You've read the title, so you know what you're reading. These are my favorite Gym Leaders in the entire Pokemon Franchise. But since Sun and Moon doesn't include traditional Gyms, I have counted the Trial Captains and Kahunas as Gym Leaders. Let's get started...
11. Whitney. Goldenrod Gym. Normal Types.
The first REAL Gym Leader in the original Gold and Silver games (Falkner was a JOKE, people, and Bugsy was too easy). Whitney was a strong, capable Leader whose Miltank was strong enough to completely obliterate any Pokemon you could throw at it. A surprisingly strategic battle, Whitney proved once and for all that Normal types were no pushovers. The fact that she's a crybaby who cries after being defeated is the sole reason she's so low on this list.
10. Brock. Pewter Gym. Rock Types.
My very, very first Gym Battle. This guy not only codified what a Gym Leader should be (strongest, toughest trainer fought so far) he also codified how the First Gym of any Pokemon Game ought to be like (relatively easy, but still challenging to newbies). Still, one cannot ignore that he can be utterly decimated by Squirtle, so he loses a LOT of points for that.
9. Brawly. Dewford Town. Fighting Types.
While Roxanne was much too easy (and in fact seems too much like a weaker Brock) Brawly is a truly memorable Gym Leader whose team, though unevolved, demand strategic thinking on the part of the player, There was NO Starter that could defeat his team; you had to make an actual TEAM of Pokemon that could beat this guy. Or you could just bring a level 16 Taillow. The ORAS remakes nerfed this guy to high heaven, too. A shame, actually; his battle was quite a rush in the original game.
8. Elesa. Nimbasa Gym. Electric Types.
Uh...
Uh....
Yeah, I never got to play Black/White, or its sequels. I just think Elesa's hot. Like DAMN.
7. Wulfric. Snowbelle Gym. Ice Types.
I have a soft spot for characters who care for animals, and that especially includes Pokemon. It doesn't matter that he's an Ice Type trainer (I'm not fond of Ice types) I care that this guy befriends and protects Pokemon that have been abused by their trainers. That's pretty important to me.
6. Jasmine. Olivine Gym. Steel Types.
Being a Gym Leader who specialized in Steel types was a big deal back in the day, as the Steel types were new and weren't that numerous yet. Jasmine proved that Steel types were tough and versatile, But what REALLY stuck with me regarding her was her kind heart and how she cared for that Ampharos. Plus, she's pretty cute,
5. Lt. Surge. Vermillion Gym. Electric Types
While Brock and Misty could be considered cake-walks depending on your first Pokemon, Lt. Surge offered no such breaks. A terribly powerful opponent, Surge was sure to punish any and all players that had relied solely on their Starters: his Raichu was super powerful and could make quick work of Squirtle, could destroy Charmander, and Bulbasaur would no doubt lack the power to truly beat it in a 1v1, Surge demanded strategy, or using Geodude or Dugtrio if you had one.
4. Mallow. Lush Jungle. Grass Types
Although she can only be fought in Pokemon Moon, Mallow is an unforgettably cheery girl whose Challenge is both reasonably challenging, yet fun. To me Mallow is big fun and I like her!
3.Olivia. Akala Island. Rock Types. (Note October 29, 2017: I accidentally wrote Ula'Ula instead of Akala)
So I'm a straight, cis male. And DAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMN! I can't believe they made a character like Olivia for a game geared towards kids! I mean I know Pokemon is for everybody, but DAAAAAAMN! She's also got a cool team, even though Rock Types are easy to beat.
2. Blue. Viridian Gym. Various Types.
Blue is unique in that his Gym uses not one Type, but various Types of Pokemon. This makes him, by default, one of the strongest Gym Battles in the franchise, because there's just no way a single Pokemon can plow through his team. Plus there's the added bonus for us Gen Oners; our rival might not have become a Champion, but he DID become a powerful Gym Leader.
1. Sabrina. Saffron Gym. Psychic Types.
Even if I'm new to a Pokemon game, there have only ever been two gym leaders that have taken me more than three tries to beat. One was Norman, who took me five tries total to beat the first time. The second was Sabrina, who took me seven. In Generation 1, Sabrina was as close to invincible as you could get; Psychic Types had no REAL weaknesses, after all. To this day, I STILL use Sabrina as the ultimate measure of how strong a Gym Leader could be.
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