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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe standard Gym route in the original Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire is Rustboro, Dewford, Mauville, Lavaridge, Petalburg, Fortree, Mossdeep, and Sootopolis. The leaders are Roxanne, Brawly, Wattson, Flannery, Norman, Winona, Tate and Liza, and Wallace, in that order. Each victory awards a badge that also grants a field-use permission or other in-game effect.
Gym order in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
This guide covers the original Game Boy Advance games, not Pokémon Emerald or the Nintendo 3DS remakes. The level ranges below refer to each leader’s Pokémon, not a required level for your own party; use them as a general readiness reference.
| Order | City | Leader | Specialty | Badge | Leader Pokémon levels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rustboro | Roxanne | Rock | Stone | 14–15 |
| 2 | Dewford | Brawly | Fighting | Knuckle | 17–18 |
| 3 | Mauville | Wattson | Electric | Dynamo | 20–23 |
| 4 | Lavaridge | Flannery | Fire | Heat | 26–28 |
| 5 | Petalburg | Norman | Normal | Balance | 28–31 |
| 6 | Fortree | Winona | Flying | Feather | 30–33 |
| 7 | Mossdeep | Tate and Liza | Psychic | Mind | 42 |
| 8 | Sootopolis | Wallace | Water | Rain | 40–43 |
What each badge does
Badges provide permission to use certain Hidden Machines (HMs) outside battle. They can also affect battles or obedience. The HM itself is usually obtained separately, so earning a badge does not automatically put the corresponding move in your inventory.
| Badge | Field-use permission | Other listed effect |
|---|---|---|
| Stone | Cut | Raises Attack |
| Knuckle | Flash | Raises obedience limit |
| Dynamo | Rock Smash | Raises Speed |
| Heat | Strength | Raises obedience limit |
| Balance | Surf | Raises Defense |
| Feather | Fly | Raises obedience limit |
| Mind | Dive | Raises Special Attack and Special Defense |
| Rain | Waterfall | Raises obedience limit |
Where to get key HMs
Some of the most important field moves come from people or locations away from the Gym that grants permission to use them. In Ruby and Sapphire, the listed locations include:
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- Cut: from the Cutter in Rustboro.
- Surf: from Wally’s father after you defeat Norman.
- Rock Smash: from a Mauville resident.
- Dive: from Steven in Mossdeep.
- Waterfall: found in the Cave of Origin.
For route navigation, check both your badge and whether you have actually obtained the required HM. The Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald HM chart lists HM locations and Pokémon compatibility.
How to prepare for the next Gym
Use the order and leader levels as a planning aid rather than a strict party-level rule. Each Gym specializes in a type, so consider bringing moves or Pokémon that can answer that specialty, and carry healing supplies suited to your needs. Your party’s moves, strengths, and condition matter as much as a single level number.
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If your progress seems out of sequence, compare your current city and badge count with the table, then check the story route and HM access. The reference route documented for these games is the standard progression shown above.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Ruby and Sapphire versus Emerald
The Sootopolis leader differs by game: Wallace leads the Gym in Ruby and Sapphire, while Juan is the leader in Emerald. The Champion differs too: Steven is Champion in Ruby and Sapphire, while Wallace holds that role in Emerald. The official Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version overview describes the games as RPGs featuring double battles, Abilities, and Natures.
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