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Pokémon Platinum / Gym 1 · Rock-type Gym Leader

Roark

Gym 1 · Rock-type Gym Leader · Oreburgh City

Story spoilers: This profile discusses character history and events in the game.

Roark is featured in Pokémon Platinum — Gym 1 · Rock-type Gym Leader. This profile covers their background, appearance, personality, story role and practical gameplay details.

Edition covered

Original Nintendo DS release; not Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl.

Biography

Roark combines his work in Oreburgh Mine with leading the city’s Gym. He is Byron’s son, and their shared interest in tough Pokémon becomes a friendly family rivalry.

Appearance

A red hard hat, glasses and a mining outfit connect Roark to Oreburgh’s coal mine.

Personality

He takes pride in mining and fossil Pokémon and wants to prove himself as a capable Gym Leader.

Role in the story

Meet him inside Oreburgh Mine before returning to the Gym for the first badge.

Gameplay and encounters

First Gym battle in Platinum: Geodude Lv. 12; Onix Lv. 12; Cranidos Lv. 14. Water and Grass moves are strong here. Cranidos hits hard physically; avoid giving it free turns to attack.

Gym puzzle

The sloping walkways let you challenge the trainers or take a route around them.

Badge and TM rewards

Win the Coal Badge and TM76 Stealth Rock. The badge allows Rock Smash outside battle once you have the HM. These are the first Gym teams, not the later Battleground rematches.