, Fire, Fairy
Heracross	Bug/Fighting	54	Psychic, Flying, Fire, Fairy
Infernape	Fire/Fighting	61	Ground, Water, Flying, Psychic
Medicham	Psychic/Fighting	72	Ghost, Flying, Fairy
Lucario	Fighting/Steel	74	Fighting, Fire, Ground

Crasher Wake - Pastoria City

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Gyarados	Water/Flying	27	Electric, Rock
Quagsire	Water/Ground	27	Grass
Floatzel	Water	30	Grass, Electric

Try to get your team members between at least Level 20 and Level 23 for an easier battle. Roselia, Roserade, and Luxray can be really helpful during this battle due to the effectiveness of Grass and Electric attacks.

Crasher Wake Rematch

Down the road, you can come back and fight Crasher Wake again. Here are the Pokémon he'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Politoed	Water	68	Grass, Electric
Kingdra	Water/Dragon	68	Fairy, Dragon
Ludicolo	Water/Grass	68	Bug, Flying, Poison
Huntail	Water	70	Grass, Electric
Gyarados	Water/Flying	70	Electric, Rock
Floatzel	Water	72	Grass, Electric

Fantina - Hearthome City

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Drifblim	Ghost/Flying	32	Ghost, Ice, Dark, Electic, Rock
Gengar	Ghost/Poison	34	Ghost, Dark, Psychic
Mismagius	Ghost	36	Ghost, Dark

You'll want your team to be between Level 25 and Level 27 (or higher) before going into this battle. Golbat or Crobat will be especially helpful here with their Dark attacks.

Fantina Rematch

Down the road, you can come back and fight Fantina again. Here are the Pokémon she'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Drifblim	Ghost/Flying	68	Ghost, Ice, Dark, Electic, Rock
Banette	Ghost	65	Ghost, Dark
Dusknoir	Ghost	70	Ghost, Dark
Froslass	Ice/Ghost	72	Ghost, Dark, Steel, Fire
Gengar	Ghost/Poison	72	Ghost, Dark, Psychic
Mismagius	Ghost	70	Ghost, Dark

Byron - Canalave City

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Bronzor	Psychic/Steel	36	Dark, Ground, Ghost, Fire
Steelix	Steel/Ground	36	Ground, Fighting, Water, Fire
Bastiodon	Steel/Rock	39	Fighting, Ground, Water

Get your team between Level 28 and Level 32 at least to make quick work of this team. Monferno, Infernape, Gastrodon, and Rapidash will be especially helpful during this fight with their respective Fire and Ground attacks.

Byron Rematch

Down the road, you can come back and fight Byron again. Here are the Pokémon he'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Skarmory	Steel/Flying	69	Fire, Electric
Steelix	Steel/Ground	69	Ground, Fighting, Water, Fire
Magnezone	Electric/Steel	70	Fighting, Fire, Ground
Empoleon	Water/Steel	70	Fighting, Ground, Electric
Aggron	Steel/Rock	71	Fighting, Ground, Water
Bastiodon	Steel/Rock	72	Fighting, Ground, Water

Candice - Snowpoint City

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Snover	Ice/Grass	38	Fighting, Steel, Fire, Flying, Poison, Bug
Sneasel	Ice/Dark	38	Fighting, Bug, Fire, Steel, Fairy, Rock
Medicham	Psychic/Fighting	40	Ghost, Flying, Fairy
Abamasnow	Ice/Grass	42	Fighting, Flying, Steel, Fire, Poison, Bug

Get your team between Level 32 and Level 35 to make Candice easier for you. The battle will quickly be won if you have Lucario as your Fighting type, Staraptor as your Flying type, and a powerful Fire-type like Infernape, Rapidash or Houndoom.

Candice Rematch

Down the road, you can come back and fight Candice again. Here are the Pokémon she'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Abamasnow	Ice/Grass	42	Fighting, Flying, Steel, Fire, Poison, Bug
Jynx	Ice/Psychic	70	Dark, Bug, Fire, Steel, Ghost, Rock
Mamoswine	Ice/Ground	68	Firhing, Steel, Fire, Water, Grass
Froslass	Ice/Ghost	72	Ghost, Dark, Steel, Fire
Glaceon	Ice	70	Fighting, Fire, Steel
Weavile	Dark/Ice	72	Fighting, Steel, Bug, Fire, Fairy

Volkner Sunyshore City

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Raichu	Electric	46	Ground
Ambipom	Normal	47	Fighting
Octillery	Water	47	Grass, Electric
Luxray	Electric	49	Ground

Volkner has the most variety of any Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl gym leader. Make sure your team is at least between Level 38 and Level 43 for this fight. You'll want a decent Fighting-type like Lucario or Machoke for that Ambipom fight. Octillery can be taken down Turtwig, Roserade, Luxray, or Raichu thanks to their Grass and Electric attacks. The rest can get taken down with a strong Ground-type like Gastrodon, Rhyhorn, Rhyperior, or Hippowdon.

Volkner Rematch

Down the road, you can come back and fight Volkner again. Here are the Pokémon he'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Pelipper	Water/Flying	70	Electric, Rock
Raichu	Electric	70	Ground
Luxray	Electric	70	Ground
Lanturn	Water/Electric	66	Grass, Ground
Jolteon	Electric	68	Ground
Electivire	Electric	75	Ground

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl How to beat the Elite Four & the Champion

Now you've traveled around Sinnoh and taught those gym leaders who was boss, but you're not at the top next. You'll need to defeat Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's Elite Four and the reigning Champion to beat the game and prove you're the very best. You won't be able to heal between battles, so stock up on plenty of healing items before initiating this string of battles. Your opponents will use Full Heals and other healing items, so prepare yourself for a long battle. To make things easier, have at least 10 of each of these, if possible:

Max Potions
Full Restores
Max Elixirs
Max Revive
Sacred Ash

The best team for beating the Elite Four

The best team is a varied one that's catered specifically to defeating each opponent's Pokémon types. Make sure your team is at least between Level 55 and Level 60 before starting the first battle.

Several different Pokémon can help you beat them, but in my opinion, the ideal team is Infernape, Gyarados, Luxray, Gengar, Staraptor, and Garchomp. This group gives you Fire, Fighting, Water, Flying, Electric, Dark, Ground, and Dragon attacks to really mess up your opponents quickly. Lucarioor another powerful Fighting type can also be a good option here.

Elite Four Aaron

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Dustox	Bug/Poison	53	Flying, Psychic, Fire, Rock
Heracross	Bug/Fighting	54	Psychic, Flying, Fire, Fairy
Vespiquen	Bug/Flying	53	Flying, Ice, Fire, Electric
Beautifly	Bug/Flying	53	Flying, Fire, Ice, Electric
Drapion	Poison/Dark	57	Ground

Make sure you have a decent Fighting and Fire Pokémon on your team to make quick work of this battle. If you chose Infernape, he'll be your superstar here. Otherwise, make sure to have a good Flying type like Staraptor and perhaps an Electric type like Luxray.

Aaron Rematch #1

Down the road, you can come back and fight Aaron again. Here are the Pokémon he'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Yanmega	Bug/Flying	65	Flying, Ice, Fire, Electric, Rock
Scizor	Bug/Steel	65	Fire
Vespiquen	Bug/Flying	66	Flying, Ice, Fire, Electric
Heracross	Bug/Fighting	67	Psychic, Flying, Fire, Fairy
Drapion	Poison/Dark	69	Ground

Aaron Rematch #2

You can actually battle the Elite Four three times during the course of your game. Here are the Pokémon Aaron uses in the second rematch.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Yanmega	Bug/Flying	75	Flying, Ice, Fire, Electric, Rock
Scizor	Bug/Steel	75	Fire
Vespiquen	Bug/Flying	77	Flying, Ice, Fire, Electric
Heracross	Bug/Fighting	77	Psychic, Flying, Fire, Fairy
Flygon	Ground/Dragon	75	Ice, Fairy, Dragon
Drapion	Poison/Dark	79	Ground

Elite Four Bertha

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Quagsire	Water/Ground	55	Grass
Hippowdon	Ground	59	Ice, Grass, Water
Sudowoodo	Rock	56	Grass, Fighting, Water, Ground, Steel
Whiscash	Water/Ground	55	Grass
Golem	Rock/Ground	56	Ground, Fighting, Steel, Grass, Water, Ice

If you have a Torterra or an Empoleon, it will make quick work out of these guys. Otherwise, a good Water type like Gyarados and Floatzel will hit hard along with a good Grass type like Roserade.

Bertha Rematch #1

Down the road, you can come back and fight Bertha again. Here are the Pokémon she'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Whiscash	Water/Ground	55	Grass
Gliscor	Ground/Flying	69	Ice, Water
Golem	Rock/Ground	56	Ground, Fighting, Steel, Grass, Water, Ice
Hippowdon	Ground	59	Ice, Grass, Water
Rhyperior	Ground/Rock	71	Ground, Ice, Fighting, Grass, Steel, Water

Bertha Rematch #2

You can actually battle the Elite Four three times during the course of your game. Here are the Pokémon Bertha uses in the second rematch.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Whiscash	Water/Ground	76	Grass
Gliscor	Ground/Flying	79	Ice, Water
Nidoking	Poison/Ground	78	Ground, Ice, Psychic, Water
Hippowdon	Ground	78	Ice, Grass, Water
Mamoswine	Ice/Ground	78	Firhing, Steel, Fire, Water, Grass
Rhyperior	Ground/Rock	81	Ground, Ice, Fighting, Grass, Steel, Water

Elite Four Flint

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Rapidash	Fire	58	Ground, Water, Rock
Infernape	Fire/Fighting	61	Ground, Water, Flying, Psychic
Steelix	Steel/Ground	57	Ground, Fighting, Water, Fire
Lopunny	Normal	57	Fighting
Drifblim	Ghost/Flying	58	Ghost, Ice, Dark, Electic, Rock

Once again, Empoleon's Water attacks are a great choice for this fight if you have it. If you don't, a Gyarados will be good here. You'll also want to use Ground attacks provided by a powerful Pokémon like Garchomp or Mamoswine.

Flint Rematch #1

Down the road, you can come back and fight Flint again. Here are the Pokémon he'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Houndoom	Dark/Fire	68	Fighting, Water, Ground, Rock
Flareon	Fire	71	Ground, Water, Rock
Rapidash	Fire	69	Ground, Water, Rock
Infernape	Fire/Fighting	71	Ground, Water, Flying, Psychic
Magmortar	Fire	73	Ground, Water, Rock

Flint Rematch #2

You can actually battle the Elite Four three times during the course of your game. Here are the Pokémon Flint uses in the second rematch.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Ninetales	Fire	78	Ground, Water, Rock
Houndoom	Dark/Fire	78	Fighting, Water, Ground, Rock
Rapidash	Fire	79	Ground, Water, Rock
Infernape	Fire/Fighting	81	Ground, Water, Flying, Psychic
Arcanine	Fire	81	Ground, Water, Rock
Magmortar	Fire	83	Ground, Water, Rock

Elite Four Lucian

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Mr. Mime	Psychic/Fairy	59	Poison, Steel, Ghost
Girafarig	Psychic/Normal	59	Dark, Bug
Medicham	Psychic/Fighting	60	Ghost, Flying, Fairy
Alazakam	Psychic	60	Dark, Ghost, Bug
Bronzong	Psychic/Steel	63	Ground, Dark, Fire, Ghost

You'll want a Dark, Fighting, or Ghost type for this battle. I suggest bringing Gengar; just be aware that his weakness is Ghost, so don't put him in halfway through a fight. You can make these battles easier by making Gengar put them to sleep via Hypnosis and then wailing on them with Ghost-type attacks.

Lucian Rematch #1

Down the road, you can come back and fight Lucian again. Here are the Pokémon he'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Mr. Mime	Psychic/Fairy	59	Poison, Steel, Ghost
Espeon	Psychic	71	Dark, Ghost, Bug
Bronzong	Psychic/Steel	70	Ground, Dark, Fire, Ghost
Alazakam	Psychic	72	Dark, Ghost, Bug
Gallade	Psychic/Fighting	75	Fairy, Ghost, Flying

Lucian Rematch #2

You can actually battle the Elite Four three times during the course of your game. Here are the Pokémon Lucian uses in the second rematch.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Mr. Mime	Psychic/Fairy	79	Poison, Steel, Ghost
Espeon	Psychic	81	Dark, Ghost, Bug
Bronzong	Psychic/Steel	80	Ground, Dark, Fire, Ghost
Alazakam	Psychic	82	Dark, Ghost, Bug
Slowbro	Psychic/Water	82	Dark, Grass, Bug, Ghost, Electric
Gallade	Psychic/Fighting	85	Fairy, Ghost, Flying

Champion Cynthia

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Spiritomb	Ghost/Dark	61	(None) Fairy
Garchomp	Ground/Dragon	66	Ice, Fairy, Dragon
Gastrodon	Water/Ground	60	Grass
Milotic	Water	63	Grass, Electric
Roserade	Grass/Poison	60	Ice, Fire, Psychic, Flying
Lucario	Fighting/Steel	63	Fighting, Fire, Ground

Cynthia has a very good mix of Pokémon types, making her the most challenging opponent, indeed. The Fairy-type category didn't exist when the original Diamond and Pearl released. If you can bring one into this fight, it will be the only weakness that Spiritomb has.

Infernape and Torterra are the best evolutions from any starters during this battle as Fire and Grass are repeat weaknesses. You'll also want Staraptor or Gryarados's Flying attacks, Gengar's Psychic attacks, and Garchomp's Dragon attacks will be strong against Cynthia's Garchomp. Luxray will make quick work of Milotic with its Electric attacks. Remember to keep the type system in mind and have plenty of heals to keep yourself afloat.

Cynthia Rematch #1

Down the road, you can come back and fight Cynthia again. Here are the Pokémon she'll use at that time.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Spiritomb	Ghost/Dark	74	(None) Fairy
Roserade	Grass/Poison	74	Ice, Fire, Psychic, Flying
Togekiss	Fairy/Flying	76	Ice, Steel, Poison, Electric, Rock
Lucario	Fighting/Steel	76	Fighting, Fire, Ground
Milotic	Water	74	Grass, Electric
Garchomp	Ground/Dragon	78	Ice, Fairy, Dragon

Cynthia Rematch #2

You can actually battle the Elite Four three times during the course of your game. Here are the Pokémon Cynthia uses in the second rematch.

Name	Type	Level	Weaknesses
Spiritomb	Ghost/Dark	84	(None) Fairy
Porygon-Z	Normal	85	Fighting
Togekiss	Fairy/Flying	86	Ice, Steel, Poison, Electric, Rock
Lucario	Fighting/Steel	86	Fighting, Fire, Ground
Milotic	Water	84	Grass, Electric
Garchomp	Ground/Dragon	88	Ice, Fairy, Dragon

The best there ever was

Woo! You've done it! Paying attention to Pokémon's weaknesses and ensuring your team is leveled up sufficiently goes a long way, huh? Congrats, Champ!

- TechnW3
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