Gym Leader #5: Norman - Pokemon Emerald

Gym Leader #5: Norman - Normal

Norman has four Pokemon; Spinda, Vigoroth, Linoone & Slaking. His gym is interesting; you will get the choice on which trainers in the gym you want to battle. Each room has one trainer in it who has one Pokemon, but in the battle, they will use one item depending on their room: X Speed, X Accuracy, X Defence, Hyper Potion, Dire Hit, etc.. Battle your way through the room to make it to Norman's room.

Spinda

Level: 27

Type: Normal

Ability: Own Tempo

Attacks: Teeter Dance, Psybeam, Facade & Encore

Weakness: Fighting

Strategy: Don't bother uses status inflicting moves as you will probably get stuck into using it continuously because of Encore, as Facade will be doubled in power. Teeter Dance will also confuse you so try and avoid it.

Vigoroth

Level: 27

Type: Normal

Ability: Vital Spirit

Attacks: Slash, Facade, Encore & Faint Attack

Weakness: Fighting

Strategy: Same with Vigoroth, hit hard to avoid Encore. Slash & Facade can be really annoying as it will ripe through your team quickly.

Linoone

Level: 29

Type: Normal

Ability: Pickup

Attacks: Slash, Belly Drum, Facade & Headbutt

Weakness: Fighting

Strategy: Belly Drum will half the HP of Linoone but give a large boost to it's Attack Stat. Paired with Headbutt, Facade & Slash, Linoone can tear though your team quiet unexpectedly.

Slaking

Level: 31

Type: Normal

Ability: Truant

Attacks: Counter, Yawn, Facade & Faint Attack

Weakness: Fighting

Strategy: Slaking's ability forces it to "loaf around" for every other turn, meaning it can only attack half of the time. This can work in your favor, if you have a Pokemon with the move Protect, you can protect yourself from Slaking's Attack and then hit when it is loafing around. If not, Slaking can be tricky, the move Counter will always go second but gives twice the damage you did in that turn, which can be really annoying. Yawn will put you to sleep after a second turn & Facade is a strong attack which will double in power if status inflicted. Just hit hard and fast, freezing or making Slaking fall asleep would also be a good tactic.

Once you defeat Norman you will get TM 42 Facade and the Balance Badge.