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

Salvatore, the languages 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 Salvatore (Academy Ace Tournament)¶

Salvatore has a varied team, so you’ll want some variety in yours too. In addition, Dark and Fighting types would be useful to have.

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.
• Any of the Treasures of Ruin, powerful Dark type Legendary Pokémon.
• 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.

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

Honchkrow¶

Salvatore leads with Honchkrow. It can use Sucker Punch for Dark STAB and to try and go first, if you’re using an attacking move, Hurricane for Flying STAB, Psychic to deter Fighting types, and Heat Wave to melt Ice and Steel types.

Fairy, Electric and Rock types are all great choices.

Persian¶

Tricky Persian can use Fake Out for a first turn flinch (but can’t be used after that), Snarl to hurt Ghost types and lower your Special Attack, Aerial Ace to surprise Fighting types, and Play Rough for additional coverage. Its Technician ability will boost the power of all its moves, except Play Rough.

Despite Aerial Ace, Fighting types are ideal for crushing it.

Palossand¶

This spooky sand castle can use Shadow Ball and Earth Power for STAB, Sludge Bomb to counter Grass types, and Giga Drain to deal with Water types. If hit by Water type moves, its Defence will increase by two stages thanks to its Water Compaction ability.

Ice or Dark types are recommended.

Glaceon¶

This Ice type Eeveelution can use Freeze-Dry for STAB and super-effective damage versus Water types, Ice Shard to try and attack first, Mud Shot to tickle Fire, Rock and Steel types, and Baby-Doll Eyes to try and lower your Attack before you attack.

Fighting types should have zero problems here.

Gothitelle¶

Gothitelle can use Psychic for STAB, Shadow Ball to hurt Ghost and opposing Psychic typses, Grass Knot to trip up heavy opponents, and Reflect to weaken your physical moves. Its Competitive ability increases its Special Attack by two stages if you lower its stats.

Dark types are ideal. Bug types are good as well.

Terastallized Raichu¶

For the finale, Salvatore will Terastallize his Raichu into an Electric type, further boosting its Electric moves.

It can use Thunder for STAB and Tera-boosted damage, Grass Knot to handle Ground types, Focus Blast for additional coverage, and Quick Attack to try and deal some quick chip damage.

Definitely go with a Ground type if possible.