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Pokémon League: Final Rival Battle
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Pokémon League: Final Rival Battle

Learn the best strategies and Pokémon types to counter your rival's fully evolved team in the final battle of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

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Learn the best strategies and Pokémon types to counter your rival's fully evolved team in the final battle of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Your rival will lead with his Staraptor (Level 49). It has Pluck, Close Combat, U-turn, and Intimidate. It also holds a Focus Sash. Electric-types are optimal here.
  2. 2
    If your rival sends out Floatzel (Level 49, if you didn't choose Chimchar), beware of Brine and Ice Fang. It holds a Quick Claw. Electric-types are recommended. Avoid using Torterra due to a 4x weakness to Ice Fang.
  3. 3
    If your rival uses Roserade (Level 49, if you didn't choose Piplup), expect Petal Blizzard, Shadow Ball, Stun Spore, and Grassy Terrain. It heals with Black Sludge. Fire and Flying-types are effective.
  4. 4
    Rapidash (Level 49, if you didn't choose Turtwig) may appear with Flame Wheel, Smart Strike, Megahorn, and Poison Jab. Water and Ground-types are good counters.
  5. 5
    Heracross (Level 51) is a fixed member. It uses Pin Missile, Rock Slide, Thief, and Swords Dance. Flying-types are its bane, but Fairy-types are safer if you can't survive Rock Slide.
  6. 6
    Snorlax (Level 52) is another fixed member. It has Covet, Crunch, Yawn, and Hammer Arm/High Horsepower. Fighting-types are recommended.
  7. 7
    Finally, face your rival's starter:
  8. 8
    Torterra (Level 55, if you chose Piplup) uses Wood Hammer, Earthquake, Stealth Rock, and Roar. It holds Leftovers. Ice-types or Water-types using Ice Beam are ideal.
  9. 9
    Infernape (Level 55, if you chose Turtwig) has Flame Wheel, Close Combat, Shadow Claw, and U-turn. Water, Flying, or Ground-types are effective.
  10. 10
    Empoleon (Level 55, if you chose Chimchar) uses Brine, Flash Cannon, Grass Knot, and Charm. It holds a Quick Claw. Electric-types are recommended, or Fighting-types if you can risk Charm.
Tips
  • Pay attention to your rival's starter choice to anticipate the final opponent.
  • Exploit type matchups to deal super-effective damage and minimize incoming damage.
  • Be prepared for status conditions like paralysis from Roserade or sleep from Snorlax.
  • Consider Pokémon with high Speed or moves that boost your own Speed to outpace your rival.
  • Items like Focus Sash on Staraptor mean you might need a follow-up attack.

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