In the third generation of Pokémon, players and fans of the game were given the opportunity to explore the Hoenn Region of the Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald versions, where the likes of Contests and Double Battles were first introduced. Three generations later, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire were released as remakes of the original Hoenn classics with Mega Evolution thrown into the mix.
With both the originals and remakes, players are expected to face a tough set of Gym Leaders who specialize in different types of Pokémon. From Roxanne to Wallace, each Gym Leader has their strongest signature Pokémon whom they know they can always rely on in battle.
9 Roxanne's Nosepass (Level 14-15)
The first Gym Leader who players will face in the Hoenn Region is the Rock-type specialist, Roxanne. Because her Gym battle is so early on in the game, she only uses Geodude and Nosepass against the player.
Her ace, Nosepass, will be level 15 in the original games or level 14 in the remakes. Either way, Nosepass can be easily defeated if the player chose the Water-type Mudkip or Grass-type Treecko as their starter for a huge type advantage over Roxanne's Rock-types.
8 Brawly's Makuhita (Level 16-19)
The Fighting-type specialist, Brawly, can be found on the small island town of Dewford. His ace, Makuhita, will not be fully evolved at level 18-19 in the originals and 16 in the remakes, but players should be aware of its dangerous Ability, Guts.
With Guts, Makuhita's physical attack will be increased if it has a status condition such as Burn or Poison. To avoid a potential sweep by Makuhita, it is best to stay away from any moves that can inflict status conditions while facing it.
7 Wattson's Magneton & Manectric (Level 21-24)
The Electric-type specialist of the Mauville Gym is none other than Wattson. Unlike the other Hoenn Gym Leaders, Wattson has two different signature Pokémon that depend on the version being played.
The Electric/Steel-type Magneton will be his ace at level 23 in Ruby & Sapphire or level 21 in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire. In Emerald, however, his ace switches to a level 24 Manectric while still keeping the Magneton as part of his team. Regardless of who Wattson's ace is, a Ground-type is all the player needs to ensure a quick victory.
6 Flannery's Torkoal (Level 28-29)
Located next to the Hoenn Region's largest volcano, Lavaridge Town is dedicated to hot springs and Fire-type Pokémon as seen with the local Gym Leader, Flannery. Flannery's team, of course, includes Fire-types based on eruptions and lava, but her signature Pokémon is Torkoal.
With the exception of Emerald version where it is level 29, Flannery's Torkoal will be set at level 28 for the rest of the versions. Torkoal could pose a threat if the sun is out, so it may be ideal to have a Water-type to counter it with the rain.
5 Norman's Slaking (Level 30-31)
The player's in-game father, Norman, happens to be the Gym Leader of Petalburg City. Specializing in Normal-type Pokémon, Norman keeps it simple with Slaking as his ace. Slaking will be level 31 in the originals and level 30 in the remakes.
At first glance, Slaking can be quite intimidating with the same base stat total as the Hoenn legendaries, Groudon and Kyogre. However, the key to defeating Norman's Slaking is by taking advantage of its Ability, Truant. With Truant, Slaking can only attack every other turn, so be sure to hit it hard when its guard is down.
4 Winona's Altaria (Level 33-35)
At the Fortree City Gym, Winona has a versatile team of dual Flying-types. For example, her signature Pokémon, Altaria, is a powerful Dragon/Flying who can give the player a hard time if they aren't careful.
Although Altaria will be a higher level at 35 in the remakes, it is arguably more dangerous in the originals at level 33 with Dragon Dance in its moveset. If Winona's Altaria is able to set up a few Dragon Dances, it may be too strong and speedy for the player to keep up.
3 Tate's Solrock & Liza's Lunatone (Level 42-45)
With Double Battles introduced in Generation III, it's only fitting that Mossdeep City has a Gym Leader duo in Tate and Liza for a unique Gym battle experience. Tate's Solrock and Liza's Lunatone will both be level 42 in the originals and level 45 in the remakes.
The best way to approach this Double Battle Gym match is with Dark-type Pokémon who can hit Solrock and Lunatone for super-efficient damage while also being completely immune to their Psychic attacks.
2 Wallace's Milotic (Level 43-46)
In Ruby & Sapphire and Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Wallace is Sootopolis City's Gym Leader who specializes in Water-type Pokémon. With just as much glamour and grace as himself, it makes sense that Wallace's ace is the stunning Milotic.
Milotic will be level 43 in the originals and level 46 in the remakes, but it should not prove to be too big of a threat if the player comes prepared with powerful Electric or Grass-type to break through its beefy defenses.
1 Juan's Kingdra (Level 46)
Unlike the rest of the Hoenn Gym Leaders, Juan only appears in Pokémon Emerald, where he takes Wallace's place as the Gym Leader of Sootopolis. Similar to Wallace, Juan specializes in Water-types with Kingdra as his signature Pokémon.
Thanks to its great Water/Dragon-typing, Kingdra only has to worry about other Dragon-types taking it down. Therefore, it could be worth training up Dragon-types like Flygon or Salamence to resist Kingdra's Water-type attacks while hitting it for super-effective damage.