How To Defeat the Elite 4 and Champion in Pokemon Black and White

Learn about the best Pokemon to beat the Elite 4 in Pokemon Black and White as well as the final battle with N and Ghetsis.

Unova Pokemon League (Image via TPC)
Unova Pokemon League (Image via TPC)

In Pokemon Black and White defeating the Elite Four does not lead to a fight with Champion Alder. Instead, for the first time in the series, the villains’ plot intertwines with the main story, and you must face the leaders of Team Plasma, N and Ghetsis, in back-to-back battles. Defeating the Elite Four as well as both N and Ghetsis will require some skill, as the only Pokemon available to you are those from the Unova Pokedex.

So, let’s see which Pokemon are best suited to take on these threats in the endgame of Pokemon Black and White.

Guide To Defeat Elite Four, N, and Ghetsis in Pokemon Black and White Overview

How To Defeat Ghost-type Elite Four Shauntal in Pokemon Black and White

Shauntal in Pokemon Black and White (Image via TPC)
Shauntal in Pokemon Black and White (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Cofagrigus48MummyPsychic, Will-o-Wisp, Shadow Ball, Grass Knot
Jellicent48Cursed BodyShadow Ball, Surf, Energy Ball, Brine
Golurk48Iron FistCurse, Brick Break, Earthquake, Shadow Punch
Chandelure50Flame BodyFire Blast, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Payback

Shauntal’s team of Ghost-types is deceptively bulky. Your best bet is to use a Dark-type against all of her Pokemon. Additionally, a Water-type with Surf or Scald will work well against her Golurk and Chandelure.

How To Defeat Dark-Type Elite Four Grimsley in Pokemon Black and White

Grimsley in Pokemon Black and White (Image via TPC)
Grimsley in Pokemon Black and White (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Scrafty48MoxieSand Attack, Poison Jab, Crunch, Brick Break
Krookodile48IntimidateCrunch, Dragon Claw, Earthquake, Foul Play
Liepard48LimberFake Out, Attract, Aerial Ace, Night Slash
Bisharp50DefiantX-Scissor, Night Slash, Metal Claw, Aerial Ace

The best way to deal with Grimsley’s team is to have a powerful Fighting-type with a move like Brick Break. However, Grimsley is a master of trickery, and each of his Pokemon has ways to handle Fighting-types. His Scrafty can use Sand Attack to lower accuracy, his Krookodile can lower Attack with Intimidate, and both his Liepard and Bisharp have Aerial Ace to deal super effective Flying damage.

How To Defeat Psychic-Type Elite Four Caitlin in Pokemon Black and White

Caitlin in Pokemon Black and White (Image via TPC)
Caitlin in Pokemon Black and White (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Reuniclus48Magic GuardEnergy Ball, Thunder, Focus Blast, Psychic
Sigilyph48Wonder SkinAir Slash, Shadow Ball, Ice Beam, Psychic
Musharna48SynchronizeShadow Ball, Psychic, Charge Beam, Reflect
Gothitelle50FriskCalm Mind, Thunderbolt, Psychic, Shadow Ball

Caitlin’s Psychic-type team is easily swept by a Dark-type. Just be wary of Reuniclus’ Focus Blast, as it can cause problems. Additionally, having a strong Bug-type helps, as long as you can play around her Sigilyph’s Air Slash.

How To Defeat Fighting-Type Elite Four Marshal in Pokemon Black and White

Marshal in Pokemon Black and White (Image via TPC)
Marshal in Pokemon Black and White (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Throh48GutsStone Edge, Payback, Bulldoze, Storm Throw
Sawk48SturdyStone Edge, Karate Chop, Grass Knot, Retaliate
Conkeldurr48Sheer ForceStone Edge, Hammer Arm, Grass Knot, Retaliate
Mienshao50Inner FocusU-Turn, Jump Kick, Rock Slide, Retaliate

In some ways, Marshal is the biggest threat of the entire Unovan Elite Four. While the best way to handle him is with a Psychic or Flying-type, his team is prepared for that. All of his Pokemon have Rock coverage for Flying-types, while his Throh and Mienshao have Payback and U-Turn respectively for Psychic-types.

Additionally, after his lead Throh, the rest of his Pokemon have Retaliate, which deals 140 damage after one of his Pokemon is KO’d. Consider bringing a Ghost-type for the immunity they provide.

How To Defeat N in Pokemon Black and White

N in Pokemon Evolutions (Image via TPC)
N in Pokemon Evolutions (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Zekrom (Pokemon Black)52TeravoltFusion Bolt, Zen Headbutt, Giga Impact, Light Screen
Reshiram (Pokemon White)52TurboblazeHyper Beam, Fusion Flare, Extrasensory, Reflect
Klinklang50PlusFlash Cannon, Metal Sound, Hyper Beam, Thunderbolt
Zoroark50IllusionFlamethrower, Focus Blast, Night Slash, Retaliate
Archeops50DefeatistStone Edge, Acrobatics, Dragon Claw, Crunch
Carracosta50SturdyStone Edge, Aqua Jet, Crunch, Waterfall
Vanilluxe50Ice BodyBlizzard, Hail, Flash Cannon, Frost Breath

The main threat on N’s team is the Legendary Pokemon he sends out first, Zekrom (Black) or Reshiram (White). However, you will have your own Box Art Legendary to counter it. Be wary of his Zoroark disguising itself as another Pokemon. Four of his Pokemon are weak to Fighting-type moves, while his Archeops can be neutralized after its HP drops below half thanks to its Defeatist ability.

How To Defeat Ghetsis in Pokemon Black and White

Ghetsis in Pokemon Evolutions (Image via TPC)
Ghetsis in Pokemon Evolutions (Image via TPC)
PokemonLevelAbilityMoves
Cofagrigus52MummyToxic, Shadow Ball, Protect, Psychic
Bouffalant52RecklessHead Charge, Wild Charge, Earthquake, Poison Jab
Seismitoad52Swift SwimMuddy Water, Rain Dance, Earthquake, Sludge Wave
Bisharp52DefiantNight Slash, Stone Edge, X-Scissor, Metal Burst
Eelektross52LevitateCrunch, Flamethrower, Acrobatics, Wild Charge
Hydreigon54LevitateDragon Pulse, Surf, Fire Blast, Focus Blast

Ghetsis is the secret final boss of Pokemon Black and White and the hardest challenge in the game. All of his Pokemon are extremely dangerous. His lead Cofagrigus tries to stall with Toxic and Protect, his Seismitoad sets up rain to boost its speed with Swift Swim, and his Eelektross has no weaknesses. However, his biggest threat is Hydreigon. With a wide variety of coverage moves, playing around Ghetsis’ pseudo-Legendary is the toughest challenge you will face.

Fighting-types are almost essential against this Pokemon League, given how useful they are against Grimsley, N, and Ghetsis. Dark-types are also valuable for their utility against Shauntal and Caitlin.

Best Team To Defeat the Elite Four, N, and Ghetsis in Pokemon Black and White

Scrafty (Image via TPC)
Scrafty (Image via TPC)
PokemonRecommended MovesBest AbilityHeld ItemNature(s)
SerperiorCoil, Leech Seed, Leaf Blade, SubstituteOvergrowShell BellImpish (+Def,-SpA)
SimipourScald, Brick Break, Shadow Claw, Grass KnotGluttonyExpert BeltSerious or Bashful (no effects on stats)
ScraftyBrick Break, Crunch, Rock Slide, SubstituteMoxieQuick ClawAdamant (+Atk, -SpA)
SigilyphPsychic, Air Slash, Charge Beam, Shadow BallMagic GuardTimid (+Spe,-Atk) or Modest (+SpA,-Atk)
GalvantulaThunder, Signal Beam, Sucker Punch, Volt SwitchCompound EyesMagnetTimid (+Spe,-Atk) or Modest (+SpA,-Atk)
CofagrigusWill-o-Wisp, Hex, Protect, Hidden Power FightingMummyBold (+Def,-Atk) or Relaxed (+Def, -Spe)

For N and Ghetsis, you will have access to the Box Art Legendary Reshiram (Black) or Zekrom (White).

PokemonMovesAbilityHeld ItemNature
ReshiramDragon Breath, Fusion Flare, Extrasensory, SlashTurboblazeVaries
ZekromDragon Breath, Fusion Bolt, Zen Headbutt, SlashTeravoltVaries

How To Use the Best Team To Defeat the Elite Four, N, and Ghetsis in Pokemon Black and White

  • Serperior: Despite its Grass typing, Serperior’s 75/95/95 defenses give it solid bulk. With its 113 Speed stat, it is one of the fastest Pokemon in the game. Its main job is to set up Leech Seed for teammates and handle specific Pokemon like Ghetsis’ Seismitoad.
  • Simipour: Simipour has decent overall stats, with a noteworthy Speed stat of 101. This lets it act as a secondary attacker, supported by its wide movepool. While it won’t sweep fights, it can participate effectively and pick up KOs.
  • Scrafty: Scrafty can hit three members of the Elite Four, four of N’s team, and four of Ghetsis’ team with its dual STABs of Fighting and Dark. With the ability Moxie, Scrafty gains an Attack boost for every KO. Though slow, with Quick Claw activations and Substitute to block status, it can become the star of your Elite Four run.
  • Sigilyph: Sigilyph is here to outspeed and KO Marshal’s Pokemon. It does need to play around the Rock coverage, especially because Marshal’s Sawk will survive one hit thanks to Sturdy. However, with enough bulk investment, it should survive a non-critical hit Stone Edge at full health.
  • Galvantula: Galvantula is mainly here to spam powerful Compound Eyes and Magnet boosted Thunders. Additionally, it can use Signal Beam against all of Caitlin’s team except for Sigilyph and Grimsley’s Krookodile and Liepard.
  • Cofagrigus: Cofagrigus is the team’s physical wall you can send in to heal your other teammates. It can also whittle away at the opponents with a Will-o-Wisp, Hex, and Protect combo.
  • Reshiram/Zekrom: As your lead against N and Ghetsis, you must be ready to use them. Their signature moves (Fusion Flare/Fusion Bolt) become more powerful after the other Dragon’s move is used. Since your Dragon is at a lower level than N’s Legendary, it will move second. This makes the rest of N’s team easier to handle.

Best IVs and EVs To Train for This Team

All of your Pokemon should have max IVs except for Sigilyph and Cofagrigus in Attack, reducing damage from Grimsley’s Krookodile’s Foul Play.

Simipour, Sigilyph, and Galvantula should maximize Speed, with the latter two preferably maximizing Special Attack. Scrafty benefits from a high Attack investment, while Cofagrigus and Serperior should focus on defense investment.

Tips and Tricks To Defeat the Elite Four, N, and Ghetsis in Pokemon Black and White

  • You can challenge the members of the Elite Four in whatever order you want. Battle the easier ones first, then handle the harder ones once you have more experience.
  • Before facing N and Ghetsis, you must box a Pokemon to use Reshiram or Zekrom. Sigilyph is the best choice to remove, as Psychic coverage is not very useful in these fights, and both Tao Dragons carry a Psychic move if needed.

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