due to reborns strict setup it is very possible to make the game impossible by the second gym. so for all you noobs heres a list for help
1)widen your team as much as possible.
unlike traditional games where you can envision a team and use them as you see fit, reborn is not tailored for a dream team and a situation will come when the members of your team won't be able to deal with the challenges so make sure you broden your horizen and if it moves throw a pokeball at it because you might need it later.
2)use everyone
due to reborn really screwing up on the level system (which is traditionally made to keep you from trading over mary suemons but in this game it's used to nerf you down to the gym leaders level) over leveling has become a problem I recommend you broaden your team, and if a Pokemon becomes to close to the level limit then put them in the computer, I recommend doing this one level before the limit so it doesn't level up during a battle and screw you over. "but how will I function without my strongest/favorite" USE SOMEONE ELSE!!
3)catch em all
I got stuck at serra and the thing that saved my team was a level 16 numel I took with me just because I could, so never ever turn down a Pokemon because it could come in useful somewhere.