Appendix:Platinum walkthrough/Section 20

Pokémon League (north)

Ground floor

Items
Item Location Games Sky Plate South of western Poké Ball statue at exit from Victory Road (hidden)  Pt

Before you challenge the Pokémon League, use the Dowsing Machine app on your Pokétch near the base of the waterfall to find the Sky Plate. Now, use Surf and Waterfall to enter the building. Before going to the receptionist make sure to have a very good well-balanced team. Also make sure that all the members of your team are trained around Levels 54-58 to be able to stand a chance of succeeding. Also stock up on Hyper or Max Potions, Full Heals, Revives, and Full Restores. Just before you get to the receptionist in front of the door leading to the Elite Four, Barry will appear and challenge you to determine who among the two of you is more worthy.

If the player chose Turtwig:	If the player chose Chimchar:	If the player chose Piplup:
Pokémon Trainer Barry Pokémon League Platinum Reward: $5100 Types: Normal Flying Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Staraptor♂ Lv.48 Close Combat Fighting Physical   --       Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --       Steel Wing Steel Physical   --       U-turn Bug Physical   --       Type: Water Unknown Ability: Swift Swim Held item: None Floatzel♂ Lv.47 Aqua Jet Water Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Ice Fang Ice Physical   --       Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Immunity Held item: None Snorlax♂ Lv.49 Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rest Psychic Status   --       Types: Bug Fighting Ability: Swarm Held item: None Heracross♂ Lv.48 Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --       Close Combat Fighting Physical   --       Night Slash Dark Physical   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Types: Grass Poison Ability: Natural Cure Held item: None Roserade♂ Lv.47 Giga Drain Grass Special   --       GrassWhistle Grass Status   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Poison Jab Poison Physical   --       Types: Fire Fighting Ability: Blaze Held item: None Infernape♂ Lv.51 Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --	Pokémon Trainer Barry Pokémon League Platinum Reward: $5100 Types: Normal Flying Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Staraptor♂ Lv.48 Close Combat Fighting Physical   --       Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --       Steel Wing Steel Physical   --       U-turn Bug Physical   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Run Away Held item: None Rapidash♂ Lv.47 Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Sunny Day Fire Status   --       Bounce Flying Physical   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Immunity Held item: None Snorlax♂ Lv.49 Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rest Psychic Status   --       Types: Bug Fighting Ability: Swarm Held item: None Heracross♂ Lv.48 Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --       Close Combat Fighting Physical   --       Night Slash Dark Physical   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Types: Grass Poison Ability: Natural Cure Held item: None Roserade♂ Lv.47 Giga Drain Grass Special   --       GrassWhistle Grass Status   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Poison Jab Poison Physical   --       Types: Water Steel Ability: Torrent Held item: None Empoleon♂ Lv.51 Brine Water Special   --       Metal Claw Steel Physical   --       Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --	Pokémon Trainer Barry Pokémon League Platinum Reward: $5100 Types: Normal Flying Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Staraptor♂ Lv.48 Close Combat Fighting Physical   --       Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --       Steel Wing Steel Physical   --       U-turn Bug Physical   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Run Away Held item: None Rapidash♂ Lv.47 Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Sunny Day Fire Status   --       Bounce Flying Physical   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Type: Water Unknown Ability: Swift Swim Held item: None Floatzel♂ Lv.47 Aqua Jet Water Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Ice Fang Ice Physical   --       Brick Break Fighting Physical   --       Types: Bug Fighting Ability: Swarm Held item: None Heracross♂ Lv.48 Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --       Close Combat Fighting Physical   --       Night Slash Dark Physical   --       Rock Slide Rock Physical   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Immunity Held item: None Snorlax♂ Lv.49 Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rest Psychic Status   --       Types: Grass Ground Ability: Overgrow Held item: None Torterra♂ Lv.51 Leaf Storm Grass Special   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Synthesis Grass Status   --

The main new change is that Barry's Munchlax has evolved into a Snorlax, which should help count Snorlax as seen in the Sinnoh Pokédex. Snorlax can be easily brought down by a powerful Fighting-type attack such as Cross Chop or Close Combat. Other than that the same weaknesses as before can be used to defeat the other members of his team. Afterwards Barry will leave convinced he is not ready yet if he keeps losing like this, but vows to be the one to defeat you.

Talk to the Ace Trainer and once he confirms you have the eight Sinnoh Badges you can then face the Elite Four, but just remember that if you lose after passing through the doorway, you must start over.

Elite Four

Aaron

Aaron's room

Elite Four Aaron Pokémon League Platinum Reward: $6360

Types: Bug Flying Ability: Speed Boost Held item: None Yanmega♂ Lv.49 Bug Buzz Bug Special   --       Air Slash Flying Special   --       U-turn Bug Physical   --       Double Team Normal Status   --       Types: Bug Steel Ability: Swarm Held item: None Scizor♂ Lv.49 Iron Head Steel Physical   --       X-Scissor Bug Physical   --       Night Slash Dark Physical   --       Quick Attack Normal Physical   --       Types: Bug Fighting Ability: Swarm Held item: None Heracross♂ Lv.51 Close Combat Fighting Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Night Slash Dark Physical   --       Types: Bug Flying Ability: Pressure Held item: None Vespiquen♀ Lv.50 Attack Order Bug Physical   --       Defend Order Bug Status   --       Heal Order Bug Status   --       Power Gem Rock Special   --       Types: Poison Dark Ability: Battle Armor Held item: Sitrus Berry Drapion♂ Lv.53 Cross Poison Poison Physical   --       X-Scissor Bug Physical   --       Aerial Ace Flying Physical   --       Ice Fang Ice Physical   --

The first member of the Elite Four is Aaron, who specialises in Bug-types. Aaron's Yanmega can heighten its evasiveness with Double Team and its speed through its ability, Speed Boost. Take it down before it becomes a problem. Aerial Ace or Shock Wave can help if it gets too hectic. Both Heracross and Vespiquen know Rock attacks that threaten Flying-types, but a powerful Flying-type move can easily bring them down. For Scizor, a Fire-type would be best. For Drapion, his strongest Pokémon, you can use a Ground-type to target its one weakness (though it does have Ice Fang to counter Ground-types) or use a Steel-type that resists its moves.

Bertha

Bertha's room

Elite Four Bertha Pokémon League Platinum Reward: $6600

Types: Water Ground Ability: Oblivious Held item: None Whiscash♀ Lv.50 Earth Power Ground Special   --       Sandstorm Rock Status   --       Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical   --       Aqua Tail Water Physical   --       Types: Ground Flying Ability: Hyper Cutter Held item: None Gliscor♀ Lv.53 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Fire Fang Fire Physical   --       Ice Fang Ice Physical   --       Thunder Fang Electric Physical   --       Types: Rock Ground Ability: Rock Head Held item: None Golem♀ Lv.52 Fire Punch Fire Physical   --       ThunderPunch Electric Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Sandstorm Rock Status   --       Type: Ground Unknown Ability: Sand Stream Held item: None Hippowdon♀ Lv.52 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Yawn Normal Status   --       Types: Ground Rock Ability: Lightningrod Held item: Sitrus Berry Rhyperior♀ Lv.55 Avalanche Ice Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Rock Wrecker Rock Physical   --

For dealing with Bertha's team if you have a fast Grass or Water-type, then you should have an easy time. Whiscash has a 4× weakness to Grass-types, Golem, Rhyperior have a 4× weakness to Grass and Water-types, and Gliscor has a 4× weakness to Ice-types. Exploit these weaknesses with attacks such as Ice Beam or Surf. Hit Hippowdon, her only single type Pokémon, with powerful attacks before it can hit back. While Gliscor, Golem, and Rhyperior know moves to cover several of their weaknesses, their low Special Defense can still be exploited.

Flint

Flint's room

Elite Four Flint Pokémon League Platinum Reward: $6840

Types: Dark Fire Ability: Early Bird Held item: None Houndoom♂ Lv.52 Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Sunny Day Fire Status   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Flareon♂ Lv.55 Overheat Fire Special   --       Giga Impact Normal Physical   --       Quick Attack Normal Physical   --       Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Run Away Held item: None Rapidash♂ Lv.53 Flare Blitz Fire Physical   --       SolarBeam Grass Special   --       Bounce Flying Physical   --       Sunny Day Fire Status   --       Types: Fire Fighting Ability: Blaze Held item: None Infernape♂ Lv.55 Flare Blitz Fire Physical   --       ThunderPunch Electric Physical   --       Mach Punch Fighting Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Flame Body Held item: Sitrus Berry Magmortar♂ Lv.57 Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Thunderbolt Electric Special   --       SolarBeam Grass Special   --       Hyper Beam Normal Special   --

Flint will thank you for helping Volkner earlier and then face you in a battle. Be careful when his Pokémon use Sunny Day, as it can raise their Fire-type moves and weaken the power of Water-type moves. His first Pokémon Houndoom should be taken down as quick as possible to help give you an early lead before Sunny Day is used. Flareon should not be much of a problem, though be careful with Overheat since it is very powerful when first used. Also, its Will-O-Wisp can induce a burn, which can easily halt sweeps. Rapidash's speed can be a hassle, and its Solar Beam can cover its weaknesses, especially in harsh sunlight. Infernape is weak to Water, Ground, Flying, and Psychic, but it can cover Water- and Flying-types with Thunder Punch. His strongest Pokémon Magmortar has a pretty strong moveset and Special Attack, but a faster Pokémon with a strong Water, Rock, or Ground-type move could easily take it out. However, be careful not to use physical/contact moves, as Flame Body may burn your sweeper. Ground Pokémon such as Garchomp are especially useful in this fight.

Lucian

Lucian's room

Elite Four Lucian Pokémon League Platinum Reward: $7080

Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Soundproof Held item: None Mr. Mime♂ Lv.53 Psychic Psychic Special   --       Light Screen Psychic Status   --       Reflect Psychic Status   --       Thunderbolt Electric Special   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Synchronize Held item: None Espeon♂ Lv.55 Psychic Psychic Special   --       Quick Attack Normal Physical   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Signal Beam Bug Special   --       Types: Steel Psychic Ability: Levitate Held item: None Bronzong Lv.54 Psychic Psychic Special   --       Gyro Ball Steel Physical   --       Calm Mind Psychic Status   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Type: Psychic Unknown Ability: Synchronize Held item: None Alakazam♂ Lv.56 Psychic Psychic Special   --       Focus Blast Fighting Special   --       Recover Normal Status   --       Energy Ball Grass Special   --       Types: Psychic Fighting Ability: Steadfast Held item: Sitrus Berry Gallade♂ Lv.59 Psycho Cut Psychic Physical   --       Drain Punch Fighting Physical   --       Leaf Blade Grass Physical   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --

Mr. Mime can Reflect or Light Screen to halve out the power of your moves, so it's advised to take it out quickly. Espeon and Alakazam have low physical Defense, but they are fast and know attacks that are strong against Dark. Bronzong has high Defenses and is only weak to Fire. While it can use Earthquake to cover Fire-types, its slow speed makes it easy to bring down by a powerful Fire-type Attack. Gallade is weak to only Flying- and Ghost-type attacks. Be careful when using Flying-types as it can counter them with Stone Edge. A powerful Pokémon like Staraptor can easily beat it with Brave Bird.

Champion Cynthia

Cynthia's room

Champion Cynthia Pokémon League Platinum Reward: $12400

Types: Ghost Dark Ability: Pressure Held item: None Spiritomb♀ Lv.58 Silver Wind Bug Special   --       Dark Pulse Dark Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Psychic Psychic Special   --       Types: Grass Poison Ability: Natural Cure Held item: None Roserade♀ Lv.58 Sludge Bomb Poison Special   --       Energy Ball Grass Special   --       Extrasensory Psychic Special   --       Toxic Poison Status   --       Type: Water Unknown Ability: Marvel Scale Held item: None Milotic♀ Lv.58 Mirror Coat Psychic Special   --       Dragon Pulse Dragon Special   --       Ice Beam Ice Special   --       Surf Water Special   --       Types: Fighting Steel Ability: Steadfast Held item: None Lucario♂ Lv.60 Aura Sphere Fighting Special   --       Shadow Ball Ghost Special   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       ExtremeSpeed Normal Physical   --       Types: Normal Flying Ability: Hustle Held item: None Togekiss♂ Lv.60 Air Slash Flying Special   --       Aura Sphere Fighting Special   --       Water Pulse Water Special   --       Shock Wave Electric Special   --       Types: Dragon Ground Ability: Sand Veil Held item: Sitrus Berry Garchomp♀ Lv.62 Dragon Rush Dragon Physical   --       Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Giga Impact Normal Physical   --

Cynthia will thank you for your help on Mt. Coronet and in the Distortion World earlier before facing you. Cynthia does not follow a specific type so this battle will be trouble if you don't plan ahead. Spiritomb has no direct weaknesses. However, it is weak offensively, so powerful attackers can bring it down. Roserade shouldn't be that much of a hassle if you get it down quick with Fire or Flying types. It would be recommended to use an Electric-type against Milotic since it has Ice Beam to counter Grass-types. Physical attacks, like ThunderPunch or Wood Hammer, tend to work better because they make Mirror Coat fail.

Use Fire, Ground, or Fighting-type moves to bring down Lucario. Togekiss can be brought down by an Electric-type but be careful of its high defenses. Garchomp, the Champion's strongest Pokémon, is far more dangerous than anything you have battled. It may have a 4× weakness to Ice-types, but its high physical Attack and Speed often lets Garchomp one-shot your Pokémon before you can move. If you can get it to use Giga Impact, then exploit the free turn while you have the chance.

After the battle Cynthia will praise you on the conviction you have with your Pokémon to become Champion. She'll then take you to the Hall of Fame where Professor Rowan will join you and all the Pokémon on your team are recorded into the Hall of Fame.

← Part 19 Sunyshore Gym to Victory Road

Platinum walkthrough

Twinleaf Town, Sandgem Town, Eterna City, Trophy Garden, Pal Park, Snowpoint Temple, Mt. Coronet, Celestic Town, Spear Pillar Part 21 →

This article is part of Project Walkthroughs, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive step-by-step guides on each Pokémon game.