The sewer encounter with Gwynn ranks among Pokemon Legends Z-A’s most intimidating battles. As the First of Justice’s assistant, she commands a fearsome Ghost-type lineup topped by Mega Chandelure—a combination that’s sent countless trainers back to the Pokemon Center. But with the right Dark-type counters and strategic approach, you’ll dominate this Rank D mission encounter.
Table of Contents
Gwynn’s Team Breakdown
| Pokemon | Level | Type | Best Counter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banette | 43 | Ghost | Dark-type moves |
| Gourgeist | 44 | Ghost/Grass | Dark/Fire moves |
| Chandelure | 45 (Mega) | Ghost/Fire | Dark/Water combo |
| Recommended Level | 45+ | – | – |
Your Championship Counter Roster
Greninja dominates this matchup through sheer versatility. Night Slash delivers consistent super-effective damage with 70 base power, while Water Shuriken and Hydro Pump handle Chandelure’s Fire typing. Ice Beam provides additional coverage against any surprises.
Feraligatr brings raw power to the table. Crunch devastates Ghost-types with single-hit eliminations, and the Crunch-into-Bubble-Beam combo completely drains Mega Chandelure’s HP. This Water/Dark combination exploits both of Chandelure’s weaknesses simultaneously.
Absol offers pure Dark-type dominance. Night Slash and Knock Off shred Ghost-types, while Swords Dance boosts attack for swift victories. Though less versatile than Greninja, Absol’s offensive pressure overwhelms Gwynn’s defensive strategies.
For comprehensive team-building guides, explore TechnoSports’ Pokemon Legends Z-A coverage.
Pokemon Ghost Buster: Optimal Movesets & Natures
Greninja Build
Moveset: Water Shuriken, Hydro Pump, Dark Pulse, Ice Beam
Nature: Modest (+Sp. Atk, -Atk)
Strategy: Special attacking powerhouse with type coverage
Feraligatr Build
Moveset: Ice Fang, Bubble Beam, Crunch, Hydro Pump
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
Strategy: Physical bruiser with Water/Dark synergy
Absol Build
Moveset: Night Slash, Swords Dance, Knock Off, Slash
Nature: Adamant (+Atk, -Sp. Atk)
Strategy: Setup sweeper with devastating Dark attacks
According to The Pokemon Company’s official strategy resources, Dark-type STAB moves provide the most reliable path to victory against Ghost specialists.
Essential Battle Items
Life Orb amplifies damage output by 30%, ensuring OHKO potential on Gwynn’s lower-level Pokemon. The recoil matters less when battles end quickly.
Focus Sash guarantees survival against Mega Chandelure’s most powerful attacks, giving you the turn needed to secure victory.
Leftovers provides passive healing throughout the extended battle, maintaining your Pokemon’s health across multiple encounters.
Mega Stones turn the tables completely. Mega Evolution for your own Pokemon matches Gwynn’s power level while providing stat boosts that overwhelm her team.
Winning Battle Strategy
Open with your strongest Dark-type against Banette. A single Night Slash or Crunch typically secures the KO, building momentum immediately.
Gourgeist’s Grass/Ghost typing makes it slightly bulkier, but Dark-type moves still dominate. Maintain offensive pressure—defensive play prolongs the battle unnecessarily.
Mega Chandelure Strategy: This is Gwynn’s ace. Lead with Crunch if using Feraligatr, dealing massive Dark-type damage. Immediately follow with Bubble Beam to exploit the Fire weakness. For Greninja users, Dark Pulse into Hydro Pump achieves similar results. The key is exploiting both weaknesses before Chandelure’s high Special Attack becomes problematic.
Never let Mega Chandelure set up. Its special attacking potential devastates even resistant Pokemon if given time to boost stats.
For more Pokemon Legends Z-A trainer battle guides, visit TechnoSports’ gaming hub.
Level Requirements & Preparation
Minimum level 45 ensures your counters survive Mega Chandelure’s onslaught while dealing meaningful damage. Lower levels risk OHKO situations that end your run prematurely.
Grind in the sewer areas before confronting Gwynn if needed. The experience gained plus the strategic location familiarity pays dividends.
Visit Pokemon’s official Legends Z-A page for additional trainer battle tips and community strategies.
Post-Victory Rewards
Defeating Gwynn unlocks crucial story progression through the Rank D mission. You’ll gain valuable experience, rare items, and the satisfaction of conquering one of the game’s toughest Ghost-type specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I defeat Gwynn without Dark-type Pokemon in Pokemon Legends Z-A?
While possible, it’s significantly harder. Ghost-type Pokemon resist most common attacking types, making battles lengthy and resource-intensive. Psychic-types get walled completely since Gwynn’s team resists Psychic moves. If you absolutely cannot use Dark-types, Ghost-type moves deal neutral damage, and strong Normal-types with high Attack stats can brute force victories, but this requires higher levels (48-50+) and wastes valuable resources.
What happens if I lose to Gwynn in the sewer battle?
Losing sends you back to the last Pokemon Center you visited, but the Rank D mission remains active. You can re-challenge Gwynn immediately after healing. Use the loss as reconnaissance—note which Pokemon gave you the most trouble and adjust your team accordingly. There’s no penalty for losing beyond time spent, so don’t hesitate to retreat, optimize your team, and return stronger.
