The Elite Four

Master the Elite Four challenge in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. Get strategies, recommended Pokémon types, and detailed breakdowns for Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, and Drake.

Stock up on Revives and Full Restores from the Pokemart before challenging the Elite Four. It is highly recommended to heal here before proceeding. If you spend all your money and lose, you won't lose much money, but you keep any experience and level-ups gained, so use this to your advantage. If you struggle, train your Pokémon to higher levels. Before entering, two guards will check for your 8 badges.

ELITE FOUR BATTLE #1: SIDNEY

Trainer's Pokemon Type: Dark

Recommended: Fighting, Bug, Fire, Ice, Electric (for the mix types)

Not Recommended: Ghost, Psychic

• Mightyena, Level 46 (Dark)
• Shiftry, Level 48 (Grass/Dark)
• Cacturne, Level 46 (Grass/Dark)
• Crawdaunt, Level 48 (Water/Dark)
• Absol, Level 49 (Dark)

Money: $4900

Sidney's Dark-type Pokémon are mostly dual-typed, which can be advantageous. Mightyena is weak and can be quickly defeated with Fighting or Bug attacks. Watch out for its Crunch and Double Edge. Shiftry, being Grass/Dark, is weak to Fire, Ice, and Bug (4x damage). Be wary of its Double Team and Swagger. Cacturne shares similar weaknesses to Shiftry but can be annoying with Leech Seed. Crawdaunt, a Water/Dark type, is weak to Electric, Grass, Bug, and Fighting. Its Surf attack can be dangerous, especially after a Swords Dance and Facade combo. Absol is the toughest opponent, a pure Dark type with a high Attack stat and a dangerous move set including Aerial Ace, Rock Slide, Swords Dance, and Slash. A Rock-type Pokémon is recommended for resistance against Slash and Aerial Ace, or use Fighting or Bug types to quickly defeat it.

ELITE FOUR BATTLE #2: PHOEBE

Trainer's Pokemon Type: Ghost

Recommended: Ghost, Dark

Not Recommended: Normal, Psychic

• Dusclops, Level 49 (Ghost)
• Banette, Level 49 (Ghost)
• Sableye, Level 50 (Ghost/Dark)
• Banette, Level 49 (Ghost)
• Dusclops, Level 51 (Ghost)

Money: $5100

Phoebe's first Dusclops has very high Defense and Special Defense but low attack. Its Pressure ability makes attacks use double PP. Its moves include Protect, Curse, Confuse Ray, and Shadow Punch. Use strong attacks and switch out if Curse is used. Banette is an average Ghost type; use Ghost/Dark attacks but be cautious of Will-o-Wisp, which can burn and lower your attack. Sableye has no weaknesses but can be defeated with strong Pokémon; avoid Ghost and Psychic types. Its moves include Night Shade, Shadow Ball, Faint Attack, and Double Team. Phoebe's second Banette is more challenging with Psychic, Thunderbolt, Shadow Ball, and Facade; avoid Water and Flying types. The final Dusclops has Ice Beam, Shadow Ball, Rock Slide, and Earthquake but low attack and special attack stats. Keep an eye on your PP; Ethers and Elixirs may be necessary.

ELITE FOUR BATTLE #3: GLACIA

Trainer's Pokemon Type: Ice

Recommended: Electric, Fire, Fighting, Steel

Not Recommended: Flying, Ground, Grass, Dragon

• Glalie, Level 50 (Ice)
• Sealeo, Level 50 (Water/Ice)
• Sealeo, Level 52 (Water/Ice)
• Glalie, Level 52 (Ice)
• Walrein, Level 53 (Water/Ice)

Money: $5300

Glalie, an Ice-type, is weak to Fire, Fighting, Rock, and Steel. Its moveset can include Ice Beam, Double Team, and Light Screen. Sealeo and Walrein are Water/Ice types, making them weak to Electric, Grass, Fighting, and Rock attacks. They can use moves like Water Pulse, Ice Beam, and Body Slam. Be cautious of their high HP and defensive capabilities. Focus on exploiting their weaknesses with strong offensive Pokémon.