Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire Elite Four (2024)

This Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire Elite Four guide gives you all the information, resources, and strategy you need to conquer the Pokemon League and defeat all members of the Elite Four in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire.

Elite Four #1 - Sidney

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

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

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

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

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!

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