This page has strategies and tips for your final battle with your rival at the Pokémon League.
(1 of 2) After going through Victory Road, you’ll be near the Pokémon League building.
After going through Victory Road, you’ll be near the Pokémon League building. (left), It’s tempting to rush ahead, but be sure to grab this hidden Sky Plate! (right)
After making your way through Victory Road, you’ll arrive at the northern half of the Pokémon League. Up ahead, there’s a waterfall that leads further up. Before going that way, search the ground below the left-hand side Poké Ball statue to find a hidden Sky Plate.
At the top of the waterfall, there’s the Pokémon League building itself–a massive castle that you could see from Sunyshore City’s lighthouse. Inside, make any last-minute preparations. When you begin the Pokémon League challenge, you cannot leave until you’ve defeated all 5 trainers or you lose.
Once you’re ready, approach the badge check guy standing in front of the back door. Just before the formal process occurs, who’d interrupt but your rival?
Pokémon Trainer Rival¶
(1 of 2) Your rival, the king of interruptions!
Your rival, the king of interruptions! (left), If you know he’s coming though, you can prepare for Staraptor. (right)
| Pokémon | Level | Type |
|---|---|---|
  Staraptor |
49 |   |
  Floatzel (you didn’t choose  Chimchar) |
49 |  |
  Roserade (you didn’t choose  Piplup) |
49 |   |
  Rapidash (you didn’t choose  Turtwig) |
49 |  |
  Heracross |
51 |   |
  Snorlax |
52 | |
  Torterra (you chose Piplup) |
55 |  |
  Infernape (you chose Turtwig) |
55 | |
  Empoleon (you chose Chimchar) |
55 |  |
Your rival has the same team from when he assisted you at the Spear Pillar, but he’s now fully evolved all his Pokémon.
Similar to previous times, he’ll lead with his Staraptor. For attacks, it has Pluck to steal your berries, Close Combat to smash Ice and Rock-types and U-turn to pivot out. Physical attackers should be wary of its Intimidate. Also, it’s got a Focus Sash so it’ll survive being one-shot. Electric-types would be optimal here.
If your rival sends out Floatzel, watch out for STAB Brine and Ice Fang to annoy Grass-types. It’s also holding a Quick Claw, which gives it a small chance of going first, regardless of Speed. Similarly, we’d suggest an Electric-type. Definitely don’t use Torterra unless you can eat a 4x damage Ice Fang.
Meanwhile, if your rival brings out Roserade, expect it to use Petal Blizzard for STAB, Shadow Ball to counter Psychic-types, Stun Spore to paralyze and Grassy Terrain to heal all Pokémon in battle. The latter synergizes well with its Black Sludge, providing extra recovery. It’s got nothing against Fire and Flying-types though.
(1 of 2) Heracross can be rather tricky.
Heracross can be rather tricky. (left), Nobody likes being flinched by Rock Slide… (right)
You may also see Rapidash. This flaming unicorn can use STAB Flame Wheel, Smart Strike to deal with Rock-types, Megahorn for coverage and Poison Jab for additional coverage. Water-types will make it wince; Ground-types should also do fine.
Moving on, Heracross will always be in your rival’s team. This one can use Pin Missile for STAB, Rock Slide to hit Fire and Flying-types and potentially flinch, Thief to hit Psychic-types and steal their item and Swords Dance to raise its Attack. If you think they can survive Rock Slide, Flying-types are its bane; otherwise, Fairy-types are safer.
Snorlax is another fixed member of his team. This big sleepyhead can use Covet to steal an item, Crunch to get around Ghost-types, Yawn to make your Pokémon sleepy and either Hammer Arm or High Horsepower to bash up Rock/Steel-types. Unleash a Fighting-type if you’ve got one.
(1 of 2) Early on, it may have been hard to counter your rival’s starter…
Early on, it may have been hard to counter your rival’s starter… (left), But at this stage, you should be more than ready! (right)
Finally, you’ll have to deal with your rival’s fully evolved starter.
If you’re facing Torterra, its moves include Wood Hammer and Earthquake for hard-hitting STAB, Stealth Rock to damage switch-ins and Roar to force your Pokémon out (and take Stealth Rock damage). It’s holding Leftovers and is quite bulky. Ice-types should end it easily. Or even a Water-type using Ice Beam etc.
As for Infernape, this blazing monkey’s carrying STAB Flame Wheel and Close Combat (the latter really hurts), Shadow Claw to scratch Psychic-types and U-turn to pivot out. Water, Flying or Ground-types are ideal.
Lastly, if your rival’s got Empoleon, be prepared for STAB Brine and Flash Cannon, Grass Knot to punish Ground-types and Charm to greatly lower your Attack. Similar to Floatzel, it’s carrying a Quick Claw to surprise you. We suggest countering with an Electric-type. Or if you want to risk being charmed, a Fighting-type.
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