| Pokémon | Level | Type |
|---|---|---|
 Magmar |
56 | Fire |
 Ninetales |
56 | Fire |
 Arcanine |
57 | Fire |
 Rapidash |
56 | Fire |
 Flareon |
56 | Fire |
If Sabrina caused you headaches, Blaine is a far more simpler beast. Like before, he focuses on Fire-type Pokémon–and they’re all pure Fire-types, so preparing a counter-strategy is very easy. Just bring Water and Rock-types.
To begin with, Blaine sends out Magmar. It can use Fire Punch for STAB, Thunder Punch to damage Water-types, Brick Break to get rid of protective barriers, and Will-O-Wisp to burn. Despite Thunder Punch, Water-types are ideal here. Rock-types are technically safer, but they’ll be crippled by burn.
Ninetales can be your next opponent. This mystical fox can use Fire Blast for STAB, Dark Pulse to potentially cause flinch, Quick Attack to try and attack first, and Solar Beam to charge up an attack that hurts Water and Rock-types. If they’re fast or strong enough, a good Water or Rock-type can easily deal with it.
Arcanine is Blaine’s prized Pokémon. This one can use Flare Blitz for STAB, Play Rough to hurt Dark and Fighting-types, Crunch to take a bite from Ghost and Psychic-types, and Outrage for other targets. It’s got nothing on Water or Rock-types though.
Rapidash is deceptively quick, so watch out for that. It can use Flare Blitz too, plus Quick Attack to go first, Megahorn to hurt Psychics, and Drill Run to wreck Rock-types. That leaves Water-types as the safest choice. Or you could go with a Ground-type.
Finally, Blaine has a Flareon–a Fire-type 
Eevee. This one can use Flare Blitz for STAB, Superpower and Iron Tail to knock down Rock-types, and Quick Attack to finish off weakened foes. Obviously, Water-types will have an easy ride. Like Rapidash, you could consider a Ground-type as well.
That’s the first seven Gym Leaders, but what about the eighth one? Well, Giovanni has retired and you won’t be seeing him again anytime soon. But if you go back to his Viridian City Gym, you’ll find that somebody else has taken his place. If so, refer to our Battling Red, Green and Blue page.
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