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Comprehensive battle strategies for the Elite Four and Champion battles
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The information presented may be incomplete, inaccurate, or represent a single perspective. Please verify critical details independently or join the discord for community support if needed.
Battling the Elite Four and then the Champion is part of any Pokemon game progress. This guide will give detailed strategies on each member of the Elite Four and then the Champion, which will surely assist you in your battles with them!
Before taking on the Elite Four, it's best to have your team leveled to at least 52–58. Make sure you've got plenty of items like Full Restores, Revives, and status-healing supplies on hand. Level 55 isn't necessary, but it definitely helps!
Will's team is all Psychic-type, though some dual-types add coverage. His Pokémon range from level 48–51.
Key Pokémon:
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Strategy & Tips:
Psychic-types are weak to Bug, Ghost, and Dark moves. Will's team has good Special Bulk, especially with Light Screen and Reflect up. Dark-type moves are particularly useful here since Dark is immune to Psychic attacks. Watch out for Hypnosis from Wyrdeer and Confuse Ray from Xatu - they can really mess up your momentum!
AI Behavior: Will isn't shy about using Max Potions and will occasionally switch out. He likes to set up Light Screen and Reflect early to minimize damage, then sweep with Calm Mind-boosted Pokémon.
Recommended Counters:
Koga specializes in Poison-types with a focus on status effects and hazards. His team levels range from 50–53.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Poison-types are weak to Ground and Psychic attacks. Koga loves to wear opponents down with Toxic, Toxic Spikes, and Will-O-Wisp. Steel-types can't be poisoned and resist many of Koga's attacks. Be careful - Forretress and Weezing might use Explosion as a last resort! Clodsire is Poison/Ground with Water Absorb, so don't bother with Water moves OR electric moves!
AI Behavior: Koga uses Full Heals and Full Restores, making him tough to wear down with status. He'll set up hazards quickly with Toxic Spikes and Spikes, then try to stall with evasion and Minimize.
Recommended Counters:
Bruno uses Fighting-types with some coverage Pokémon. His team levels range from 51–55.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Fighting-types are weak to Flying, Psychic, and Fairy moves. Bruno's team hits hard physically but has lower Special Defense. Sneasler is especially dangerous after using Swords Dance. Hitmonchan has elemental punches for coverage. Onix provides physical defense and resists Flying moves.
AI Behavior: Bruno uses Max Potions, and unlike other Elite Four members, he doesn't switch much. Instead, he tries to pressure opponents with physical attacks like High Jump Kick and Close Combat.
Recommended Counters:
Karen specializes in Dark-types and other "cool" Pokémon. Her team levels range from 53–57.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Dark-types are weak to Fighting, Bug, and Fairy moves. Karen's team is diverse with great type coverage. Gengar is very dangerous with Curse (uses 50% HP to deal 25% damage each turn) and Destiny Bond as a fallback. Weavile is super fast and hits hard after Swords Dance. Umbreon is incredibly defensive and uses Mean Look to trap opponents.
AI Behavior: Karen uses Full Heals and Max Potions, giving her serious staying power. She protects her setup sweepers like Weavile and Honchkrow, switching them out when matchups aren't favorable.
Recommended Counters:
Lance's team consists of Dragon-type Pokémon and powerful Flying-types. They range from level 57–60.
Key Pokémon:
Strategy & Tips:
Dragon-types are weak to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy moves. In Polished Crystal, Charizard is Fire/Dragon type instead of Fire/Flying. Lance's team is well-rounded with a variety of types. His shiny Level 60 Dragonite is terrifying - it has Multiscale and uses Dragon Dance behind a Substitute, then follows up with a very fast Extreme Speed. Gyarados has Intimidate, lowering your Attack. The Focus Energy Kingdra also has Sniper, guaranteeing critical hits.
Shiny Dragonite Counter (R1): Rock or Steel types completely wall the first shiny Dragonite battle since they resist both Fly and Extremespeed. Ghost types will be immune to Extremespeed but still take some damage from Fly!
Shiny Dragonite Counter (R2): In the rematch, his shiny Dragonite knows Dragon Dance, Extremespeed, Outrage, and Iron Head. Steel types will counter this! If you're using the updated types, Mismagius (Ghost/Fairy) can use Protect on turn 1, then Disable Iron Head on turn 2 - Dragonite will have no moves that can hit it!
AI Behavior: Lance uses Full Heals and Full Restores extensively, saving his shiny Dragonite for late game. He switches frequently to get favorable matchups and protect his sweepers.
Note: In Faithful build, Charizard is Fire/Flying instead of Fire/Dragon.
Recommended Counters:
Bring Full Restores and Revives - This is a long battle and Lance's team is stronger than the Elite Four.