Becoming the champion is the end goal for all the mainline Pokémon games, but it takes a lot of hard work to get there. In addition to traveling across the region to defeat all the Gym Leaders, you must also take down the bad guys and overcome other obstacles along the way before you can challenge the Elite Four and the reigning champion.
As you’d expect, the champion battles are the toughest ones you’ll encounter in the main story. These champions are the best Pokémon trainers in their region, but some are definitely better than others.
Every Pokémon champion ranked from easiest to most difficult
There are currently 15 champions and their teams to take into consideration. We’ve included the legendary Red whom you face under different circumstances in Gen II’s post-game and excluded former champions like Mustard and Peony from the Gen VIII DLC.
15) Trace
Trace serves as both the player’s rival and final champion battle in the Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! games. In many ways, the Let’s Go games feel like easier versions of Red, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen, and this includes the champion battle against Trace.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Pidgeot (with Pidgeotite) | 56 |
| Vileplume | 56 |
| Marowak | 56 |
| Rapidash | 56 |
| Slowbro | 56 |
| Jolteon (Let’s Go, Pikachu!) Raichu (Let’s Go, Eevee!) | 57 |
What makes Chase the weakest champion is his mediocre team. There’s not a single Pokémon on his team that looks super threatening. A lot of his Pokémon could be upgraded with stronger picks. Marowak, for example, could’ve been replaced by Rhydon, and Arcanine would’ve been a much better Fire-type option than Rapidash. And sure, Mega Pidgeot is cool, but it’s arguably one of the weaker Mega Evolutions out there.
14) Wallace
Wallace was upgraded to champion status in Emerald after serving as the Sootopolis Gym Leader in Ruby and Sapphire. He specializes in Water-type Pokémon, making him very easy to counter with Electric and Grass attacks.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Wailord | 57 |
| Tentacruel | 55 |
| Ludicolo | 56 |
| Whiscash | 56 |
| Gyarados | 56 |
| Milotic | 58 |
As long as you have strong Electric and Grass offense on your side, you can hit five of Wallace’s Pokémon for super-effective damage. The sixth ‘mon, Ludicolo, can be handled with a Flying, Bug, or Poison attack.
13) Lance
Between Gens I and II, Lance is promoted from Elite Four member to champion. At first glance, his team looks quite intimidating, but there are so many defensive flaws for you to capitalize on.
| Pokémon | Level (in HeartGold/SoulSilver) |
|---|---|
| Gyarados | 46 |
| Aerodactyl | 48 |
| Charizard | 48 |
| Dragonite | 49 |
| Dragonite | 49 |
| Dragonite | 50 |
Five of Lance’s Pokémon have quad-weaknesses. Gyarados is quad-weak to Electric, Charizard is quad-weak to Rock, and his three Dragonites are quad-weak to Ice. His entire team also shares a glaring Rock weakness, so feel free to go for a sweep with your favorite Rock-type.
12) Geeta
Geeta is more than just a champion—she holds the Top Champion title in the Paldea region. With that fancier title, you’d expect her to be extra strong, but her team is nothing special outside of her Kingambit and Glimmora.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Espathra | 61 |
| Gogoat | 61 |
| Veluza | 61 |
| Avalugg | 61 |
| Kingambit | 61 |
| Glimmora | 62 |
Rather than having a roster full of offensive threats, Geeta’s teambuilding feels a bit random. Why does she have a Gogoat and Avalugg—two random Gen VI Kalos Pokémon—when she should be showcasing stronger ‘mons from Gen IX? An obvious swap for Avalugg would’ve been Baxcalibur, the pseudo-legendary of Paldea.
11) Alder
Black and White’s champion is a Bug-type enthusiast named Alder. Bug is often viewed as the weakest type in the game, but Volcarona is one of the best Bugs you can have. Accelgor and Escavalier aren’t too bad either.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Accelgor | 75 |
| Bouffalant | 75 |
| Druddigon | 75 |
| Vanilluxe | 75 |
| Escavalier | 75 |
| Volcarona | 77 |
Aside from Volcarona and its Bug friends, Alder’s team isn’t too scary. His Bouffalant, Druddigon, and Vanilluxe unfortunately don’t have much going for them.
10) Steven
As his name suggests, Steven Stone is a champion who likes stones, fossils, and Steel-type Pokémon. His team may have a lot of bulk behind it, but half of his ‘mons are not offensive threats.
| Pokémon | Level (in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire) |
|---|---|
| Skarmory | 57 |
| Claydol | 57 |
| Aggron | 57 |
| Cradily | 57 |
| Armaldo | 57 |
| Metagross (with Metagrossite) | 59 |
Skarmory, Claydol, and Cradily are relatively weak attackers, while Aggron, Armaldo, and Metagross excel in both physical attack and defense. By far, Steven’s biggest asset is his Metagross, a pseudo-legendary Pokémon that gained an even stronger Mega Evolution in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
9) Hau
Unlike the other regions, Alola doesn’t have an established champion as you’re playing through Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. However, you do face your rival, Hau, after the Elite Four to see who’ll claim that first champion title of the region. His team differs slightly depending on which Starter you chose, but it doesn’t affect the battle too much. All of the Alola Starters and Eeveelutions are strong in their own right.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Alolan Raichu | 59 |
| Flareon (if you chose Rowlet) Vaporeon (if you chose Litten) Leafeon (if you chose Popplio) | 58 |
| Tauros | 58 |
| Noivern | 58 |
| Crabominable | 59 |
| Primarina (if you chose Rowlet) Decidueye (if you chose Litten) Incineroar (if you chose Popplio) | 60 |
In addition, you have to respect Alolan Raichu’s upgrade from its standard form, Noivern’s Speed, and Crabominable’s massive Attack stat. It also helps that Gen VII gives Hau access to Z-Moves.
8) Professor Kukui
In Sun and Moon, you battle Professor Kukui for the Alola champion title instead of Hau. Like Hau, Kukui’s team depends on the Starter you chose.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Lycanroc | 69 |
| Ninetales | 68 |
| Braviary | 68 |
| Magnezone | 68 |
| Snorlax | 68 |
| Incineroar (if you chose Rowlet) Primarina (if you chose Litten) Decidueye (if you chose Popplio) | 68 |
His team somewhat feels like a more offensive version of Hau’s. Kukui’s Magnezone is way stronger than Hau’s Alolan Raichu, Snorlax clears Hau’s Tauros, and Braviary has a lot more power behind it than Hau’s Noivern.
7) Diantha
Diantha’s champion team in X and Y comes with good variety and some hard hitters. She not only has a Mega Gardevoir but also the pseudo-legendary Goodra and a powerful Tyrantrum.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Hawlucha | 64 |
| Tyrantrum | 65 |
| Aurorus | 65 |
| Gourgeist | 65 |
| Goodra | 66 |
| Gardevoir (with Gardevoirite) | 68 |
Meanwhile, her Hawlucha offers speed, Aurorus can boost the team’s defenses with Light Screen and Reflect, and Gourgeist provides two handy immunities to Fighting and Normal attacks.
6) Red
Red is one of the most famous trainers in the Pokémon world, and his battle feels a little more special than the other champions. Rather than facing him immediately after beating the Elite Four, he’s hiding in Mt. Silver Cave in Gold, Silver, HeartGold, and SoulSilver.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Pikachu | 88 |
| Lapras | 80 |
| Snorlax | 82 |
| Venusaur | 84 |
| Charizard | 84 |
| Blastoise | 84 |
Red’s team looks pretty basic with the three Kanto Starters, but it’s a strong core to have, and they’re all capable of dishing out tons of damage.
5) Blue
Blue’s champion team differs slightly in the Gen I games and remakes, but all variations offer some of the best Pokémon from Kanto. Like Red, Blue has a strong Fire/Water/Grass core as the foundation of his team.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Pidgeot | 59 |
| Alakazam | 57 |
| Rhydon | 59 |
| Gyarados (if you chose Bulbasaur or Squirtle) | 59 or 61 |
| Arcanine (if you chose Charmander or Squirtle) | 59 or 61 |
| Exeggutor (if you chose Bulbasaur or Charmander) | 59 or 61 |
| Charizard (if you chose Bulbasaur) Blastoise (if you chose Charmander) Venusaur (if you chose Squirtle) | 63 |
4) Leon
Sword and Shield’s champion, Leon, is not messing around with his team. His Gigantamax Charizard is a gigantic threat accompanied by the pseudo-legendary Dragapult and one of the best Gen VI ‘mons, Aegislash.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Aegislash | 62 |
| Dragapult | 62 |
| Haxorus | 63 |
| Seismitoad (if you chose Grookey) Mr. Rime (if you chose Scorbunny) Rhyperior (if you chose Sobble) | 64 |
| Cinderace (if you chose Grookey) Inteleon (if you chose Scorbunny) Rillaboom (if you chose Sobble) | 64 |
| Charizard (Gigantamax) | 65 |
3) Iris
Iris replaces Alder as Unova’s champion in Black 2 and White 2, and she does not hold back. If you’re playing on Challenge Mode, her whole team has items to power them up. Life Orb and Sheer Force, for example, is a deadly combination for Druddigon.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Hydreigon (with Wise Glasses) | 61 |
| Druddigon (with Life Orb) | 61 |
| Archeops (with Flying Gem) | 61 |
| Aggron (with Muscle Band) | 61 |
| Lapras (with Wide Lens) | 61 |
| Haxorus (with Focus Sash) | 63 |
2) Kieran
Players like to poke fun at Kieran, but you have to admit his champion team is well-crafted for the double battles at Blueberry Academy. Incineroar is arguably one of the best Pokémon in VGC, and Dragonite and Grimmsnarl are popular picks as well.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Dragonite (with Expert Belt) | 80 |
| Politoed (with Wacan Berry) | 80 |
| Porygon-Z (with Life Orb) | 81 |
| Grimmsnarl (with Focus Sash) | 81 |
| Incineroar (with Sitrus Berry) | 81 |
| Hydrapple (with Assault Vest) | 82 |
1) Cynthia
Cynthia was already tough in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, but she’s even stronger in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. In the remakes, her Pokémon are holding items to either boost their offense or help them survive longer. From Lucario to Garchomp, her team will have you quaking in your boots.
| Pokémon | Level |
|---|---|
| Spiritomb (with Sitrus Berry) | 61 |
| Roserade (with Expert Belt) | 60 |
| Gastrodon (with Leftovers) | 60 |
| Lucario (with Wise Glasses) | 63 |
| Milotic (with Flame Orb) | 63 |
| Garchomp (with Yache Berry) | 66 |
Published: Jan 28, 2025 06:15 pm