Roark is the first gym leader in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Depending on your team, dealing with their Rock-type team can be a tall order without proper preparation.
Note: This is for the gym leader fight, not the rematch(es).
Preparation
The biggest difficulty with Roark is how limited your options are at the start of the game. Water, Grass, Ground, Steel, and Fighting-type Pokémon (and moves) will be your closest friends against Roark, but there's There aren't a ton of Pokemon (or moves) of these types available yet. Additionally, Rock-types resist Normal, Flying, and Rock-type moves, all of which are readily available from the start. This makes some early game options unviable for most.
If you picked Turtwig or Piplup as your starter Pokémon, you'll probably have an easy time with Roark. But if you chose Chimchar, you may need to search for a new party member, even if it's only temporary.
The best option would be the Fighting-type Pokémon, Machop. You can find Machops in the small patch of grass on Route 207 just north of the town of Oreburgh. You'll have to practice a bit (against Geodudes preferably), but it shouldn't take too long.
If you're still having trouble, you might want to buy a few more healing items from the Poke Mart. There's no shame in healing after a tough fight.
Related: Where To Find Swift Claw In Pokemon Brilliant Diamond And Shining Pearl
The fight
Roark's team consists of a level 12 Geodude, a level 12 Onix, and a level 14 Cranidos, and he'll use a single potion when one of his Pokémon is low on health. The biggest threat is Cranidos, who is not only likely a level higher than your team, but is also a powerhouse with an unexpected moveset.
Geodude and Onix have a double weakness to Grass or Water, so Turtwig/Piplup will sweep them away. It also helps that this Geodude doesn't have the Tough ability, so it won't hang on with a single HP. But if you don't have Turtwig/Piplup, then Machop can handle them pretty well.
Cranidos is a scary Pokemon here, and it has an unusual moveset for a Rock-type gym leader. It has no Rock-type moves. Instead, it has Headbutt (a Normal-type move), Bulldoze (a Ground-type move), and Leer. This makes Flying-type Pokemon an option and Turtwig even better since Bulldoze doesn't work well against them, but also makes Shinx a bad match.
Use type advantages and heal your Pokemon if it's too low, and you'll be beating Roark in no time! And if you're still having trouble, don't worry too much. Train on wild Pokémon and try again!
For more Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl guides, check out our other fantastic Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl guides on Tipsforallgames!
