Festival Plaza Takeover

Learn how to retake Festival Plaza from Team Rainbow Rocket in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Includes Battle Agency strategy and enemy Pokémon weaknesses.

After agreeing to help, you’ll be led inside the central castle. The invaders have disabled the ability to fight with your Pokémon, so you’ll need to find another way to stop them. Approach the Battle Agency reception desk towards the east and speak to the female Grunt standing next to it.

Return to Sophocles and let him know your idea. He’ll reactivate the Battle Agency. Speak to the lady behind the reception desk and select “Challenge” to get started. If it’s your first time, don’t panic as we’ll lead you along.

To participate in the Battle Agency, you must have a team of three borrowed Pokémon – one chosen by you and one each from two other Pokémon trainers. If necessary, select “Choose Pokémon” from the menu to pick one of the three borrowed Pokémon shown in the display. Similarly, select “Ask Trainers to join your team” to seek the help of two other trainers met via Local or Internet communications. If you haven’t met any other trainers, the game will generate two “festival fans” who fulfil the same role. After making your preparations, you’ll be transported to the Battle Agency stadium.

On this occasion, you’ll be battling a single trainer, but normally you’ll need to defeat three trainers in a row.

Team Rainbow Rocket Grunt

First up may be Golbat. Exploit its weaknesses to Electric, Rock, Ice and Psychic if possible. Watch out for its Toxic, which puts a timer on your Pokémon.

Next up can be Arbok, a pure Poison-type. Psychic-types are again fantastic, as are Ground-types. If you’re lucky to have any Steel-types, you can attempt to wall Arbok. Finally, we have a Kantonian Raticate. Fighting-types are ideal; otherwise it’s just a weak Normal-type so hit it with whatever you’ve got.

Triumph against the invader and you’ll be brought back to the central castle. Sophocles restores Festival Plaza to normal working order, though the interior and exterior still look like Team Rainbow Rocket’s castle. If you feel the appearance is too gaudy, you’ll have to work hard to earn enough FC to reach Rank 50, whereupon you’ll unlock the ability to change your plaza’s theme. You’ll also receive an Eject Button from Sophocles. After that, Sophocles will accompany you back home.

Upon your return, something on the TV catches your attention. The takeover of Festival Plaza was merely the beginning. Lillie will come rushing to your house to let you know her intentions. Once she’s gone, you’re free to ponder your next move.

What To Do Next?

Your first instinct would be to hurry to Aether Paradise to see how Lillie’s faring and to deal with Team Rainbow Rocket. This is a fine path to take. At the same time, don’t feel obliged to rush into danger; the bad guys will be waiting. You could use this chance to explore the eastern half of Poni Island, or go back to areas you’ve already visited to say hello to old friends. In other words, you can tackle the postgame in whichever order you feel like.