Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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Gym Leader Brawly

Machop, Level 16 (Fighting)
Meditite, Level 16 (Fighting)
Makuhita, Level 19 (Fighting)

Any starter Pokémon should help you out here since none of them have an advantage or disadvantage. For Machop, bring in a Flying Pokémon like Wingull or Taillow (or if you raised it to a Swellow, then go for it). A Wing Attack or two should do the job for Machop. If you don’t have a flyer, use a Psychic Pokémon such as Kadabra (or if you traded it for Alakazam) or Ralts. A few Confusions can get the job done as well.

Meditite, on the other hand, can be a challenge. Being part Psychic, it eliminates Fighting’s weakness to Psychic. Use a Flying type to get rid of Meditite. If not, use your starter to attack (it should be evolved into its 2nd form by now, if not, it should be close). Every turn, Meditite will charge up for a Focus Punch that can knock you out in one hit. But if you attack Meditite while it charges for a Focus Punch, it loses its focus and is unable to attack. If you keep doing that, you’ll eventually triumph.

Your last target should be Makuhita. A Psychic with Confusion or a Flyer with Wing Attack greatly helps, but you have to watch out for its moves. It has Reversal, which deals out the same amount of HP that Makuhita lost. So if it has little health left, it’ll use Reversal and pretty much knock you out. Vital Throw is also a strong Fighting move that won’t miss, so keep your eyes out for that.

If you can’t beat Brawly, go raise your Pokémon in the Granite Cave by fighting the wild Pokémon, as there are a handful there that can give you a few levels.

Once you beat Brawly, you’ll receive the Knuckle Badge. With the Knuckle Badge, traded Pokémon up to level 30 will obey you, and you’ll also have the ability to use Flash outside of battle. Now leave the gym.