Back to Petalburg for the Showdown

Return to Petalburg City in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire to challenge your father, Norman, for the Balance Badge. Learn the gym's layout, trainer strategies, and Norman's weaknesses.

Gym Information:

Gym Leader: Norman

Gym's Pokemon Type: Normal

Best Types Against Normal: Fighting, Rock

Gym Puzzle: The gym is a maze of rooms. After defeating a trainer in a room, you can choose a door to proceed to the next area. The map below shows the room layout and connections.

Gym Map:

NORMAN
/ \
6 7
/ \ / \
3 4 5
| / \ |
1 2
\ X /
The 'X' marks the starting point.

Trainers and Rooms:

• Room 1 - Speed Room: Cooltrainer Randall (Swellow, Level 26). Uses speed moves like Agility. Recommended: Electric or Rock Pokémon for a quick knockout.
• Room 2 - Accuracy Room: Cooltrainer Mary (Delcatty, Level 26). Uses moves that never miss.
• Room 3 - Confusion Room: Cooltrainer Parker (Spinda, Level 26). Uses moves that inflict confusion. Recommended: Full Heals or a Yellow Flute. Be prepared for the risk of self-inflicted damage while confused.
• Room 4 - Defense Room: Cooltrainer Alexia (Wigglytuff, Level 26). Uses moves that boost defense. Wigglytuff has high HP but low defense.
• Room 5 - Recovery Room: Cooltrainer George (Slakoth, Level 26). Recovers HP when low.
• Room 6 - Strength Room: Cooltrainer Jody (Zangoose, Level 26). Uses moves like Swords Dance to boost attack. Zangoose can be dangerous; aim for a quick defeat.
• Room 7 - 1 Hit KO Room: Cooltrainer Berke (Vigoroth, Level 26). Uses moves like Slash with a high critical hit chance. Recommended: Fast Pokémon with high defenses, like Golem.

Gym Leader Norman's Pokémon:

• Spinda, Level 27 (Normal)
• Vigoroth, Level 27 (Normal)
• Linoone, Level 29 (Normal)
• Slaking, Level 31 (Normal)

Norman's Strategy and Weaknesses:

• General: Fighting-type Pokémon like Machamp or Hariyama are highly effective. Rock-types like Graveler/Golem and Steel-types like Lairon also resist Normal-type attacks due to their high Defense.
• Spinda: Can inflict confusion; a Yellow Flute can help. Has average stats.
• Vigoroth: Has high Attack and Speed. Its ability, Vital Spirit, prevents sleep. Defeat it quickly.
• Linoone: May use Belly Drum to boost Attack at the cost of HP, making it vulnerable.
• Slaking: The main threat with massive Attack and good Defense. Its ability, Truant, allows it to attack only every other turn, providing an opening. Avoid status conditions like poison if possible, as it might be immune or resist them.

• Balance Badge
• TM67 (Recycle)
• $3200