How To Defeat the Elite 4 and Champion in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Learn which Pokemon to use in order to defeat the Elite 4 in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl as well as the Champion Cynthia.

Pokemon League in Diamond and Pearl (Image via TPC)
Pokemon League in Diamond and Pearl (Image via TPC)

Pokemon Diamond and Pearl has a standard Elite Four and Champion compared to its next generation sequel Pokemon Black and White. This game gave us one of the most memorable champions in Pokemon history, Cynthia. So let’s see how you can defeat her and her follow top trainers in the Elite Four.

Guide To Defeat Elite Four and Champion in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl Overview

How To Defeat Bug-type Elite Four Aaron in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Aaron in the anime (Image via TPC)
Aaron in the anime (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Dustox53Shield DustToxic, Bug Buzz, Double Team, Light Screen
Beautifly53SwarmEnergy Ball, Psychic, Bug Buzz, Shadow Ball
Vespiquen54PressureAttack Order, Defend Order, Heal Order, Power Gem
Heracross54SwarmMegahorn, Close Combat, Night Slash, Stone Edge
Drapion57Battle ArmorX-Scissor, Cross Poison, Ice Fang, Aerial Ace

Aaron’s team of Bug-types and Drapion can be fairly easily handled by Infernape. While some of his Pokemon have coverage moves like Aerial Ace on Drapion, Infernape should outspeed all of them with ease.

How To Defeat Ground-type Elite Four Bertha in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Bertha in the anime (Image via TPC)
Bertha in the anime (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Quagsire55DampDig, Double Team, Protect, Sandstorm
Sudowoodo56SturdyEarthquake, Hammer Arm, Sucker Punch, Sandstorm
Golem56Rock HeadEarthquake, Gyro Ball, Brick Break, Sandstorm
Whiscash55ObliviousFissure, Zen Headbutt, Aqua Tail, Rock Slide
Hippowdon59Sand StreamEarthquake, Stone Edge, Crunch, Curse

Bertha’s Ground types and her Sudowoodo are all bulky but very slow. A fast Grass-type like Roserade should make short work of them. Additionally, a fast Pokemon that can learn Grass Knot by TM can also do the job, as two of them have 4x weakness to Grass, and Golem and Hippowdon are quite heavy.

How To Defeat Fire-type Elite Four Flint in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Flint in the anime (Image via TPC)
Flint in the anime (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Rapidash58Run AwayFlare Blitz, Sunny Day, Solar Beam, Bounce
Steelix57Rock HeadFire Fang, Rock Tomb, Screech, Sunny Day
Drifblim58AftermathWill-O-Wisp, Baton Pass, Double Team, Ominous Wind
Lopunny57Cute CharmCharm, Fire Punch, Mirror Coat, Sunny Day
Infernape61BlazeFlare Blitz, Thunder Punch, Mach Punch, Earthquake

Flint may only have two Fire-types, but this actually makes him harder to sweep. His team is built in a manner to set up the sun and pass boosts via Drifblim to his Infernape so that he can sweep. Consider bringing a Pokemon with Rain Dance to not only stop the sun but prevent its Rapidash from firing off one turn Solar Beams.

How To Defeat Psychic-type Elite Four Lucian in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Lucian in the anime (Image via TPC)
Lucian in the anime (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Mr. Mime59SoundproofPsychic, Thunderbolt, Reflect, Light Screen
Girafarig59Inner FocusPsychic, Shadow Ball, Double Hit, Crunch
Medicham60Pure PowerDrain Punch, Thunder Punch, Ice Punch, Fire Punch
Alakazam60SynchronizePsychic, Energy Ball, Focus Blast, Recover
Bronzong63LevitatePsychic, Gyro Ball, Earthquake, Calm Mind

Three of Lucian’s Pokemon have secondary typings that make them difficult to sweep with a single Pokemon. Use Ghost and Dark moves to defeat his team.

How To Defeat Champion Cynthia in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Cynthia in the anime (Image via TPC)
Cynthia in the anime (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Spiritomb61PressureDark Pulse, Psychic, Silver Wind, Embargo
Roserade60Natural CureEnergy Ball, Sludge Bomb, Extrasensory, Shadow Ball
Gastrodon60Sticky HoldMuddy Water, Stone Edge, Earthquake, Sludge Bomb
Lucario63SteadfastAura Sphere, Dragon Pulse, Psychic, Earthquake
Milotic63Marvel ScaleSurf, Ice Beam, Mirror Coat, Aqua Ring
Garchomp66Sand RushDragon Rush, Earthquake, Brick Break, Giga Impact

Cynthia remains one of the greatest champions in Pokemon history. From her Spiritomb with no weakness to her Garchomp, everything on her team is deadly. Make sure to bring Pokemon with Ice, Grass, Fire, and Fighting-type moves, as well as Pokemon with good stats, just to go toe-to-toe with her team.

Best Team To Defeat the Elite Four and Champion Cynthia in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Infernape (Image via TPC)
Infernape (Image via TPC)
PokemonRecommended MovesAbilityHeld ItemNature(s)
InfernapeFlare Blitz, Close Combat, Mach Punch, FlamethrowerBlazeSitrus BerrySerious or Bashful
RoseradeGiga Drain, Leech Seed, Toxic Spikes, Grass KnotPoison PointChoice SpecsTimid (+Spe,-Atk)
GyaradosDragon Dance, Waterfall, Ice Fang, Rain DanceIntimidateSitrus BerryAdamant (+Atk, -SpA) or Jolly (+Spe, -SpA)
WeavileNight Slash, Ice Shard, Shadow Claw, Swords DancePressureSitrus BerryAdamant (+Atk, -SpA)
BronzongExtrasensory, Gyro Ball, Reflect, Light ScreenLevitateLight ClayRelaxed (+Def,-Spe)
GarchompDragon Claw, Crunch, Swords Dance, EarthquakeSand RushSoft SandJolly (+Spe, -SpA)

How To Use The Best Team To Defeat the Elite Four and Champion Cynthia in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

  • Infernape: The best starter and one of two fully evolved Fire-types available before the Elite Four. Infernape sweeps through Aaron and deals with Flint’s Steelix and Lopunny, Lucian’s Bronzong, and Cynthia’s Roserade and Lucario.
  • Roserade: Roserade is a fast Grass-type that can sweep through Bertha with Choice Specs-boosted Giga Drain. It can also help against Cynthia’s Gastrodon and Milotic.
  • Gyarados: One of the best Pokemon in the game, Gyarados can set up with Rain Dance and Dragon Dance to ruin Flint and Cynthia, respectively.
  • Weavile: A common pick on Elite Four teams in other games, Weavile can outspeed Cynthia’s Garchomp with priority Ice Shard. It can also deal with Lucian with access to both Night Slash and Shadow Claw.
  • Bronzong: The team’s wall, Bronzong can set up dual screens, and thanks to its held Light Clay, they will last longer.
  • Garchomp: Bring your own Garchomp and use your sole Earthquake TM on it. It can deal with Aaron’s Drapion, Bertha’s Golem, Flint’s Rapidash, Steelix, and Infernape, and Cynthia’s Lucario and Garchomp (you’ll need to be lucky for the last one).

Best IVs and EVs To Train For This Team

Try to get Pokemon with as high IVs as possible. Invest in Speed for all of them except Bronzong, while Roserade and Weavile need as close to max EVs in Special Attack and Attack as well.

Tips and Tricks To Defeat the Elite Four and Champion Cynthia in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

  • Do not use the Sitrus Berries you pluck from the overworld. Instead, plant them and grow more for each battle.
  • Level up to around 60 before starting the gauntlet.

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