This is a collection of level caps for the Gym Leaders and Elite Four members of (almost) all of the mainline Pokémon games, to be used with the Hardcore Nuzlocke rules. For each Gym Leader and Pokémon League member, we list the level of their highest-levelled Pokémon. We’ve included as much information as possible for each generation, including post-game battles where relevant.
(March 2025: We’ve added level caps for Pokémon Renegade Platinum and other Drayano hacks, as well as Emerald Kaizo! Stay tuned for more popular ROM Hacks to be added in the future.)
Table of Contents
Pokémon Red/Blue
Gym 1: Lv 14
Gym 2: Lv 21
Gym 3: Lv 24
Gym 4: Lv 29
Gym 5: Lv 43
Gym 6: Lv 43
Gym 7: Lv 47
Gym 8: Lv 50
Elite Four 1: Lv 56
Elite Four 2: Lv 58
Elite Four 3: Lv 60
Elite Four 4: Lv 62
Champion: Lv 65
Pokémon Yellow
Gym 1: Lv 12
Gym 2: Lv 21
Gym 3: Lv 28
Gym 4: Lv 32
Gym 5: Lv 50
Gym 6: Lv 50
Gym 7: Lv 54
Gym 8: Lv 55
Elite Four 1: Lv 56
Elite Four 2: Lv 58
Elite Four 3: Lv 60
Elite Four 4: Lv 62
Champion: Lv 65
Pokémon Gold/Silver
Note that Gym 7 has a lower level cap than Gym 6.
Gym 1: Lv 9
Gym 2: Lv 16
Gym 3: Lv 20
Gym 4: Lv 25
Gym 5: Lv 30
Gym 6: Lv 35
Gym 7: Lv 31
Gym 8: Lv 40
Elite Four 1: Lv 42
Elite Four 2: Lv 44
Elite Four 3: Lv 46
Elite Four 4: Lv 47
Champion: Lv 50
Pewter City Gym: Lv 44
Cerulean City Gym: Lv 47
Vermillion City Gym: Lv 45
Celadon City Gym: Lv 46
Fuchsia City Gym: Lv 39 (note the drop from previous Gyms)
Saffron City Gym: Lv 48
Seafoam Island Gym: Lv 50
Viridian City Gym: Lv 58
Red: Lv 81
Pokémon Crystal
Note that Gym 7 has a lower level cap than Gym 6.
Gym 1: Lv 9
Gym 2: Lv 16
Gym 3: Lv 20
Gym 4: Lv 25
Gym 5: Lv 30
Gym 6: Lv 35
Gym 7: Lv 31
Gym 8: Lv 40
Elite Four 1: Lv 42
Elite Four 2: Lv 44
Elite Four 3: Lv 46
Elite Four 4: Lv 47
Champion: Lv 50
Pewter City Gym: Lv 44
Cerulean City Gym: Lv 47
Vermillion City Gym: Lv 45
Celadon City Gym: Lv 46
Fuchsia City Gym: Lv 39 (note the drop from previous Gyms)
Saffron City Gym: Lv 48
Seafoam Island Gym: Lv 50
Viridian City Gym: Lv 58
Red: Lv 81
Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire
Gym 1: Lv 15
Gym 2: Lv 18
Gym 3: Lv 23
Gym 4: Lv 28
Gym 5: Lv 31
Gym 6: Lv 33
Gym 7: Lv 42
Gym 8: Lv 43
Elite Four 1: Lv 49
Elite Four 2: Lv 51
Elite Four 3: Lv 53
Elite Four 4: Lv 55
Champion: Lv 58
Pokémon Emerald
Gym 1: Lv 15
Gym 2: Lv 19
Gym 3: Lv 24
Gym 4: Lv 29
Gym 5: Lv 31
Gym 6: Lv 33
Gym 7: Lv 42
Gym 8: Lv 46
Elite Four 1: Lv 49
Elite Four 2: Lv 51
Elite Four 3: Lv 53
Elite Four 4: Lv 55
Champion: Lv 58
Meteor Falls: Lv 78
Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen
Gym 1: Lv 14
Gym 2: Lv 21
Gym 3: Lv 24
Gym 4: Lv 29
Gym 5: Lv 43
Gym 6: Lv 43
Gym 7: Lv 47
Gym 8: Lv 50
Elite Four 1: Lv 54
Elite Four 2: Lv 56
Elite Four 3: Lv 58
Elite Four 4: Lv 60
Champion: Lv 63
Pokémon Diamond/Pearl
Gym 1: Lv 14
Gym 2: Lv 22
Gym 3: Lv 30
Gym 4: Lv 30
Gym 5: Lv 36
Gym 6: Lv 39
Gym 7: Lv 42
Gym 8: Lv 49
Elite Four 1: Lv 57
Elite Four 2: Lv 59
Elite Four 3: Lv 61
Elite Four 4: Lv 63
Champion: Lv 66
Pokémon Platinum
Gym 1: Lv 14
Gym 2: Lv 22
Gym 3: Lv 26
Gym 4: Lv 32
Gym 5: Lv 37
Gym 6: Lv 41
Gym 7: Lv 44
Gym 8: Lv 50
Elite Four 1: Lv 53
Elite Four 2: Lv 55
Elite Four 3: Lv 57
Elite Four 4: Lv 59
Champion: Lv 62
Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver
Gym 1: Lv 13
Gym 2: Lv 17
Gym 3: Lv 19
Gym 4: Lv 25
Gym 5: Lv 31
Gym 6: Lv 35
Gym 7: Lv 34
Gym 8: Lv 41
Elite Four 1: Lv 42
Elite Four 2: Lv 44
Elite Four 3: Lv 46
Elite Four 4: Lv 47
Champion: Lv 50
(Note that the Kanto Gyms do not follow a strict upward progression for level caps. The order of these gyms is flexible, so players must decide how to handle Kanto Gyms if they choose to do so.)
Pewter City Gym: Lv 54
Cerulean City Gym: Lv 54
Vermillion City Gym: Lv 53
Celadon City Gym: Lv 56
Fuchsia City Gym: Lv 50
Saffron City Gym: Lv 55
Seafoam Island Gym: Lv 59
Viridian City Gym: Lv 60
Red: Lv 88
Pokémon Black/White
Gym 1: Lv 14
Gym 2: Lv 20
Gym 3: Lv 23
Gym 4: Lv 27
Gym 5: Lv 31
Gym 6: Lv 35
Gym 7: Lv 39
Gym 8: Lv 43
Pokémon League: Lv 50
Team Plasma Castle N: Lv 52
Team Plasma Castle Ghetsis: Lv 54
Elite Four Rematch: Lv 73
Champion: Lv 77
Undella Trainer: Lv 77
Pokémon Black/White 2
Gym 1: Lv 13
Gym 2: Lv 18
Gym 3: Lv 24
Gym 4: Lv 30
Gym 5: Lv 33
Gym 6: Lv 39
Gym 7: Lv 48
Gym 8: Lv 51
Pokémon League: Lv 58
Champion: 59
Elite Four Rematch: Lv 74
Champion Rematch: Lv 78
Pokémon X/Y
Gym 1: Lv 12
Gym 2: Lv 25
Gym 3: Lv 32
Gym 4: Lv 34
Gym 5: Lv 37
Gym 6: Lv 42
Gym 7: Lv 48
Gym 8: Lv 59
Elite Four: Lv 65
Champion: Lv 68
Elite Four Rematch: Lv 74
Champion Rematch: Lv 78
Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
Gym 1: Lv 14
Gym 2: Lv 16
Gym 3: Lv 21
Gym 4: Lv 28
Gym 5: Lv 30
Gym 6: Lv 35
Gym 7: Lv 45
Gym 8: Lv 46
Elite Four 1: Lv 52
Elite Four 2: Lv 53
Elite Four 3: Lv 54
Elite Four 4: Lv 55
Champion: Lv 59
Elite Four 1 Rematch: Lv 72
Elite Four 2 Rematch: Lv 73
Elite Four 3 Rematch: Lv 74
Elite Four 4 Rematch: Lv 75
Champion Rematch: 79
Pokémon Sun/Moon
This section is still in progress. Sun and Moon have a different structure than other mainline Pokémon games, making it more complicated to identify level caps for a Hardcore Nuzlocke. In the meantime, reference Serebii for information on the Island Trials and Grand Trials.
Pokémon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon
Similar to Sun and Moon versions, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon’s modified format makes identifying level caps for a Hardcore Nuzlocke more complicated. These level caps have been included for your information, but be sure to check with other sources and use your own experience with the games to determine which level caps to use and which battles to consider.
Teacher Emily: Lv 10
Ilima: Lv 12
Hala: Lv 16
Lana: Lv 20
Kiawe: Lv 22
Mallow: Lv 24
Olivia: Lv 28
Sophocles: Lv 33
Acerola: Lv 35
Nanu: Lv 44
Poni Canyon: Lv 49
Ultra Necrozma: Lv 60
Mina: Lv 55
Hapu: Lv 54
Elite Four: Lv 57
Champion: 60
Pokémon Sword/Shield
Gym 1: Lv 20
Gym 2: Lv 24
Gym 3: Lv 27
Gym 4: Lv 36
Gym 5: Lv 38
Gym 6: Lv 42
Gym 7: Lv 46
Gym 8: Lv 48
Marnie: Lv 49
Hop: Lv 49
Bede: Lv 53
Nessa: Lv 53
Bea/Allister: Lv 54
Raihan: Lv 55
Champion Leon: Lv 65
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet
Victory Road
Bug Gym: Lv 15
Grass Gym: Lv 17
Electric Gym: Lv 24
Water Gym: Lv 30
Normal Gym: Lv 36
Ghost Gym: Lv 42
Psychic Gym: Lv 45
Ice Gym: Lv 48
Final Elite Four Member: Lv 61
Champion: Lv 62
Nemona: Lv 66
Path of Titans
Rock Titan: Lv 16
Flying Titan: Lv 19
Steel Titan: Lv 28
Ground Titan: Lv 44
Dragon Titan: Lv 55
Arven: Lv 63
Starfall Street
Dark Team Star: Lv 21
Fire Team Star: Lv 27
Poison Team Star: Lv 33
Fairy Team Star: Lv 51
Fighting Team Star: Lv 56
“Big Boss”: Lv 63
Final Battle: Lv 67 (this battle is not available until after completing the first three paths. You will be forced to battle multiple strong opponents once starting this path and before reaching the final boss battle itself, so keep that in mind if you are concerned about overlevelling. You may also decide to simply allow overlevelling once you’ve started the mission, depending on your personal feelings and ruleset.)
Legends: Z-A
(Note: Rogue Battle level caps are highlighted to make the list more readable. Some players may choose to include these level caps in their run, some may count only the promotion matches – both are included for the reader’s convenience.)
Promotion Match 1: Lv 9
Promotion Match 2: Lv 15
Promotion Match 3: Lv 21
Promotion Match 4: Lv 24
Promotion Match 5: Lv 32
* Rogue Battles Set 1: Lv 34 *
Promotion Match 6: Lv 39
* Rogue Battles Set 2: Lv 41 *
Promotion Match 7: Lv 47
* Rogue Battles Set 3: Lv 48 *
Promotion Match 8: Lv 52
* Rogue Battles Set 4: Lv 53 *
Promotion Match 9: Lv 59
* Rogue Battles Set 5: Lv 59 *
Promotion Match 10: Lv 63
Promotion Match 11: Lv 64
Postgame Rival: Lv 72
Postgame Boss: Lv 80
Postgame Legendary: Lv 84
Pokémon Renegade Platinum
Gym 1: Lv 16
Gym 2: Lv 26
Gym 3: Lv 33
Gym 4: Lv 39
Gym 5: Lv 44
Gym 6: Lv 53
Gym 7: Lv 56
Gym 8: Lv 62
Elite Four 1: Lv 72
Elite Four 2: Lv 73
Elite Four 3: Lv 74
Elite Four 4: Lv 75
Champion: Lv 78
Pokémon Volt White/Blaze Black
Gym 1: Lv 14
Gym 2: Lv 20
Gym 3: Lv 30
Gym 4: Lv 38
Gym 5: Lv 44
Gym 6: Lv 56
Gym 7: Lv 63
Gym 8: Volt White Lv 65 – Blaze Black Lv 66
Elite Four: Lv 73
Ghetsis: Lv 77
Elite Four Rematch: Lv 93
Champion: Lv 100
Pokémon Volt White/Blaze Black 2 Redux (Normal)
Gym 1: Lv 13
Gym 2: Lv 20
Gym 3: Lv 27
Gym 4: Lv 36
Gym 5: Lv 43
Gym 6: Lv 52
Gym 7: Lv 60
Gym 8: Lv 64
Ghetsis: Lv 68
Elite Four: Lv 74
Champion: Lv: 75
Pokémon Volt White/Blaze Black 2 Redux (Challenge)
Gym 1: Lv 14
Gym 2: Lv 21
Gym 3: Lv 29
Gym 4: Lv 38
Gym 5: Lv 45
Gym 6: Lv 55
Gym 7: Lv 64
Gym 8: Lv 68
Ghetsis: Lv 72
Elite Four: Lv 78
Champion: Lv: 79
Pokémon Sacred Gold/Storm Silver
Gym 1: Lv 15
Gym 2: Lv 21
Gym 3: Lv 24
Gym 4: Lv 29
Gym 5: Lv 35
Gym 6: Lv 40
Gym 7: Lv 43
Gym 8: Lv 50
Elite Four: Lv 55
Champion: Lv 60
Pewter City Gym: Lv 61
Cerulean City Gym: Lv 62
Vermillion City Gym: Lv 63
Fuchsia City Gym: Lv 64
Celadon City Gym: Lv 65
Saffron City Gym: Lv 66
Cinnabar Island Gym: Lv 68
Viridian City Gym: Lv 70
Red: Lv 94
Pokémon Rising Ruby/Sinking Sapphire
Gym 1: Lv 16
Gym 2: Lv 19
Gym 3: Lv 28
Gym 4: Lv 38
Gym 5: Lv 42
Gym 6: Lv 50
Gym 7: Lv 62
Gym 8: Lv 67
Elite Four 1: Lv 72
Elite Four 2: Lv 73
Elite Four 3: Lv 74
Elite Four 4: Lv 75
Champion: Lv: 79
Pokémon Emerald Kaizo
Gym 1: Lv 15 (16*)
Gym 2: Lv 19 (20*)
Gym 3: Lv 29
Gym 4: Lv 42
Gym 5: Lv 48
Gym 6: Lv 55
Gym 7: Lv 70
Gym 8: Lv 77
Pokémon League: Lv 100
(*The community generally considers the level caps for the first two Gyms to be 16 and 20, respectively, despite the Gym Leaders’ strongest Pokémon being Lv 15 and 19. This is to make a wider variety of strategies possible in the limited early game and reduce the reliance on encounter RNG.)
We hope you found this list useful. For more Nuzlocke content, check out our Guides and Articles section, and be sure to check back regularly for new tier lists, guides, and articles.
Nuzlocke University 
Scarlet/Violet Grass Gym level cap should be 17, not 18.
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Thank you!
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How does Usum make sense at least make the cap 52 so it makes sense for the next level cap
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It’s just the highest level Pokémon on the team. The level cap isn’t chosen by whoever wrote the article
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In Crystal, Bugsy’s ace Scyther is level 16 — same as in Gold and Silver. To my knowledge there are no level cap differences between Crystal and G/S, so you could probably merge their sections
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why is it that the lvl cap goes down from some gyms in silver/gold?
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This is very helpful, but could you merge the Scarlet/Violet caps so it shows every path’s level cap in a complete order (For Example: Bug Gym, Rocky Cliff Titan, Grass Gym, Open Sky Titan, Dark Team Star Base)
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this website is very very good and it helps me with mz mono challenges alright
goodbye from your beautiful Micheal Jackson
HEHE!
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in emerald kaizo the level caps of the first 2 gym leaders are 1 level higher then the level of the strongest pokemon ( so its 16 and 20)
source: from pchals videos and from many people on reddit
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Thanks for catching that – the edit has been made!
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I love this list, it helped me a lot. But i noticed in legends Za the 2nd level cap should be level 16 not 15
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Why isnt Firered including the second elite four challenge once you beat the Sevii Islands? And why am I seeing youtubers complete this challenge with Lance’s Ace (lvl 60) and not Blue’s 63 aces as being the cap you enter the Elite Four with?
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Simply because people generally don’t include Elite Four rematches as part of the Nuzlocke – most people treat the challenge as over once the champion is beaten, or if there’s another unique challenge, like Red in HG/SS, they may include that. Because it’s usually not treated as part of the Nuzlocke, I didn’t see fit to include it here.
The reason for the level cap discrepancy you’re noticing is that the Hardcore Nuzlocke ruleset usually considers the last E4 member’s ace as the level cap for the league, the idea being that your Pokemon will level up during the first four battles and be close to the champion’s level by the time you reach them. See the Hardcore Nuzlocke variant page for more info. You can of course use whatever you decide as the league level cap, and some may choose to use the champion’s ace, or to treat each E4 member individually if using Rare Candies, but the “traditional” way is to use the ace of the final E4 member.
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Thank you!
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