Facebook
Reddit
Email
Learn which Pokemon you need to use to defeat the Elite 4 and its Champion Professor Kukui in Pokemon Sun and Moon.
In Sun and Moon, beating the Elite 4 and Professor Kukui in the Pokemon League makes you the first Champion of the region. Interestingly, Kukui being your last challenge makes sense, as he plays a crucial role in mentoring you, much like Professor Oak did in the Kanto games. Facing him as your final challenge is both narratively and thematically satisfying. In this guide, we will look at the best team you can use to defeat the Elite 4 and Kukui in Pokemon Sun and Moon.
Guide To Defeat the Elite Four and Champion in Pokemon Sun and Moon Overview
How To Defeat Fighting-Type Elite Four Hala in Pokemon Sun and Moon
| Pokemon | Level | Ability | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hariyama | 54 | Thick Fat | Fake Out, Close Combat, Knock Off |
| Primeape | 54 | Anger Point | Cross Chop, Outrage, Punishment, Pursuit |
| Bewear | 54 | Fluffy | Hammer Arm, Brutal Swing |
| Poliwrath | 54 | Water Absorb | Waterfall, Submission |
| Crabominable | 55 | Iron Fist | Ice Hammer, Close Combat |
Hala’s team of Fighting-types seems to be almost deliberately underpowered, with only his Primeape having four moves to use. However, he has coverage for Psychic, Ghost, and Flying types, so it is best to avoid using those types to attack or defend against his team. A Fairy-type, preferably one with enough bulk to withstand his Crabominable’s Fighting-type Z-move, should sweep him easily.
How To Defeat Rock-Type Elite Four Olivia in Pokemon Sun and Moon
| Pokemon | Level | Ability | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relicanth | 54 | Swift Swim | Hydro Pump, Ancient Power, Yawn |
| Carbink | 54 | Clear Body | Power Gem, Moonblast, Reflect |
| Alolan Golem | 54 | Sturdy | Thunder Punch, Rock Blast, Steamroller |
| Probopass | 54 | Sturdy | Earth Power, Power Gem, Thunder Wave, Sandstorm |
| Lycanroc | 56 | Keen Eye | Crunch, Stone Edge, Counter, Rock Climb |
Olivia having a team of Rock-types in the Elite 4 may seem like she is easy pickings, considering the many weaknesses of the type. However, her team utilizes dual typings as well as useful coverage moves to ensure that she will not be swept by a single Pokemon. Two of her Pokemon have Sturdy, guaranteeing that they will survive one hit from full HP. Meanwhile, her Carbink can set up Reflect to lower the damage of physical moves, while her Probopass can set up Sandstorm to raise the Special Defense of all her Rock-types. Use a combination of Grass-, Ground-, and Water-type moves to bring her down.
How To Defeat Ghost-Type Elite Four Acerola in Pokemon Sun and Moon
| Pokemon | Level | Ability | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sableye | 54 | Keen Eye | Shadow Claw, Zen Headbutt, Confuse Ray, Fake Out |
| Drifblim | 54 | Aftermath | Ominous Wind, Amnesia, Focus Energy, Baton Pass |
| Dhelmise | 54 | Steelworker | Slam, Shadow Ball, Energy Ball, Whirlpool |
| Froslass | 54 | Snow Cloak | Blizzard, Shadow Ball, Confuse Ray, Ice Shard |
| Palossand | 56 | Water Compaction | Shadow Ball, Earth Power, Giga Drain, Iron Defense |
Acerola’s team of Ghosts can be quite threatening, even though her Dhelmise’s moves are questionable due to having Special STAB on a physical attacker. Sweeping her with a single Pokemon seems unlikely. A mix of Dark-, Fire-, and Ice-type moves should do the job.
How To Defeat Flying-Type Elite Four Kahili in Pokemon Sun and Moon
| Pokemon | Level | Ability | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skarmory | 54 | Sturdy | Slash, Steel Wing, Spikes, Feint |
| Crobat | 54 | Inner Focus | Air Slash, Swift, Supersonic, Poison Fang |
| Oricorio Baile | 54 | Dancer | Revelation Dance, Air Slash, Teeter Dance, Feather Dance |
| Mandibuzz | 54 | Big Pecks | Bone Rush, Brave Bird, Punishment, Flatter, Flatter |
| Toucannon | 56 | Skill Link | Bullet Seed, Rock Blast, Beak Blast, Screech |
Kahili has some seriously good Flying-types, some of whom see regular play at higher competitive levels. Still, a powerful Electric-type move will take her whole team out. Just remember to play around her Mandibuzz and its move Bone Rush, as it can hit Electric-types for super effective Ground-type damage. Additionally, her Skarmory has Sturdy, meaning it will survive one hit from full HP and most likely set up a layer of Spikes, which will affect any grounded Pokemon on your side of the field.
How To Defeat Champion Kukui in Pokemon Sun and Moon
| Pokemon | Level | Ability | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lycanroc | 57 | Keen Eye | Stone Edge, Accelerock, Crunch, Stealth Rock |
| Alolan Ninetales | 56 | Snow Cloak | Dazzling Gleam, Blizzard, Ice Shard, Safeguard |
| Braviary | 56 | Keen Eye | Crush Claw, Brave Bird, Tailwind, Whirlwind |
| Magnezone | 56 | Sturdy | Thunderbolt, Flash Cannon, Thunder Wave, Mirror Coat |
| Snorlax | 56 | Thick Fat | Body Slam, Crunch, Heavy Slam, High Horsepower |
| Incineroar | 58 | Blaze | Flare Blitz, Darkest Lariat, Outrage, Cross Chop |
| Primarina | 58 | Torrent | Sparkling Aria, Moonblast, Aqua Jet, Hyper Voice |
| Decidueye | 58 | Overgrow | Leaf Blade, Spirit Shackle, Brave Bird, Sucker Punch |
Kukui is your final obstacle to becoming the first Alolan Champion, and he is bringing his A-game. His lead Lycanroc will set up Stealth Rock, which will damage all your Pokemon when switching in if it is not outsped and knocked out. After that, he brings a wide variety of typings as well as Pokemon capable of attacking both physically and specially. His ace is the biggest threat. It is the fully evolved starter that has an advantage over yours, complete with the type-appropriate Z-crystal to launch a powerful Z-move.
Still, there are weaknesses in his lineup that you can exploit. Regardless of which starter you end up facing, at least three of his Pokemon have a weakness to Fighting-types. Rock coverage is also useful against his Braviary and Alolan Ninetales.
Best Team To Defeat the Elite Four and Champion Kukui in Pokemon Sun and Moon
| Pokemon | Recommended Moves | Best Ability | Held Item | Nature(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primarina | Sparkling Aria, Moonblast, Aqua Jet, Energy Ball | Torrent | Expert Belt | Modest (+SpA, -Atk) |
| Oricorio-Pom Pom | Revelation Dance, Air Slash, U-Turn, Taunt | Dancer | – | Timid (+Spe,-Atk) |
| Pangoro | Brick Break, Crunch, Bullet Punch, Parting Shot | Iron Fist | Fightinium Z | Adamant (+Atk,-SpA) |
| Salazzle | Nasty Plot, Flamethrower, Venoshock, Toxic | Corrosion | Firium Z | Modest (+SpA, -Atk) |
| Tsareena | Trop Kick, High Jump Kick, Rapid Spin, U-Turn | Queenly Majesty | Grassium Z | Adamant (+Atk,-SpA) |
| Garchomp | Dragon Claw, Earthquake, Swords Dance, Crunch | Sand Veil | Groundium Z | Adamant (+Atk,-SpA) |
How To Use the Best Team To Defeat the Elite Four and Champion Kukui in Pokemon Sun and Moon
- Primarina: As a Water/Fairy dual type, Primarina is a great special attacker. With its STABs it deals with all of Hala’s and most of Olivia’s team except for her Alolan Golem.
- Oricorio Pom Pom: A slightly unorthodox choice, but Electric-type Revelation Dance has the same base power as Thunderbolt. Additionally, Oricorio’s Flying-typing gives it a Ground immunity. It can deal with Kahili’s team, Acerola’s Drfblim and Dhelmise, and Kukui’s Braviary.
- Pangoro: Pangoro’s dual typing of Fighting/Dark lets it act as a powerful Physical Attacker. It can take on Olivia’s team except for her Carbink, Acerola’s team, and Kukui’s Lycanroc, Magnezone, Snorlax, Incineroar, and Decidueye.
- Salazzle: Salazzle is the team’s fast Fire-type, dealing with Acerola’s Froslass and Dhelmise, Kahili’s Skarmory, and Kukui’s Alolan Ninetales, Magnezone, Decidueye, and Primarina.
- Tsareena: Rounding out the Fire, Water, Grass core is Tsareena. It deals with Olivia’s team, Acerola’s Palossand, and Kukui’s Lycanroc and Primarina.
- Garchomp: If it is good enough for Cynthia, Garchomp is good enough for you. While its Dragon STAB isn’t going to be particularly helpful, it can use its Ground-type moves against Olivia’s team and Kukui’s Lycanroc, Magnezone, and Incineroar.
Best IVs and EVs To Train for This Team
Try to get Pokemon with IVs as close to maximum as possible. As for EVs, Primarina, Oricorio Pom Pom, and Salazzle all want Special Attack EVs, while Pangoro, Tsareena, and Garchomp need Attack EVs. All of them want Speed EVs for maximum effectiveness.
Tips and Tricks To Defeat the Elite Four and Champion Kukui in Pokemon Sun and Moon
- Lead with Tsareena against Kukui. His Lycanroc has a bad matchup against it and cannot use its priority Accelerock thanks to Queenly Majesty. Also, Tsareena can use Rapid Spin to remove the Stealth Rock it sets up.
- Since you can only use a single Z-move each game, plan out the one you want to use in advance.
- You can challenge the Elite 4 in Pokemon Sun and Moon in any order. Additionally, even though you face Kukui in the final fight, he is not technically the Champion. You are.
We provide the latest news and create guides for everything Pokemon. Meanwhile, you can check out the following articles or catch us playing games on YouTube:
