Elite Four Battle Guide: Best Pokémon and Strategies

PDF download Download Article
All you need to know to become a Pokémon Champion
PDF download Download Article

The Elite 4 Pokémon and Pokémon Champion are the last bosses you need to defeat before becoming the new Champion in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about your opponents (including the best Pokémon to put on your team), so you can battle your way to victory.

Things You Should Know

  • Prepare to fight Dark-Type Master Sidney, Ghost-Type Master Phoebe, Ice-Type Master Glacia, and Dragon-Type Master Drake.
  • Fight Pokémon Champion Steven in the Ruby and Sapphire games, and Pokémon Champion Wallace in Emerald.
  • Fill your team with Pokémon like Salamence, Starmie, Magneton, Steelix, and Sceptile.
Section 1 of 3:

Elite Four & Champion Overview

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Sidney uses all Dark-type Pokémon, Phoebe uses Ghost-type, Glacia uses Ice-type, Drake uses Dragon-type, Steven (Ruby/Sapphire only) uses Steel-type, and Wallace (Emerald only) uses Water-type.

    Their Pokémon levels are anywhere between 46 and 58, so make sure your Pokémon is leveled up before you challenge anyone. [1]
    2. Advertisement
* *
Sidney

Dark-type Master

Mightyena, Shiftry, Cacturne, Sharpedo, Absol
Phoebe

Ghost-type Master

Dusclops, Banette, Sableye, Banette, Dusclops
Glacia

Ice-type Master

Glalie, Sealeo, Sealeo, Glalie, Walrein
Drake

Dragon-type Master

Shelgon, Altaria, Flygon, Flygon, Salamence
Steven

Steel-type Master

Skarmory, Claydol, Aggron, Cradily, Armaldo, Metagross
Wallace

Water-type Master

Wailord, Tentacruel, Whiscash, Ludicolo, Gyarados, Milotic
Section 2 of 3:

Best Pokémon to Battle With

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Sidney’s Dark-type Pokémon are weak to Bug- and Fighting-type moves; Phoebe’s Ghost-type Pokémon are weak to Ghost- and Dark-type moves; Glacia’s Ice-type Pokémon are weak to Steel-, Fire-, Rock-, and Fighting-type moves; and Drake’s Dragon-type Pokémon are weak to Dragon-type moves.

    Steven’s Steel-Type Pokémon are weak to Fire-, Fighting-, and Ground-type moves, and Wallace’s Water-type Pokémon are weak to Electric- and Grass-type moves. [2] Here are some handy Pokémon (and their best moves) to put on your roster:
    • Blaziken: Fire Blast (Fire), Sky Uppercut (Fighting), Blaze Kick (Fire), Bulk Up (Fighting)

    • Swampert: Earthquake (Ground), Focus Punch (Fighting TM), Surf (Water HM), Iron Tail (Steel TM)

    • Sceptile: Leaf Blade (Grass), Brick Break (Fighting TM), Dragon Claw (Dragon TM), Hyper Beam (Normal)

    • Salamence: Earthquake (Ground TM), Dragon Claw (Dragon), Fire Blast (Fire TM), Dragonbreath (Dragon)

    • Starmie: Ice Beam (Ice TM), Thunderbolt (Electric TM), Surf (Water HM), Recover (Normal)

    • Magneton: Thunderbolt (Electric TM), Zap Cannon (Electric), Lock-on (Normal), Thunder Wave (Electric)

    • Steelix: Earthquake (Ground TM), Iron Tail (Steel), Toxic (Poison TM), Roar (Normal TM)

    • Ludicolo: Surf (Water HM), Astonish (Ghost), Giga Drain (Grass TM), Absorb (Grass)

    • Slaking: Shadow Ball (Ghost TM), Ice Beam (Ice TM), Strength (Normal HM), Brick Break (Fighting TM)

Section 3 of 3:

Best Battle Strategies

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1c\/Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Beat-the-Elite-Four-on-Ruby%2C-Sapphire%2C-or-Emerald-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    • Save your game before you start. While you can’t go to a Pokécenter between battles to heal your Pokémon, you can save your game after defeating each Elite 4 member.

      Some players prefer to save just before entering the Elite 4, so they can restart the battle with a clean slate.

    • Stock up on healing items. Buy plenty of Full Heals, Full Restores, and Max Revives to quickly get an injured or fainted Pokémon back on its feet in the heat of battle.

      You can’t go back to a Pokémon Center in the middle of battle, so it’s important to be fully stocked. [3]

    • Level up your Pokémon before the battles. The Elite 4 and Pokémon Champion have Pokémon between levels 46 and 58, so make sure that your own team is on that level. The more you grind, the easier it’ll be to defeat everyone.
    2. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    If Steven isn't there but Wallace is, how will I beat him?
    Community Answer
    Well, honestly, Wallace is easier than Steven. You only need a ludicolo/brelloom and magneton/raichu to defeat him, but make them at least of level 58, and milotic will be a problem so carry some revival herbs.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 12
  • Question
    What if I have the Pokemon, but don't have them to level 50?
    Community Answer
    Train with them for a bit until they're a higher level. You could try as you are, but you'd have to be fairly lucky.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 18
  • Question
    Should I use the legendary Pokemon I have caught to beat the Elite 4?
    Community Answer
    Not necessarily. Kyogre/Groudon will definitely have the strength, but not the levels, and might not mesh well with the balance of the team.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 3
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • I reccomend trading for Pokémon like Charizard or Jolteon—better fire and electric types who can both hold out through the challenge. Swampert and Slaking can help (because there are no grass majors) as well as Breloom.
      • If you have Emerald and already captured Rayquaza, it is very easy to defeat the Elite Four and Wallace just using Outrage. Using elixirs, potions, and revives are also recommended for Wallace.
      • Use a lot of stat-boosting items and berries. Also, use your flutes if you have some from the route before Fallarbor.
      • Contests can be more helpful than training.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      Pokémon Ruby vs Sapphire vs Emerald: Key Features & Differences
      How to
      Get to the Sky Pillar in Emerald
      How to
      Catch Rayquaza in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Catch Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Get the Three Regis in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Get Cut in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Get Dive in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Catch Bagon in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Get HM Rock Smash in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Find the Regis in Pokémon Emerald
      How to
      Get a Water Stone in Pokémon Emerald
      A Complete Walkthrough to Catching Feebas
      How to
      Catch the 3 Regis in Pokémon Sapphire or Ruby
      How to
      Get Crobat in Pokémon Emerald
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://pokemondb.net/emerald/gymleaders-elitefour
      2. ↑ https://pokemondb.net/type
      3. ↑ https://www.serebii.net/rubysapphire/items.shtml

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 301,757 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement