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Pokemon League

Victory Road

Victory Road is the final route before your encounter with the Pokemon League. Below, you can find an image that traces out the fastest path through the area. The area is full of trainers and without repel you are likely to hemorrhage HP from the plethora of wild Pokemon. So, make it through fast and then, if necessary, other items can be a side objective.

Ruby Sapphire Victory Road Path

The Pokemon League

After working through Victory Road, your final task before reaching post-game content is the Pokemon League, which is composed of the Elite Four followed by the reigning champion. All of the members of the Elite Four, their Pokemon, and strategies to beat them can be found in our Pokemon Ruby Elite Four Guide, as well as below. So, if you're having trouble make sure to check that out! Once the Elite Four is defeated, though, the post game content awaits!

Elite Four #1 - Sidney

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Sidney

Elite Four: Sidney
Type Dark

#1 Mightyena

Mightyena

Type: Dark
Lv: 46
Ability: Intimidate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Crunch Dark
Take Down Normal
Sand-Attack Ground
Roar Normal

#2 Cacturne

Cacturne

Type: GrassDark
Lv: 46
Ability: Sand Veil
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Faint Attack Dark
Needle Arm Grass
Cotton Spore Grass
Leech Seed Grass

#3 Shiftry

Shiftry

Type: GrassDark
Lv: 48
Ability: Chlorophyll
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Fake Out Normal
Extrasensory Psychic
Double Team Normal
Swagger Normal

#4 Sharpedo

Sharpedo

Type: WaterDark
Lv: 48
Ability: Rough Skin
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Surf Water
Crunch Dark
Slash Normal
Swagger Normal

#5 Absol

Absol

Type: Dark
Lv: 49
Ability: Pressure
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Swords Dance Normal
Slash Normal
Aerial Ace Flying
Snatch Dark

Strategy

Sidney is the first member of the Elite Four and specializes in Dark-type Pokemon. He has 3 Pokemon with secondary typings, which you can take advantage of. By this point, you should have the tools to fight Grass and Water-type Pokemon, which means that Cacturne, Shiftry, and Sharpedo should be relatively easy.

For Mightyena and Absol, we recommend using a Bug or Fighting-type Pokemon. Be warned, though, that all Elite Four members will use potions and that Absol is carrying a Sitrus Berry, which he will use to heal if not one-shot KO’d. Mightyena has the move Roar, which may make switching to your properly typed Pokemon difficult. Make sure your team has a variety of moves on each Pokemon so that this is less of an issue.

Elite Four #2 - Phoebe

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Phoebe

Elite Four: Phoebe
Type Ghost

#1 Dusclops

Dusclops

Type: Ghost
Lv: 48
Ability: Pressure
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Curse ???-type
Confuse Ray Ghost
Future Sight Psychic
Shadow Punch Ghost

#2 Banette

Banette

Type: Ghost
Lv: 49
Ability: Insomnia
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Spite Ghost
Will-O-Wisp Fire
Shadow Ball Ghost
Faint Attack Dark

#3 Banette

Banette

Type: Ghost
Lv: 49
Ability: Insomnia
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Toxic Poison
Skill Swap Psychic
Shadow Ball Ghost
Psychic Psychic

#4 Sableye

Sableye

Type: DarkGhost
Lv: 50
Ability: Keen Eye
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Faint Attack Dark
Shadow Ball Ghost
PsychicPsychic
Attract Normal

#5 Dusclops

Dusclops

Type: Ghost
Lv: 51
Ability: Pressure
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Confuse Ray Ghost
Shadow Ball Ghost
Ice Beam Ice
Earthquake Ground

Strategy

Ghost-type Pokemon are universally weak to Dark-type moves, but this presents a bit of a problem against Sableye. Sableye will have no special means of one-shotting it because of its typing, so try to respect it and bring out your best. Otherwise, you may be surprised since his level 51 Duskclops has Ice Beam and Earthquake, both powerful moves in their own right against a variety of Pokemon. The other 3 Pokemon have a bunch of status-effect moves, but you can prepare for this by having your Pokemon hold berries before the fight and bringing healing items in abundance.

Elite Four #3 - Glacia

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Glacia

Elite Four: Glacia
Type Ice

#1 Glalie

Glalie

Type: Ice
Lv: 50
Ability: Inner Focus
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Hail Ice
Light Screen Psychic
Ice Beam Ice
Crunch Dark

#2 Sealeo

Sealeo

Type: IceWater
Lv: 50
Ability: Thick Fat
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Surf Water
Ice Ball Ice
Hail Ice
Body Slam Normal

#3 Sealeo

Sealeo

Type: IceWater
Lv: 52
Ability: Thick Fat
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Hail Ice
Blizzard Ice
Dive Water
Attract Normal

#4 Glalie

Glalie

Type: Ice
Lv: 52
Ability: Inner Focus
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Hail Ice
Ice Beam Ice
Shadow Ball Ghost
Crunch Dark

#5 Walrein

Walrein

Type: IceWater
Lv: 53
Ability: Thick Fat
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Blizzard Ice
Surf Water
Body Slam Normal
Sheer Cold Ice

Strategy

The biggest weakness of the Ice-type is fire-based moves. But if you bring that in expecting an easy win, you’ll be disappointed by the plethora of water Pokemon in this fight. To counter this, try bringing in Electric or Fighting type pokemon. Fighting is great against Ice and neutral against Water, so no matter what the second type is, you will continue to take advantage of the squishiness of the type itself. If you go this route, beware of Glalie’s crunch since this will decimate any fighting pokemon.

As always, the final Pokemon has a sitrus berry, and Glacia won’t hesitate to use potions or other healing items.

Elite Four #4 - Drake

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Drake

Elite Four: Drake
Type Dragon

#1 Shelgon

Shelgon

Type: Dragon
Lv: 52
Ability: Rock Head
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Dragon Claw Dragon
Rock Tomb Rock
Protect Normal
Crunch Dark

#2 Altaria

Altaria

Type: DragonFlying
Lv: 54
Ability: Natural Cure
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Take Down Normal
DragonBreath Dragon
Dragon Dance Dragon
Refresh Normal

#3 Flygon

Flygon

Type: GroundDragon
Lv: 53
Ability: Levitate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Flamethrower Fire
Crunch Dark
DragonBreath Dragon
Sand-Attack Ground

#4 Flygon

Flygon

Type: GroundDragon
Lv: 53
Ability: Levitate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Fly Flying
Dig Ground
DragonBreath Dragon
Sandstorm Rock

#5 Salamence

Salamence

Type: DragonFlying
Lv: 55
Ability: Intimidate
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Flamethrower Fire
Dragon Claw Dragon
Crunch Dark
Fly Flying

Strategy

This final Elite Four member specializes in Dragon-type Pokemon, so Ice-type moves or Pokemon will be a natural counter. Be warned, though, that Flygon and his signature Pokemon Salamence both have Fire-type moves. Otherwise, a non-dragon pokemon with dragon moves can use Dragon’s natural affinity against itself. This fight is something of a brawl, with many of his Pokemon relying on moves like dig, fly, or sand-attack to buy time before moving in for a devastating move.

Pokemon League Champion - Steven

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Steven

Champion: Steven
Type Steel Rock

#1 Skarmory

Skarmory

Type: SteelFlying
Lv: 57
Ability: Keen Eye
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Steel Wing Steel
Toxic Poison
Aerial Ace Flying
Spikes Ground

#2 Claydol

Claydol

Type: GroundPsychic
Lv: 55
Ability: Levitate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Earthquake Ground
AncientPower Rock
Light Screen Psychic
Reflect Psychic

#3 Aggron

Aggron

Type: SteelRock
Lv: 56
Ability: Sturdy
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Earthquake Ground
Dragon Claw Dragon
Thunder Electric
SolarBeam Grass

#4 Cradily

Cradily

Type: RockGrass
Lv: 56
Ability: Suction Cups
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
AncientPower Rock
Confuse Ray Ghost
Sludge Bomb Poison
Giga Drain Grass

#5 Armaldo

Armaldo

Type: RockBug
Lv: 56
Ability: Battle Armor
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
AncientPower Rock
Slash Normal
Aerial Ace Flying
Water Pulse Water

#6 Metagross

Metagross

Type: SteelPsychic
Lv: 58
Ability: Clear Body
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Meteor Mash Steel
Earthquake Ground
Psychic Psychic
Hyper Beam Normal

Strategy

Steven is the champion of the Pokemon League and the effective final boss of the game, so make sure you’re properly prepared and healed before taking him on. His Pokemon are, as per tradition, varied in their typing and specialties. But, he has a disproportionate number of Rock-type and Steel-type Pokemon in his team, so you can take advantage of this by bringing a strong Fighting-type. Be scared of his Claydol for the devastation he can bring onto an unsuspecting Fighting-type, though.

Take time to make sure you’re bringing in your best Pokemon when you knock out one of his. Other types you should have include ground and fire since the plethora of Steel-type Pokemon make fire an ideal backup. A good Ghost-type will also help you against Claydol and Metagross, and negate the power of the Hyper Beam he brings in with his final Pokemon. If you manage to defeat Steven, you will be the Pokemon League Champion! Congratulations!

Back to Sootopolis Gym Continue to Post Game

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Chapter 9 - Pokemon League
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Home > Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire Walkthrough > Pokemon League

Pokemon League

Victory Road

Victory Road is the final route before your encounter with the Pokemon League. Below, you can find an image that traces out the fastest path through the area. The area is full of trainers and without repel you are likely to hemorrhage HP from the plethora of wild Pokemon. So, make it through fast and then, if necessary, other items can be a side objective.

Ruby Sapphire Victory Road Path

The Pokemon League

After working through Victory Road, your final task before reaching post-game content is the Pokemon League, which is composed of the Elite Four followed by the reigning champion. All of the members of the Elite Four, their Pokemon, and strategies to beat them can be found in our Pokemon Ruby Elite Four Guide, as well as below. So, if you're having trouble make sure to check that out! Once the Elite Four is defeated, though, the post game content awaits!

Elite Four #1 - Sidney

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Sidney

Elite Four: Sidney
Type Dark

#1 Mightyena

Mightyena

Type: Dark
Lv: 46
Ability: Intimidate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Crunch Dark
Take Down Normal
Sand-Attack Ground
Roar Normal

#2 Cacturne

Cacturne

Type: GrassDark
Lv: 46
Ability: Sand Veil
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Faint Attack Dark
Needle Arm Grass
Cotton Spore Grass
Leech Seed Grass

#3 Shiftry

Shiftry

Type: GrassDark
Lv: 48
Ability: Chlorophyll
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Fake Out Normal
Extrasensory Psychic
Double Team Normal
Swagger Normal

#4 Sharpedo

Sharpedo

Type: WaterDark
Lv: 48
Ability: Rough Skin
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Surf Water
Crunch Dark
Slash Normal
Swagger Normal

#5 Absol

Absol

Type: Dark
Lv: 49
Ability: Pressure
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Swords Dance Normal
Slash Normal
Aerial Ace Flying
Snatch Dark

Strategy

Sidney is the first member of the Elite Four and specializes in Dark-type Pokemon. He has 3 Pokemon with secondary typings, which you can take advantage of. By this point, you should have the tools to fight Grass and Water-type Pokemon, which means that Cacturne, Shiftry, and Sharpedo should be relatively easy.

For Mightyena and Absol, we recommend using a Bug or Fighting-type Pokemon. Be warned, though, that all Elite Four members will use potions and that Absol is carrying a Sitrus Berry, which he will use to heal if not one-shot KO’d. Mightyena has the move Roar, which may make switching to your properly typed Pokemon difficult. Make sure your team has a variety of moves on each Pokemon so that this is less of an issue.

Elite Four #2 - Phoebe

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Phoebe

Elite Four: Phoebe
Type Ghost

#1 Dusclops

Dusclops

Type: Ghost
Lv: 48
Ability: Pressure
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Curse ???-type
Confuse Ray Ghost
Future Sight Psychic
Shadow Punch Ghost

#2 Banette

Banette

Type: Ghost
Lv: 49
Ability: Insomnia
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Spite Ghost
Will-O-Wisp Fire
Shadow Ball Ghost
Faint Attack Dark

#3 Banette

Banette

Type: Ghost
Lv: 49
Ability: Insomnia
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Toxic Poison
Skill Swap Psychic
Shadow Ball Ghost
Psychic Psychic

#4 Sableye

Sableye

Type: DarkGhost
Lv: 50
Ability: Keen Eye
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Faint Attack Dark
Shadow Ball Ghost
PsychicPsychic
Attract Normal

#5 Dusclops

Dusclops

Type: Ghost
Lv: 51
Ability: Pressure
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Confuse Ray Ghost
Shadow Ball Ghost
Ice Beam Ice
Earthquake Ground

Strategy

Ghost-type Pokemon are universally weak to Dark-type moves, but this presents a bit of a problem against Sableye. Sableye will have no special means of one-shotting it because of its typing, so try to respect it and bring out your best. Otherwise, you may be surprised since his level 51 Duskclops has Ice Beam and Earthquake, both powerful moves in their own right against a variety of Pokemon. The other 3 Pokemon have a bunch of status-effect moves, but you can prepare for this by having your Pokemon hold berries before the fight and bringing healing items in abundance.

Elite Four #3 - Glacia

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Glacia

Elite Four: Glacia
Type Ice

#1 Glalie

Glalie

Type: Ice
Lv: 50
Ability: Inner Focus
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Hail Ice
Light Screen Psychic
Ice Beam Ice
Crunch Dark

#2 Sealeo

Sealeo

Type: IceWater
Lv: 50
Ability: Thick Fat
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Surf Water
Ice Ball Ice
Hail Ice
Body Slam Normal

#3 Sealeo

Sealeo

Type: IceWater
Lv: 52
Ability: Thick Fat
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Hail Ice
Blizzard Ice
Dive Water
Attract Normal

#4 Glalie

Glalie

Type: Ice
Lv: 52
Ability: Inner Focus
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Hail Ice
Ice Beam Ice
Shadow Ball Ghost
Crunch Dark

#5 Walrein

Walrein

Type: IceWater
Lv: 53
Ability: Thick Fat
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Blizzard Ice
Surf Water
Body Slam Normal
Sheer Cold Ice

Strategy

The biggest weakness of the Ice-type is fire-based moves. But if you bring that in expecting an easy win, you’ll be disappointed by the plethora of water Pokemon in this fight. To counter this, try bringing in Electric or Fighting type pokemon. Fighting is great against Ice and neutral against Water, so no matter what the second type is, you will continue to take advantage of the squishiness of the type itself. If you go this route, beware of Glalie’s crunch since this will decimate any fighting pokemon.

As always, the final Pokemon has a sitrus berry, and Glacia won’t hesitate to use potions or other healing items.

Elite Four #4 - Drake

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Drake

Elite Four: Drake
Type Dragon

#1 Shelgon

Shelgon

Type: Dragon
Lv: 52
Ability: Rock Head
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Dragon Claw Dragon
Rock Tomb Rock
Protect Normal
Crunch Dark

#2 Altaria

Altaria

Type: DragonFlying
Lv: 54
Ability: Natural Cure
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Take Down Normal
DragonBreath Dragon
Dragon Dance Dragon
Refresh Normal

#3 Flygon

Flygon

Type: GroundDragon
Lv: 53
Ability: Levitate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Flamethrower Fire
Crunch Dark
DragonBreath Dragon
Sand-Attack Ground

#4 Flygon

Flygon

Type: GroundDragon
Lv: 53
Ability: Levitate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Fly Flying
Dig Ground
DragonBreath Dragon
Sandstorm Rock

#5 Salamence

Salamence

Type: DragonFlying
Lv: 55
Ability: Intimidate
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Flamethrower Fire
Dragon Claw Dragon
Crunch Dark
Fly Flying

Strategy

This final Elite Four member specializes in Dragon-type Pokemon, so Ice-type moves or Pokemon will be a natural counter. Be warned, though, that Flygon and his signature Pokemon Salamence both have Fire-type moves. Otherwise, a non-dragon pokemon with dragon moves can use Dragon’s natural affinity against itself. This fight is something of a brawl, with many of his Pokemon relying on moves like dig, fly, or sand-attack to buy time before moving in for a devastating move.

Pokemon League Champion - Steven

Pokemon Ruby Sapphire Steven

Champion: Steven
Type Steel Rock

#1 Skarmory

Skarmory

Type: SteelFlying
Lv: 57
Ability: Keen Eye
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Steel Wing Steel
Toxic Poison
Aerial Ace Flying
Spikes Ground

#2 Claydol

Claydol

Type: GroundPsychic
Lv: 55
Ability: Levitate
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Earthquake Ground
AncientPower Rock
Light Screen Psychic
Reflect Psychic

#3 Aggron

Aggron

Type: SteelRock
Lv: 56
Ability: Sturdy
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
Earthquake Ground
Dragon Claw Dragon
Thunder Electric
SolarBeam Grass

#4 Cradily

Cradily

Type: RockGrass
Lv: 56
Ability: Suction Cups
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
AncientPower Rock
Confuse Ray Ghost
Sludge Bomb Poison
Giga Drain Grass

#5 Armaldo

Armaldo

Type: RockBug
Lv: 56
Ability: Battle Armor
Hold Item: N/A
Moves:
AncientPower Rock
Slash Normal
Aerial Ace Flying
Water Pulse Water

#6 Metagross

Metagross

Type: SteelPsychic
Lv: 58
Ability: Clear Body
Hold Item: Sitrus Berry
Moves:
Meteor Mash Steel
Earthquake Ground
Psychic Psychic
Hyper Beam Normal

Strategy

Steven is the champion of the Pokemon League and the effective final boss of the game, so make sure you’re properly prepared and healed before taking him on. His Pokemon are, as per tradition, varied in their typing and specialties. But, he has a disproportionate number of Rock-type and Steel-type Pokemon in his team, so you can take advantage of this by bringing a strong Fighting-type. Be scared of his Claydol for the devastation he can bring onto an unsuspecting Fighting-type, though.

Take time to make sure you’re bringing in your best Pokemon when you knock out one of his. Other types you should have include ground and fire since the plethora of Steel-type Pokemon make fire an ideal backup. A good Ghost-type will also help you against Claydol and Metagross, and negate the power of the Hyper Beam he brings in with his final Pokemon. If you manage to defeat Steven, you will be the Pokemon League Champion! Congratulations!

Back to Sootopolis Gym Continue to Post Game

News from Around the Net