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

Saguaro, the home economics teacher, is one of the trainers you can fight in the Academy Ace Tournament. He’s a random participant during the second tournament onwards. He 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 Saguaro (Academy Ace Tournament)¶

Saguaro has a varied team, so you’ll want some variety in yours too.

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

Here are some recommendations, if you need help:

• The Level 75 Tera Lucario at Dalizapa Passage, in the underground tunnel. High level and a good all-rounder.
• 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.
• Chi-Yu, a powerful Dark and Fire Legendary, found in a sealed shrine.
• If playing Scarlet, Flutter Mane, a Ghost and Fairy Paradox, found in Area Zero.
• Tinkaton, a Fairy and Steel type with a powerful Gigaton Hammer. You can catch a Tinkatuff from North Province Area One and evolve it.

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

Pachirisu¶

This one isn’t quite a World Champion Pokémon. Pachi can use Thunder for STAB, Nuzzle to inflict paralyze, Super Fang to halve your HP, and Quick Attack to try and attack first.

Ground types are ideal, since they’re super-effective, while being immune to Electric.

Froslass¶

Chilly Froslass can use Blizzard and Hex for STAB, Ice Shard to try and attack first, and Will-O-Wisp to inflict Burn.

Fire types are highly recommended, since they’re super-effective and can’t be burned. Dark, Rock and Steel types are also good.

Alomomola¶

Luvdisc wishes it could evolve into this. It can use Liquidation for STAB, Aqua Jet to try and attack first, Body Slam for good measure, and Light Screen to weaken your physical moves.

Go with Grass types if possible. Electric types are also good.

Vespiquen¶

There’s few feelings worse than getting a shiny male Combee that can’t evolve. Vespiquen can use Attack Order and Air Slash for STAB, Power Gem to smite Fire, Flying and Ice types, and Sludge Bomb for additional coverage.

Rock types will make it wince, with their quadruple damage. Electric types are good too.

Goodra¶

Goodra can use Dragon Breath for STAB, Sludge Bomb to punish Fairy types, plus Power Whip and Muddy Water to general coverage. You’d have to be silly to do it, but don’t use Grass moves or Goodra will restore HP via Sap Sipper.

Definitely go with Ice types. Fairy types are great if they’re not weak to Sludge Bomb; Tinkaton comes to mind.

Terastallized Hatterene¶

It can be tough figuring out what type Saguaro’s Hatterene will Terastallize into. To save you the hassle: it’s Fairy.

For attacks, it has Dazzling Gleam for STAB and Tera-boosted damage, Psychic for regular STAB, Shadow Ball for extra coverage, and Magic Powder to change your Pokémon into a Psychic type (making it weak to Shadow Ball).

Steel types should ensure a smooth victory.