Best Victory Road gym order in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and Gym Badge levels explained

Best Gym order: All Gym Leaders, the Elite Four and Top Champion in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet listed

While Pokémon Scarlet and Violet allows you to tackle the Gym Leaders in any order, there is a preferred path to take through the Victory Road storyline based upon their Pokémon’s set levels.

Here’s the path we recommend taking in the Victory Road storyline:

1. Cortondo Gym - Bug Gym Leader Kathy
2. Artazon Gym - Grass Gym Leader Brassius
3. Levincia Gym - Electric Gym Leader Iono
4. Cascarrafa Gym - Water Gym Leader Kofu
5. Medali Gym - Normal Gym Leader Larry
6. Montenevera Gym - Ghost Gym Leader Ryme
7. Alfornada Gym - Psychic Gym Leader Tulip
8. Glaseado Gym - Ice Gym Leader Grusha
9. Elite Four
10. Top Champion

Remember - you’ll also find yourself battling Nemona regularly during this storyline!

How the Victory Road storyline works in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

To complete the Victory Road storyline in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you need to defeat the eight Gym Leaders of the Paldea region, so you can challenge the Elite Four and, finally, the Top Champion!

Scarlet and Violet’s open world nature means you can challenge the Gym Leaders in any order you like. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that their Pokémon’s levels are set and, due to this, there is a preferred path to take, which we’ve outlined in the section above.

You’ll experience a number of storybeats as you travel between the Gyms, such as meeting important characters and battles with Nemona. Remember - due to the non-linear nature of this storyline, these events are not tied to specific locations.

Finally, defeating a Gym Leader will earn you the customary Gym Badge and TM, along with unlocking more classes at the Academy and more craftable TMs.

Before tackling the Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet walkthrough can take you through the entire game - including The First Day of School, Victory Road, Starfall Street, Path of Legends and when you're ready, The Way Home and the final boss. Elsewhere, we can help with the Normal Gym test Secret Item menu, version differences, the best Scarlet and Violet starter, EXP farming, shiny Pokémon and learning how to fly, swim, climb and dash. When it comes to individual Pokémon, we can help with Gimmighoul, Ditto, Bellibolt, Pawmot, Scovillain, Frigibax, Sinistea, Brambleghast, Annihilape, Farigiraf, Dudunsparce, Lycanrock forms, Armarouge and Ceruledge.

Gym Badges in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet explained

You will receive a Gym Badge for every Gym Leader you defeat in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with each one making Pokémon of a specific level both listen to you and easier to catch.

Yet, unlike past Pokémon games, this bonus is now tied to the number of badges you have, rather than a specific badge itself. This means you can’t defeat a specific Gym Leader and, in doing so, have every Pokémon obey you no matter their level. You’ve got to collect every Gym Badge to earn this bonus!

Below you’ll discover how many badges you need to increase the level cap in regards of having Pokémon listen to you and being easier to catch:

• 1 Badge - Up to Level 25
• 2 Badges - Up to Level 30
• 3 Badges - Up to Level 35
• 4 Badges - Up to Level 40
• 5 Badges - Up to Level 45
• 6 Badges - Up to Level 50
• 7 Badges - Up to Level 55
• 8 Badges - All Pokémon will obey your orders and are easier to catch

Good luck journeying down Victory Road and, once you’ve reached the end, make sure you explore the Starfall Street and Path of Legends storylines!