Viridian City Gym
We’re finally back at Viridian City’s Pokemon Gym. This gym specializes in ground-type Pokemon. For the entire game, the gym leader’s identity has been shrouded in mystery. You might be able to guess their identity based on the gym layout – or by reading the statues near the door. You’ll have to use the arrow and stop tiles just like before. The gym leader is at the northwest corner of the room.
Quick Route to Leader
If you want to get to the gym leader as quickly as possible to earn your final badge, all you have to do is battle two Trainers. Walk as far north as you can without going too much west. One trainer will be just above a Revive.
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhyhorn | 43 | Ground/Rock | Horn Attack, Stomp, Tail Whip, Fury Attack |
After the battle, go west and north to another trainer.
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machoke | 38 | Fighting | Karate Chop, Leer, Low Kick, Focus Energy |
| Machop | 38 | Fighting | Karate Chop, Leer, Low Kick, Focus Energy |
| Machoke | 38 | Fighting | Karate Chop, Leer, Low Kick, Focus Energy |
The important thing to do after the battle is to avoid leaving the gym! If you leave the gym, the blackbelt will move back into place. Now that he’s out of place, walk northward along the eastern wall, follow the hall westward along the northern wall, and find your way to leader!
Optional Trainers
Three completely optional trainers can be found directly in the center of the gym. They’ll be facing each other.
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandslash | 39 | Ground | Sand-Attack, Slash, Poison Sting, Swift |
| Dugtrio | 39 | Ground | Growl, Dig, Sand-Attack, Slash |
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machop | 40 | Fighting | Leer, Low Kick, Focus Energy, Seismic Toss |
| Machoke | 40 | Fighting | Karate Chop, Leer, Low Kick, Focus Energy |
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhyhorn | 43 | Ground/Rock | Horn Attack, Stomp, Tail Whip, Fury Attack |
Three completely optional trainers can be found directly to the west of the entrance, as well. Take a spin to the left to reach the first Trainer.
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arbok | 39 | Poison | Poison Sting, Bite, Glare, Screech |
| Tauros | 39 | Normal | Tackle, Stomp, Tail Whip, Leer |
Follow the path northward towards another Trainer.
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machoke | 43 | Fighting | Karate Chop, Leer, Low Kick, Focus Energy |
Take the arrow-tile to the south behind the previous Trainer. When you stop, go northward to find one last Trainer hiding between the gap.
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nidorino | 39 | Poison | Horn Attack, Poison Sting, Focus Energy, Fury Attack |
| Nidoking | 39 | Poison/Ground | Tackle, Horn Attack, Poison Sting, Thrash |
Viridian City Gym Leader: Giovanni
That’s right, the head of Team Rocket is also the leader of the Viridian City Gym. His entire team will be ground-type. Water and ice-type attacks are your best bet. Grass works well against three of the five Pokemon, but the other two that are half poison and half ground will resist the grass while gaining a weakness to psychic.
The Pokemon you have to worry the most about is Rhydon. He has two attacks (Fissure and Horn Drill) that will instantly knock out your Pokemon if it connects. Your best bet is to use a quick water or grass-type Pokemon to deal 4x damage to him with one swift attack!
Defeat Giovanni to fully disband Team Rocket, obtain the Earth Badge, and win TM27 Fissure. Fissure is a one hit knock out attack. It has very low accuracy, and will fail if the Pokemon using the attack is slower than their opponent. However, if an X Accuracy is used and the Pokemon has a high enough speed stat, the OHKO move will land every time! The Earth Badge will allow all Pokemon to obey you in battle, even those obtained from trades.
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhyhorn | 45 | Ground/Rock | Stomp, Tail Whip, Fury Attack, Horn Attack |
| Dugtrio | 42 | Ground | Growl, Dig, Sand-Attack, Slash |
| Nidoqueen | 44 | Poison/Ground | Scratch, Tail Whip, Body Slam, Poison Sting |
| Nidoking | 45 | Poison/Ground | Tackle, Horn Attack, Poison Sting, Thrash |
| Rhydon | 50 | Ground/Rock | Stomp, Tail Whip, Fissure, Horn Drill |
You have now earned all eight Pokemon League Gym Badges! That means you can challenge the Pokemon League at the Indigo Plateau! The Pokemon League is home to the four strongest trainers in the land, the Elite Four. Defeat them all and you will become the Pokemon League Champion! Heal your team, stock up on items at Cinnabar Island, then head west from Viridian City.