Unova8 gymsElite FourN & GhetsisUpdated NOV 5, 2026

Black & White Gym Leaders

Black & White decide gym 1 by your starter, so you face Cilan, Chili or Cress with a Lv 14 monkey. Drayden or Iris guards the eighth badge at Lv 43, and the story ends against N and Ghetsis, with no Champion battle before the credits.

Gym leaders in every game →

Story order

Black & White gym order, badges and level caps

CAP is each team’s top level, the Nuzlocke cap, and +N is its rise since the gym before. After the last badge comes the Elite Four at the Pokémon League: Shauntal, Grimsley, Caitlin and Marshal, in any order. Then the story ends against N and Ghetsis at N’s Castle.

  1. GYM 1 · STRIATON CITY

    Cilan / Chili / CressTrio Badge

    CAP 14

    The team changes with the starter you picked.

    CAP 14BRINGBADGETraded Pokémon obey up to Lv 20
    GYM TESTRead the type on each curtain and stand on the switch of a type that is super effective against it to push on toward the leader

  2. GYM 2 · NACRENE CITY

    LenoraNormalBasic Badge

    CAP 20+6 · biggest jump
    1. HerdierLv 18
    2. WatchogLv 20 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. ThrohHits 2 of 2
    2. SawkHits 2 of 2
    3. TimburrHits 2 of 2
    CAP 20 +6 · biggest jumpBRINGEASIEST STARTERPigniteREWARDTM67 RetaliateBADGETraded Pokémon obey up to Lv 30
    GYM TESTTrack down each book in the library maze and answer the easy question inside it to open the next stretch toward Lenora

  3. GYM 3 · CASTELIA CITY

    BurghBugInsect Badge

    CAP 23+3
    1. WhirlipedeLv 21
    2. DwebbleLv 21
    3. LeavannyLv 23 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. RoggenrolaHits 3 of 3
    2. PansearHits 2 of 3
    3. WoobatHits 2 of 3
    CAP 23 +3BRINGEASIEST STARTERPigniteREWARDTM76 Struggle BugBADGETraded Pokémon obey up to Lv 40
    GYM TESTHelp Burgh get Bianca's stolen Munna back from Team Plasma, then step on floor switches to open paths through the honey walls

  4. GYM 4 · NIMBASA CITY

    ElesaElectricBolt Badge

    CAP 27+4
    1. EmolgaLv 25
    2. EmolgaLv 25
    3. ZebstrikaLv 27 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. DwebbleHits 2 of 3
    2. RoggenrolaHits 2 of 3
    3. ArchenHits 2 of 3
    CAP 27 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERNo clear edgeREWARDTM72 Volt SwitchBADGETraded Pokémon obey up to Lv 50
    GYM TESTRide the roller coaster cars and press switches to change their tracks on the way to Elesa

  5. GYM 5 · DRIFTVEIL CITY

    ClayGroundQuake Badge

    CAP 31+4
    1. KrokorokLv 29
    2. PalpitoadLv 29
    3. ExcadrillLv 31 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. WhimsicottHits 2 of 3Black only
    2. LilligantHits 2 of 3White only
    3. ThrohHits 2 of 3
    CAP 31 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERServine or DewottREWARDTM78 BulldozeBADGETraded Pokémon obey up to Lv 60
    GYM TESTFind Team Plasma in the Cold Storage for Clay first, then ride the gym's lifts down to battle him

  6. GYM 6 · MISTRALTON CITY

    SkylaFlyingJet Badge

    CAP 35+4
    1. SwoobatLv 33
    2. UnfezantLv 33
    3. SwannaLv 35 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. ZebstrikaHits 3 of 3
    2. EmolgaHits 3 of 3
    3. TirtougaHits 3 of 3
    CAP 35 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERNo clear edgeREWARDTM62 AcrobaticsBADGETraded Pokémon obey up to Lv 70
    GYM TESTFollow Skyla to the Celestial Tower on Route 7, then climb into the gym's cannons to fire your way to her

  7. GYM 7 · ICIRRUS CITY

    BrycenIceFreeze Badge

    CAP 39+4
    1. VanillishLv 37
    2. CryogonalLv 37
    3. BearticLv 39 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. CrustleHits 3 of 3
    2. ThrohHits 3 of 3
    3. SawkHits 3 of 3
    CAP 39 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTEREmboarREWARDTM79 Frost BreathBADGETraded Pokémon obey up to Lv 80
    GYM TESTSkate across the ice, using the curved walls and the jumps over the gaps, to reach Brycen

  8. GYM 8 · OPELUCID CITY

    DraydenDragonLegend Badge

    Black only
    CAP 43+4
    1. FraxureLv 41
    2. DruddigonLv 41
    3. HaxorusLv 43 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. CryogonalHits 3 of 3
    2. VanilliteHits 3 of 3
    3. CubchooHits 3 of 3
    CAP 43 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERNo clear edgeREWARDTM82 Dragon TailBADGETraded Pokémon obey at any level
    GYM TESTUse the switches on each dragon's arms to reshape the walkway, watching how the necks move, until you reach Drayden (Black) or Iris (White)

    GYM 8 · OPELUCID CITY

    IrisDragonLegend Badge

    White only
    CAP 43+4
    1. FraxureLv 41
    2. DruddigonLv 41
    3. HaxorusLv 43 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. CryogonalHits 3 of 3
    2. VanilliteHits 3 of 3
    3. CubchooHits 3 of 3
    CAP 43 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERNo clear edgeREWARDTM82 Dragon TailBADGETraded Pokémon obey at any level

  9. ELITE FOUR

    ShauntalGhost

    CAP 50
    1. CofagrigusLv 48
    2. JellicentLv 48
    3. GolurkLv 48
    4. ChandelureLv 50 Ace
    CAP 50BRING

  10. ELITE FOUR

    GrimsleyDark

    CAP 50
    1. ScraftyLv 48
    2. LiepardLv 48
    3. KrookodileLv 48
    4. BisharpLv 50 Ace
    CAP 50BRING

  11. ELITE FOUR

    CaitlinPsychic

    CAP 50
    1. ReuniclusLv 48
    2. MusharnaLv 48
    3. SigilyphLv 48
    4. GothitelleLv 50 Ace
    CAP 50BRING

  12. ELITE FOUR

    MarshalFighting

    CAP 50
    1. ThrohLv 48
    2. SawkLv 48
    3. ConkeldurrLv 48
    4. MienshaoLv 50 Ace
    CAP 50BRING

  13. FINAL BATTLE · N'S CASTLE

    N

    Black only
    CAP 52
    1. ZekromLv 52 Ace
    2. CarracostaLv 50
    3. VanilluxeLv 50
    4. ArcheopsLv 50
    5. ZoroarkLv 50
    6. KlinklangLv 50
    CAP 52BRING

    FINAL BATTLE · N'S CASTLE

    N

    White only
    CAP 52
    1. ReshiramLv 52 Ace
    2. CarracostaLv 50
    3. VanilluxeLv 50
    4. ArcheopsLv 50
    5. ZoroarkLv 50
    6. KlinklangLv 50
    CAP 52BRING

  14. FINAL BATTLE · N'S CASTLE

    Ghetsis

    CAP 54
    1. CofagrigusLv 52
    2. BouffalantLv 52
    3. SeismitoadLv 52
    4. BisharpLv 52
    5. EelektrossLv 52
    6. HydreigonLv 54 Ace
    CAP 54BRING

  15. POST-GAME · UNDELLA TOWN

    Cynthia

    CAP 77
    1. SpiritombLv 75
    2. EelektrossLv 75
    3. MiloticLv 75
    4. BraviaryLv 75
    5. LucarioLv 75
    6. GarchompLv 77 Ace
    CAP 77BRING

  16. POST-GAME · POKÉMON LEAGUE

    Alder

    CAP 77
    1. AccelgorLv 75
    2. BouffalantLv 75
    3. DruddigonLv 75
    4. VanilluxeLv 75
    5. EscavalierLv 75
    6. VolcaronaLv 77 Ace
    CAP 77BRING

The biggest jump is Cilan, Chili or Cress to Lenora (+6).

Black & White Elite Four guide →

Between badges

New Pokémon to catch before each gym in Black & White

Each row shows the Pokémon Unova adds before that row’s leader, best first by how they hold up in the boss fights still ahead. Starters follow the ranked catches.

  1. From the startCilan, Chili or CressCAP 14

    New Pokémon, best first 12

    • PansearPansear#1
    • PatratPatrat#2
    • PanpourPanpour#3
    • LillipupLil­li­pup#4
    • PurrloinPurr­loin#5
    • PansagePansage#6
    • MusharnaMusharna#7
    • AudinoAudino#8
    • MunnaMunna#9
    • SnivySnivyStarter
    • TepigTepigStarter
    • OshawottOsha­wottStarter
  2. After Cilan, Chili or CressLenoraCAP 20

    New Pokémon, best first 9

    • BlitzleBlitzle#1
    • SawkSawk#2
    • DrilburDrilbur#3
    • TympoleTympole#4
    • TimburrTimburr#5
    • ThrohThroh#6
    • WoobatWoobat#7
    • PidovePidove#8
    • RoggenrolaRog­gen­rola#9
  3. After LenoraBurghCAP 23

    New Pokémon, best first 12

    • ScraggyScraggy#1
    • DarumakaDaru­maka#2
    • PetililPetilil#3
    • SandileSandile#4
    • LilligantWLil­li­gant#5
    • CottoneeCot­to­nee#6
    • WhimsicottBWhim­si­cott#7
    • VenipedeVeni­pede#8
    • TranquillTran­quill#9
    • SewaddleSewaddle#10
    • WhirlipedeWhir­li­pede#11
    • SwadloonSwad­loon#12
  4. After BurghElesaCAP 27

    New Pokémon, best first 15

    • ArchenArchen#1
    • CinccinoCinc­cino#2
    • TirtougaTir­touga#3
    • EmolgaEmolga#4
    • LiepardLiepard#5
    • DwebbleDwebble#6
    • SigilyphSigilyph#7
    • YamaskYamask#8
    • LeavannyLea­vanny#9
    • MaractusMarac­tus#10
    • UnfezantUnfe­zant#11
    • GothitaBGothita#12
    Show all (+3)
    • MinccinoMinc­cino#13
    • SolosisWSolosis#14
    • TrubbishTrub­bish#15
  5. After ElesaClayCAP 31

    New Pokémon, best first 6

    • BasculinBas­cu­lin#1
    • DucklettDuck­lett#2
    • HerdierHerdier#3
    • StoutlandStout­land#4
    • VanilliteVanil­lite#5
    • FoongusFoongus#6
  6. After ClaySkylaCAP 35

    New Pokémon, best first 7

    • JoltikJoltik#1
    • TynamoTynamo#2
    • LitwickLitwick#3
    • FerroseedFer­ro­seed#4
    • KlinkKlink#5
    • BoldoreBoldore#6
    • ElgyemElgyem#7
  7. After SkylaBrycenCAP 39

    New Pokémon, best first 9

    • WatchogWatchog#1
    • SeismitoadSeis­mi­toad#2
    • CrustleCrustle#3
    • AxewAxew#4
    • JellicentJel­li­cent#5
    • FrillishFril­lish#6
    • AlomomolaAlo­mo­mola#7
    • StunfiskStun­fisk#8
    • LarvestaLar­vesta#9
  8. After BrycenDrayden or IrisCAP 43

    New Pokémon, best first 11

    • KrokorokKro­ko­rok#1
    • DruddigonDrud­di­gon#2
    • CofagrigusCofa­gri­gus#3
    • GothoritaBGotho­rita#4
    • GothitelleBGothi­telle#5
    • PawniardPaw­niard#6
    • MienfooMienfoo#7
    • GarbodorGar­bo­dor#8
    • DuosionWDuosion#9
    • ReuniclusWReu­ni­clus#10
    • GolettGolett#11
  9. After Drayden or IrisShauntalCAP 50

    New Pokémon, best first 4

    • VullabyBVullaby#1
    • BouffalantBouf­fa­lant#2
    • AmoongussAmoon­guss#3
    • RuffletWRufflet#4
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