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Gen V · Unova

Pokémon Black and White Nuzlocke guide

Level caps, boss teams and trainer levels for your next run — 13 main-story battles from Cilan (Lv 14) to Alder (Lv 77).

  • Nuzlocke
  • SoulLink
  • Randomizer

Black and White were a fresh start: until the post-game, you only meet new Unova Pokémon. The story of N and Team Plasma is one of the series’ best, and the Elite Four can be challenged in any order.

Region
Unova
Generation
V
First cap
Lv14
Final cap
Lv77
Main battles
13
Areas tracked
84

Black & White level caps

A level cap is the level of the opponent’s strongest Pokémon. In a Hardcore Nuzlocke, no Pokémon in your party may be above the cap when the battle starts.

The biggest jump in the main story is +27 levels, from Marshal (Lv 50) to Alder (Lv 77). Plan your training before it.

Black

Main story of Black in story order
#BattleTypeAceLevel cap
01CilanGymPansagePansageLv14
02LenoraGymWatchogWatchogLv20
03BurghGymLeavannyLeavannyLv23
04ElesaGymZebstrikaZebstrikaLv27
05ClayGymExcadrillExcadrillLv31
06SkylaGymSwannaSwannaLv35
07BrycenGymBearticBearticLv39
08DraydenGymHaxorusHaxorusLv43
09ShauntalLeagueChandelureChandelureLv50
10GrimsleyLeagueBisharpBisharpLv50
11CaitlinLeagueGothitelleGothitelleLv50
12MarshalLeagueMienshaoMienshaoLv50
13AlderLeagueVolcaronaVolcaronaLv77

Rivals, villains and other story battles

Optional and recurring story battles, sorted by level
BattleTypeAceLevel cap
NBossPurrloinPurrloinLv7
NBossTimburrTimburrLv13
NBossSigilyphSigilyphLv22
NBossKlinkKlinkLv28
NBossZekromZekromLv52
GhetsisBossHydreigonHydreigonLv54
Post-game battles (6)
Post-game and DLC battles, sorted by level
BattleTypeAceLevel cap
Team Plasma NPost-gameZekromZekromLv52
Team Plasma GhetsisPost-gameHydreigonHydreigonLv54
Shauntal - rematchPost-gameChandelureChandelureLv73
Grimsley - rematchPost-gameBisharpBisharpLv73
Caitlin - rematchPost-gameMetagrossMetagrossLv73
Marshal - rematchPost-gameConkeldurrConkeldurrLv73

Black & White boss teams

Every gym leader, trial and League battle of the main story with levels and known movesets. Tap a battle to open its team.

Black

01 Cilan Gym Cap14

Gym Leader Cilan

  • Lillipup
    Lillipup Lv12 Vital Spirit Bite · Work Up · Odor Sleuth · Helping Hand
  • Pansage
    Pansage Lv14 Gluttony Vine Whip · Work Up · Lick · Fury Swipes
02 Lenora Gym Cap20

Gym Leader Lenora

  • Herdier
    Herdier Lv18 Intimidate Take Down · Bite · Retaliate · Leer
  • Watchog
    Watchog Lv20 Illuminate Leer · Crunch · Retaliate · Hypnosis
03 Burgh Gym Cap23

Gym Leader Burgh

  • Whirlipede
    Whirlipede Lv21 Poison Point Poison Tail · Struggle Bug · Pursuit · Screech
  • Dwebble
    Dwebble Lv21 Sturdy Smack Down · Struggle Bug · Faint Attack · Sand-attack
  • Leavanny
    Leavanny Lv23 Swarm Razor Leaf · Struggle Bug · String Shot · Protect
04 Elesa Gym Cap27

Gym Leader Elesa

  • Emolga
    Emolga Lv25 Static Pursuit · Quick Attack · Volt Switch · Aerial Ace
  • Emolga
    Emolga Lv25 Static Pursuit · Quick Attack · Volt Switch · Aerial Ace
  • Zebstrika
    Zebstrika Lv27 Lightningrod Quick Attack · Spark · Volt Switch · Flame Charge
05 Clay Gym Cap31

Gym Leader Clay

  • Krokorok
    Krokorok Lv29 Intimidate Crunch · Swagger · Bulldoze · Torment
  • Palpitoad
    Palpitoad Lv29 Swift Swim Muddy Water · Aqua Ring · Bulldoze · Bubblebeam
  • Excadrill
    Excadrill Lv31 Sand Rush Slash · Rock Slide · Bulldoze · Hone Claws
06 Skyla Gym Cap35

Gym Leader Skyla

  • Swoobat
    Swoobat Lv33 Unaware Heart Stamp · Amnesia · Acrobatics · Assurance
  • Unfezant
    Unfezant Lv33 Big Pecks Quick Attack · Air Slash · Leer · Razor Wind
  • Swanna
    Swanna Lv35 Keen Eye Aqua Ring · Aerial Ace · Air Slash · Bubblebeam
07 Brycen Gym Cap39

Gym Leader Brycen

  • Vanillish
    Vanillish Lv37 Ice Body Mirror Shot · Acid Armor · Frost Breath · Astonish
  • Cryogonal
    Cryogonal Lv37 Levitate Reflect · Aurora Beam · Frost Breath · Rapid Spin
  • Beartic
    Beartic Lv39 Snow Cloak Slash · Brine · Icicle Crash · Swagger
08 Drayden Gym Cap43

Gym Leader Drayden

  • Fraxure
    Fraxure Lv41 Rivalry Dragon Dance · Dragon Rage · Dragon Tail · Assurance
  • Druddigon
    Druddigon Lv41 Rough Skin Chip Away · Revenge · Dragon Tail · Night Slash
  • Haxorus
    Haxorus Lv43 Mold Breaker Dragon Dance · Slash · Dragon Tail · Assurance
09 Shauntal League Cap50

Elite Four Shauntal

  • Cofagrigus
    Cofagrigus Lv48 Mummy Will-o-wisp · Grass Knot · Psychic · Shadow Ball
  • Male Jellicent
    Male Jellicent Lv48 Cursed Body Energy Ball · Brine · Surf · Shadow Ball
  • Golurk
    Golurk Lv48 Iron Fist Curse · Earthquake · Brick Break · Shadow Punch
  • Chandelure
    Chandelure Lv50 Flame Body Payback · Fire Blast · Psychic · Shadow Ball
10 Grimsley League Cap50

Elite Four Grimsley

  • Scrafty
    Scrafty Lv48 Moxie Crunch · Brick Break · Poison Jab · Sand-attack
  • Liepard
    Liepard Lv48 Limber Night Slash · Fake Out · Aerial Ace · Attract
  • Krookodile
    Krookodile Lv48 Intimidate Crunch · Dragon Claw · Earthquake · Foul Play
  • Bisharp
    Bisharp Lv50 Defiant Night Slash · X-scissor · Metal Claw · Aerial Ace
11 Caitlin League Cap50

Elite Four Caitlin

  • Reuniclus
    Reuniclus Lv48 Magic Guard Psychic · Energy Ball · Focus Blast · Thunder
  • Musharna
    Musharna Lv48 Synchronize Psychic · Shadow Ball · Charge Beam · Reflect
  • Sigilyph
    Sigilyph Lv48 Wonder Skin Psychic · Shadow Ball · Ice Beam · Air Slash
  • Gothitelle
    Gothitelle Lv50 Frisk Psychic · Shadow Ball · Thunderbolt · Calm Mind
12 Marshal League Cap50

Elite Four Marshal

  • Throh
    Throh Lv48 Guts Storm Throw · Bulldoze · Stone Edge · Payback
  • Sawk
    Sawk Lv48 Sturdy Karate Chop · Grass Knot · Stone Edge · Retaliate
  • Conkeldurr
    Conkeldurr Lv48 Sheer Force Hammer Arm · Grass Knot · Stone Edge · Retaliate
  • Mienshao
    Mienshao Lv50 Inner Focus Jump Kick · U-turn · Rock Slide · Retaliate
13 Alder League Cap77

Champion Alder

  • Accelgor
    Accelgor Lv75 Hydration Focus Blast · Bug Buzz · Me First · Energy Ball
  • Bouffalant
    Bouffalant Lv75 Sap Sipper Head Charge · Megahorn · Earthquake · Stone Edge
  • Druddigon
    Druddigon Lv75 Rough Skin Outrage · Superpower · Night Slash · Payback
  • Vanilluxe
    Vanilluxe Lv75 Ice Body Blizzard · Flash Cannon · Light Screen · Acid Armor
  • Escavalier
    Escavalier Lv75 Swarm X-scissor · Iron Head · Aerial Ace · Giga Impact
  • Volcarona
    Volcarona Lv77 Flame Body Overheat · Quiver Dance · Bug Buzz · Hyper Beam

Trainer levels by location

First battles against route trainers in Black, sorted by the typical level of their strongest Pokémon — a quick way to see where the level curve climbs. Rematches are not included.

53 locations with documented trainers
LocationTrainersLevelsTypical ace
Nuvema Town95–65Lv5
Route 266–7Lv7
Accumula Town17Lv7
Striaton City88–14Lv11
Route 3149–32Lv12
Pinwheel Forest2013–18Lv16
Nacrene City613–65Lv17
Liberty Garden517–20Lv18
Route 41816–22Lv19
Castelia City2017–77Lv20
Route 51221–26Lv23
Desert Resort1022–24Lv23
Route 16622–24Lv23
Cold Storage1223–25Lv24
Nimbasa City1518–27Lv25
Route 6724–27Lv27
Driftveil City1126–65Lv28
Chargestone Cave1926–63Lv29
Route 7929–32Lv30
Celestial Tower1130–33Lv31
Mistralton City632–35Lv33
Wellspring Cave612–35Lv34
Dragonspiral Tower1132–36Lv34
Route 17532–35Lv34
Mistralton Cave233–34Lv34
Moor of Icirrus434–35Lv34
Relic Castle1023–64Lv35
Twist Mountain1633–36Lv35
P2 Laboratory234–35Lv35
Route 1334–35Lv35
Route 18534–36Lv35
Route 8834–40Lv36
Icirrus City735–39Lv36
Route 9936–37Lv36
Tubeline Bridge235–37Lv37
Black City3230–67Lv40
Route 101038–45Lv40
Opelucid City1139–43Lv41
Gear Station850Lv50
N's Castle250–54Lv54
Village Bridge360–64Lv62
Dreamyard117–65Lv63
Undella Town760–77Lv63
Abundant Shrine461–63Lv63
Route 12561–65Lv63
Route 131260–65Lv64
Challenger's Cave562–65Lv64
Route 15562–65Lv64
Undella Bay663–65Lv64
Route 14662–68Lv65
Route 11464–65Lv65
Marvelous Bridge165Lv65
Pokémon League948–77Lv73

Nuzlocke tips for Black & White

  • The first gym is led by Cilan, Chili or Cress — whichever uses the type that beats your starter. A girl in the Dreamyard gives you the elemental monkey that counters them.
  • The final gym differs between versions: Drayden in Black, Iris in White.
  • The battles against N and Ghetsis after the Elite Four end the story. Champion Alder is fought afterwards, so his cap is far above the rest of the main story.

New to the challenge? Start with the Nuzlocke rules, or bring friends with the Soul Link rules.

FAQ

What is the first level cap in Pokémon Black and White?

The first cap is level 14: Cilan’s strongest Pokémon is Pansage at level 14. Keep every party member at or below level 14 for that battle.

What level is the Champion in Pokémon Black and White?

Alder sets the final main-story cap at level 77, with Volcarona as the ace. In Black and White, Champion Alder is fought after the story ends; the battles against N and Ghetsis close the main story.

How many boss battles are there in Pokémon Black and White?

This guide lists 13 main-story battles, 6 optional story battles against rivals and villains and 6 post-game battles for Black.

Can I randomize Pokémon Black and White?

Yes. The PokéRuns Randomizer supports Pokémon Black and White and runs entirely in your browser. When you send the randomized world to your tracker, it uses your ROM’s real boss teams and level caps.

Sources

Caps and teams come from the PokéRuns tracker data (updated 2026-09-07), compiled from:

  • pokemondb.net 1
  • serebii.net 123
  • serebii.net Pokéarth route trainer data

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