Blackthorn City Gold & Silver · Johto town
Blackthorn City is a mountain town in Johto's far north-east, reached through the Ice Path from Route 44. It is home to Clair, the Dragon-type Gym Leader, and the Dragon's Den, a sacred cave behind the Gym. Clair's Rising Badge is the last Johto badge before you head for the Pokémon League.
- Wild Pokémon
- 2
- Items
- 2
- Trainers
- 6
- Needs
- Surf, Strength
- Gym
- Clair · Dragon
Connects to: Route 45 · Route 44 · Ice Path · Dragon’s Den
Blackthorn City on the Johto map
Clair’s Gym Johto badge 8 of 8
- Type
- Dragon
- Badge
- Rising Badge
- Reward
- TM24 DragonBreath
- Lets you use
- Waterfall outside battle
- Prize
- ₽1,000
Gym trainers
| Trainer | Pokémon | Prize |
|---|---|---|
 Cooltrainer♂Mike |  Dragonair 37 | ₽444 |
| Cooltrainer♂Paul |  Dratini 34Dratini 34Dratini 34 | ₽408 |
 Cooltrainer♀Lola | Dratini 34Dragonair 36 | ₽432 |
| Cooltrainer♂Cody |  Horsea 34 Seadra 36 | ₽432 |
| Cooltrainer♀Fran | Seadra 37 | ₽444 |
Wild Pokémon
| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
 Magikarp | Water | 5–15 | 100% |
| Rod | Pokémon | Lv. | Morning & day | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rod | Magikarp | 10 | 85% | 85% |
 Poliwag | 10 | 15% | 15% | |
| Good Rod | Poliwag | 20 | 65% | 65% |
| Magikarp | 20 | 35% | 35% | |
| Super Rod | Poliwag | 40 | 80% | 80% |
| Magikarp | 40 | 20% | 20% |
Chances are the game’s encounter slots for each time of day: morning 4:00–9:59, day 10:00–17:59, night 18:00–3:59 (grass and caves 30/30/20/10/5/4/1, surfing 60/30/10, Old Rod 70/15/15, Good Rod 35/35/20/10, Super Rod 40/30/20/10). Where Gold and Silver differ, a cell shows both (G and S); a version tag means the Pokémon only appears in that version here. Version exclusives · Where to find every Pokémon.
Items
| Item | How | Where |
|---|---|---|
| TM24 DragonBreath | Gift Clair’s reward with the Rising Badge, after the Dragon’s Den test. | Gym 1F |
| Spell Tag | Gift Santos of Saturday gives it to you on a Saturday. | Blackthorn City |
Hidden items can be found with the Itemfinder from Ecruteak City.
Shops
Poké Mart
Great Ball ₽600Ultra Ball ₽1,200Hyper Potion ₽700Max Potion ₽1,200Full Heal ₽4,000Revive ₽700Max Repel ₽200X DefendX Attack ₽350
In-game trades
Tips
- A man blocks the Gym entrance while Team Rocket holds the Goldenrod Radio Tower; Clair is only back once the tower is cleared.
- Clair's Gym needs Strength to push the boulders and complete the floor.
- Beating Clair isn't enough: she sends you into the Dragon's Den for the Dragon Fang, and when you pick it up she appears there and gives you the Rising Badge and TM24 DragonBreath.
- Ice and Dragon moves hit her three Lv37 Dragonair, but her Lv40 Kingdra is weak only to Dragon.
- On Saturdays, Santos appears in town and gives you a Spell Tag.
- Emy's house trades a Rhydon for your Dragonair.
Walkthrough: Part 10: Ice Path to Blackthorn City and Clair
More maps
FAQ
Why is Blackthorn Gym blocked in Gold and Silver?
Clair is away while Team Rocket controls the Goldenrod Radio Tower. Clear the tower and the man at the entrance moves aside.
How do you get the Rising Badge?
Beat Clair, then go into the Dragon's Den behind the Gym and fetch the Dragon Fang; Clair gives you the Rising Badge afterwards.
How do you beat Clair in Pokémon Gold and Silver?
Ice moves knock out her Dragonair, while Kingdra (Lv40) needs Dragon-type damage or plain strong attacks. Carry Paralyze Heals, as every Dragonair knows Thunder Wave.
Where is Santos of Saturday?
In Blackthorn City, on Saturdays only. He gives you a Spell Tag the first time you meet him.
What Pokémon can you catch in Blackthorn City in Gold and Silver?
2 species: Magikarp, Poliwag. Silver only: Magikarp, Poliwag.
Sources & picture credits
- Blackthorn City (Bulbapedia)
- pret/pokegold (decompiled game data)
- Map: Blackthorn_City_GSC.png
- Map: Blackthorn_Gym_1F_GSC.png
- Map: Blackthorn_Gym_2F_GSC.png
Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon and encounter chances for both versions and all three times of day, fishing, Headbutt and Rock Smash tables, items, trainers, gifts, trades and shops come from the pret/pokegold decompilation (pret/pokegold ef0201d8da). Maps and sprites © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, archived from the Bulbagarden Archives; the Johto and Kanto maps are drawn from the game’s own Pokégear graphics (listed on the image gallery).