So you've finally gathered all eight badges in Paldea. You’re standing outside that imposing building northwest of Mesagoza, and honestly, it’s a bit intimidating. The Elite 4 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet challenge is famously a bit of a weird one. Unlike previous games where you just kick down the door and start swinging, this version starts with a literal job interview. If you mess up the questions, Rika kicks you out. No joke.
Most people think they can just over-level their starter and breeze through. You can't. Well, you can, but it’s a miserable way to play and you'll probably get walled by a Tinkaton or a random Tera-Type Dragon. Success here is basically about two things: smart typing and knowing when the AI is trying to bait you into a bad switch.
Let's break down how this actually works without all the fluff.
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The Interview: Don't Fail Before You Start
Rika sits you down for the "Champion Assessment." It's mostly a vibe check, but if you get the facts wrong, you’re done. She’ll ask which Gym gave you the most trouble. You have to remember the leader's name and their type. If you said Larry gave you a hard time at the Medali Gym, don't then say he uses Water-types. He’s the Normal-type guy (at least for the gym). This interview is basically the game's way of making sure you weren't asleep for the last 40 hours of gameplay.
Rika: The Ground-Type Specialist (With a Twist)
Once you’re in, Rika is your first real hurdle. She’s cool, calm, and her team is built to ruin your day if you rely too much on Electric or Fire types.
- Whiscash (Lv. 57): Water/Ground. Do not use Electric here. It won’t work. Use a Grass move for a 4x weakness.
- Camerupt (Lv. 57): Fire/Ground. Water or Ground moves melt this thing.
- Donphan (Lv. 57): Pure Ground. Sturdy is the annoying bit here. It’ll survive a hit, so be ready for a counter.
- Dugtrio (Lv. 57): Fast and hits harder than it looks. Sandstorm can be a pest.
- Clodsire (Lv. 58): This is her Ace. It's Poison/Ground but it Terastallizes into Ground. It has Water Absorb often, so don't try to surf on it unless you want to heal it. Use Ice or Psychic.
Honestly, a strong Meowscarada or a decent Quaquavel can sweep half this team. Just watch out for the Clodsire’s toxic stalls.
Poppy: Don't Let the Kid Fool You
Poppy is probably about five years old and uses Steel-types. Steel is a defensive powerhouse, and her team is surprisingly tanky.
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If you brought a Fire-type like Skeledirge or Armarouge, you’re mostly golden. But Poppy has some coverage. Her Bronzong (Lv. 58) has Levitate, so Ground moves—usually a Steel-type's nightmare—won't touch it. Her Magnezone is a heavy hitter, and Corviknight is just a wall that refuses to die.
The real danger is her Tinkaton (Lv. 59). It Terastallizes into pure Steel and carries Gigaton Hammer. That move hits like a freight train. You cannot let it get two hits off. Switch to a Fire or Fighting type and end it quickly.
Larry: The Salaryman Returns
Everyone loves Larry. He’s the most relatable character in the franchise because he just wants to finish his shift and go home. You already fought him as a Normal-type Gym Leader, but for the Elite 4 Pokemon Scarlet run, he switches to Flying-types.
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Larry’s Flying Squad
- Tropius (Lv. 59): 4x weak to Ice. Basically a snack for any Ice-type.
- Staraptor (Lv. 59): Close Combat makes this thing dangerous even to its counters.
- Altaria (Lv. 59): Dragon/Flying. Bring Ice or Fairy.
- Oricorio (Lv. 59): Electric/Flying. Rock moves are your best friend here.
- Flamigo (Lv. 60): His Ace. It’s Flying/Fighting and Terastallizes into Flying. It’s fast. It hits hard. Use Electric or Ice.
Larry is probably the easiest of the four if you have a fast Electric or Rock type. Kill the bird, move on.
Hassel: The Dragon Master's Tears
Hassel is the art teacher, and he’s very emotional. He’s also the hardest member of the four because Dragon-types are, well, Dragons. They have high base stats and great coverage.
You need Ice and Fairy moves. Without them, you're going to have a bad time. His Baxcalibur (Lv. 61) is the monster at the end of the tunnel. It Terastallizes into a Dragon-type and uses Glaive Rush. This move deals massive damage but makes him vulnerable the next turn. If you can survive the hit, you can usually take him down while he's recovering.
The "Top" Champion: Geeta's Eclectic Mix
Beating the four isn't the end. You have to face Geeta. Honestly? Most veteran players find her a bit underwhelming compared to past champions like Cynthia, but her Glimmora can be a headache.
Her team isn't focused on one type. She has Espathra (Psychic), Gogoat (Grass), Veluza (Water/Psychic), Avalugg (Ice), and Kingambit (Dark/Steel). Kingambit is the real threat—it gets stronger as its teammates fall. You want a strong Fighting-type move to 4x weak it into oblivion.
Her Ace is Glimmora (Lv. 62). Its Ability, Toxic Debris, scatters spikes when you hit it with physical moves. If you can, take it out with a Special move like Earth Power or Psychic to avoid the poison trap.
Pre-Battle Checklist
- Level Check: Your team should be at least Level 60. If you're under 55, Hassel will likely wipe the floor with you.
- Healing Items: Buy Max Potions and Full Restores. You can heal between every fight. There is no shame in using a Revive mid-battle.
- Held Items: Give your lead Pokemon a Life Orb or Choice Specs if you have them. Even a simple Mystic Water or Charcoal helps.
- Movesets: Visit the "Remember Moves" screen. Ensure you have high-accuracy moves. Missing a Fire Blast against Poppy's Tinkaton is a quick way to lose a Pokemon.
Once you’ve cleared the league, the world of Paldea opens up even more with Area Zero and the post-game tournaments. The Elite 4 Pokemon Scarlet challenge is just the gateway.
Next Steps for Your Team:
Check your bags for any Rare Candies or Exp. Candies you've been hoarding from Tera Raids. Dumping these into your lowest-level team member before the Hassel fight can be the difference between a win and a frustrating reset. Also, make sure your Tera Orb is charged—you'll get a free recharge after every battle in the gauntlet.