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Comprehensive battle strategies for the Rival and Lyra battles
Your rival blocks you in Cherrygrove City when you return from Mr. Pokémon's house. He's got two Pokémon: a level 4 Rattata with Tackle, Leer, and Quick Attack, plus his starter at level 5 holding an Oran Berry!
If he picked Chikorita, it can use Tackle and Growl. Cyndaquil comes with Tackle and Leer. Totodile will hit you with Scratch and Leer. Your own starter matches his level, so you can win by attacking straight through.[1]
Your rival then shows up on Route 32 as you head toward Ilex Forest after beating Bugsy. He's expanded his team to four Pokémon, ranging from level 14 to 18. You'll face Gastly, Zubat, Geodude, and his evolved starter.
Gastly can put you to sleep with Hypnosis at level 14. Zubat flies at level 16 with Gust and Bite. Geodude will shake the ground with Magnitude and Rollout at level 15. His starter jumped to level 18 and still carries an Oran Berry.
Bayleef can poison you with Poison Powder and defend with Reflect while attacking with Razor Leaf. Quilava speeds things up with Quick Attack alongside Ember. Croconaw bites hard and sprays Water Gun. Get your team to level 16 or higher and pack Potions. Awakening items counter his Gastly's sleep tricks.[2]
Your rival waits in Burned Tower for the third fight. He's improved to five Pokémon between levels 18 and 22. Gastly evolved into Haunter, and the rest of his team got stronger.
Haunter shows up at level 20 with Lick, Confuse Ray, and Curse. His new Magnemite can zap you with Thunder Shock and Sonic Boom at level 18. Drowzee puts opponents to sleep with Hypnosis and follows up with Confusion at level 19. Zubat drains health with Leech Life and Bite at level 20. His starter reached level 22 and still holds an Oran Berry.
Bayleef learned Disarming Voice for coverage. Quilava's Fire moves got stronger. Croconaw's Dark and Water attacks hit harder now. Level your team to 20 and grab Super Potions. Both Haunter and Drowzee mess with your status, so Awakening items save time.[3]
Your rival ambushes you at the Underground Warehouse entrance in Goldenrod City after Team Rocket takes over the Radio Tower. He's got five Pokémon between levels 39 and 43, and his starter is fully evolved!
Golbat's at level 40 with Leech Life, Bite, and Wing Attack. Magneton's at level 39 with Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon. Haunter's at level 39 with Shadow Ball and Pain Split. Sneasel's at level 41 with Ice Punch and Feint Attack. His fully evolved starter jumped to level 43 and now holds a Sitrus Berry.
Meganium's got Petal Dance and Ancient Power. Typhlosion's got Flame Charge and Dig. Feraligatr's got Surf and Crunch. Get to level 40 minimum and pack Hyper Potions. Magneton paralyzes, Sneasel outspeeds most teams, and his starter can sweep unprepared opponents.[4]
Your rival blocks the Victory Road exit before you reach Indigo Plateau. He's brought a full team of six evolved Pokémon from levels 45 to 49, and every single one carries an item.
Weavile's at level 45 with Sword Dance and Night Slash, holding King's Rock. Golbat's at level 47 with Super Fang and Poison Jab, holding Eviolite. Magneton's at level 46 with Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon, holding a Magnet. Gengar's at level 46 with Shadow Ball and Dark Pulse, holding Spell Tag. Alakazam's at level 46 with Psychic and Recover, holding Bright Powder. His starter's at level 49 with a Sitrus Berry.
Meganium's got Energy Ball and Reflect. Typhlosion's got Flamethrower and Dig. Feraligatr's got Surf and Crunch. Level your team to 47 and grab Full Heals plus Hyper Potions. Weavile sets up sweeps with Sword Dance, Alakazam dodges constantly, and Gengar hits everything hard. Save your best for his starter at the end![5]
Your rival challenges you at Mt. Moon's entrance after you reach Kanto. Mt. Moon sits east of Pewter City. His team climbed to levels 61 through 65, and every Pokémon carries an item.
Weavile's at level 61 with Sword Dance, Ice Punch, and Crunch, holding King's Rock. Golbat's still not evolved at level 62 with Poison Jab and Super Fang, holding Eviolite. Magnezone evolved to level 61 with Zap Cannon and Flash Cannon, holding a Magnet. Gengar's at level 63 with Shadow Ball and Curse, holding Spell Tag. Alakazam's at level 63 with Future Sight and Psychic, holding Bright Powder. His starter's at level 65 and holds a type-boosting item.
Meganium's got Seed Bomb and Body Slam with Miracle Seed. Typhlosion's got Flamethrower and Earth Power with Charcoal. Feraligatr's got Waterfall and Crunch with Mystic Water. Get to level 63 and stock Full Restores. Magnezone misses often but destroys when Zap Cannon connects. Gengar traps with Mean Look and drains with Curse. Dark or Ghost types handle Alakazam better.[6]
Your rival appears at Indigo Plateau every Monday and Wednesday after you beat him at Mt. Moon. He waits near the Elite Four entrance with his ultimate lineup, spanning levels 68 to 72.
Weavile's at level 68 with Sword Dance, Ice Punch, and Crunch, holding King's Rock. Crobat finally evolved to level 69 with Poison Jab, Crunch, and Toxic, holding Poison Barb. Magnezone's at level 68 with Thunderbolt, Thunder Wave, and Flash Cannon, holding a Magnet. Gengar's at level 70 with Shadow Ball, Thunderbolt, and Focus Blast, holding Spell Tag. Alakazam's at level 70 with Psychic, Tri Attack, and Recover, holding Bright Powder. His starter's at level 72 with Leftovers.
Meganium's got Petal Dance, Moonblast, and Ancient Power. Typhlosion's got Fire Blast, Focus Blast, and Earth Power. Feraligatr's got Waterfall, Crunch, and Ice Punch. Train to level 70 minimum and pack Max Potions plus Full Restores. Gengar's three attack types cover nearly everything. Crobat poisons and stalls. His starter with Leftovers outlasts most teams. You can fight him twice a week for extra experience and rewards.[7]
Your first battle against Lyra happens right in Professor Elm's Lab after you both get your starter Pokémon. She's got a single level 5 starter with two moves. The battle teaches you how combat works.
Chikorita can use Tackle and Growl. Cyndaquil comes with Tackle and Leer. Totodile scratches and leers. Your own starter matches her level, so attack straight through and win.[8]
Lyra waits for you on Route 34, right outside the Day Care Center. She expanded to four Pokémon this time: Pidgey at level 16, Mareep at level 15, her evolved starter at level 18 holding an Oran Berry, and a fourth that depends on her starter.
If she picked Bayleef, she counters with Marill and its strong Rollout attacks. Against Quilava, she pulls out Sunkern with Grass moves. Against Croconaw, watch for Growlithe spinning fire.
Her starter is the real problem. Bayleef defends with Reflect and heals with Healing Light. Quilava speeds things up with Ember and Quick Attack. Croconaw hammers you with Bite and Rage. Get your Pokémon two or three levels higher than hers and stock up on Potions.[9]
Lyra challenges you on Route 42 with five Pokémon between levels 32 and 37. Her team evolved. Pidgeotto flies with Swift and Charm. Azumarill splashes with Aqua Tail and Play Rough. Flaaffy cures status conditions with Heal Bell. Her starter jumped to level 37 and still holds an Oran Berry.
She counters with either Growlithe or Sunflora depending on her starter. Growlithe scorches at level 34 with Flamethrower and Thrash. Sunflora blooms at the same level with Solar Beam and Petal Dance.
Get your team to level 35 or higher and pack Super Potions. Azumarill's Play Rough destroys Dark types. Bayleef fires Energy Ball and Dazzling Gleam. Quilava speeds up with Flame Charge and tunnels with Dig. Croconaw crushes with Crunch and Reversal. Her starter still hits hardest.[10]
Lyra blocks your path in New Bark Town before you leave for the Pokémon League. She brought her full team of six, leveled from 43 to 47. Everything evolved.
Pidgeot's at level 44 with Roost and Wing Attack. Girafarig's at level 43 with Baton Pass and Crunch. Her third slot's either Arcanine or Sunflora at level 45. Azumarill's at level 45 with Double-Edge and Play Rough. Ampharos is at level 46 with Thunderbolt and Power Gem. Her starter's at level 47 with a Sitrus Berry.
Meganium's got Body Slam, Energy Ball, and Dazzling Gleam. Typhlosion's got Flame Charge, Swift, and Dig. Feraligatr's got Crunch, Agility, and Metal Claw.
Get your team to level 45 minimum. Grab Hyper Potions and Full Heals. Ampharos paralyzes. Girafarig passes stat boosts to teammates. Grass or Electric moves take down Azumarill fast. Save your strongest for her starter at the end.[11]
Lyra appears at Indigo Plateau every Saturday and Sunday after you beat the Elite Four. She stands near the entrance stairs with her strongest lineup, ranging from level 68 to 72.
Pidgeot's at level 69 with Hurricane, Air Slash, and Steel Wing. Her second slot changes depending on your starter. Against Meganium, she's got Arcanine at level 70 with Dragon Dance. Against Typhlosion, she's got Sunflora at level 70 with Fire Blast and Sunny Day. Azumarill's at level 70 with Hydro Pump and Close Combat. Ampharos is at level 71 with Thunder, Dragon Pulse, and Outrage. Farigiraf's at level 68. Her starter's at level 72 with a Sitrus Berry.
Meganium's got Solar Beam, Play Rough, and Outrage. Typhlosion's got Flare Blitz, Earthquake, and Thunderpunch. Feraligatr's got Waterfall, Crunch, and Ice Punch.
Train to level 70 before this fight. Stock Full Restores and Revives. Ampharos destroys with Outrage. Azumarill threatens everything with Close Combat. Her starter sweeps unprepared teams. You can fight her every weekend for farming experience and money![12]