As with all games in the series, progression in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl revolves around defeating Gym Leaders.
The final Gym Leader is Volkner, holder of the Beacon Badge.
How to solve the Sunyshore City Gym puzzle
Before you get to Volkner, you'll need to solve a puzzle involving rotating platforms and buttons that activate them.
Follow this video guide from our French team if you get stuck!
How to defeat Volkner in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
As always, make sure you heal up at the Pokémon Center before taking on the Gym Leader.
Volkner only has Electric-type Pokémon, so strategising is pretty easy. Bear in mind the following:
- Ground-type Pokémon are super effective, as Electric-type moves will have no effect.
- Steel, Flying, and Electric-type moves will not be very effective.
Whatever you do, don't use Flying or Water-type Pokémon, as Volkner's team will rip through you.
Garchomp is a fantastic Pokémon to use for this battle, if you have visited Iron Island and picked up the base Riolu.
Geodude and its evolutions will be strong, as will Onix. If you started with Turtwig, then its final evolution, Torterra, is also strong.
Pachirisu, Level 44
Win: 1,056 Pokédollars
Mr. Mime, Level 44
Win: 1,056 Pokédollars
Luxio, Level 44
Win: 1,232 Pokédollars
Pikachu, Level 41
Pikachu, Level 41
Pikachu, Level 41
Pikachu, Level 41
Win: 492 Pokédollars
Raichu, Level 44
Win: 1,232 Pokédollars
Kadabra, Level 44
Raichu, Level 44
Win: 2,816 Pokédollars
Luxio, Level 42
Bibarel, Level 43
Win: 1,176 Pokédollars
Steelix, Level 44
Medicham, Level 44
Win: 2,816 Pokédollars
When it comes to Volkner himself, the big issue will be dealing with moves that cause Paralyze.
Make sure you have plenty of Paralyze Heals for Raichu and Luxray - who also has the devastating Charge Beam and Dark-type Crunch, which can cause flinching.
Octillery can cause problems with Water, Electric, Grass, and Ice-type moves, while Ambipom also has plenty to harass your team.
Raichu, Level 46
Ambipom, Level 47
Octillery, Level 47
Luxray, Level 49
Win: 6,076 Pokedollars
Defeating Volkner will get the Beacon Badge, which unlocks the ability to use Waterfall outside of battle.
He'll give you the Stickers he uses for his capsules, and TM57 Charge Beam. This is a strong attack, and may increase your Pokémon's Sp.Atk.
Now that you have your final Gym Badge, you're ready to challenge the Elite Four!
