You're almost there. The Elite Four. All you have to do is defeat them, and you'll be the most powerful Pokemon trainer in the region. But there's one final hurdle before you take on the ultimate challenge in your Pokemon League journey: the final Gym Leader.
Each region's final Gym Leader is expectedly more difficult than any of the others, not just because of the higher levels of their Pokemon, but because of the strategies they employ. At the same time, they're made easier, because you have access to pretty much every Pokemon in the region. This means that it'll be much harder for them to have a type advantage over your team.
Wulfric - Kalos Region
Wulfric looks like a beast of a man. With that physique and a beard shaped like a Walrein's tusks, he seems like he'd be very imposing. But even though he has the highest leveled team on this list, he's kind of a pushover.
Wulfric focuses on Ice-type Pokemon, which have the most amount of weaknesses. In fact, if you come at his team with a combination of Fire, Steel, or Fighting-type moves, you'll win the duel before it even begins.
While it is smart to have two Pokemon who each focus more on special and physical defense, it's not hard to figure out a way around them. There are just too many ways to defeat Wulfric's team.
Giovanni - Kanto Region
Giovanni being the final Gym Leader in Pokemon Red and Blue was one of the best twists in all of Pokemon, along with your rival being the league Champion. You've seen him throughout your journey as the leader of Team Rocket, serving as a truly evil villain. It makes him an incredibly memorable character, that every other final Gym Leader is always compared to. It's just a shame that his team isn't that great.
Giovanni is one of those trainers you just need a single type to defeat. Unfortunately for him, that's the incredibly common Water-type. There is genuinely no shortage of Water-type Pokemon in the Kanto region. So, while he may be the most memorable final Gym Leader, he is also one of the weakest.
Hapu - Alola Region
Although technically not a Gym Leader, Hapu fulfills the same role as the final Kahuna in the Alola region. She rides around on her gigantic Mudsdale in a bonnet as if she's on the Oregon Trail. She also comes across as very stern, despite her youthful appearance. Just like Giovanni, she focuses on Ground-type Pokemon - however, she separates herself from him with a variety of types on her team.
Hapu has multiple Pokemon that can counter Ground's weaknesses. On top of this, Mudsdale is a defensive powerhouse that can deal a ton of damage if you're not careful. Despite all this, there are some glaring issues with her team. For one, not all of them have a full moveset. On top of that, her Gastrodon has the ability Sticky Hold instead of Storm Drain. Suddenly, this Pokemon that was supposed to counter Water-types can also be easily defeated by them.
Wallace - Hoenn Region (Ruby and Sapphire)
Wallace is one of two trainers on this list who left their position as Gym Leader and became a Champion. And while his Champion team can actually be pretty difficult, his Gym team leaves a lot to be desired. For some reason, Wallace runs two of the weakest fully evoled Water-type Pokemon, Luvdisc and Seaking. However, Wallace's team does have a saving grace with his signature Pokemon, Milotic.
Milotic is a very bulky Pokemon that can also hit hard with moves like Ice Beam and Water Pulse/Hydro Pump. When you finally start to whittle it down, it can recover its HP with Recover. Also, statuses don't work well against Milotic because of its ability, Marvel Scale, that increases its Defense when it is status affected. So, while most of Wallace's team may be pretty terrible, his ace is one of the best Water-types in the game.
Volkner - Sinnoh Region
Volkner got a lot of hate for his team when Diamond and Pearl first released. "If he's an Electric trainer, why isn't his whole team filled with Electric-type Pokemon?" Yes, it can be argued that it makes more sense, but Volkner's varied team actually makes him much harder to beat. Not only does he have a Water-type to challenge any Ground-type you might bring, but he also has an Ambipom that can use Baton Pass to boost his other Pokemon.
Unfortunately, this does not carry over to his Platinum team, whose only real answer to Ground-types is Luxray's Ice Fang. All you have to do there is get a Ground-type Pokemon or teach something Earthquake with a TM.
Drayden/Iris - Unova Region (Black and White)
As the final Gym Leader of Black and White, you'll be facing either Drayden or Iris. Both will have the same team with the only exception being what abilities their last two Pokemon have. And even though they have a powerful Haxorus as their ace (and only at level 43), their team leaves a lot to be desired for two reasons.
First, there are only three Pokemon on their team. Second, their Pokemon's move sets contradict themselves. Both Fraxure and Haxorus have Dragon Dance, a great set up move that increases Attack and Speed, but it is complete undermined by their only STAB move being Dragon Tail, which has decreased priority.
Raihan - Galar Region
Although Raihan claims to be a Dragon-type trainer, his team is more focused around setting up weather. While his tournament team focuses on different weather-types, his gym team is all about Sandstorm. On top of that, his gym emphasizes Double Battles, a format you don't interact with too much. This adds an extra layer, making his battle just a bit more difficult
His team is pretty strong as well, with Gigalith starting off the sand and Flygon and Duraludon serving as his main attackers. The only downside to his team is that despite not receiving damage from Sandstorm, none of his Pokemon really utilize it.
Juan - Hoenn Region (Emerald)
After Wallace left the Sootopolis Gym to serve as Champion, he had his mentor Juan take over for him. While Juan's team is at a lower level and has some weaker move sets than Wallace's, It's infinitely more annoying.
Juan focuses on non-damaging moves like Attract, Taunt, and Encore. This may seem minor at first, but can catch a player off guard. However, his most annoying Pokemon is Kingdra. Kingdra will focus on using Double Team to increase its Evasiveness, and if you finally get it to low health, it'll just heal up with Rest.
Clair - Johto Region
Clair is a surprisingly difficult trainer for how low-level her Pokemon are. This is mainly because she is a Dragon-type trainer and there aren't many answers to that. Seriously, the only Pokemon that can deal STAB Super Effective damage against her are Dragonair, Piloswine, Jynx, Sneasel, and Delibird.
This is made even more difficult when she brings a Gyarados onto her team in HeartGold and SoulSilver. Your best option against Clair is to strategize with boosting moves and status ailments.
Marlon - Unova Region (Black 2 and White 2)
Marlon's team is surprisingly bulky, sporting the likes of Carracosta, Wailord, and Jellicent. What makes Marlon so tough is that each Pokemon has a unique strategy, especially in Challenge Mode. Carracosta is a big slow behemoth, but after one use of Shell Smash it can become a speedy sweeper. Wailord can set up Rain Dance to work with its Water Veil ability, as well as set up Mantine. Finally, Jellicent is just a bulky beast that can heal itself with Recover.
On top of all of this, each Pokemon knows Scald: a powerful move that has a chance to burn. It may sound easy enough to counter this with a Grass or Electric-type, but Marlon can easily handle these Pokemon even if he doesn't run a Ground-type.
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