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Pokémon Scarlet & Violet

How to Beat Nemona (Academy Ace Tournament)

By
Vincent Lau

This is a guide for defeating Nemona during the Academy Ace Tournament in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.

Nemona was the one who suggested the idea of a tournament.

Nemona, your classmate and fellow Champion, is one of the trainers you can fight in the Academy Ace Tournament. She’s a random participant during the second tournament onwards. She can appear during the fourth round.

What is the Academy Ace Tournament?

The Academy Ace Tournament is a single elimination tournament, consisting of 4 rounds, that you can participate in during the postgame. Your opponents will be trainers and faculty members from Naranja/Uva Academy.

To unlock the Academy Ace Tournament, you must complete the Area Zero story, perform the Gym Inspection for Geeta and report the results to her back at Naranja/Uva Academy.

Recommended Pokémon for Nemona (Academy Ace Tournament)

Nemona has the same team she used at the end of the Victory Road story. Her team has a variety of types, so your team should also be varied. A Fighting type or two is highly recommended since they’re strong against half of Nemona’s team (more if you picked Fuecoco).

Her Pokémon are Level 71 to 72, so you should aim to bring Pokémon of around Level 70+ into the fight.

Here are some recommendations, if you need help:

  • Your starter fully evolved. Pretty much a no-brainer, since Nemona will use the starter that’s weak to yours. That said, if you benched your starter, it’s not a deal breaker.
  • The Level 75 Tera "Lucario" IconLucario at Dalizapa Passage, in the underground tunnel. High level and a good all-rounder.
  • The Level 75 Tera "Dragonite" IconDragonite at the eastern edge of Paldea. High level with exceptional Attack.
  • If playing Scarlet, Koraidon, a powerful Dragon and Fighting Legendary obtained in the postgame.
  • If playing Violet, Miraidon, a powerful Electric and Dragon Legendary obtained in the postgame.

What Pokémon does Nemona (Academy Ace Tournament) have?

Pokémon Level Type
"Lycanroc" IconLycanroc 71 Rock Rock
"Goodra" IconGoodra 71 Dragon Dragon
Dudunsparce 71 Normal Normal
Orthworm 71 Steel Steel
Pawmot 71 Electric Electric Fighting Fighting
Skeledirge (if you picked Quaxly) 72 Fire Fire Ghost Ghost (Tera Type: Fire Fire)
Meowscarada (if you picked Fuecoco) 72 Grass Grass Dark Dark (Tera Type: Grass Grass)
Quaquaval (if you picked Sprigatito) 72 Water Water Fighting Fighting (Tera Type: Water Water)

Lycanroc

Fighting a Legendary Pokémon is sure to make Nemona excited.

To begin with, Nemona will send out her Midday Form "Lycanroc" IconLycanroc. It can use "Stone Edge" iconStone Edge for hard-hitting STAB, Accelerock to sneak in an attack before you, "Drill Run" iconDrill Run to damage Steel types and "Stealth Rock" iconStealth Rock to damage switch-ins.

Ground or Fighting types would be perfect here, to deal super-effective damage and resist Stone Edge. A fast victory is advised, in case it sets up Stealth Rock. The Tera Lucario won’t break a sweat.

Goodra

This gooey dragon can use "Dragon Pulse" iconDragon Pulse for STAB, "Muddy Water" iconMuddy Water to lower accuracy, "Sludge Bomb" iconSludge Bomb to damage Fairy types and "Ice Beam" iconIce Beam for additional coverage.

We recommend fielding an Ice type. If you caught the Level 75 Tera Dragonite or use your Legendary Koraidon or Miraidon, you can demolish it with Dragon moves though.

Dudunsparce

Nemona shows off her rare three-segment Dudunsparce again. It can use Hyper Drill for STAB, Drill Run to get through Steel types, Dragon Rush to look cool, and Coil to boost its Attack, Defense and Accuracy.

Fighting types are the natural choice here. If you have the Level 75 Tera Lucario, it’ll be gone before you can blink.

Orthworm

This is also a good opportunity to unleash the Treasures of Ruin.

This pure Steel type (not a Bug!) can use Iron Tail for STAB, "Earthquake" iconEarthquake to punish Fire types, plus "Body Press" iconBody Press and "Rock Blast" iconRock Blast for coverage. It has the Earth Eater ability, which absorbs Ground type damage.

Again, you should use a Fighting type here. Another easy job for the Tera Lucario.

Pawmot

Nemona’s Pawmot can use Double Shock for massive Electric STAB damage, but removes its Electric type afterwards, "Close Combat" iconClose Combat for powerful Fighting STAB, but lowers its defensive stats, "Ice Punch" iconIce Punch to tickle Ground types and Quick Attack to try and attack first.

We recommend Psychic or Fairy types. Double Shock is a little dangerous, but after using it, Pawmot will lose its Electric STAB, making it less threatening.

Terastallized Skeledirge

Nemona will Terastallize her ace into a pure Fire type, further boosting its Fire attacks and retaining its Ghost STAB.

Her Skeledirge can use Torch Song for Fire STAB and to boost its Special Attack, "Shadow Ball" iconShadow Ball for Ghost STAB, "Snarl" iconSnarl to lower your Special Attack and "Earth Power" iconEarth Power to hit Rock and opposing Fire types.

Water types, especially Quaquaval, are highly recommended. Besides dealing super-effective damage, it’s a good idea to find ways to mitigate the damage from Tera-boosted Torch Song.

Terastallized Meowscarada

Nemona’s final Pokémon is extremely predictable.

Nemona will Terastallize her ace into a pure Grass type, further boosting its Grass attacks and retaining its Dark STAB.

Her Meowscarada can use Flower Trick for Grass STAB (never misses and always criticals), "Thunder Punch" iconThunder Punch to target Flying types, "Play Rough" iconPlay Rough to counter Fighting types and "Shadow Claw" iconShadow Claw for additional coverage.

Fire types are highly recommended. If using your starter Skeledirge, you may want to Terastallize it so it loses its Ghost weakness.

Terastallized Quaquaval

Nemona will Terastallize her ace into a pure Water type, further boosting its Water attacks and retaining its Fighting STAB.

Her Quaquaval can use Aqua Step for Water STAB and to boost its Speed, "Brick Break" iconBrick Break for Fighting STAB and to shatter screens, "Ice Spinner" iconIce Spinner to hurt Grass types and destroy terrain and "Aerial Ace" iconAerial Ace just in case.

This one’s a tough cookie. Grass types would’ve been ideal, but Ice Spinner can take a good chunk of their HP. Meanwhile Electric types will take the full brunt of Aqua Step, which isn’t ideal, especially since Quaquaval is likely to outspeed you afterwards.

Your starter Meowscarada is also susceptible to STAB Brick Break, although you can Terastallize to remove the Fighting weakness.

If you’re stuck, try grabbing the Tera "Tsareena" IconTsareena from Socarrat Trail. You can use its Trop Kick to deal super-effective damage and lower Quaquaval’s Attack at the same time. Most likely, Quaquaval will try and use Ice Spinner or Aerial Ace, but you can Terastallize to remove your weakness. After one Trop Kick, Quaquaval should be less dangerous.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Nintendo, Pokemon Company International
  • Platforms,
    Switch
  • Genre
    RPG
  • Guide Release
    17 November 2022
  • Last Updated
    10 May 2024
    Version History
  • Guide Author

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