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Comprehensive battle strategies for the Rival and Lyra battles
Your primary rival has a troubled past and mysterious history with Team Rocket, which will be uncovered as you explore Johto and Kanto. He is combative and will challenge you frequently on your journey. He will take the starter which has the type advantage over the starter you choose.
If you chose Totodile 
If you chose Chikorita 
If you chose Cyndaquil 
Your rival blocks you in Cherrygrove City when you return from Mr. Pokémon's house. He's got two Pokémon: a level 4 Rattata with Tackle, Leer, and Quick Attack, plus his starter at level 5 holding an Oran Berry!
If he picked Chikorita, it can use Tackle and Growl. Cyndaquil comes with Tackle and Leer. Totodile will hit you with Scratch and Leer. Your own starter matches his level, so you can win by attacking straight through.[1]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Your rival then shows up on Route 32 as you head toward Ilex Forest after beating Bugsy. He's expanded his team to four Pokémon, ranging from level 14 to 18. You'll face Gastly, Zubat, Geodude, and his evolved starter.
Gastly can disrupt your team with paralysis from Lick, or Curse your Pokémon for a chunk of damage each turn until you faint or switch out. Zubat flies at level 16 with Gust and Bite, and can confuse your Pokémon with Supersonic. Geodude will shake the ground with Magnitude and Rollout at level 15. His starter jumped to level 18 and still carries an Oran Berry.
The weather plays a role in this battle - due to the return of Slowpoke to Azalea Town, it will be raining for this battle. This will advantage players who chose Totodile and to a lesser extent Chikorita, as rain increases the power of Water type moves and reduces the power of Fire.
Bayleef can poison you with Poison Powder and defend with Reflect while attacking with Razor Leaf. Quilava speeds things up with Quick Attack alongside Ember. Croconaw bites hard and sprays Water Gun. Make note of whether your rival's starter benefits from the rain. Get your team to level 16 or higher, make use of Oran Berries and pack Potions.[2]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Your rival waits in Burned Tower for the third fight. He's improved to five Pokémon between levels 18 and 22. Gastly evolved into Haunter, and the rest of his team got stronger.
Haunter shows up at level 20 with Lick, Confuse Ray, and Curse. His new Magnemite can zap you with Thunder Shock and Sonic Boom at level 18. Drowzee puts opponents to sleep with Hypnosis and follows up with Confusion at level 19. Zubat drains health with Leech Life and Bite at level 20. His starter reached level 22 and still holds an Oran Berry.
Bayleef learned Disarming Voice for coverage, but Croconaw and Quilava have the same damaging moves as the last battle. Level your team to 20 and grab Super Potions. Haunter, Magnemite, Zubat and Drowzee mess with your status, so cosnider bringing confusion healing items or having your Pokémon hold Persim Berries.[3]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Your rival ambushes you at the Underground Warehouse entrance in Goldenrod City after Team Rocket takes over the Radio Tower. He's got five Pokémon between levels 39 and 43, and his starter is fully evolved!
Golbat's at level 40 with Leech Life, Bite, and Wing Attack. Magneton's at level 39 with Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon. Haunter's at level 39 with Shadow Ball and Pain Split. Sneasel's at level 41 with Ice Punch and Feint Attack. His fully evolved starter jumped to level 43 and now holds a Sitrus Berry.
Meganium's got Petal Dance and Ancient Power. Typhlosion's got Flame Charge and Dig. Feraligatr's got Surf and Crunch. Get to level 40 minimum and pack Hyper Potions. Magneton paralyzes, Sneasel outspeeds most teams, and his starter can sweep unprepared opponents with strong STAB moves.[4]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Your rival blocks the Victory Road exit before you reach Indigo Plateau. He's brought a full team of six evolved Pokémon from levels 45 to 49, and every single one carries an item.
Weavile's at level 45 with Sword Dance and Night Slash, holding King's Rock. It can outspeed most Pokémon and flinch them. Lead with a strong physical attacker to prevent it from setting up a Swords Dance and sweeping. Golbat's at level 47 with Super Fang and Poison Jab, and is very bulky while holding Eviolite. Magneton's at level 46 with Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon, holding a Magnet. Gengar's at level 46 with Shadow Ball and Dark Pulse, holding Spell Tag. Alakazam's at level 46 with Psychic and Recover, holding Bright Powder. His starter's at level 49 with a Sitrus Berry.
Meganium's got Energy Ball and Reflect. Typhlosion's got Flamethrower and Dig. Feraligatr's got Surf and Crunch. Level your team to 47 and grab Full Heals plus Hyper Potions. Weavile sets up sweeps with Sword Dance, Alakazam dodges constantly, and Gengar hits everything hard. Save your best for his starter at the end![5]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Your rival challenges you at Mt. Moon's entrance after you reach Kanto. Mt. Moon sits east of Pewter City. His team climbed to levels 61 through 65, and every Pokémon carries an item.
Weavile's at level 61 with Sword Dance, Ice Punch, and Crunch, holding King's Rock. Golbat's still not evolved at level 62 with Poison Jab and Super Fang, holding Eviolite. Magnezone evolved to level 61 with Zap Cannon and Flash Cannon, holding a Magnet. Gengar's at level 63 with Shadow Ball and Curse, holding Spell Tag. Alakazam's at level 63 with Future Sight and Psychic, holding Bright Powder. His starter's at level 65 and holds a type-boosting item.
Meganium's got Seed Bomb and Body Slam with Miracle Seed. Typhlosion's got Flamethrower and Earth Power with Charcoal. Feraligatr's got Waterfall and Crunch with Mystic Water. Get to level 63 and stock Full Restores. Magnezone misses often but destroys when Zap Cannon connects. Gengar traps with Mean Look and drains with Curse. Dark or Ghost types handle Alakazam better.[6]
Your rival will go to Dragon's Den to train after you beat him at Mt. Moon. He waits on the central island with his ultimate lineup, spanning levels 68 to 72 with optimised held items, abilities and natures.
Weavile's at level 68 with Sword Dance, Ice Punch, and Crunch, holding King's Rock. Through the power of friendship, Crobat finally evolved and is level 69 with Poison Jab, Crunch, and Toxic, holding Poison Barb. Magnezone's at level 68 with Thunderbolt, Thunder Wave, and Flash Cannon, holding a Magnet. Gengar's at level 70 with Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, and Focus Blast, holding Spell Tag. Alakazam's at level 70 with Psychic, Tri Attack, and Recover, holding Bright Powder. His starter's at level 72 with Leftovers.
Meganium's got Petal Dance, Moonblast, and Ancient Power. Typhlosion's got Fire Blast, Focus Blast, and Earth Power. Feraligatr's got Waterfall, Crunch, and Ice Punch. Train to level 70 minimum and pack Max Potions plus Full Restores. Gengar's three attack types cover nearly everything. Crobat poisons and stalls. His starter with Leftovers outlasts most teams. After defeating him, he'll give you a special egg that will hatch into the first form of his starter.
After beating him here, your rival appears at Indigo Plateau near the entrance to the Elite 4 every Monday and Wednesday, where you can rematch him with this team.[7]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Your first battle against Lyra happens right in Professor Elm's Lab after you both get your starter Pokémon. Lyra picks whichever starter has a type disadvantage against the starter you choose. She's got a single level 5 starter with two moves. The battle teaches you how combat works.
Chikorita can use Tackle and Growl. Cyndaquil comes with Tackle and Leer. Totodile Scratches and Leers. Your own starter matches her level, so attack straight through and win.[8]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Lyra waits for you on Route 34, right outside the Day Care Center. She expanded to four Pokémon this time: Pidgey at level 16, Mareep at level 15, her evolved starter at level 18 holding an Oran Berry, and a fourth that depends on her starter.
If she picked Bayleef, she augments her coverage with Marill and its strong Rollout attacks. Against Quilava, she pulls out Sunkern with Grass moves. Against Croconaw, watch for Growlithe spinning fire.
Her starter is the real problem. Bayleef defends with Reflect and heals with Healing Light. Quilava speeds things up with Ember and Quick Attack. Croconaw hammers you with Bite and Rage. Get your Pokémon around the same levels as hers and stock up on Potions.[9]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Lyra challenges you on Route 42 with five Pokémon between levels 32 and 37. Her team is now partially evolved. Pidgeotto sets up with Rage, Agility and Charm. Flaaffy cures status conditions with Heal Bell. Her starter jumped to level 37 and still holds an Oran Berry.
Depending on her starter, she will fill out her coverage with two out of Azumarill, Growlithe or Sunflora. Azumarill hits hard with Play Rough and Aqua Tail. Growlithe scorches with Flamethrower and Thrash. Sunflora blooms at the same level with Solar Beam and Petal Dance.
Get your team to level 35 or higher and pack Super Potions. Bayleef fires Energy Ball and Dazzling Gleam. Quilava speeds up with Flame Charge and tunnels with Dig. Croconaw crushes with Crunch and Reversal. Her starter still hits hardest. After defeating her here, she will give you the HM for Whirlpool.[10]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Lyra blocks your path in New Bark Town before you leave for the Pokémon League. She brought her full team of six, leveled from 43 to 47.
Pidgeot's at level 44 with Roost and Wing Attack. Girafarig's at level 43 with Baton Pass and Crunch. Her third and fourth slot will be two of Azumarill, Arcanine or Sunflora at level 45, depending on Lyra's starter. Ampharos is at level 46 with Thunderbolt and Power Gem. Her starter's at level 47 with a Sitrus Berry.
Meganium's got Body Slam, Energy Ball, and Dazzling Gleam. Typhlosion's got Flame Charge, Swift, and Dig. Feraligatr's got Crunch, Agility, and Reversal.
Get your team to level 45. Grab Hyper Potions and Full Heals. Ampharos paralyzes. Girafarig pivots to teammates, potentially giving them a safe switch in. Ensure you have good super-effective coverage for this varied team. Save your strongest for her starter at the end.[11]
If you chose Totodile
If you chose Chikorita
If you chose Cyndaquil
Lyra appears at Indigo Plateau before you enter the second round of the Elite 4, after collecting all eight Kanto badges. every Saturday and Sunday after you beat the Elite Four. She stands near the entrance stairs with her strongest lineup, ranging from level 68 to 72.
Pidgeot's at level 69 with Hurricane, Air Slash, and Steel Wing. Her second and third slots changes depending on Lyra's starter. If she picked Chikorita, she's got Arcanine at level 70 with Dragon Dance and Azumarill with Hydro Pump and Close Combat. If she picked Cyndaquil, she's got Sunflora at level 70 with Fire Blast and Sunny Day, as well as Azumarill. If she took Totodile, Lyra will have Arcanine and Sunflora. Ampharos is at level 71 with Thunder, Dragon Pulse, and Outrage. Farigiraf's at level 68. Her starter's at level 72 with a Sitrus Berry.
Train to level 70 before this fight. Stock Full Restores and Revives. Ampharos destroys with Outrage. Azumarill threatens everything with Close Combat. Her starter sweeps unprepared teams. You can fight her every weekend for farming experience and money! After defeating Lyra, she'll give you a special egg that will hatch into the first form of her starter.
Lyra can be rematched with this team in the same location on Saturday and Sunday.[12]
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