In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the first Gym Leader can pose a real challenge if you're not properly prepared. Located in the bustling town of Verdoa, the Gym Leader, Fern, specializes in Grass-type Pokémon, making this a test of your strategy, type matchups, and battle experience. Whether you're just starting your journey or revisiting the game, here’s a guide to help you overcome Fern and earn your first Gym Badge.

Understanding Fern’s Team

Fern’s team is predominantly composed of Grass-type Pokémon, which have a strong resistance to Water and Ground-type moves, but are weak to Fire, Ice, Flying, and Bug-type attacks. Knowing this, your primary goal should be to exploit these weaknesses.

Fern’s first Pokémon is a Lileep, followed by a Tropius and her ace, a Gloom. These Pokémon aren’t overly powerful on their own, but they can easily overwhelm unprepared players, especially if you’re not mindful of type advantages.

Preparing for the Battle

Before challenging Fern, it’s crucial to catch and level up some Pokémon that can deal significant damage to Grass-types. The best Pokémon to bring along include:

• Fire-type Pokémon: Pokémon like Charmander or Torchic are solid choices due to their Fire-type moves that can easily take down Grass-types. If you’re having trouble finding them early on, you can always consider a Shiny Pokémon Legends ZA to add some flair and power to your team.

• Flying-type Pokémon: Birds like Pidgey or Spearow can be quite effective with their Flying-type moves, which deal double damage to Grass Pokémon.

• Bug-type Pokémon: If you’re able to catch any early-game Bug-types, they can be very helpful. Caterpie evolves into Metapod and then Butterfree, which learns powerful Bug-type moves.

Another tip is to level your team to at least level 12-15. This will give you an edge, as Fern’s Pokémon hover around that level range. Don’t hesitate to stock up on healing items like Potions and Antidotes, as you might find yourself in need of a quick recovery during the fight.

The Battle Strategy

Once you’re in the Gym and face Fern, focus on using Fire, Flying, or Bug-type moves to break through her defenses. Here’s a simple step-by-step approach to keep in mind:

1. Start with Fire or Flying-type Pokémon: Using Pokémon with Fire-type moves like Ember or Flamethrower will give you a huge advantage early on. Tropius may put up a tough fight, but Fire-type attacks will quickly cut through its defenses.

2. Watch out for Status Effects: Fern’s Gloom can use Stun Spore or Poison Powder to inflict status conditions, which could slow you down or damage you over time. Keep antidotes or healing items in hand to avoid getting stuck in a bad situation.

3. Keep Your Pokémon Healed: Fern’s team can deal significant damage, and if you're not careful, you may find yourself getting overwhelmed. Always heal your Pokémon at the right time, especially after taking a critical hit.

4. Use Special Moves: If you’ve trained your Pokémon to have special moves like Air Cutter or Flamethrower, now is the time to use them. These moves can deal a lot of damage quickly and often hit multiple opponents if Fern swaps out her Pokémon.

After the Battle

Once you defeat Fern, you’ll earn your first Gym Badge, which unlocks new areas for exploration. You’ll also gain access to the ability to use Cut outside of battle, allowing you to clear obstacles blocking your path in the world.

Bonus Tip: Collecting Rare Pokémon

If you're interested in expanding your roster, there are some great opportunities to buy Shiny Pokémon Legends ZA or check out ZA rare Pokémon sale events. These rare Pokémon can add some serious firepower to your team and make upcoming challenges much easier. Keep an eye out for these events to boost your team’s overall strength.

Beating the first Gym Leader in Pokémon Legends: Z-A requires a bit of preparation and an understanding of type advantages. By choosing the right Pokémon and using a strategic approach, you’ll have no trouble defeating Fern and moving on to the next phase of your adventure. Good luck, Trainer!