Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is a remake of the 2006 Nintendo DS game, bringing in many players, old and new. A core component of Pokémon is taking on and defeating all eight gym leaders across the Sinnoh Region and proving the strength of yourself as a Pokémon Trainer.
In this guide, we've shared some details about each gym, their weakness and thus, how you should counter them in battle.
Read More: Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Stone Guide: How to Get Shiny Stone, Moon Stone & More
Oreburgh City Gym
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+ 8The Oreburgh City Gym of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is an easy feat if you chose Turtwig or Piplup as your starter. Lead by Roark, the gym specialises in Rock types. For things to go off without a hitch, we recommend having your Pokémon at Level 10, if not higher.
Their three Pokémon, and their respective weaknesses, are as follows:
- Geodude: Weak to Ground, Grass, Ice, Water, Steel, Fighting
- Onix: Weak to Ground, Grass, Ice, Water, Steel, Fighting
- Cranidos: Weak to Ground, Grass, Water, Steel, Fighting
Eterna City Gym
click to enlarge + 8The Eterna City Gym of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl isn't too difficult, provided you've got some Flying or Poison moves in your party. Lead by Gardenia, the gym specialises in Grass types, and you'll want your party to all be above Level 19-20 for things to go down without much trouble.
Their three Pokémon, and their respective weaknesses, are as follows:
- Cherubi: Weak to Flying, Poison, Bug, Ice, Fire
- Turtwig: Weak to Flying, Poison, Bug, Ice, Fire
- Roserade: Weak to Flying, Bug, Ice, Fire
Veilstone City Gym
click to enlarge + 8The Veilstone City Gym of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl sees you and your Pokémon party practice their skills against masters of Fighting types. Lead by Maylene, you'll likely have more trouble with the puzzle required to get to her than with battling her, but your party should be Level 24 or higher for this one.
Their three Pokémon, and their respective weaknesses, are as follows:
- Meditite: Weak to Flying, Fairy, Ghost
- Machoke: Weak to Flying, Fairy, Psychic
- Lucario: Weak to Ground, Fire, Fighting
Pastoria City Gym
click to enlarge + 8The Pastoria City Gym of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is one of Water types. The gym is lead by Crasher Wake, and will require your party to be of Level 25 or above to be able to truly beat him in battle. For those of you with a Torterra at this point, the gym will be a breeze.
Their three Pokémon, and their respective weaknesses, are as follows:
- Gyarados: Weak to Rock, Electric
- Quagsire: Weak to Grass
- Floatzel: Weak to Grass, Electric
Hearthome City Gym
click to enlarge + 8The Hearthome City Gym of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is one that requires you to brush up on your basic maths skills. You'll have the calculator on your Pokétch to hand if needed, but these sums are rather simple. This gym is home to Fantina, a master of Ghost types, and your party will need to be approaching Level 30 to beat her in battle.
Their three Pokémon, and their respective weaknesses, are as follows:
- Drifblim: Weak to Rock, Ice, Electric, Dark, Ghost
- Gengar: Weak to Dark, Ghost, Psychic
- Mismaigus: Weak to Dark, Ghost
Canalave City Gym
click to enlarge + 8The Canalave City Gym of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is lead by Roark's (of Oreburgh City Gym) father, Byron. You'll find yourself taking on Steel types here, and should be getting your party closer to Level 35 in order to take the battle on with ease.
Their three Pokémon, and their respective weaknesses, are as follows:
- Bronzor: Weak to Ground, Fire, Dark, Ghost
- Steelix: Weak to Ground, Fire, Water, Fighting
- Bastiodon: Weak to Ground, Water, Fighting
Snowpoint City Gym
click to enlarge + 8The Snowpoint City Gym of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is where you'll be taking on Ice types (as you'd suspect, given the city is surrounded in snow). The gym is lead by Candice, and you'll want your party to be Level 38 or higher to have a successful battle.
Their four Pokémon, and their respective weaknesses, are as follows:
- Snover: Weak to Fire, Bug, Poison, Steel, Flying, Fighting
- Sneasel: Weak to Fire, Bug, Steel, Fighting, Rock, Fairy
- Medicham: Weak to Fairy, Flying, Ghost
- Abamasnow: Weak to Fire, Bug, Poison, Steel, Flying, Fighting
Sunyshore City Gym
click to enlarge + 8The Sunyshore City Gym of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is the eight and final gym you'll face in the Sinnoh Region. The gym is primarily home to Electric types, and you'll want a party of Level 40 or higher to be able to beat the gym's leader, Volkner, and reignite his passion for battling.
Their four Pokémon, and their respective weaknesses, are as follows:
- Raichu: Weak to Ground
- Ambipom: Weak to Fighting
- Octillery: Weak to Electric, Grass
- Luxray: Weak to Ground
That's all there is to know about how best to approach each gym across the Sinnoh Region. Once you've collected all eight badges, though, your work will not be finished. Next, you'll have to fight the Elite Four and the Pokémon Champion... good luck!
For more tips on how to get the most out of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, check out our guide here. Alternatively, if you need a refresher of all Pokémon type weaknesses, we've got a useful type chart for you!
For more articles like this, take a look at our Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Guides page.