List of Elite Four members
In the Pokémon video game series, the composition of Elite Four (四天王, Shitennō, lit. "Four heavenly kings") members changes between the four settings of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh. The following is a list of Elite Four members in each location.
Kanto members
Lorelei
Lorelei (カンナ, Kanna in original Japanese language versions), known as Prima in the English anime, is an expert on Ice-types. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, it is revealed that she lives on Four Island in the Sevii Islands and collects stuffed animals.
- In the anime
Lorelei appeared in the animé in the Orange Islands series, though she was called Prima (most likely because they had to lip synch properly, Kanna does not make similar mouth movements to Lorelei and is also one syllable short). The episode she appeared in was titled "The Mandarin Island Miss Match." As in the games, she is a member of the Elite Four, and is one of the few characters specifically referred to as a Pokémon Master. Misty is shown to idolize her. Lorelei battled Ash in a one-on-one match between his Pikachu and her Cloyster, and won. She later gave him some valuable advice on pokemon, which possibly helped him gain the respect of his Charizard.
- In the manga
Lorelei is a villainess in the Pokémon Adventures manga. She is one of the Elite Four, and along with Bruno, Agatha, and Lance - she tried to take over the world and kill all humans who weren't nice to Pokémon.
She froze Red and Sabrina in ice, causing them severe injuries that continued to harm them for several years. She has the ability to make voodoo dolls out of ice. Green and Sabrina defeated her at Cerise Island. Lorelei vanished for several years, and has only recently made another appearance. She saved Red and Blue from Team Rocket's Beast Warrior Trio. She decided to ally herself with Red and Blue, because Team Rocket invaded her home, the Sevii Islands.
Bruno
Bruno (シバ, Shiba in original Japanese language versions) is an expert on Fighting-types.
- In the video games
Bruno raises Fighting-type Pokémon, living with them and training with them. He joins the Elite Four out of a desire to challenge the best trainers. Throughout the series, he usually starts a battle with the phrase "hoo-hah!"
Bruno regularly visits the Sevii Islands. He and his Pokémon use the spa on Knot Island, and he visits Boon Island to buy Rage Candybars. He continues to be a member of the Elite Four in Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal. He once trained with Brawly, a Gym Leader of Hoenn.
In the original games Bruno was often considered the least challenging member of the elite four, as his Pokémon, unlike others, could be defeated solely by their weaknesses (Flying, Ghost, and Psychic Pokémon), without offering any resistance. While the others Elite Four Members stocked their Pokémon with alternative attacks, many of Bruno's Pokémon have only attacks of the same, or one type. However in later incarnations, Bruno's Pokémon would have enhancements that would allow them to challenge their weaknesses (such as his Hitmonchan and Machamp, who now know the move Rock Tomb, allowing them to super-effectively damage Pokémon of the Flying-type), increasing the difficulty of defeating him. Bruno continues to be a member of the Elite Four in the Silver and Gold versions. However he retains his old professionalism in Rock and Fighting types and is now the 3rd opponent the player must face.
- In the anime
Bruno was first seen in the very first episode, being one of the combatants Ash was watching on TV. While Ash was training for the Indigo League Championships, Ash and company learned of a guy named Bruno training deep in the mountains. Bruno said he had a great secret to becoming a great pokémon trainer after meeting them. Desperate to have him reveal his secret, Ash and Brock did various "chores" for him in which their Pokémon helped out too. In the middle of the episode, a giant Onix attacked the group, and Brock tried to use his own Onix to defeat it, but failed. Bruno tried to calm the Onix, but was unsuccessful at first. He told Onix to calm down and that he wasn't going to harm it, and that did the trick. It turned out that the Onix was in pain due to a Sandslash that was lodged deep inside Onixs rocky body. Bruno eventually caught the Onix and added it to his team. At the end of the episode, Ash asked him what the secret to becoming a great trainer was, and Bruno answered that he had no secret, and that true success comes from the feelings, trust, and bonds you have and share with your Pokémon.
- In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Bruno was primarily a villain. He challenged Red to a Pokémon battle in a remote area. He then offered a position on the Elite Four to Red, but Red refused so Lorelei froze him. Later, the Elite Four tried to wipe out most of humanity from Cerise Island. Bill, Lt. Surge, and Red teamed up to defeat Bruno.
It was later revealed that Bruno was an unwilling member. Agatha used the mind controlling abilities of her Ghost-type Pokémon to force Bruno to join. Without any place to go, Bruno formed a new version of the Elite Four in Johto, with three other ex-members of criminal organizations: Will, Karen, and Koga. Bruno attaches his Poké Balls to the ends of a set of nunchuck. The force of him using the weapon causes his Pokémon to be released at high speeds, giving him the advantage in battles.
Brawly is a former training partner of Bruno's.
Agatha
Agatha (キクコ, Kikuko in original Japanese language versions) is a fictional character in the Pokémon video game series. She is the oldest member of Kanto's Elite Four and the third one players will face. Her English name probably comes from its similarity to hag; the word aghast, meaning struck with terror; or Agatha Christie, the mystery writer. Agatha is an expert on Ghost-type Pokémon; however, most of her Pokémon share the Poison type as well (note that all Ghost-types available in Generation I were dual Poison-types).
Agatha and Professor Oak were once friendly rivals in their youth, and it appears that Agatha may have once had a crush on Oak. However, their relationship has grown bitter and strained over the years because Agatha believes he (Oak) was too weak to continue competing. A Pokémon Journal entry states that she and Oak were once fierce rivals. Oak retired to his Pokédex, while Agatha moved up and into ranks of the Elite Four.
- In the anime
Agatha appears in Advanced Generation episode 132 - The Scheme Team as a temporary leader for the Viridian City Gym. Her anime appearance is loosely based on her appearance in Fire Red and Leaf Green. As in the games, she is a member of the Elite Four.
As Ash Ketchum returns from Hoenn, he passes through Viridian City, and finds the Pokémon Gym completely rebuilt. While in Viridian City, he meets Scott, an agent for the Battle Frontier, and Agatha, the temporary Leader of the reformed Gym. Agatha asks Ash if he has come for a Gym Badge, but since Ash already has the badge for this gym, they just fight for fun. The battle is a one on one battle between Ash's Pikachu and Agatha's Gengar in which, after a fierce fight, Gengar wins the battle. Agatha also has a Golbat which she uses while fighting Team Rocket.
- In the manga
After Lance, Agatha is the main villainess in the Pokémon Adventures Yellow manga. Agatha was one of the Elite Four who tried to destroy most of humanity from their base on Cerise Island. She fought against Blue and Koga, and seemingly vanished after her defeat. Agatha used the mind-controlling powers of her Ghost-type Pokémon to control Bruno against his will.
Lance
Lance (ワタル, Wataru in original Japanese language versions) specializes in dragon Pokémon. He is Clair's cousin, having previously trained with her in Blackthorn City. In the anime, Lance captures the red Gyarados at the Lake of Rage and helps to rid Team Rocket from the area. He is the leader of the Elite Four.
- In the video games
In the video games, Lance is involved with the Elite Four, ranging from being the fourth member of the Elite Four (Red, Blue and Yellow, including the remakes), to retiring from that position and becoming the Champion of the Elite Four (Gold, Silver, and Crystal). Though Blue is dethroned as Champion by Red in Red/Blue/Yellow, it is speculated that he denied the title so he could journey and eventually take on the protagonist from Gold/Silver/Crystal.
In all of the video games, he is best known to be an expert on Dragon-types. He is also well known for having "impossible to beat" Pokémon.
In Pokémon Gold and Silver, the player encounters Lance near the Lake of Rage after Gold had defeated the red Gyarados, which was in a rage from Team Rocket's schemes. Lance compliments him on his skills, and the two of them go to where Lance believed the signal which sent the Gyarados into the rage originated. This area turned out to be a shop inside of Mahogany Town, which was actually a front for Team Rocket's hideout.
The Gym Leader of Blackthorn City, Clair, is his cousin. Clair seems to fear him, as he is the only one who has defeated her. He was also the first person in many years to pass the Dragon User's challenge, a rite of passage into the Dragon Clan, which Clair has not yet been able to pass herself. Some assume that the leader of the clan is his grandfather.
- In the anime
Lance appears in seasons five and eight of the Pokémon anime. He is described as a Pokémon G-Man, and it is his job to go undercover and learn of the plans of the evil teams. In Johto, he helps Ash and crew defeat Team Rocket and catches the red Gyarados used in their experiments. In Hoenn, he turns up to stop the battle between Groudon and Kyogre.
- In the manga
In the manga, Lance is the leader of the Elite Four, and has a large army of Dragonites, Aerodactyls and Dragonairs. He desired to destroy humanity due to all of the pollution and their hurting of Pokémon. The ultimate end result would be a world for Pokémon and the Elite Four alone. He planned to utilize the Pokémon Badge Amplifier and use the energy of the badges to create a Lugia and use it to control all of the Pokémon; using them to destroy the humans. He was stopped by Yellow when she used the Megavolt and deflected the energy of the badges to the world and filled it with plants and trees. Lance had wanted to destroy humanity ever since he was a child when he witnessed a Dratini and Magikarp hurt by the pollution of a factory.
Blue
Johto members
Will
Template:Pokémon character Will (イツキ, Itsuki in original Japanese language versions) is a trainer of Psychic-type Pokémon who is noted for his peculiar appearance—formal clothes and a mask that covers most of his face. His name could derive from "willing" or from "illusionist". The name 'Will' could also be seen as a pun for the fact that he uses psychic type pokémon, as their power depends on the strength of their mind.
Will's hair falls over the left side of his face, leading to his left eye being whited out in some depictions. This has spurred debate as to whether he has one eye or two. In the manga, his appearance is slightly different; he always wears a peculiar smile, both his eyes can be seen, and he wears a clown's ruff around his neck.
- In the manga
Will, along with Karen, Green, Silver, Shum, and Cart, is one of the children kidnapped by the Mask of Ice and raised to be his servants. Will was one of the leaders of the Neo Team Rocket formed in Johto. After the defeat of the Mask of Ice, he and Karen met Koga and Bruno. Together, the four formed a new Elite Four, and have not been heard of since.
Koga
Template:Pokémon character Koga (キョウ, Kyō in original Japanese language versions), is a character in the Pokémon video game series. His name is a reference to the Kōga-ryū school of ninjutsu.
- In the video games
In Pokémon Red and Blue, Koga operates the Fuchsia City gym, which is also a training ground for the ninja arts. He is also part of the guard that protects the border of the Safari Zone. Unlike many characters in the game, he has a habit of randomly switching Pokémon in and out[citation needed].
Later, in Pokémon Gold and Silver, he has been promoted to a member of the Elite Four, relieving the duties of Fuchsia City gym leader to his daughter Janine. He is the second member of Johto's Elite Four that the player must face and is an expert on Poison types. He is generally thought of as a ninja-like character.
- In the anime
In the anime, Koga is true to his Ninja-like character in that his gym is full of trap doors, booby-traps, and other such hidden items. After Ash, Misty, and Brock make their way around these, and finally locate Koga, Ash Challenges him to a match. Team Rocket interrupts the match, but are defeated with the help of Misty's Psyduck. A rematch occurs outside, with Ash winning.
- In the manga
In the GSC saga of Pokémon Adventures, Koga, is an ex-Team Rocket executive, and part of the former Team Rocket Triad (composed of Lt. Surge, Sabrina, and himself). During the Silph Co. battle, he uses Articuno, along with his poison Pokémon, in order to battle Red and Blue. After the fall of Team Rocket, he vanished along with the rest of Team Rocket. In this time his gym had been taken over by his daughter, Janine. His Arbok is able to regrow any part of its body so long as the head is still intact (its tail was once cut off once by Agatha's Arbok and lost half of its body to Blue's Charmeleon). He is last seen at the end of the GSC saga, when he joins Will, Karen, and Bruno to help form an Elite Four.
Karen
Template:Pokémon character Karen (カリン, Karin in original Japanese language versions) is a fictional character from the Pokémon franchise. She is a member of the Johto Elite Four in the Generation II games. She is a powerful trainer of Dark-type Pokémon.
The name "Karen" is almost an anagram of "darken". Her names in various other localizations refer to darkness or evil, most likely because of the Goth personality she has in every aspect of the franchise--In the game, she wears dark clothes along with a belt around her neck.
In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Karen appears in the Pokémon VS set. Cards in her set include Rapidash, Magmar, Flareon, Tyranitar, Umbreon and Houndoom. She also appears on two Hidden Machines: Karen's TM01 and Karen's TM02.
In Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, Karen is the fourth and final member of the Elite Four. She must be defeated before facing Lance, the League Champion.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Karen, along with Will, Green, Silver, Shum, and Cart, is one of the children kidnapped by the Mask of Ice and raised to be his servants. Karen was one of the leaders of the new Team Rocket formed in Johto. After the Mask of Ice was defeated, Karen formed an alliance with Bruno, Will, and Koga; the four of them all ex-members of various criminal organizations. In this manga, she uses an Eevee (which evolves into an Umbreon) and two separate Murkrow.
Hoenn members
Sidney
Sidney (カゲツ, Kagetsu in original Japanese language versions) is a member of Hoenn's Elite Four and the first the player faces. He is an expert on Dark-types. His Japanese name contains "kage" (影), "shadow", referring to his Dark-type Pokémon. Sidney is an upbeat character who enjoys his work, even when he loses (congratulating the player on defeating him and saying that it was "fun"). He believes the Dark-side is beautiful, and that might is right. His strategy is all-out offensive. In the video games, his Pokémon are a Shiftry, a Cacturne, an Absol, a Mightyena, and a Sharpedo in Ruby and Sapphire or a Crawdaunt in Emerald.
Sidney appeared in Pokémon Adventures, with a Zangoose and a Metang, as well as a Regirock, controlled alongside Drake.
Phoebe
Template:Pokémon character Phoebe (フヨウ, Fuyō in original Japanese language versions) is a member of Hoenn's Elite Four and the second member the protagonist faces. She is an expert on Ghost-type Pokémon, drawing obvious parallels to Agatha in Pokémon Red and Blue and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. She wears two flowers in her hair and a blue tube top that exposes her lower belly and a blue sarong patterned with Pokéballs. She is also the granddaughter of the elderly couple that live on Mt. Pyre. Phoebe can refer to the English word "phobia", as in fear, and her Japanese name can refer to "floating," an allusion to her Ghost-type Pokémon
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Phoebe took control of Regice, together with Glacia. In the video games, her party is composed of two Banette, two Dusclops, and a Sableye.
Glacia
Template:Pokémon character Glacia (プリム, Purimu, Pulim in original Japanese language versions) is a fictional character in the Pokémon video game series. She is the third member of Hoenn's Elite Four. She is an expert on Ice-types. In the video games, her party is composed of two Sealeo, a Walrein, and two Glalie. Glacia obviously refers to the English word glacier.
Drake
- For the Orange Island Gym Leader, see Drake
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Drake (ゲンジ, Genji in original Japanese language versions) is a fictional character in the Pokémon video game series. He is a member of Hoenn's Elite Four and the fourth (and last, before the Champion) the player will face. He is an expert on Dragon-types.
- In the anime
Drake has also appeared in the anime, in the episode "Vanity Affairs," where he battled Ash Ketchum.
Ash has completed the Mossdeep Gym challenge, and has become very overconfident about himself. Ash and co. soon meet Drake, whom Brock says is a member of the elite four. Drake likes Ash's style and requests to have a two on two (single) battle. Ash agrees and the battle starts. Brock warns Ash that because Drake is an elite trainer, his pokémon are very powerful. The first match is between Pikachu and Shelgon. Ash, seeing that Drake doesn't command Shelgon to attack early, becomes overconfident again and thinks he can easily win. Drake eventually tells his Shelgon to dodge Pikachu's thunderbolt and goes on to win the round with dragon claw. The second round was between Grovyle and Altaria. Ash, because of his overconfidence, has a hard time hitting Altaria and made other mistakes he normally wouldn't make, while Altaria uses dragonbreath to whittle down Grovyle's energy. Drake tells Ash to get all other distractions out of his mind and to keep focus on the battle. When Ash finally started to make a turnaround, Altaria manages to defeat Grovyle with a Solarbeam. Drake goes on to tell Ash how proud he was to see how at the very end of the match, he starts focusing on the battle like he should. He also said that if Ash had been focused on the battle and not so overconfident, he would've fared a better chance. He goes on to mention how, when he was sailing, he too became overconfident and started losing battle after battle. As he became more focused on the match rather than other thoughts, he began winning again. Near the end of the episode, Team Rocket attacked, and stole several Pokémon. Drake used his Salamence to help rescue them. In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, his team is a Shelgon, an Altaria, a Salamence, and two Flygon. In Pokémon Emerald, however, one of his Flygon was replaced by a Kingdra.
Steven Stone
Steven Stone (ツワブキダイゴ, Tsuwabuki Daigo, Daigo Tsuwabuki in original Japanese language versions) is also the son of Mr. Stone of the Devon Corporation, and has a passion for rare stones. He frequently appears during the protagonist's journey to give him/her advice. His home is in Mossdeep City. In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Steven is the champion of Hoenn's Elite Four. In Emerald, he disappears and his spot is taken by Wallace, although he fights a double battle with the player against the Magma Leader Maxie and Admin Tabitha and can be fought later at Meteor Falls after beating the Elite Four and Wallace. He is an expert on Steel types. Steven's signature Pokemon is Metagross which is a Steel/Psychic type.
Steven made an appearance in the anime episode "A Hole Lotta Trouble." The only Pokémon of his revealed in the episode was Aggron. Despite having a much bigger role in the games, he was only seen once in the anime, with his plotline in the Kyogre-Groudon saga being taken over by Lance.
It is unknown why he stepped down as the Pokémon league champion; probably to study the stones of Meteor Falls. In the Emerald Version, you can battle him only once. The battle music is the same as the battle with May/Brendan. His team is the same as it was in Ruby and Sapphire Versions, but they are 20 levels higher.
Wallace
Wallace (ミクリ, Mikuri in original Japanese language versions) is a character in the Pokémon video game series. In Emerald, he was once the Gym Leader of Sootopolis City, but was replaced by his mentor, Juan when he became champion of Hoenn's Elite Four. He is an expert on Water-types. In all games, Wallace is the guardian of the Cave of Origin, where deceased Pokémon are resurrected and where the player may catch Groudon and Kyogre in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, respectively. Wallace's signature Pokemon is Milotic which knows Ice Beam, Surf, Recover, and Toxic in Emerald Version.
- In the manga
In Pokémon Adventures, he is the Sootopolis Gym Leader, in addition to being a contest master as well as the protector of the Cave of Origin. Wallace also takes Ruby under his wing, much like how Winona did for Sapphire. Despite having aligned himself with Team Aqua, he has a strong sense of justice, and is the first of the aligned Gym Leaders to renounce his loyalty, convincing Winona of the Magmas to do the same.
It was revealed in Volume 21 that Wallace was the Hoenn League Champion who had entered the Hall of Fame. However, he renounced the title as he expressed his wish of following his mentor, Juan's, footstep of becoming a Gym Leader of his city. According to Steven, what Wallace did not mention to the director of the Pokémon Association is that there is a second reason for his renouncement: He was trying to stay with Winona, the Fortree Gym Leader.
He and Winona apparently had some sort of relationship in the past, speculated by most fans to have been romantic. Although it is largely unconfirmed whether Winona still has feelings for him, it is quite obvious that he still has feelings for her, based on the scene where the two say their goodbyes before they leave to fight Kyogre and Groudon in Volume 20.
Wallace usually travels on an "Air Car", which can travel on both the land and the air. He is also the only Hoenn Gym Leader who nicknamed his Pokémon.
Sinnoh members
Aaron
Template:Pokémon character Aaron (リョウ, Ryō in original Japanese language versions) is a character in the Pokémon video game series. As the first member of Elite Four in Sinnoh, Aaron is a Bug-type expert. He has a variety of Bug-type Pokémon, ranging from Level 53 to Level 57. Aaron also wears a vest or undershirt that is based on Combee. His name may come from arachna, a word referring to animals like spiders.
His main strategy is to induce status problems on his opponents and deal damage directly or indirectly. Without using status-healing items while battling with Aaron, it is quite difficult to defeat him.
He takes great pride in his Bug Pokemon, calling them beautiful and perfect. Despite these arrogant sounding claims, he is a good sport, and accepts his defeat gracefully.
His Pokémon are Dustox, Heracross, Vespiquen, Beautifly and Drapion.
Bertha
Template:Pokémon character Bertha (キクノ, Kikuno in original Japanese language versions) is a character in the Pokémon video game series. She is the second member of Elite Four and is a Ground-type master. Bertha has an uncanny resemblance to Agatha, an Elite four member of Kanto. However, she specializes in a completely different type. The specific pokemon she specializes in are the ghost type, but most of her pokemon also share the poison-type.
Her Pokémon are Quagsire, Hippowdon, Sudowoodo, Whiscash, and Golem
Flint
Template:Pokémon character Flint (オーバ, Ōba, Oba in original Japanese language versions) is a character in the Pokémon video game series. He is the third member of Elite Four in Sinnoh a Fire-type enthusiast. While focusing on Fire-type Pokémon, he also mixes his team with various Pokémon with different types to stand an advantage against his opponents. However, this is also because Rapidash and Infernape are the only fire types in the Sinnoh region so that a team of five fire type would contain multiples of these pokemon.
His Pokémon are Rapidash, Drifblim, Infernape, Steelix, and Lopunny. Flint meets the player before battling him or her in Sunyshore City. When there, he will be right at the city's entrance and ask the player to bring Volkner back to his gym; therefore, Flint may know Volkner. Later on when exploring the Stark Mountain of the Battle Zone, Buck the Pokémon Trainer that teams up with the protagonist mentions that his brother is in the Elite Four which may be referencing Flint as they have the same colored hair, dress similarly, and have the same hyperactive attitude. In addition, the both of them are cocky at beginning but respect your own skill in the end. In a way, Flint resembles Lance, the Dragon elite, because of flashing eyebrows and unusual red hair styles. Both Lance and Flint have types not based directly on their specialty as well.
Lucian
Template:Pokémon character Lucian (ゴヨウ, Goyō in original Japanese language versions), the final member of the Elite Four in Sinnoh, is a Psychic-type trainer. He is known to read books in between matches. Most of his Pokémon are dual-typed. Lucian's Pokémon are Mr. Mime, Medicham, Alakazam, Girafarig, and Bronzong. Using a lot of items and strong Psychic-type moves, he is a tough trainer to defeat. Also, like Bertha, he resembles Lorelei, an ice-type elite. Also, many could say he also resembles Will of the Johto Elite Four without the mask and different hair color.
- In the anime
Lucian made an appearance in the Diamond and Pearl episode, "Elite Four Goyō and Dōtakun". Lucian and his Bronzong battled Dawn and her newly caught Buizel. Dawn battled Lucian two times but lost.
Cynthia
Template:Pokémon character Cynthia (シロナ, Shirona in original Japanese language versions) is a character in the Pokémon video game series and the Champion of the Sinnoh Elite four, as well as the first female league champion in the Pokémon video game series (excluding use of a female player character).
Her Pokémon include Spiritomb, Garchomp, Lucario, Gastrodon, Milotic, and Roserade. She helps the player with several odd predicaments throughout the game, such as alleviating the headaches of a group of Psyduck. Her grandmother is the elder of Celestic Town, and she has a strong interest in Pokemon mythology. She first meets the player to give him or her the Hidden Machine for Cut. She says that when she was younger she traveled around with a Pokedex for Professor Rowan.
External links
- StrategyWiki’s guide to beating The Elite Four of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire