Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl’s fifth gym leader is Fantina, the ghost-type user of the Hearthome Gym. While players will reach Hearthome City earlier on in the game and encounter Fantina outside of the Contest Hall, she refuses to battle with them until they’re stronger. After beating gym leaders Maylene and Crasher Wake, however, players can return to Hearthome Gym and challenge Fantina.
Unlike the other gyms in the game, there are no trainers in Hearthome Gym, and players must instead answer a series of math questions to reach Fantina. There are four questions total, the final of which asks players to remember the answer to the first question, which is 15. Once players have gotten them all correct, they will be able to challenge Fantina, who is waiting for them in the final room.
Ghost-type Pokémon are strong against other ghost and psychic-type Pokémon, but weak to dark, and their moves have no effect on normal Pokémon. They’re also resistant to bug, poison, and fighting-type moves. It’s crucial for players to build a strategic party in order to defeat Fantina.
How To Beat Fantina In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Fantina’s three Pokémon are the same as her original party from Diamond & Pearl: Drifblim, Gengar, and Mismagius. However, their movesets have all been updated for Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl.
Drifblim / Ghost & Flying / Level 32
- Strength Sap
- Hex
- Fly
- Will-O-Wisp
Fantina’s Drifblum also has the Aftermath ability, which will deal damage if it is knocked out with a physical move.
Gengar / Ghost & Poison / Level 34
- Shadow Claw
- Sludge Bomb
- Confuse Ray
- Dazzling Gleam
Fantina’s Gengar holds a Colbur Berry, allowing it to weaken a super-effective dark-type move used against it.
Mismagius / Ghost / Level 36
- Dazzling Gleam
- Phantom Force
- Magical Leaf
- Confuse Ray
Ghost, flying, and poison-type Pokémon are all resistant to fighting types, so it's a good idea to leave any fighting-type Pokémon in the boxes for this gym battle. Rock and steel types both counter Drifblum’s secondary flying type as well as Gengar’s secondary poison type. A Luxray with the dark-type Bite move also works well in this fight as its electric-type moves will allow players to quickly knock out Driflblim and tackle the two tougher Pokémon in this fight.
Ground types and psychic types will be effective against Gengar, but players choosing to battle with psychic-type Pokémon will have to watch out for Gengar’s Shadow Claw, which can knock psychic-types out in one hit. Girafarig is a great choice to counter Gengar since it's normal/psychic type makes it immune to ghost-type moves. Any Pokémon with moves that confuse or put opponents to sleep will give trainers a strategic advantage in battle. A Psyduck or Kedabra with the Disable ability will also be able to prevent Gengar from using Shadow Claw for five turns if they’re able to use the move before being knocked out. Mismagius can be countered with a dark-type Pokémon like Murkrow, Stunky, or Skuntank, but Stunky and Skuntank’s poison moves won’t be very effective.
After defeating Fantina, trainers will receive their Relic Badge, which allows them to use the Hidden Move Surf. She will also give them five TM65s, which teach the move Shadow Claw. Players will also receive her set of Stickers to customize their Poké Balls.
Pokémon: Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are available on Nintendo Switch.