Unova badge route and story finale
Follow the original Black and White campaign without mixing in the sequel route.
Spoiler notice: This guide discusses story progression or late-game content.
Original Black and White; their sequels have different routes and encounter availability.
| Badge | Leader | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cilan / Chili / Cress | Grass / Fire / Water |
| 2 | Lenora | Normal |
| 3 | Burgh | Bug |
| 4 | Elesa | Electric |
| 5 | Clay | Ground |
| 6 | Skyla | Flying |
| 7 | Brycen | Ice |
| 8 | Drayden (Black) / Iris (White) | Dragon |
Striaton through Castelia
Your first Gym opponent depends on your starter, so prepare for the type that challenges it. Continue through Nacrene and Pinwheel Forest toward Castelia. Team Plasma incidents interrupt the badge route; resolve local events when a Gym or exit is unavailable instead of searching for a level requirement.
Nimbasa through Mistralton
Elesa, Clay and Skyla guide the middle portion of the route. Nimbasa’s Electric opponents and Ground coverage encourage careful switching. After Driftveil, Chargestone Cave connects the next major stretch. Explore each town’s services before moving on, especially when you need fresh healing supplies.
Icirrus and Opelucid
Brycen leads the seventh Gym. Opelucid’s leader is Drayden in Black and Iris in White. Both are Dragon specialists, but their identity is a version difference, not a change caused by a player choice. Prepare durable Ice or Dragon coverage before the final badge.
The first League visit is unusual
You may choose the Elite Four order. The first story climax follows N and Team Plasma rather than a conventional first victory over Alder. Keep your team prepared for consecutive major battles and do not use a postgame Champion guide as the map for this initial finale.
Check the edition note above before following a route. Suggested preparation and tactics are editorial recommendations; alternative teams and routes can also work.