Elite Four
Introduction
Heart & Soul 2's Pokemon League uses two Elite Four lineups in the current source data: the first clear at levels 48–55, then the stronger rematch at levels 66–69. Will, Bruno, Karen, and Koga return in both runs with larger teams, more held items, and much nastier coverage.
Elite Four order and level guide
| Run | Order | Team levels |
|---|---|---|
First League run | Will → Bruno → Karen → Koga | 48–55 |
Elite Four rematch | Will → Bruno → Karen → Koga | 66–69 |
Bring a full team, healing items if your rules allow them, and coverage that can survive more than one fight. You do not get to rebuild between members, which is rude but traditional.
Will
Team overview
Will's first team ranges from level 48 to 50: Girafarig, Slowking, Espeon, Slowbro, and Xatu. Slowbro holds a Quick Claw, while Xatu holds a Twisted Spoon. His roster is built around Psychic pressure with setup, disruption, and enough coverage to punish a simplistic Dark-type answer.
Key Pokemon: Xatu is the closer with Air Slash, Recover, Confuse Ray, and Psychic. Girafarig can use Nasty Plot, Agility, and Baton Pass, while Slowking has Fire Punch alongside Surf and Psychic.
Strategy & tips: Do not bring one Dark-type and assume the fight is solved. Slowking's Fire Punch and Surf, Espeon's Shadow Ball, and Xatu's Air Slash all punish common answers. Keep pressure on Xatu so Recover does not turn a near knockout into a long fight.
AI behavior: Will has setup through Nasty Plot and Agility, a Baton Pass option, Reflect, Confuse Ray, recovery, and mixed coverage. Expect him to make a clean matchup awkward rather than simply attack with Psychic every turn.
Recommended counters: Dark- and Bug-type attacks are useful into the Psychic core. Electric, Grass, or Dark coverage helps with the Slowking and Slowbro pair; Rock, Ice, or Electric coverage is useful for Xatu.
Bruno
Team overview
Bruno's first team ranges from level 52 to 54: Hitmonchan, Heracross, Hitmonlee, Steelix, and Machamp. Hitmonchan holds a Scope Lens, Hitmonlee has a Silk Scarf, and Machamp carries a Black Belt.
Key Pokemon: Machamp is the highest-level member and has Rock Slide, Fire Punch, Vital Throw, and Cross Chop. Heracross carries Close Combat, Megahorn, and Earthquake, while Steelix brings its own Earthquake and Stone Edge.
Strategy & tips: Flying- and Psychic-types are useful, but they need to respect Rock Slide, Thunder Punch, and Fire Punch. Do not leave an Electric-type in against Steelix just because Bruno looks like a Fighting specialist.
AI behavior: Bruno's Fighting core carries strong coverage, item boosts, and a Steelix designed to punish predictable anti-Fighting switches.
Recommended counters: Fast Psychic and Flying attackers work well if they have a safe answer to Rock coverage. Water-, Ground-, and Fire-type coverage handle Steelix; Fairy coverage is valuable where available, but still watch the physical damage.
Karen
Team overview
Karen's first team ranges from level 53 to 55: Umbreon, Gengar, Vileplume, Honchkrow, and Houndoom. Umbreon holds a Sitrus Berry, Vileplume has Leftovers, Honchkrow has a Sharp Beak, and Houndoom holds Black Glasses.
Key Pokemon: Houndoom is the level 55 closer with boosted Crunch and Flamethrower, plus Iron Tail and Reversal. Umbreon can use Double Team, Baton Pass, and Moonlight; Gengar can create sleep-and-confusion trouble with Hypnosis, Dream Eater, and Confuse Ray.
Strategy & tips: Treat this as a mixed team, not a Dark-only puzzle. Fighting attacks are good into Umbreon and Houndoom, but Honchkrow and Gengar make blind Fighting switches risky. Have a direct answer for Vileplume's Sleep Powder, Leech Seed, and Substitute.
AI behavior: Evasion, healing, Baton Pass, sleep, confusion, Leech Seed, Substitute, and status make Karen's first run a battle of attrition if you let it become one.
Recommended counters: Fighting-, Ground-, Rock-, Psychic-, and Fire-type coverage all have jobs. A balanced offensive team is more reliable than trying to sweep with one type.
Koga
Team overview
Koga's first team ranges from level 50 to 52: Ariados, Qwilfish, Muk, Venomoth, and Crobat. Ariados holds a King's Rock, Muk has Leftovers, and Crobat has Bright Powder.
Key Pokemon: Crobat is the fastest-looking finisher with Double Team, Toxic, Bite, and Confuse Ray. Muk can use Minimize, Fire Blast, Gunk Shot, and Toxic; Venomoth adds Sleep Powder and Psychic.
Strategy & tips: Bring accurate attacks and do not let evasion or poison turn this into a twenty-minute argument with the game. Ground and Psychic coverage are useful, but Venomoth and Crobat mean you need a second plan beyond clicking Earthquake.
AI behavior: Toxic, Protect, Double Team, Minimize, Bright Powder, Confuse Ray, and Sleep Powder are the theme. Koga is trying to waste your turns, and he has plenty of tools for it.
Recommended counters: Psychic-types are strong into much of the roster. Ground coverage handles Ariados, Muk, and Qwilfish, while Electric, Rock, or Ice coverage helps with Crobat.
Lance (Dragon/Champion)
Team Overview
Lance's team consists of Dragon-type Pokémon and powerful Flying-types. They range from level 57–60.
Useful planning links
- Locations — check what you can still catch or train before the League.
- Type Chart — confirm weaknesses, resistances, and immunities.
- Team Builder — check whether your six can cover the full League run.
- Level Caps — plan around the limits in your selected settings.
- TM & HM Locations — find source-verified move options before committing to a matchup.
- Walkthrough & Progression Guide — return to the wider progression route when you are done with the League.
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