Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Gym Leaders, ranked by difficulty

It wouldn’t hurt to call Pokemon Scarlet and Violet one of the best games from the franchise for various reasons. These titles were released a few years ago, but their last DLC, the Indigo Disk, was rolled out in December 2023. With that being out, trainers got the chance to complete the entire story of Paldea. During the adventure, they face Gym Leaders in a similar way they did in older installments, like Sword and Shield.

Nevertheless, the gameplay systems of Scarlet and Violets are different. When trainers have a rematch with the Gym Leaders after completing the main storyline, they will have to fight a different set of Pokemon. Because of this, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Gyms, which were initially easy to beat, suddenly became difficult. That said, let’s find out which Leaders are challenging to defeat by ranking them.

Note: This list is subjective and based on the author's opinion.

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Ranking the hardest-to-beat Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Gyms Leaders

8) Katy from Cortondo Gym

The first Gym Leader that trainers will face is Katy, and she leads Cortondo Gym. Her Pokemon are easy to take down as all of them are of low levels. She trains a level 14 Nymble and Tarountula as well as a level 15 Teddiursa. These units are not strong, so defeating them is not a big deal. However, one thing to note is that Katy will Terastallize her Teddiursa.

In a rematch against Katy in Cortondo Gym, she will send out a level 65 Lokix, Forretress, Spidops, and Heracross. Additionally, her ace is a level 66 Ursaring, which is lethal as it will also go through the Terastalization process of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

7) Brassius from Artazon Gym

Katy’s role as a Gym Leader is to familiarize trainers with the rules and regulations of the Artazon Gym. By gaining this experience, they can then battle other leaders in the Paldea region, one of which is Brassius. This trainer (in-game) is slightly stronger than Katy but weaker than characters like Ryme and Kofu. He is a Bug-type specialist, and in the first encounter, you’ll face a level 17 Sudowoodo (Terastallize) as well as a level 16 Smoliv and Petilil.

On the second attempt, after completing all the expansions, The Indigo Disk and The Teal Mask of the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, Brassisus will use a distinct Pokemon combo in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. He challenges players with a level 66 Sudowoodo (Terastallize) and a Level 65 Lilligant, Breloom, Tsareena, and Arboliva. Most of the partners are Grass-types, which makes them highly vulnerable to Bug, Fire, Flying, Ice, and Poison-types.

6) Iono from Levincia Gym

The Levincia Gym is run by Iono, a Leader with mainly Electric-type Pokemon. What makes Iono more difficult than Brassius is her Pokemon levels, where she boasts all level 23 Wattrel, Bellibolt, Luxio, and a level 24 Mismagius. Trainers need different counters for the first three formers as they are Electric types. Mismagium, which she Terastallzies, needs distinct countering monsters in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

The second time when Iono and the player meet up for battle, she will deploy high-level Pokemon. Kilowattrel, Bellibolt, Electrode, and Luxray of level 65 and a level 66 Mismagium are going to test your battle knowledge on how to counter Electric and Ghost-types.

5) Kofu from Cascarrafa Gym

After beating Iono, trainers who want to have an enjoyable playthrough should defeat Kofu in Cascarrafa Gym. His collection of Pokemon is quite distinguishable compared to Katy, Brassius, and Iono because he prioritizes more dual types. Kofu in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet sports a level 30 Crabominable and two level 29 Veluza and Wugtrio. His choices are excellent, so watch for his Crabominable when it becomes Terastallized.

Remember that Kofu will be difficult to win against due to his 65+ leveled Pocket Monsters. This time, he has four level 66 buddies; they are Veluza, Pelipper, Wugtrio, and Clawitzer. Moreover, his trump card is a level 67 Crabominable, a Fighting and Ice-type, which he will Terastallize again.

4) Larry from Medali Gym

Larry is the sole guardian of the Medali Gym. He is the toughest among Kofu, Iono, Brassius, and Katy. So, difficulty-wise, he is the fourth hardest Gym Leader to beat in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The Pocket Monsters he prefers to have at his disposal are level 35 Komala and Dudunsparce, along with a level 36 Staraptor that goes through Terastallization.

The Medali Leader becomes far stronger when trainers face him for the second time. In the rematch, he showcases four level 65 Pokemon: Oinkolonge, Komala, Braviary, and Dudunsparce. In addition to that, a level 66 Staraptor with the Intimidate ability is his most terrifying force.

3) Ryme from Montenevera Gym

Whether trainers face Ryme for the first time or the second, beating her without effort is impossible. The Montenevera Gym’s pride, Ryme of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is not a person that should be taken lightly, as she unveils her secret weapon, three level 41 entities, mostly of Ghost-types, Banette, Mimikyu, and Houndstone, and a level 42 Toxtricity with Terastallisation power, in the fight against challengers.

In rematches, Ryme has the same four Pokemon with their level increased from 41 to 65, except for Toxtricity, which is level 65. Furthermore, she has a new helper, a level 65 Ghost and Dark-type Spiritomb. These forces are strong, and on top of that, Toxtricity can turn into a Terastallized variant.

2) Grusha from Glaseado Gym

Grusha of the Glaseado Gym in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is way stronger than all of the entries mentioned above. The Pokemon level of her unit is three times more than that of Katy’s. Comparing Brassius with Grusha, the former is two decimals five times weaker than the latter. The only one who is superior to her is Tulip.

That said, the Glaseado Pokemon Gym Leader uses a level 48 Dragon and Flying-type Altaria. Further, her picks are level 47 Frosmoth, Beartic, and Cetitan. Grusha is an Ice-type expert, but she uses her Altaria for Terastallisation. In the battle for the second time, she brings out a new Pokemon, which is a level 66 Weavile.

1) Tulip from Alfornada Gym

In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Tulip is the formidable leader of the Alfornada Gym. Her type choice is Psychic, and she has three level 44 creatures: Farigiraf, Gardevoir, and Espathra. The last pick from her party is a level 45 Florges, a Pokemon Tulip chooses for the Terastallization form. These Pokemon are robust, making this character the hardest-to-beat Gym Leader. She will always be a challenge no matter when you face her.

If you meet her after completing the entire Paldean tale, Tulip throws out four level 65 species, Farigiraf, Gardevoir, Espathra, and Gallade, as well as a level 66 Florges with Flower Veil. The latter one can change into a Psychic-type Terastallized monster, making for a robust team in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

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Edited by Siddharth Satish