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

Raifort, the history teacher, is one of the trainers you can fight in the Academy Ace Tournament. She is a random participant during the second tournament onwards. She can appear during the first, second and third rounds.

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 Raifort (Academy Ace Tournament)¶

Raifort has a good variety of Pokémon, so you should bring a good mix yourself. Dark and Fire types would be handy to bring along.

Her Pokémon are between Level 65 to 66, so you should be fine with Level 66+ Pokémon.

Here are some recommendations, if you need help:

• Chi-Yu, a powerful Dark and Fire Legendary, found in a sealed shrine.
• If playing Scarlet, Great Tusk, a Ground and Fighting Paradox found in Area Zero.
• If playing Violet, Iron Treads, a Ground and Steel Paradox found in Area Zero.
• If playing Violet, Miraidon, a powerful Electric and Dragon Legendary obtained in the postgame.
• If playing Scarlet, Flutter Mane, a Ghost and Fairy Paradox, found in Area Zero.

What Pokémon Does Raifort (Academy Ace Tournament) Use?¶

Zoroark¶

Despite appearances, Raifort’s first Pokémon is not Gengar, but a Zoroark in disguise! It can use Night Daze for STAB, Sludge Bomb to mess up Fairy types, Psychic to spell doom for Fighting types, and Flamethrower to raze Burn types.

Sneaky Zoroark has covered all of its bases. However it’s not very durable, so shouldn’t be too difficult to take down once you see through the illusion. Just avoid Psychic types and you should do fine.

Seviper¶

Seviper is a different kind of slippery customer. It can use Gunk Shot for STAB, Crunch to suppress Psychic types, Psychic Fangs for additional coverage, and Glare to inflict paralyze. Its Shed Skin ability may cure it from a status ailment at the end of each turn.

Ground types are great here. Maybe Electric types if you’re concerned about paralyze, but your team should be plenty strong by this point.

Grumpig¶

Oh dear, we’ve got a grumpy-looking fellow. Grumpig can use Psychic for STAB, Power Gem to swat Bug types, plus Earth Power and Flash Cannon for additional coverage. Its Thick Fat ability reduces the damage it receives from Fire and Ice moves.

Dark types should have an easy time here. Ghost types are also good.

Lumineon¶

Nope, this isn’t an Eevee evolution. Lumineon can use Whirlpool to trap your Pokémon and inflict residual damage each turn, Ice Beam to punish Grass types, plus Air Slash and Dazzling Gleam for good measure.

Zap it with a strong Electric type.

Scizor¶

Scizor is one of the few dual types here. It can use X-Scissor for Bug STAB, Bullet Punch to try and attack first, plus Aerial Ace and Thief for general coverage. Its Technician ability will boost the power of all its moves except X-Scissor.

Fire types will have a field day here, since their moves deal 4x damage.

Terastallized Gengar¶

For her final stand, Raifort will Terastallize her Gengar. It’ll become a pure Ghost type, further boosting its Ghost moves, while retaining Poison STAB.

Attack-wise, it’s got Shadow Ball for STAB and Tera-boosted damage, Sludge Bomb for Poison STAB, Sucker Punch to try and attack first if your Pokémon is about to attack, and Fire Punch just in case.

Definitely send out a Dark type if you’ve got one.