Gen IV · Johto
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Nuzlocke guide
Level caps, boss teams and trainer levels for your next run — 13 main-story battles from Falkner (Lv 13) to Lance (Lv 50).
- Nuzlocke
- SoulLink
- Randomizer
HeartGold and SoulSilver remake Gold and Silver with Generation IV mechanics and Pokémon that follow you. Johto and Kanto give you sixteen gyms again, and Red waits on Mt. Silver as the hardest battle of the generation.
- Region
- Johto
- Generation
- IV
- First cap
- Lv13
- Final cap
- Lv50
- Main battles
- 13
- Areas tracked
- 112
HeartGold & SoulSilver 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 +7 levels, from Pryce (Lv 34) to Clair (Lv 41). Plan your training before it.
| # | Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Falkner | Gym |  Pidgeotto | Lv13 |
| 02 | Bugsy | Gym |  Scyther | Lv17 |
| 03 | Whitney | Gym |  Miltank | Lv19 |
| 04 | Morty | Gym |  Gengar | Lv25 |
| 05 | Chuck | Gym |  Poliwrath | Lv31 |
| 06 | Jasmine | Gym |  Steelix | Lv35 |
| 07 | Pryce | Gym |  Piloswine | Lv34 |
| 08 | Clair | Gym |  Kingdra | Lv41 |
| 09 | Will | League |  Xatu | Lv42 |
| 10 | Koga | League |  Crobat | Lv44 |
| 11 | Bruno | League |  Machamp | Lv46 |
| 12 | Karen | League |  Houndoom | Lv47 |
| 13 | Lance | League |  Dragonite | Lv50 |
Rivals, villains and other story battles
| Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proton | Boss |  Koffing | Lv12 |
| Petrel | Boss |  Raticate | Lv24 |
| Ariana | Boss |  Murkrow | Lv27 |
| Petrel | Boss |  Weezing | Lv32 |
| Proton | Boss | Weezing | Lv33 |
| Ariana | Boss | Murkrow | Lv33 |
| Archer | Boss | Houndoom | Lv38 |
Post-game battles (31)
| Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janine | Post-game |  Venomoth | Lv50 |
| Lt. Surge | Post-game |  Electabuzz | Lv53 |
| Brock | Post-game |  Onix | Lv54 |
| Misty | Post-game |  Starmie | Lv54 |
| Sabrina | Post-game |  Alakazam | Lv55 |
| Falkner - rematch | Post-game |  Pidgeot | Lv56 |
| Bugsy - rematch | Post-game |  Scizor | Lv56 |
| Erika | Post-game |  Bellossom | Lv56 |
| Morty - rematch | Post-game | Gengar | Lv57 |
| Whitney - rematch | Post-game | Miltank | Lv58 |
| Janine - rematch | Post-game | Venomoth | Lv59 |
| Blaine | Post-game |  Rapidash | Lv59 |
| Chuck - rematch | Post-game | Poliwrath | Lv60 |
| Pryce - rematch | Post-game |  Mamoswine | Lv60 |
| Clair - rematch | Post-game | Dragonite | Lv60 |
| Misty - rematch | Post-game | Starmie | Lv60 |
| Lt. Surge - rematch | Post-game |  Raichu | Lv60 |
| Erika - rematch | Post-game |  Tangrowth | Lv60 |
| Sabrina - rematch | Post-game | Alakazam | Lv60 |
| Blue | Post-game | Pidgeot | Lv60 |
| Brock - rematch | Post-game | Onix | Lv61 |
| Jasmine - rematch | Post-game | Steelix | Lv62 |
| Blaine - rematch | Post-game |  Magmortar | Lv62 |
| Will - rematch | Post-game | Xatu | Lv62 |
| Koga - rematch | Post-game | Crobat | Lv64 |
| Bruno - rematch | Post-game |  Lucario | Lv64 |
| Karen - rematch | Post-game |  Umbreon | Lv64 |
| Blue - rematch | Post-game | Pidgeot | Lv72 |
| Lance - rematch | Post-game | Dragonite | Lv75 |
| Pokémon Trainer Red | Post-game |  Pikachu | Lv88 |
| Red | Post-game | Pikachu | Lv88 |
The Kanto gym leaders and Red are listed under post-game battles.
HeartGold & SoulSilver boss teams
Every gym leader, trial and League battle of the main story with levels. Tap a battle to open its team.
01 Falkner Gym Cap13
-
Pidgey Lv9 -
Pidgeotto Lv13
02 Bugsy Gym Cap17
-
Metapod Lv15 -
Kakuna Lv15 -
Scyther Lv17
03 Whitney Gym Cap19
-
Clefairy Lv17 -
Miltank Lv19
04 Morty Gym Cap25
-
Gastly Lv21 -
Haunter Lv21 -
Haunter Lv23
-
Gengar Lv25
05 Chuck Gym Cap31
-
Primeape Lv29 -
Poliwrath Lv31
06 Jasmine Gym Cap35
-
Magnemite Lv30 -
Magnemite Lv30
-
Steelix Lv35
07 Pryce Gym Cap34
-
Seel Lv30 -
Dewgong Lv32 -
Piloswine Lv34
08 Clair Gym Cap41
-
Dragonair Lv38 -
Dragonair Lv38
-
Gyarados Lv38 -
Kingdra Lv41
09 Will League Cap42
-
Xatu Lv40
-
Jynx Lv41 -
Exeggutor Lv41 -
Slowbro Lv41 -
Xatu Lv42
10 Koga League Cap44
-
Ariados Lv40 -
Venomoth Lv41
-
Forretress Lv43 -
Muk Lv42 -
Crobat Lv44
11 Bruno League Cap46
-
Hitmontop Lv42 -
Hitmonlee Lv42 -
Hitmonchan Lv42 -
Onix Lv43
-
Machamp Lv46
12 Karen League Cap47
-
Umbreon Lv42
-
Vileplume Lv42 -
Gengar Lv45
-
Murkrow Lv44
-
Houndoom Lv47
13 Lance League Cap50
-
Gyarados Lv44
-
Dragonite Lv49
-
Dragonite Lv49
-
Aerodactyl Lv48 -
Charizard Lv48 -
Dragonite Lv50
Story battles
01 Proton Boss Cap12
Rocket Executive Proton
-
Zubat Lv8 -
Koffing Lv12
02 Petrel Boss Cap24
Rocket Executive Petrel
-
Zubat Lv22
-
Koffing Lv22
-
Raticate Lv24
03 Ariana Boss Cap27
Rocket Executive Ariana
-
Arbok Lv25 -
Gloom Lv25 -
Murkrow Lv27
04 Petrel Boss Cap32
Rocket Executive Petrel
-
Koffing Lv30
-
Koffing Lv30
-
Koffing Lv30
-
Koffing Lv30
-
Koffing Lv30
-
Weezing Lv32
05 Proton Boss Cap33
Rocket Executive Proton
-
Golbat Lv28 -
Weezing Lv33
06 Ariana Boss Cap33
Rocket Executive Ariana
-
Arbok Lv28
-
Vileplume Lv28
-
Murkrow Lv33
07 Archer Boss Cap38
Rocket Executive Archer
-
Houndour Lv35 -
Koffing Lv35
-
Houndoom Lv38
Trainer levels by location
First battles against route trainers in HeartGold & SoulSilver, sorted by the typical level of their strongest Pokémon — a quick way to see where the level curve climbs. Rematches are not included.
| Location | Trainers | Levels | Typical ace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route 30 | 2 | 2–4 | Lv4 |
| Cherrygrove City | 3 | 5 | Lv5 |
| Sprout Tower | 7 | 3–10 | Lv6 |
| Violet City | 3 | 7–13 | Lv9 |
| Route 32 | 10 | 5–56 | Lv10 |
| Slowpoke Well | 4 | 7–12 | Lv11 |
| Route 35 | 7 | 2–16 | Lv14 |
| Goldenrod City | 5 | 9–19 | Lv16 |
| Route 36 | 1 | 14–16 | Lv16 |
| National Park | 2 | 16 | Lv16 |
| Route 37 | 4 | 16–17 | Lv16 |
| Azalea Town | 8 | 7–18 | Lv17 |
| Route 46 | 2 | 13–17 | Lv17 |
| Route 42 | 2 | 15–17 | Lv17 |
| Route 38 | 3 | 16–20 | Lv18 |
| Route 39 | 4 | 17–20 | Lv19 |
| Route 43 | 4 | 10–20 | Lv20 |
| Sea Route 40 | 4 | 18–21 | Lv20 |
| Sea Route 41 | 10 | 16–23 | Lv21 |
| Burned Tower | 5 | 16–22 | Lv22 |
| Route 47 | 4 | 19–25 | Lv22 |
| Route 34 | 6 | 7–28 | Lv24 |
| Union Cave | 12 | 4–28 | Lv25 |
| Ecruteak City | 11 | 12–38 | Lv25 |
| Lake of Rage | 4 | 22–27 | Lv25 |
| Radio Tower | 16 | 21–38 | Lv26 |
| Ruins of Alph | 1 | 26 | Lv26 |
| Route 45 | 6 | 12–28 | Lv27 |
| Cianwood City | 6 | 23–31 | Lv27 |
| Route 44 | 5 | 23–30 | Lv29 |
| Mahogany Town | 6 | 25–34 | Lv29 |
| Mt. Mortar | 4 | 17–39 | Lv34 |
| Route 27 | 4 | 30–35 | Lv34 |
| Olivine City | 2 | 16–35 | Lv35 |
| Route 26 | 4 | 30–36 | Lv36 |
| Blackthorn City | 6 | 35–41 | Lv38 |
| Route 24 | 1 | 39 | Lv39 |
| Victory Road | 3 | 36–40 | Lv40 |
| Victory Road | 3 | 36–40 | Lv40 |
| Route 13 | 7 | 29–65 | Lv41 |
| S.S. Aqua | 20 | 31–43 | Lv41 |
| Sea Route 21 | 12 | 32–44 | Lv42 |
| Route 18 | 3 | 37–48 | Lv42 |
| Route 14 | 6 | 38–44 | Lv42 |
| Route 6 | 3 | 41–43 | Lv42 |
| Route 12 | 7 | 36–44 | Lv43 |
| Route 15 | 6 | 36–45 | Lv43 |
| Route 8 | 7 | 38–45 | Lv43 |
| Route 11 | 4 | 39–44 | Lv43 |
| Route 2 | 1 | 43 | Lv43 |
| Route 4 | 3 | 13–44 | Lv44 |
| Sea Route 19 | 4 | 36–46 | Lv44 |
| Route 9 | 6 | 40–45 | Lv44 |
| Route 10 | 2 | 18–45 | Lv45 |
| Route 17 | 8 | 37–47 | Lv45 |
| Route 25 | 8 | 38–48 | Lv45 |
| Route 3 | 10 | 38–47 | Lv45 |
| Sea Route 20 | 12 | 38–48 | Lv45 |
| Tohjo Falls | 1 | 40–46 | Lv46 |
| Vermilion City | 4 | 42–53 | Lv46 |
| Route 1 | 4 | 43–47 | Lv47 |
| Celadon City | 5 | 44–56 | Lv47 |
| Viridian Forest | 5 | 28–60 | Lv48 |
| Fuchsia City | 5 | 41–50 | Lv48 |
| Cerulean City | 6 | 43–54 | Lv48 |
| Mt. Moon | 3 | 46–50 | Lv50 |
| Pewter City | 3 | 50–54 | Lv50 |
| Seafoam Islands | 10 | 50–59 | Lv53 |
| Viridian City | 5 | 50–60 | Lv53 |
| Dragon's Den | 8 | 33–75 | Lv60 |
| Indigo Plateau | 13 | 40–75 | Lv60 |
| Saffron City | 21 | 42–72 | Lv60 |
| Mt. Silver | 1 | 80–88 | Lv88 |
Nuzlocke tips for HeartGold & SoulSilver
- The level curve is famously flat: wild Pokémon stay low while the bosses climb. Plan your training — many runners allow Rare Candies up to the cap.
- Whitney’s Miltank returns with Rollout and Milk Drink.
- Gifts include the Togepi egg, Eevee from Bill, Shuckle in Cianwood City, Tyrogue from the Karate King and a Dratini from the Dragon’s Den.
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 HeartGold and SoulSilver?
The first cap is level 13: Falkner’s strongest Pokémon is Pidgeotto at level 13. Keep every party member at or below level 13 for that battle.
What level is the Champion in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver?
Lance sets the final main-story cap at level 50, with Dragonite as the ace.
How many boss battles are there in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver?
This guide lists 13 main-story battles, 7 optional story battles against rivals and villains and 31 post-game battles.
Can I randomize Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver?
Yes. The PokéRuns Randomizer supports Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver 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:
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