Sometimes when we are in the middle of an adventure, it's important to remember our roots and our humble beginnings. It is for that reason that in my quest of covering all the Gym Leaders in Pokemon, I return to the man who started it all.

Brock is the Rock-type gym leader of the Pewter City Gym, and is the very first gym leader in the whole franchise. Players can reach Pewter City after traveling through Viridian Forest, and are required to beat Brock before being able to advance further East. Defeating Brock grants the player the Boulder Badge.

In the anime, Brock plays a huge role. He joins Ash and Misty to become one of the main cast members, traveling together and exploring different cities, regions, and going on adventures together. Aside from a minor break during the Orange Islands season, Brock remains on the main cast until the end of the Sinnoh region, the longest out of any of Ash's companions.

In the games, however, Brock plays a very minor role.

Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, Fire Red, Leaf Green, Let's GO

Brock can be found in his gym in Pewter City. As the first gym leader, his levels aren't very high, but he can catch a player off guard and sets the tone for the rest of the game.

Brock uses two Pokemon, a Geodude and an Onix. Both are Rock/Ground type Pokemon, making them immune to Electricity (unless you activate a sprinkler), and quadruple weak to Water and Grass.

Trainers who chose Squirtle or Bulbasaur can use Bubble and Vine Whip respectively to make quick work of Brock's Pokemon.

Trainers who chose Charmander may struggle. It can't hit Brock's Pokemon effectively with Scratch or Ember, and it needs to watch out for Bind in Generation 1, and Rock Throw/Tomb in later generations. Charmander does learn Metal Claw at level 13 in Fire Red and Leaf Green to give it a better chance, although this move will still not deal a lot of damage.

In Pokemon Yellow, the player starts out with Pikachu. This is notoriously one of the hardest Gym battles in the series, as Pikachu can barely touch Brock's Pokemon with Quick Attack. It is almost required to catch additional Pokemon to stand a chance.

After you beat Brock, he remains in his gym and does not appear again in the game.

Pokemon Gold, Silver, Crystal, Heart Gold, Soul Silver

Brock retains his position as Gym Leader of the Pewter City Gym. He is actually one of the last gym leaders the player can reach, as players start out in Vermillion City when arriving in Kanto.

Brock uses 5 Pokemon in these games. His Geodude evolved into Graveler, his Onix remains his strongest Pokemon, and he has added a Rhyhorn, Kabutops, and Omastar to his team. All 5 of Brock's Pokemon take four times increased damage from Grass Attacks, making him laughably easy to beat.

In Heart Gold and Soul Silver, the player can rematch Brock by calling him at a specific time of the week. He will appear in a café in Olivine City, and swaps out his Rhyhorn for a Relicanth and a Rampardos. He also evolves his Graveler into a Golem.

Pokemon Black 2, White 2

Brock appears in the Pokemon World Tournament, alongside most of his fellow Kanto Gym Leaders. He can be fought in the Type Expert and Kanto Challenge tournaments and uses some additional Rock Pokemon such as Aerodactyl, Tyranitar, and Rhyperior. He does not appear at any other point in the game

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Brock is a legendary figure in the Pokemon franchise, both being memorable for being the player's first Gym Leader and for his big role in the anime. Any time he appears on the screen, people rejoice at seeing him again. I do wish some of his personality quirks could have made their way in the games, as he is currently quite stoic and monotonous. At least he is always rock hard.