Elite Four

The Elite Four (Japanese: 四天王 The Big Four, lit. Four Heavenly Kings) are four Pokémon Trainers who are regarded as the toughest in their regional Pokémon League, just short of the Pokémon League Champion. Those who challenge the Elite Four must have won all eight Badges from that region (or, for Trainers in Alola, must have completed all of their island challenge trials). To become Champion, Trainers must face all four and the current Champion consecutively without losing to any of them.

Artwork of Chase and Elaine confronting the Kanto Elite Four in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

One group resides at the Indigo Plateau in Kanto and are considered the best Trainers in both Kanto and Johto. Another group is located in Ever Grande City in Hoenn, while another is located on Mount Lanakila in Alola. Three more groups reside at the Pokémon Leagues in Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos.

In the games, they use strong medicine items in battles. In Generation II, they use Max Potions, and from Generation III onwards, they use Full Restores.

In the games

Indigo Elite Four

At the Indigo Plateau — the site of the Pokémon League in Kanto and Johto — the Elite Four must be battled in a fixed order.

Generations I, III, and VII

In the Generation I games Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow (Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow in Japan), the Generation III games Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, and the Generation VII games Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the Elite Four at Indigo Plateau consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Generation I Generation III Generation VII
After Kanto After Sevii Initial Rematch
 
Lorelei
カンナ Kanna
Ice    
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
 
Bruno
シバ Siba
Fighting    
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
 
Agatha
キクコ Kikuko
Ghost    
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
 
Lance
ワタル Wataru
Dragon    
  
   
  
   
  
   
   


Generations II and IV

In the Generation II games Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal and the Generation IV games Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Elite Four at Indigo Plateau consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Generation II Generation IV
After 8 Badges After 16 Badges
 
Will
イツキ Itsuki
Psychic    
  
   
   
 
Koga
キョウ Kyō
Poison    
  
   
   
 
Bruno
シバ Siba
Fighting    
  
   
   
 
Karen
カリン Karin
Dark    
  
   
   


Hoenn Elite Four

In Hoenn, the Elite Four must be battled in a fixed order. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the Elite Four at Ever Grande City consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Ruby and Sapphire Emerald Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Initial Rematch
 
Sidney
カゲツ Kagetsu
Dark    
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
 
Phoebe
フヨウ Fuyō
Ghost    
  
   
  
   
   
 
Glacia
プリム Prim
Ice    
  
   
  
   
   
 
Drake
ゲンジ Genji
Dragon    
  
   
  
   
  
   
   


Sinnoh Elite Four

In Sinnoh, the Elite Four must be battled in a fixed order. In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, the Elite Four at the Sinnoh Pokémon League consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Diamond and Pearl Platinum
 
Aaron
リョウ Ryou
Bug    
  
   
  
 
Bertha
キクノ Kikuno
Ground    
  
   
  
 
Flint
オーバ Ōba
Fire    
  
   
  
 
Lucian
ゴヨウ Goyō
Psychic    
  
   
  


Unova Elite Four

In Unova, the Elite Four may be challenged in any order. In Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, the Elite Four at the Unova Pokémon League consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Black and White Black 2 and White 2
Easy/Normal Mode Challenge Mode
Initial Rematch Initial Rematch Initial Rematch
 
Shauntal
シキミ Shikimi
Ghost   
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
 
Marshal
レンブ Renbu
Fighting   
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
 
Grimsley
ギーマ Giima
Dark   
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
 
Caitlin
カトレア Cattleya
Psychic   
  
   
   
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
   


Kalos Elite Four

In Kalos, the Elite Four may be challenged in any order. In Pokémon X and Y, the Elite Four at the Kalos Pokémon League consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
X and Y
 
Malva
パキラ Pachira
Fire   
  
 
Siebold
ズミ Zumi
Water   
  
 
Wikstrom
ガンピ Gampi
Steel   
  
 
Drasna
ドラセナ Dracaena
Dragon   
  


Alola Elite Four

In Alola, the Elite Four may be challenged in any order. All Elite Four members use Ultra Balls to store their Pokémon.

Sun and Moon

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, the Elite Four at the Alola Pokémon League consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Sun and Moon
 
Hala
ハラ Hala
Fighting    
  
 
Olivia
ライチ Lychee
Rock    
  
 
Acerola
アセロラ Acerola
Ghost    
  
 
Kahili
カヒリ Kahili
Flying    
  


Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Elite Four at the Alola Pokémon League consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
 
Molayne
マーレイン Mullein
Steel    
  
 
Olivia
ライチ Lychee
Rock    
  
 
Acerola
アセロラ Acerola
Ghost    
  
 
Kahili
カヒリ Kahili
Flying    
  


In the anime

In the main series

 
The Sinnoh Elite Four in the anime

In the Pokémon anime, Ash and his friends infrequently meet the members of the Elite Four, who then impart them with battle strategies.

In Kanto, Ash has met the entire Elite Four roster:

In Hoenn, Ash has met only one Elite Four member:

  • Drake appeared in Vanity Affair, where he invited Ash and his friends to his boat, where he had a battle with Ash.

In Sinnoh, Ash has also met the entire Elite Four roster:

In Unova, Ash has also met only one Elite Four member:

In Kalos, Ash has only met Malva, although two other Elite Four members have appeared as well:

In Alola, Ash has met the entire Elite Four rosters from both the Sun and Moon and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon paired versions, though none of them presented themselves as such, because the Alola League was not established until The Dealer of Destruction! in the anime:

It has been stated by Lucian in An Elite Meet and Greet! that when a Trainer wins their respective region's League Conference, they can participate in the Champion League, fighting the members of that region's Elite Four, and then the Champion as well. It has also been shown that an Elite Four member can challenge the Champion and obtain the title from him or her in battle.

In Pokémon Origins

 
The Kanto Elite Four in Pokémon Origins

The members of the Kanto Elite Four made brief appearances in File 4: Charizard. Red was shown defeating all four members, allowing him to move on to face the Pokémon League Champion, Blue.

In Pokémon Generations

 
The Kanto Elite Four in Pokémon Generations

The members of the Kanto Elite Four made brief appearances in The Challenger. Blue was shown defeating all four members, allowing him to become the Pokémon League Champion. Later in the episode, Red was revealed to have defeated them as well, since he was seen about to challenge Blue.

In the manga

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Needs other manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

 
Kanto Elite Four in Pokémon Adventures

The Kanto Elite Four, consisting of Lorelei, Bruno, Lance, and Agatha, made their debut in A Charizard...and a Champion watching the final battle between Red and Blue before serving as the primary antagonists for the Yellow arc of the manga. They are each said to be so powerful that triad leaders of Team Rocket, Koga, Lt. Surge, and Sabrina all had to begrudgingly team up with the protagonists and Blaine to take just a single one of them.

The Johto Elite Four is formed at the end of the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc. It consists of accomplished Pokémon Trainers that were formerly part of criminal organizations, who would eventually rise as the official Elite Four of Indigo Plateau. Will, Bruno, Karen, and Koga united to train together after they were no longer being controlled. They reappeared in the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, where they were seen participating on the Pokéathlon and later fighting Lance's Dragonite.

 
Hoenn Elite Four in Pokémon Adventures

The Hoenn Elite Four, consisting of Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, and Drake, made an appearance in the Ruby & Sapphire arc, helping to find and catch the legendary titans in order to contain the massive surge of energy created by the clash of Kyogre and Groudon alongside Steven and Wallace, their two regional Champions. It is also during the Hoenn Elite Four's appearance that the challenge of the Elite Four and Champion was mentioned as having replaced a knockout tournament to determine the best Trainer in the region.

The first Sinnoh Elite Four member to debut in the series was Flint, who made a cameo appearance in the last round of the Diamond & Pearl arc. Aaron, Bertha, and Lucian appeared in the Platinum arc, where they were enlisted by the Pokémon Association Chairman to decode the ancient writings in Charon's memobook.

The Unova Elite Four first appeared in the Black & White arc as Black cited them during his daily pledge. However, they haven't appeared to the main characters as a group yet. Besides Caitlin, who already appeared in the Platinum chapter, Grimsley meets Black, Shauntal meets White, and Marshal meets both on different occasions. All four converged for the duration of the Unova League tournament that would have determined the Trainer that would challenge them.

The first Kalos Elite Four member to appear is Malva, who appeared in person in X & Y arc. Drasna, Wikstrom, and Siebold were mentioned by Diantha during her conversation with Gurkinn and Korrina. Siebold later appeared in the Lost Hotel, cooking a meal for X and Y's friends, as a way of apologizing for his lack of participation against Team Flare. Wikstrom and Drasna later appeared in person, assisting X and Y's group in their quest to stop Team Flare. Drasna gave them information about Zygarde and Wikstrom used his Probopass to guide them to Team Flare's hideout.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

The Kanto Elite Four members appeared in Indigo Plateau, where all of them were defeated by Satoshi, allowing him to face the Champion, Shigeru.

Trivia

  • In the Generation I games, the battles against Lorelei, Bruno, and Agatha use the standard Trainer battle theme, while the Gym Leader battle theme is played only against Lance. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the Gym Leader battle theme plays during the battles against all four members of the Elite Four.
  • In the Kanto-based games:
    • The Elite Four's specialty types are the types that were the least common types in Generation I.
    • Every Elite Four member has at least one Pokémon not of their specialty type during the first battle.
  • The Kalos Elite Four members are the only ones that don't have higher level Pokémon in future rematches with them in any game.
    • Additionally, they are the only ones who use just four Pokémon in rematches with them. All other Elite Four members use either five or six Pokémon during rematches.
  • Prior to Generation V, the Elite Four typically progressed in level with their Pokémon in the games. Starting in Generation V, all members of the Elite Four (except in remakes) use Pokémon of the same levels, as they can be challenged in any order.
  • The Sinnoh Elite Four and Generation I Elite Four are the only Elite Four of which all members have appeared in the anime.
  • Pokémon Puzzle League features its own Elite Four: Ritchie, Lorelei, Bruno, and Gary. Gary serves as the leader of the Elite Four and the Puzzle League Champion.
  • The Alola Elite Four is the only Elite Four with more female members than male members.
  • There have been more Ghost-type Elite Four members than any other type, with four.
  • Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! are the only games to date in which the player can change their Pokémon party between Elite Four matches, due to the presence of the Pokémon Box in the player's Bag.
  • Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are the first core series games to not feature an Elite Four.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 四天王 Seitīnwòhng
Mandarin 四天王 Sìtiānwáng
  Czech Elitní čtyřka
  Danish Elitekvartetten
  Dutch Elite Vier
Grote vier*
  Finnish Eliittineloset
  European French Conseil 4 (II+)
Conseil des 4 (I)
  German Top Vier
  Greek Εκλεκτή Τετράδα Eklektí Tetráda
  Hebrew אליט פור Eelit For
רביעיית האליט Revi'hiat Ha'Eelit
  Hindi धमाल चोकडी Dhamaal Chokdi*
शानदार चार Shandaar Char*
  Italian Superquattro
  Korean 사천왕 Sacheonwang
  Polish Elitarna Czwórka*
Elita Czterech*
Wielka Czwórka*
Czwarta Elita*
Portuguese   Brazil Elite dos Quatro (anime, manga)
Elite Quatro (The Official Pokémon Handbook)
  Portugal Quarteto de Elite
Elite Four*
  Romanian Elita celor Patru
  Russian Элитная Четвёрка Elitnaya Chetbyorka
Spanish   Latin America Élite Cuatro
Alto Mando
  Spain Alto Mando
  Swedish Elitfyran
Elitkvartetten*
  Turkish Elit Dörtlü
  Vietnamese Tứ Thiên Vương

See also


  The Pokémon League  
Participation
TrainerBattleGym Leaders
GymsBadgesReferee
Championship matches
Elite FourOrange League
Champion League
Pokémon League Conferences
IndigoSilverEver GrandeLily of the Valley
VertressLumioseManalo
Regional Pokémon Leagues
IndigoOrange*JohtoHoennSinnoh
UnovaKalosAlolaGalarPaldea
Areas of jurisdiction
Pokémon League Reception GateHall of Fame
Palace of VictoryCerulean Cave
Others
Pokémon AssociationPIA
World Coronation Series
(Masters Eight Tournament)



Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Kanto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*Bug CatcherBurglarCamper*ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE
ChannelerElite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPEEngineerFishermanGamer*GentlemanGym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE
HikerJugglerLassPicnicker*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Trainer*GSCPEPsychicRivalFRLGRockerRoughneck*
SailorScientistSuper NerdSwimmerTamerTeam Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPETeam Rocket Grunt*Youngster
BoarderHGSSDouble TeamHGSSFirebreatherGSCHGSSGuitaristGSCHGSSMediumGSCHGSS
PokéfanGSCHGSSSchool Kid*GSCHGSSSkierHGSSTeacherGSCHGSSTwinsGSCFRLGHGSS
Cool CoupleFRLGCrush KinFRLGSis and BroFRLGYoung CoupleFRLGHGSS
Coach TrainerPEKarate MasterPEPunk GuyPETeam RocketPETeam Rocket AdminPE
Master TrainersPE
Unused Trainer class:
ChiefRGBY
Hoenn Ace Trainer*Aqua AdminSEASAqua LeaderSEASAroma LadyBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack Belt
Bug CatcherBug ManiacCamperChampionCollectorDragon TamerElite FourExpertFisherman
GentlemanGuitaristHex ManiacHikerInterviewers*KindlerLadyLassLeaderMagma AdminREOR
Magma LeaderREORNinja BoyOld CoupleParasol LadyPicnickerPoké Fan*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Breeder*
Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*PsychicRich BoyRuin ManiacSailorSchoolkid*Sis & Bro*Swimmer
Team Aqua GruntSEASTeam Magma GruntREORTeammates*TriathleteTuberTwinsWinstrateYoung CoupleYoungster
Ace DuoORASBrains & BrawnORASBackpackerORASDelinquentORASFairy Tale GirlORASFare PrinceORAS
Free DiverORASLeadersORASLorekeeperORASMysterious SistersORASProprietorORASRotation GirlORAS
Scuba DiverORASSecret Base ExpertORASSecret Base TrainerORASSootopolitanORASStreet ThugORAS
Battle Frontier only:E
Arena TycoonDome AceFactory HeadPalace MavenPike QueenPyramid KingSalon Maiden
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS
ArtistBattle ChatelaineButlerChefFurisode GirlGarçonGardenerMadameMaidMonsieurOwnerPreschooler
Punk GirlPunk GuyRising StarRoller SkaterSchoolboySchoolgirlScientistTouristVeteranWaitressWorker
Sinnoh Ace TrainerAroma LadyArtistBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack BeltBug CatcherCameramanCamperChampion
ClownCollectorCommanderCowgirlCyclistDouble TeamDragon TamerElite FourFisher*GentlemanGuitarist
Gym Leader*HikerIdolInterviewersJoggerLadyLassMadame*Ninja BoyParasol LadyPicnickerPIPoké Fan*
Poké KidPokémon Breeder*Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*Police Officer*PsychicRancherRanchers*
ReporterRich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSailorSchool KidScientistSkierSwimmerTeam Galactic Boss*
Team Galactic Grunt*Tower TycoonTuberTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoung CoupleYoungster
Arcade StarPtCastle ValetPtFactory HeadPtHall MatronPtMaidPtGAME FREAK'sBDSP
Unova Ace TrainerArtistBackersBackpackerBakerBattle GirlBikerBlack BeltChampionClerk
CyclistDancerDepot AgentDoctorElite FourFishermanGAME FREAKGentlemanGym Leader*
HarlequinHikerHooligansHoopsterInfielderJanitorLadyLassLinebackerMaidMotorcyclistMusician
NurseNursery AideParasol LadyPilotPokéfanPKMN BreederPKMN RangerPokémon Trainer*Policeman
PreschoolerPsychicRich BoyRoughneckSchool KidScientistSmasherSocialiteStrikerSubway Boss
SwimmerTeam PlasmaTeam Plasma GruntThe RichesBWTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoungster
BeautyB2W2Boss TrainerB2W2GuitaristB2W2
Pokéstar Studios only:B2W2
A-list ActorActorActressBig StarCelebrityChic ActressChild StarComedian
Fine ActorMovie StarNew ActressStar ActorSuit ActorUnique StarVeteran Star
Pokémon World Tournament only:B2W2
Junior RepresentativeMaster RepresentativeSenior Representative
World ChampionWorld FinalistWorld Runner-up
Blueberry Academy only:SV
BB League ChampionBB League Elite FourBlueberry Academy Director
DirectorInstructorLeague ClubStudentTop Champion
Kalos Ace DuoAce TrainerArtistArtist FamilyBackpackerBattle GirlBeautyBlack BeltBrains & Brawn
ButlerChampionChefDriverElite FourFairy Tale GirlFishermanFurisode GirlGarçonGardener
Hex ManiacHikerHoneymoonersLassLeaderLumiose Gang MemberMysterious SistersOwner
Poké FanPoké Fan FamilyPokémon BreederPokémon ProfessorPokémon RangerPokémon Trainer
PreschoolerPsychicPunk CouplePunk GirlPunk GuyRangersRising StarRoller Skater
SchoolboySchoolgirlScientistSky TrainerSuccessorSuspicious ChildSuspicious Lady
Suspicious WomanSwimmerTeam FlareTeam Flare AdminTeam Flare BossTeam Flare Grunt
TouristTwinsVeteranWaitressWorkerYoungster
Battle Chateau ranks:
By male: BaronViscountEarlMarquisDukeGrand Duke
By female: BaronessViscountessCountessMarchionessDuchessGrand Duchess
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:
Battle ChatelaineLadyMadameMaidMonsieurRich Boy
Unused Trainer classes:
Ace SurferSwimmers
Alola Ace DuoAce TrainerAether Branch ChiefAether FoundationAether Foundation Employee
Aether PresidentAthletic SiblingsBackpackerBeautyBellhopBlack BeltCaptainCollectorCookDancer
Eevee UserElite FourEspeon UserFirefighterFishermanFlareon UserGAME FREAKGentlemanGlaceon User
Golf BuddiesGolferHikerHoneymoonersIsland KahunaJanitorJolteon UserKarate FamilyLassLeafeon User
MadameOffice WorkerPokémon BreederPokémon ProfessorPokémon TrainerPolice OfficerPreschooler
PrincipalPunk GirlPunk GuyPunk PairRising StarRising Star DuoScientistSightseerSwimmerSwimmers
Swimmer GirlsSylveon UserTeacherTeam SkullTeam Skull AdminTeam Skull BossTeam Skull Grunt
Trial GuideTwinsUmbreon UserVaporeon UserVeteranVeteran DuoWorkerYoungsterYouth Athlete
ActorUSUMCapoeira CoupleUSUMDancing FamilyUSUMKantonian GymUSUMMaster & ApprenticeUSUM
ReporterUSUMSparring PartnersUSUMSurferUSUMTeam AquaUSUMTeam FlareUSUMTeam GalacticUSUM
Team MagmaUSUMTeam PlasmaUSUMTeam Rainbow RocketUSUMTeam Rainbow Rocket GruntUSUM
Tourist CoupleUSUMUltra Forest KartenvoyUSUltra Recon SquadUSUM
Battle Tree, Battle Royal Dome, and Battle Agency only:
Battle LegendPokémon Center LadyPro Wrestler


  This Trainer Class article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.