This guide covers everything you need to know to beat the Canalave City Gym Leader, Byron, in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, a Pokemon remake for the Nintendo Switch. Read on to learn about Byron's Pokemon team, Byron's type specialty, recommended Pokemon to use against Byron, and how to beat the Canalave City Gym.

Byron's Pokemon Team and Types

Type and Suggested Level

Type Specialty
Suggested Level	Lv. 42 ~ Lv. 45

Byron's Pokemon

Pokemon	Type	Ability / Item	Moves
Bronzor (Lvl. 36)		Levitate	・Confuse Ray ・Sandstorm ・Trick Room ・Flash Cannon
Steelix (Lvl. 36)		Sturdy Soft Sand	・Thunder Fang ・Earthquake ・Sandstorm ・Gyro Ball
Bastiodon (Lvl. 39)		Sturdy Sitrus Berry	・Iron Defense ・Thunderbolt ・Stone Edge ・Flash Cannon

Byron's Canalave Gym Puzzle

The Canalave Gym has several moving platforms that has the player moving up, down, and across the building to reach different parts of the gym. Ride the right platforms and make your way to Byron.

Gym Puzzle Solution Video

Canalave City Gym Puzzle Solution

How to Beat Byron

Beware of Trick Room

Losing the opportunity to go first can be quite inconvenient so try to take Bronzor down before Trick Room is set up. Trick Room lets slower Pokemon move before faster Pokemon for the next 5 turns. Since most of Byron's Pokemon are slow, they'll likely move before yours with Trick Room up.

Wait out 5 turns if Trick Room is set up

Just in case you weren't able to take down Bronzor right away, it'll be better to wait until Trick Room dimensions return to normal. You can set up your stats and use healing items to let the turns pass.

Favor Special Attacks against Steelix and Bastiodon

It may be tempting to hit Steelix and Bastiodon with moves such as Close Combat or Earthquake but with both of their incredible Physical defenses, it may be harder than it appears to take them down even with the 4x Super Effective hits. Instead, we recommend favoring super effective Special moves.

Best Team to Beat Byron

When Starting with Turtwig

Best Team to Beat Byron When Starting With Turtwig
Rapidash	Torterra	Lucario

While Torterra's Ground type would normally be a good matchup against the steel types of this gym, it would be better to lead with Rapidash against Bronzor because of its ability Levitate. Let Rapidash's flames take care of Bronzor first.

A 4x-effective STAB Earthquake from Torterra is nothing to scoff at when battling Steelix and Bastiodon, though their high physical defenses make them more durable than you think. If you were able to evolve the Riolu you received from Riley, it might be a good idea to rely on its 4x Super effective STAB Aura Sphere as well.

When Starting with Chimchar

Best Team to Beat Byron When Starting With Chimchar
Infernape	Gyarados	Staraptor

Both of Infernape's types are best suited for this gym which should put him in a good spot to take care of anything Byron might throw at you, You may build up your Attack Stat by shooting off Power-Up Punches against the Bronzor and even the Steelix.

After two or three attack increases, not even their mighty defenses will have much to say to any of your super effective physical moves. Keep in mind that even if you don't wait out Trick Room, priority moves such as Mach Punch will still hit first, leaving Bronzor's strategy irrelevant.

A Gyarados with Surf and Staraptor's Close Combat can serve as good back-up options. But honestly, Infernape should be able to take care of this gym without any major trouble.

When Starting with Piplup

Best Team to Beat Byron When Starting With Piplup
Rapidash	Empoleon	Lucario

Players with Empoleon may opt for a similar strategy that Torterra employs. Leading with Rapidash to deal with Bronzor, then relying on Empoleon's Special moves like Surf to deal with Steelix and Bastiodon.

Evolving the Riolu earned from Riley into a Lucario may also prove beneficial thanks to it's access to the special move Aura Sphere. Hopefully Empoleon can take care of the rock-type members of the team but it'll be good to have Lucario as a back-up.

All Byron Battles

Previous and Next Gym Leaders

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Related Story Pages

Complete Story Walkthrough

Gym Leaders

All Gym Leader Types and Pokemon

Gym Leader Rematches

All Gym Leader Rematch Teams