Sinnoh’s eight gym leaders return to challenge the Elite 4 as well as the region’s Champion. With each badge earned, new skills and areas are unlocked, opening the ever-evolving world of Pokémon as players grow stronger on every step of their adventure.
Gardenia is the second gym leader in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, and players will find her gym in Eterna City. Gardenia uses Grass-type Pokémon, so her gym will be easier for players who have chosen Chimchar as their starter Pokémon. By the time they reach Eterna Gym, Chimchar will have likely evolved into Monferno, which will make taking on Grass-types a breeze with their weakness to Fire. However, players who chose Piplup or Turtwig will be able to catch plenty of Pokémon who are effective against Grass types by the time they challenge Gardenia.
To face Gardenia, players must find and defeat four trainers hiding in the Eterna Gym. The trainers only appear after the previous one has been beaten, but each one will give the player a hint about where the next one is hiding. The first is hiding behind the treeline just to the left of Gardenia’s platform. The second can be found by following the path to the left past two boulders. The third is behind the three trees on the right that are a lighter shade than all the others. The last can be found by taking the path on the right all the way to the northernmost corner of the gym. After defeating all four, Gardenia will appear on her platform at the back of the gym. Players can leave the gym to heal their Pokémon before the battle without losing their progress.
How To Beat Gardenia In Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Gardenia’s grass-type Pokémon are weak to Fire, Bug, Flying, Poison, Steel, and Dragon-type Pokémon, so players have plenty of options for their Pokémon party even if they didn’t choose Chimchar as their starter. While Ponyta is the only Fire-type Pokémon found in the wild before players reach Eterna City, there are plenty of Pokémon with other types of moves that are strong against Grass-types. Starly, Staravia, Zubat, Kricketot, Kricketune, and Swablu can each learn multiple moves that will be super effective in battle. Additionally, Prinplup can learn Peck at level 15 and Metal Claw at level 16, which will both be effective, although players will have to be mindful of its weakness to grass-type moves while battling Gardenia.
Gardenia has three Pokémon: a Cherubi, a Turtwig, and a Roserade. While these are the same Pokémon that were in her party in the original Gen IV games, their movesets have been updated in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
Cherubi / Grass / Level 19
- Safeguard
- Grass Knot
- Growth
- Dazzling Gleam
Turtwig / Grass / Level 19
- Reflect
- Razor Leaf
- Work Up
- Grass Knot
Roserade / Grass & Poison / Level 22
- Grass Knot
- Stun Spore
- Petal Blizzard
- Poison Sting
Roserade also holds a Sitrus Berry, which it may consume during battle if its health gets low.
Gardenia’s signature move, Grass Knot, will increase the amount of damage it does based on how heavy the opposing Pokémon is, so forming a party of light-weight Pokémon is a good strategy to minimize damage. It’s also a good idea to bring plenty of antidotes and paralyze heals into battle to heal poisoning and paralysis. While Roserade’s moves can pack a punch damage-wise, flying and bug types will be able to take the hits and manage to deal enough damage before being knocked out.
After defeating Gardenia in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, players will receive the Forest Badge, as well as five TM86s, which will teach a Pokémon the Grass Knot move. They will also be able to use the Cut ability outside of battle, and traded Pokémon will obey them up to level 30. In addition, Gardenia will give them a set of her Stickers so players can customize their Poké Balls.
Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are available on Nintendo Switch.
