Key takeaway
After you obtain the National Pokédex, each member of the Elite Four (and the Champion) will change their team composition to have a stronger lineup. Also, after you complete the events that occur at Stark Mountain, the Elite Four and the Champion will alter and strengthen their teams again.
Titles that evolve through a player’s actions provide fun and unique obstacles for gamers. In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, this is done by making the Pokémon League trainers increasingly stronger. Each end-game Elite Four team will pose great challenges.
How to Get Every Elite Four Team to Upgrade
Initially, you’ll face off against the Elite Four’s original teams when you first reach the Pokémon League. To get them to strengthen their teams, you need to complete the Sinnoh Pokédex. This is done by seeing all 151 pocket monsters in the region (except Manaphy). You don’t even need to catch them!
Afterward, you must speak with Professor Rowan in Sandgem Town. When you do this, Professor Oak will show up and upgrade your Sinnoh Pokédex into a National Pokédex. The National Pokédex has entries for 493 pocket monsters (all Pokémon from Generation I to Generation IV).
But that’s not the end of the upgrades. Following the acquisition of the National Pokédex, if you complete the events that unfold at Stark Mountain, the Elite Four’s teams will change one last time.
Aaron’s Elite Four Team
Aaron is a trainer who specializes in Bug-type Pokémon. He is the first member of the Sinnoh Elite Four and acts as the gatekeeper of the Pokémon League. Despite specializing in Bug-types, Aaron also has a Drapion, which might force you to change up your tactics.
Aaron’s Original Team
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dustox | 53 | Bug/Poison | Shield Dust | Black Sludge | -Toxic -Bug Buzz -Moonlight -Light Screen |
| Beautifly | 53 | Bug/Flying | Swarm | Wise Glasses | -Bug Buzz -Shadow Ball -Psychic -Quiver Dance |
| Vespiquen | 54 | Bug/Flying | Unnerve | Sitrus Berry | -Acrobatics -Aerial Ace -Attack Order -Defend Order |
| Heracross | 54 | Bug/Fighting | Guts | Flame Orb | -Earthquake -Rock Slide -Brick Break -Facade |
| Drapion | 57 | Poison/Dark | Sniper | Scope Lens | -Cross Poison -Night Slash -X-Scissor -Earthquake |
Aaron’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex
The most notable changes to Aaron’s team are that he has swapped out his Dustox and Beautifly for Yanmega and Scizor. Also, the overall level of his team has risen by around 10. There are a few other small tweaks as well.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yanmega | 65 | Bug/Flying | Speed Boost | Wise Glasses | -Bug Buzz -Air Slash -Ancient Power -Detect |
| Scizor | 65 | Bug/Steel | Technician | Occa Berry | -Bullet Punch -X-Scissor -Night Slash -Sword Dance |
| Vespiquen | 66 | Bug/Flying | Unnerve | Sitrus Berry | -Power Gem -Aerial Ace -Attack Order -Defend Order |
| Heracross | 67 | Bug/Fighting | Guts | Flame Orb | -Earthquake -Rock Slide -Facade -Close Combat |
| Drapion | 69 | Poison/Dark | Sniper | Scope Lens | -Cross Poison -Night Slash -Earthquake -X-Scissor |
Aaron’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex and Completing Stark Mountain’s Events
In addition to Aaron’s team increasing in overall level by around 10, there’s more. He adds a new member to his party: a Flygon. Be sure to compensate for this pocket monster’s typing.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yanmega | 75 | Bug/Flying | Speed Boost | Wise Glasses | -Bug Buzz -Air Slash -Ancient Power -Detect |
| Scizor | 75 | Bug/Steel | Technician | Occa Berry | -Bullet Punch -X-Scissor -Night Slash -Sword Dance |
| Vespiquen | 77 | Bug/Flying | Unnerve | Sitrus Berry | -Power Gem -Aerial Ace -Attack Order -Defend Order |
| Heracross | 77 | Bug/Fighting | Guts | Flame Orb | -Earthquake -Rock Slide -Facade -Close Combat |
| Flygon | 75 | Ground/Dragon | Levitate | Wise Glasses | -Dragon Pulse -Earth Power -Boomburst -Bug Buzz |
| Drapion | 79 | Poison/Dark | Sniper | Scope Lens | -Cross Poison -Night Slash -Earthquake -X-Scissor |
Bertha’s Elite Four Team
Bertha is a trainer who focuses on Ground-type Pokémon. Her teams always have pretty solid defensive stats. As such, you’ll need a lot of power to break through her tough walls! Especially when she uses her higher-level teams.
Bertha’s Original Team
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quagsire | 55 | Water/Ground | Water Absorb | Leftovers | -Recover -Toxic -Earthquake -Surf |
| Sudowoodo | 56 | Rock | Rock Head | Sitrus Berry | -Double-Edge -Head Smash -Low Kick -Sucker Punch |
| Golem | 56 | Rock/Ground | Sturdy | Soft Sand | -Rock Polish -Heavy Slam -Earthquake -Stone Edge |
| Whiscash | 55 | Water/Ground | Hydration | Rindo Berry | -Bulldoze -Ice Beam -Belch -Hydro Pump |
| Hippowdon | 59 | Ground | Sand Stream | Chesto Berry | -Ice Fang -Earthquake -Crunch -Rest |
Bertha’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex
Be prepared for even more bulky Ground-types, as Bertha swaps out her Sudowoodo and Quagsire for Gliscor and Rhyperior. You’ll want some special Ice-type, Water-type, and Grass-type moves to deal with them effectively.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiscash | 66 | Water/Ground | Hydration | Rindo Berry | -Earthquake -Ice Beam -Scald -Zen Headbutt |
| Gliscor | 69 | Ground/Flying | Hyper Cutter | Sitrus Berry | -Earthquake -Thunder Fang -Guillotine -X-Scissor |
| Golem | 68 | Rock/Ground | Sturdy | Soft Sand | -Rock Polish -Heavy Slam -Earthquake -Stone Edge |
| Hippowdon | 68 | Ground | Sand Stream | Chesto Berry | -Ice Fang -Earthquake -Crunch -Rest |
| Rhyperior | 71 | Ground/Rock | Solid Rock | Muscle Band | -Earthquake -Rock Wrecker -Megahorn -Thunder Fang |
Bertha’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex and Completing Stark Mountain’s Events
For her final team, Bertha will trade her Golem out for a Nidoking. She also gains a Mamoswine, to add some strong offensive elements. Your Grass-types will have some trouble now if you’re not careful.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiscash | 76 | Water/Ground | Hydration | Rindo Berry | -Earthquake -Ice Beam -Scald -Zen Headbutt |
| Gliscor | 79 | Ground/Flying | Hyper Cutter | Sitrus Berry | -Earthquake -Thunder Fang -Guillotine -X-Scissor |
| Nidoking | 78 | Poison/Ground | Sheer Force | Life Orb | -Sludge Bomb -Earth Power -Thunderbolt -Ice Beam |
| Hippowdon | 78 | Ground | Sand Stream | Chesto Berry | -Ice Fang -Earthquake -Crunch -Rest |
| Mamoswine | 78 | Ice/Ground | Thick Fat | Never-Melt Ice | -Earthquake -Icicle Spear -Ice Shard -Double-Edge |
| Rhyperior | 81 | Ground/Rock | Solid Rock | Muscle Band | -Earthquake -Rock Wrecker -Thunder Fang -Megahorn |
Flint’s Elite Four Team
The fiery Flint possesses a team revolving around Fire-type pocket monsters. However, his original team only has two true Fire-types. This will change as he adopts his upgraded lineups.
Flint’s Original Team
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapidash | 58 | Fire | Flame Body | Wide Lens | -Flame Charge -Iron Tail -Poison Jab -Hypnosis |
| Steelix | 57 | Steel/Ground | Sheer Force | Life Orb | -Thunder Fang -Fire Fang -Iron Tail -Crunch |
| Drifblim | 58 | Ghost/Flying | Unburden | Sitrus Berry | -Strength Sap -Baton Pass -Minimize -Will-O-Wisp |
| Lopunny | 57 | Normal | Cute Charm | Leftovers | -Mirror Coat -High Jump Kick -Quick Attack -Fire Punch |
| Infernape | 61 | Fire/Fighting | Iron Fist | Focus Sash | -Fire Punch -Thunder Punch -Mach Punch -Close Combat |
Flint’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex
Appropriately, Flint swaps out his non-Fire-type Pokémon for some true Fire-type ones. This will introduce a Houndoom, Flareon, and Magmortar to his lineup. What’s more, his team rises in average level by around 10.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houndoom | 68 | Dark/Fire | Unnerve | Wise Glasses | -Flamethrower -Dark Pulse -Destiny Bond -Nasty Plot |
| Flareon | 71 | Fire | Flash Fire | Sitrus Berry | -Flare Blitz -Flail -Will-O-Wisp -Quick Attack |
| Rapidash | 68 | Fire | Flame Body | Wide Lens | -Flare Blitz -Iron Tail -Poison Jab -Hypnosis |
| Infernape | 71 | Fire/Fighting | Iron Fist | Focus Sash | -Fire Punch -Thunder Punch -Mach Punch -Close Combat |
| Magmortar | 73 | Fire | Flame Body | Lum Berry | -Fire Blast -Thunderbolt -Focus Blast -Psychic |
Flint’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex and Completing Stark Mountain’s Events
For Flint’s final team, he replaces his Flareon with an Arcanine and adds a Ninetales to his lineup. This, plus the level increase, puts you up against one of the toughest Fire-type teams ever. It’s worth noting that he leads with Ninetales, which causes an immediate Drought.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninetales | 78 | Fire | Drought | Heat Rock | -Flamethrower -Solar Beam -Hypnosis -Nasty Plot |
| Houndoom | 78 | Dark/Fire | Unnerve | Wise Glasses | -Flamethrower -Dark Pulse -Destiny Bond -Nasty Plot |
| Rapidash | 79 | Fire | Flame Body | Wide Lens | -Flare Blitz -Iron Tail -Poison Jab -Hypnosis |
| Infernape | 81 | Fire/Fighting | Iron Fist | Focus Sash | -Fire Punch -Thunder Punch -Mach Punch -Close Combat |
| Arcanine | 81 | Fire | Intimidate | Shuca Berry | -Flare Blitz -Play Rough -Close Combat -Extreme Speed |
| Magmortar | 83 | Fire | Flame Body | Sitrus Berry | -Fire Blast -Thunderbolt -Focus Blast -Psychic |
Lucian’s Elite Four Team
This Psychic-type trainer is your final opponent before you reach the Champion. With few weaknesses, you’ll need some tricks up your sleeve to take down his mighty team. Bug-type, Dark-type, and Ghost-type Pokémon are helpful here.
Lucian’s Original Team
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Mime | 59 | Psychic/Fairy | Filter | Light Clay | -Light Screen -Reflect -Psychic -Dazzling Gleam |
| Girafarig | 59 | Normal/Psychic | Sap Sipper | Mental Herb | -Light Screen -Psychic -Thunderbolt -Trick Room |
| Medicham | 60 | Fighting/Psychic | Pure Power | Muscle Band | -Zen Headbutt -High Jump Kick -Thunder Punch -Ice Punch |
| Alakazam | 60 | Psychic | Magic Guard | Life Orb | -Nasty Plot -Psychic -Future Sight -Shock Wave |
| Bronzong | 63 | Steel/Psychic | Levitate | Sitrus Berry | -Gyro Ball -Earthquake -Payback -Trick Room |
Lucian’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex
After you obtain the National Pokédex, Lucian swaps out his Girafarig and Medicham for Espeon and Gallade. These new Pokémon arguably pack more power, so get ready for a real rumble.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Mime | 69 | Psychic/Fairy | Filter | Light Clay | -Light Screen -Reflect -Psychic -Dazzling Gleam |
| Espeon | 71 | Psychic | Magic Bounce | Mental Herb | -Psychic -Shadow Ball -Dazzling Gleam -Light Screen |
| Bronzong | 70 | Steel/Psychic | Levitate | Muscle Band | -Gyro Ball -Earthquake -Payback -Rock Slide |
| Alakazam | 72 | Psychic | Magic Guard | Life Orb | -Nasty Plot -Psychic -Dazzling Gleam -Shock Wave |
| Gallade | 75 | Psychic/Fighting | Justified | Sitrus Berry | -Close Combat -Psycho Cut -Poison Jab -Shadow Sneak |
Lucian’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex and Completing Stark Mountain’s Events
Lucian adds some bulk to his team by including a Slowbro. And, this new addition comes with some great coverage moves, so it can also hit pretty hard!
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. Mime | 79 | Psychic/Fairy | Filter | Light Clay | -Light Screen -Reflect -Psychic -Dazzling Gleam |
| Espeon | 81 | Psychic | Magic Bounce | Mental Herb | -Psychic -Shadow Ball -Dazzling Gleam -Light Screen |
| Bronzong | 80 | Steel/Psychic | Levitate | Muscle Band | -Gyro Ball -Earthquake -Payback -Rock Slide |
| Alakazam | 82 | Psychic | Magic Guard | Life Orb | -Nasty Plot -Psychic -Dazzling Gleam -Shock Wave |
| Slowbro | 82 | Water/Psychic | Regenerator | Leftovers | -Scald -Psychic -Flamethrower -Slack Off |
| Gallada | 85 | Psychic/Fighting | Justified | Sitrus Berry | -Close Combat -Psycho Cut -Poison Jab -Shadow Sneak |
Cynthia’s Elite Four Team
Cynthia is the pinnacle of power in the Sinnoh region. Her diverse team and better AI will put your tactics to the test. Her final team is also the highest-level lineup in the main game. As such, even if your entire team is at level 100, you won’t have that much of an advantage.
Cynthia’s Original Team
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spiritomb | 61 | Ghost/Dark | Pressure | Sitrus Berry | -Shadow Ball -Dark Pulse -Psychic -Sucker Punch |
| Roserade | 60 | Grass/Poison | Poison Point | Expert Belt | -Dazzling Gleam -Shadow Ball -Energy Ball -Sludge Bomb |
| Gastrodon | 60 | Water/Ground | Storm Drain | Leftovers | -Scald -Earthquake -Sludge Bomb -Rock Tomb |
| Lucario | 63 | Fighting/Steel | Inner Focus | Wise Glasses | -Aura Sphere -Dragon Pulse -Flash Cannon -Nasty Plot |
| Milotic | 63 | Water | Marvel Scale | Flame Orb | -Recover -Mirror Coat -Ice Beam -Scald |
| Garchomp | 66 | Dragon/Ground | Rough Skin | Yache Berry | -Dragon Claw -Earthquake -Poison Jab -Sword Dance |
Cynthia’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex
In addition to leveling up her team, Cynthia also exchanges her Gastrodon for a Togekiss. As if her team’s coverage wasn’t good enough already, you’ll now need to deal with a strong Flying-type threat.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spiritomb | 74 | Ghost/Dark | Pressure | Sitrus Berry | -Shadow Ball -Dark Pulse -Will-O-Wisp -Sucker Punch |
| Roserade | 74 | Grass/Poison | Poison Point | Expert Belt | -Energy Ball -Shadow Ball -Sludge Bomb -Dazzling Gleam |
| Togekiss | 76 | Fairy/Flying | Serene Grace | Leftovers | -Air Slash -Dazzling Gleam -Aura Sphere -Thunder Wave |
| Lucario | 76 | Fighting/Steel | Inner Focus | Wise Glasses | -Aura Sphere -Dragon Pulse -Flash Cannon -Psychic |
| Milotic | 74 | Water | Marvel Scale | Flame Orb | -Mirror Coat -Recover -Ice Beam -Scald |
| Garchomp | 78 | Dragon/Ground | Rough Skin | Yache Berry | -Dragon Claw -Earthquake -Poison Jab -Sword Dance |
Cynthia’s Team After Receiving the National Pokédex and Completing Stark Mountain’s Events
The Champion beefs up her offense by swapping Roserade for an even better Expert Belt-holder: Porygon-Z! This wall breaker will pose a big threat to your team. In addition to this, Cynthia’s Lucario comes with a stronger moveset.
| Pokémon | Level | Typing | Ability | Held Item | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spiritomb | 84 | Ghost/Dark | Pressure | Sitrus Berry | -Shadow Ball -Dark Pulse -Will-O-Wisp -Sucker Punch |
| Porygon-Z | 85 | Normal | Adaptability | Expert Belt | -Hyper Beam -Shadow Ball -Ice Beam -Thunderbolt |
| Togekiss | 86 | Fairy/Flying | Serene Grace | Leftovers | -Air Slash -Aura Sphere -Dazzling Gleam -Thunder Wave |
| Lucario | 86 | Fighting/Steel | Inner Focus | Focus Sash | -Close Combat -Meteor Mash -Earthquake -Extreme Speed |
| Milotic | 84 | Water | Marvel Scale | Flame Orb | -Recover -Mirror Coat -Ice Beam -Scald |
| Garchomp | 88 | Dragon/Ground | Rough Skin | Yache Berry | -Dragon Claw -Earthquake -Poison Jab -Sword Dance |