Rules on Gym Leader types

[e4darthteej]

I think you all know where I'm going here, there are 32 Gyms that we've had to take on so far in the main series of games, 31 of them had a clear type theme, and all of the leaders(except Pokemon Yellow Giovanni and R/B Sabrina) used that type exclusively. But there's that one guy:

"image removed"

The only type that Blue/Green(we'll call him Grue from now on) used more than one of was Psychic, and they replaced the Alakazam with a Machamp in HG/SS, so now there's no common type! This brings up the question of whether other Gyms are allowed to do this. Was Grue given a free pass because of his fame? Maybe. Is he simply a fill in leader, like Agatha in the anime? Not likely. So what is the deal then? Share your theories please!

 

[Myles]

I think its still a Ground gym and... Grue ...just isn't a stickler for the rules.


And don't forget the unofficial Fighting gym. :P

 

[Elite Overlord LeSabre™]

Agreed with above. The badge he hands out is still the EARTHbadge, but he's a rebel and the League either doesn't care or is too afraid to enforce it.

And then there's the D/P version of Volkner, who had a Normal and Water-type in his ranks, though this can be argued to be due to a lack of usable Electric-types in those games. Same could be said of Elite Four Flint in D/P, but Elite Four members have a bit more leeway (points to Karen, and Bruno).

 

[Charmageddon]

I don't think that there are actual rules, it's just that gym leaders prefer to specialise in one particular type. They become gym leaders because they become respected trainers, being able to defeat most teams with only one type. Anyone can slap together a balanced team, it takes real skill to monotype.

 

[Ayselipera]

I never thought there was any kind of rules or code to go by.
I just figured most gym leaders would revolve around using one type.

 

[PKFL_531]

Every gym specializes in a certain type because they wanted to. Sabrina likes Psychic types because she is psychic and she wants other psychics to train with her. And besides, as long as they all have a common type, pokemon OR move, they can still be a gymleader. I really don't mind the fact that some gymleaders like Sabrina or Volkner has a diverse team.

 

[Zeta Sukuna]

Personally, I believe that every Gym Leader but Green has to practice one specific type, but since the type was their favorite type, they didn't mind.

Then Green lost his Champion position. The Pokemon League wanted to make him a Ground Type Gym Leader, but Green told them that he would only fight with his old team. They tell him again, and he sends out his starter to attack. Not the smartest idea. He got his wish to keep his team, but his starter had to be put down for attacking a popular figure. That would also explain the lack of a starter.

 

[Archer]

Personally, I believe that every Gym Leader but Green has to practice one specific type, but since the type was their favorite type, they didn't mind.

Then Green lost his Champion position. The Pokemon League wanted to make him a Ground Type Gym Leader, but Green told them that he would only fight with his old team. They tell him again, and he sends out his starter to attack. Not the smartest idea. He got his wish to keep his team, but his starter had to be put down for attacking a popular figure. That would also explain the lack of a starter.

Sheer brilliance. That MUST be it.

Actually, I just believe that it's a choice. They all say exactly how they prefer their type. Look at Lance. He prefers Dragons, but due their lack of numbers, he runs dragonesque pokemon, which shows that it's personal preference. Of course, he's not a Gym Leader, but you get the idea.