Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: All Gym Leaders and their Pokemon types

Daniel Megarry
Grusha appearing as one of the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet gym leaders

Gym Leaders are a big part of a trainer’s Pokemon journey and in order to finish Scarlet & Violet‘s main story, you have to beat all of them first. Here’s everything trainers need to know about the strongest opponents from Gen 9.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet feature three different main story paths to work your way through, with one of them requiring you to defeat all Gym Leaders and become a Pokemon Champion.

Defeating Gym Leaders is of course a hallmark of the franchise, but Scarlet & Violet puts a twist on this by letting you tackle each Gym in any order you like, reflecting the open-world gameplay on offer.

Here’s everything players need to know about the strongest trainers in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Alternatively, be sure to check out our list of all the Pokemon in the Paldea Pokedex, our Terastallizing guide, and everything you need to know about the Paldea region, before embarking on your Pokemon adventure.

A Gym in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

All Gym Leaders in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Here are all of the Gym Leaders that have been revealed for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet so far:

Katy (Cortondo Gym)

pokemon scarlet violet katy

Katy is a Bug-type specialist who runs the Gym in Cortondo, a town that celebrates its rich olive export along with the Olive Harvest Festival. She uses a Nymble, a Tarountula, and a Terastalized Teddiursa on her Gym team.

As for Katy herself, she runs a bakery in Cortondo called the Patisserie Soapberry. She believes both sweets and Bug-type Pokemon have great power despite their size. She also trained under Cascarrafa’s Gym Leader, Kofu.

Brassius (Artazon Gym)

pokemon scarlet violet brassius

Brassius is a Grass-type specialist who runs the Gym in Artazon, a town that’s alive with flowers and art. He uses a Petilil, a Smoliv, and a Terastalized Sudowoodo (which he calls Truleewoodo) on his Gym team.

According to his bio, Brassius “treats Pokémon battles as works of art and is always in search of artistic quality, using his Gym Test to help judge a Trainer’s aesthetic sensibilities”

Iono (Levincia Gym)

pokemon scarlet violet iono
Iono is an Electric-type Gym Leader in Levincia.

She is an Electric-type specialist in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet who uses a Wattrel, a Bellibolt, Luxio, and a Terastalized Mismagius. Iono runs the Gym in Levincia city where she livestreams all of her Gym battles, or “collabs” as she refers to them online.

Iono is one of the most eccentric new Gym Leaders and has a background as an online streamer and influencer.

Kofu (Cascarrafa Gym)

pokemon scarlet violet kofu

Kofu is a Water-type specialist who runs the Gym in Cascarrafa, which is known as the City of Water. He uses a Veluza, a Wugtrio, and a Terastalized Crabominable on his Gym team.

Additionally, Kofu is a master chef who specializes in seafood cuisine. He is the head of his own restaurant know as the Kofu Lounge.

Larry (Medali Gym)

pokemon scarlet violet larry

Larry is a Normal-type specialist who runs the Gym in Medali City. He uses a Komala, a Dudunsparce, and a Terastalized Staraptor on his Gym team.

Larry himself is a serious and brooding salaryman, who is secretly much more powerful than he lets on. Though he appears unnmotivated on the surface he does is best in battles. Larry also has a soft spot for food and often eats at the Treasure Eatery in Medali.

Ryme (Montenevera Gym)

pokemon scarlet violet ryme

Ryme is a Ghost-type specialist who runs the Gym in Monteneverra, a snow-covered town deep in the Glaseado mountains. She uses a Bannette, a Mimikyu, a Houndstone, and a Terastalized Toxtricity on her Gym team.

Ryme is a renowned hip-artist and rapper who incorporates rap battles into her Gym battles. Additionally, Ryme is actually the younger sister of Instructor Tyme of the main Academy.

Tulip (Alfornada Gym)

pokemon scarlet violet tulip

Tulip is a Psychic-type specialist who runs the Gym in Alfornada. She uses a Farigiraf, a Gardevoir, an Espathra, and a Terastalized Florges on her Gym team.

Alongside her duties as a Gym Leader, Tulip is also a fashion model and makeup artist. She is childhood friends with Instructor Dendra from the main Academy.

Grusha (Glaseado Gym)

pokemon scarlet violet grusha

Grusha is an Ice-type specialist who is the leader of the Glaseado Gym in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. He used to be a professional snowboarder but now serves as a full-time Gym Leader with new Pokemon Cetitan as his partner.

Grusha uses a Frosmoth, a Beartic, a Cetitan, and a Terastalized Altaria on his Gym team.

How do Gyms work in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet?

Like most mainline Pokemon games, you’ll need to defeat all eight Gym Leaders around the open-world Paldea region and collect their Gym Badges before you can attempt to become a Champion.

One big change from previous Pokemon games is that you can tackle the eight Gym Leaders in any order you like, so you could go straight to the most difficult one at the very beginning of your journey.

Once you’ve got all eight Gym Badges, you’ll be able to take on a special test called the Champion Assessment. Pass this difficult challenge, and you’ll be given the coveted Champion Rank.

And that’s everything you need to know about the Gym Leaders in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet! Check out some other Pokemon Scarlet & Violet guides below:

Paldea Pokedex | Best starter Pokemon | How to get Marks in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Are Pokemon Scarlet & Violet compatible with Pokemon Home? | Unlocking 5 & 6-star Tera Raids in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | How to unlock Rotom Phone cases in Scarlet & Violet | How to change clothes in Scarlet & Violet | How to co-op with friends in Scarlet & Violet | All Shiny forms in Scarlet & Violet | Sandwich recipes in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet | Pokemon Scarlet & Violet egg breeding guide | How to get Rare Candy in Scarlet & Violet

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About The Author

Daniel graduated from university with a degree in Journalism and English Language, before spending five years at GAY TIMES covering LGBTQ+ news and entertainment. He then made the switch to video game journalism where he produces news, features, and guides for Pokemon, Fortnite, Nintendo, and PlayStation games. Daniel also has a passion for any games with queer representation.