Route 5: Gym 5

Your guide to Route 5 in Pokémon Black and White! Face Cheren, battle trainers, and prepare for Elesa's Gym 5 challenge. Get tips and strategies!

Alright, let's head to Route 5! This is a pretty small route, mostly just a road with some travelers hanging out. You'll find a bit of tall grass up north, but the main action is the road itself. Keep an eye out for Gothita (in Black) or Solosis (in White), Minccino, Trubbish, Liepard, and sometimes even Smeargle if you're lucky. Shaking grass can also yield Audino, Cinccino, or Emolga, so don't ignore those!

Before you get too far, you might want to grab a Great Ball, Revive, Zinc, or Hyper Potion from the items scattered around. There's also a maid in a caravan who's looking for gourmet ingredients – she'll buy them off you if you've got any to spare.

Head back to Nimbasa City, specifically the area with the Pokémon Center and Musical Theater, and take the northwest exit. That's Route 5! As you stroll along, Cheren is going to catch up with you for another battle. Seriously, these guys just can't get enough fighting!

Trainer Battle: Cheren

Cheren's Pokémon have gotten stronger since you last met. He's still rocking a Liepard (Level 24), a Tranquill (Level 24), and then his starter Pokémon will depend on who you picked at the beginning. If you chose Tepig, he'll have Pansear (Level 24) and a Dewott (Level 26). If you chose Oshawott, it'll be Panpour (Level 24) and a Servine (Level 26). And if you picked Snivy, you'll face Pansear (Level 24) and a Pignite (Level 26). Just use the type advantages you've learned, and you should be able to shut him up again.

After that battle, you'll meet some travelers, including the current Pokémon Champion! They'll chat with Cheren and then ask you to take on a Double Battle against two Preschoolers.

Double Battle: Preschoolers

These two have a pair of Herdier, both at Level 26. It's a straightforward double battle, so just focus on taking them down together.

Once you're done with them, you can continue on your way. If you're looking to train up some of your Pokémon, there are quite a few trainers on this route you can battle. You'll face a Harlequinn with two Whirlipedes (Level 22), a Baker with a Fire, Water, and Grass type starter Pokémon (all Level 21), a Dancer with two Darumaka (Level 22), a Musician with two Blitzle (Level 22), an Artist with a Sigilyph (Level 23), and two Backpackers, one with a Munna (Level 23) and another with a Palpitoad (Level 23). Take your pick if you need the experience!

When you're all set, meet back up with Cheren. Elesa will then lower the bridge, opening the path to your next big challenge: Gym 5!