Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emerald

Battle Tower

Challenge the Battle Tower in Pokemon Emerald's Battle Frontier. Learn how to earn Battle Points and face Frontier Brain Anabel to test your skills.

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Battle Tower

The Battle Tower is one of the seven Battle Facilities located within the Battle Frontier. It's a straightforward challenge: win consecutive battles to earn Battle Points (BP) and eventually face the Frontier Brain, Anabel. Unlike some other facilities, your Pokémon are fully healed between rounds, making it a good starting point for new challengers.

Getting Started

To access the Battle Tower, you'll first need to reach the Battle Frontier. After defeating the Elite Four and becoming the Champion, head to the Lilycove City port and speak to Mr. Briney. He will take you to the Battle Frontier. The Battle Tower is the large, central structure you'll see upon arrival.

Battle Formats

The Battle Tower offers three main battle formats, each with its own set of rules:

  • Single Battle: You choose three Pokémon from your party to battle against three of the opponent's Pokémon. This is the most common and often recommended starting format.
  • Double Battle: You choose four Pokémon, and battles are 2-on-2. This requires more strategic team building and understanding of move synergies.
  • Multi Battle: You team up with an NPC or a friend (via Link Cable) to battle against two opponents. For solo players, the NPC partner is often a pre-determined trainer with a set team.

Within each format, you can choose between two levels:

  • Level 50: All your Pokémon above Level 50 will be temporarily reduced to Level 50. Pokémon below Level 50 will remain at their current level. This is generally easier and a good way to test new teams.
  • Open Level: All Pokémon retain their current levels. This is where the true challenge lies, as opponents will have fully-evolved, high-level Pokémon.

Recommended Pokémon and Strategies

Success in the Battle Tower hinges on having a well-balanced team with good coverage and reliable strategies. Here are some general tips and Pokémon archetypes that perform well:

  • Offensive Powerhouses: Pokémon with high Attack or Special Attack stats and a wide range of offensive moves are crucial for quickly dispatching opponents.
    • Examples: Salamence (Dragon Dance + Fly/Earthquake/Brick Break), Metagross (Meteor Mash/Earthquake/Psychic), Tyranitar (Rock Slide/Earthquake/Crunch).
  • Speed Control: Outspeeding your opponent is often key. Consider Pokémon with high Speed or moves like Thunder Wave or paralysis-inducing abilities.
    • Examples: Jolteon (Thunderbolt/Thunder Wave/Baton Pass), Crobat (Brave Bird/Sludge Bomb/Confuse Ray).
  • Defensive Walls/Support: While less common in the Battle Tower's fast-paced environment, a Pokémon that can absorb hits, set up status conditions, or heal can be valuable.
    • Examples: Snorlax (Rest/Sleep Talk/Body Slam/Shadow Ball), Milotic (Surf/Ice Beam/Recover/Toxic).
  • Item Usage: Equipping the right items can make a huge difference.
    • Choice Band/Choice Scarf: Boosts one stat significantly but locks you into one move.
    • Leftovers: Provides passive healing each turn.
    • Lum Berry: Cures any status condition once.
    • Scope Lens/Quick Claw: Increases critical hit ratio or grants a chance to move first.
  • Move Coverage: Ensure your team has moves that can hit a wide variety of types super effectively. Don't rely on just one type of attack.
  • Avoid Over-Reliance on Legendary Pokémon: While powerful, some legendary Pokémon are restricted in certain Battle Frontier facilities. It's best to build a team that doesn't solely depend on them.

Facing Anabel, the Tower Tycoon

After achieving a certain win streak (typically 35 consecutive wins in a given format and level), you will face the Battle Tower's Frontier Brain, Anabel, the Tower Tycoon. She has two different teams depending on whether it's your first or second time challenging her for the Silver or Gold Symbol.

  • Silver Symbol Challenge (35-win streak): Anabel's team will consist of powerful, well-rounded Pokémon. Be prepared for a tough fight. Her team often includes Pokémon like Alakazam, Snorlax, and Raikou.
  • Gold Symbol Challenge (70-win streak): This is significantly harder. Anabel's Pokémon will have optimized movesets, abilities, and hold items. Expect to face Pokémon such as Latios, Snorlax, and Tyranitar.

Strategy for Anabel: Her teams are designed to be balanced and cover each other's weaknesses. Focus on exploiting type matchups, using status conditions strategically, and having a plan for her bulkier Pokémon (like Snorlax) and faster special attackers (like Alakazam or Latios). Don't be afraid to reset if you get a bad matchup early in the battle.

Rewards

For every set of seven consecutive wins, you will earn Battle Points (BP). These can be exchanged for valuable items at the Battle Frontier Exchange Service Corner, located just outside the Battle Tower. Items include rare TMs, held items, and vitamins. Defeating Anabel for the first time earns you the Silver Ability Symbol, and defeating her a second time earns you the prestigious Gold Ability Symbol.