Elite Four

File:LGPE Elite Four (LGPE).png
The **Elite Four** (Japanese: **四天王** *The Big Four*) 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. Challengers who lose at any time must start their challenge from the beginning. In Paldea, the challenge is named the Elite Test, and is part of the greater Champion Assessment.

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. Four more groups reside at the Pokémon Leagues in Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Template:Pal.

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. Like Gym Leaders, they typically specialize in Pokémon of a particular type. Prior to Generation V and in Generation IX, the Elite Four typically progresses in level with their Pokémon in the games and must be challenged in a set order. From Generation V to Generation VII, all members of the Elite Four (except in remakes) use Pokémon of the same levels, as they can be challenged in any order.

In Generation VIII, the Pokémon League in the Galar region uses the Champion Cup tournament instead of an Elite Four.

## In the core series 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:

#### 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:

Japanese

**Will**
イツキ Itsuki
JynxXatu
 File:VS Koga.png
**Koga**
キョウ Kyou
 File:VSBruno.png**Bruno**
シバ Siba
OnixMachamp

**Karen**
カリン Karin
GengarHoundoom
HonchkrowHoundoomUmbreon

### 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:

### Sinnoh Elite Four

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

### Unova Elite Four

In Unova, the Elite Four may be challenged in any order. In Template:4v, the Elite Four at the Unova Pokémon League consists of:

### 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:

Japanese

**Malva**
パキラ Pachira
 File:VS Siebold.png
**Siebold**
ズミ Zumi
 File:VS Wikstrom.png
**Wikstrom**
ガンピ Gampi
 File:VS Drasna.png
**Drasna**
ドラセナ Dracaena
AltariaNoivern

### 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:

Japanese

**Hala**
ハラ Hala
 File:VS Olivia 2.png
**Olivia**
ライチ Lychee
 File:VS Acerola.png
**Acerola**
アセロラ Acerola
 File:VS Kahili.png
**Kahili**
カヒリ Kahili
ToucannonCrobat

#### Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

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

Japanese

**Molayne**
マーレイン Mullein
 File:VS Olivia 2 (USUM).png
**Olivia**
ライチ Lychee
 File:VS Acerola.png
**Acerola**
アセロラ Acerola
 File:VS Kahili (USUM).png
**Kahili**
カヒリ Kahili
MandibuzzToucannon

### Paldea Elite Four

In Paldea, the Elite Four must be battled in a fixed order. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Elite Four at the Paldea Template:Pal consists of:

Japanese

**Rika**
チリ Chili
 File:VS Poppy.png
**Poppy**
ポピー Poppy
 File:VS Larry 2.png
**Larry**
アオキ Aoki
 File:VS Hassel.png
**Hassel**
ハッサク Hassaku
FlappleBaxcalibur

### BB Elite Four

In The Indigo Disk, Blueberry Academy's BB League has its own Elite Four, which can be battled in any order. Unlike other Elite Fours, the player must pass an Elite Trial in order to face each member. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet}}, the Elite Four at Blueberry Academy consists of:

Japanese

**Crispin**
アカマツ Akamatsu
 File:VS Amarys.png
**Amarys**
ネリネ Nerine
 File:VS Lacey.png
**Lacey**
タロ Taro
 File:VS Drayton.png
**Drayton**
カキツバタ Kakitsubata
KingdraSceptileArchaludon

## In the anime

### Main series

 File:Sinnoh Elite Four.png
In the Pokémon anime, Ash and his friends infrequently meet Elite Four members, who then impart them with battle strategies. In *An Elite Meet and Greet!*, Lucian revealed 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, if victorious against them, the regional Champion as well. It has also been shown that an Elite Four member can challenge the Champion for their title.

#### Kanto Elite Four

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

* Bruno was the first Elite Four member to appear in the anime (excluding Koga, who was later promoted to be one in Generation II), in *To Master the Onixpected*.
* Lorelei appeared in *The Mandarin Island Miss Match*, but she is named "Prima" in the English dub.
* Lance debuted in *Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution*, where he was mentioned to be the Champion rather than a regular member of the Elite Four. He is referred to as a member of the Elite Four in *Flash of the Titans!*. From *Aim For The Eight!* onwards, he's referred to as the Champion once again, with him being mentioned to have claimed that title recently.
* Agatha appeared in *The Scheme Team*, where she was acting as a temporary Gym Leader for the Viridian Gym.
	+ Koga, though not an Elite Four member, debuted in *The Ninja Poké-Showdown*, where he had a Gym battle against Ash.

#### Hoenn Elite Four

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. He reappeared in *Looking Out for Number Two!*, where he was shown to have become a treasure hunter in addition to his Elite Four duties.

#### Sinnoh Elite Four

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

* Lucian debuted in *An Elite Meet and Greet!*, where he had a battle with Dawn, using his Bronzong against her Buizel. He also helped her to deal with Buizel's obedience issues.
* Aaron debuted in *A Trainer and Child Reunion!*, where he was seen training to challenge Cynthia.
* Flint debuted in *Flint Sparks the Fire!*, where he had a battle with Ash, using his Infernape against his Buizel, Infernape, and Pikachu.
* Bertha appeared in *An Elite Coverup!*, where she taught Ash and Dawn how observation skills can be useful in battles and Pokémon Contests. She's the only member of the Sinnoh Elite Four to never be seen battling Cynthia.

#### Unova Elite Four

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

* Caitlin debuted in *Jostling for the Junior Cup!*, where she faced off against Cynthia during an exhibition match of the Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup.

#### Kalos Elite Four

 File:Wikstrom and Drasna.png
In Kalos, the entire Elite Four roster has appeared, with Ash having met three of them. Unlike the games, all members of the Elite Four of Kalos have at least one Pokémon capable of Mega Evolving:

* Siebold appeared in *Mega Evolution Special I*, where he used his Template:Me to battle Alain and his Mega Charizard X.
* Wikstrom first appeared in a cameo in *Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction*, in which he was seen battling Diantha, using his Mega Scizor against her Mega Gardevoir. He made his main series debut in *Searching for Chivalry!*, in which Ash met him for the first time when he visited the Castle of Chivalry in order to train with his Farfetch'd.
* Malva debuted in *Cloudy Fate, Bright Future!* in a video transmission. Ash didn't meet her until *A League of His Own!*, where he was interviewed by her. Like in the games, she's featured as a member of Team Flare, but ends up opposing Lysandre when his big plan is put into action.
* Drasna appeared in *The Future is Now, Thanks to Strategy!* and *Taking Two For The Team!*. She battled Ash in a World Coronation Series match at the Lumiose Conference stadium and ultimately lost, marking the first time Ash has defeated an Elite Four member.

#### Alola Elite Four

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:

* Hala debuted in *To Top a Totem!*, where he led Ash to Verdant Cavern so he could start his island challenge.
* Olivia debuted in *The Island Whisperer!*, where she took Ash and his classmates to Akala Island and began hosting them during their stay there.
* Acerola debuted in *Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?*, though Ash didn't meet her until the next episode, where she assisted him in his first battle against Nanu.
* Molayne debuted in *Showering the World with Love!*, where he showed Ash and his classmates around the Hokulani Observatory.
* Kahili debuted in *Keeping Your Eyes on the Ball!*, where she took Ash and his classmates to a Pokémon Golf course and taught them the sport. She later participated in the Manalo Conference, but lost in the preliminary round.

#### Paldea Elite Four

* Larry debuted in a background cameo during a flashback in HZ018.

## Trivia

* The only types that have yet to be specialized in by any Elite Four member are Normal, Grass, and Electric.
	+ Though Larry of the Paldea Elite Four specializes in the Normal type, he only does so as a Gym Leader, not as an Elite Four member.
* The most common type specializations for members of the Elite Four are Ghost and Dragon, with four individuals specializing in each type.
	+ Every Ghost-type Elite Four member is female. Conversely, every Dragon-type Elite Four member is male except Drasna.
* Bronzong is the Pokémon used most frequently by Elite Four members, being used by four of them: Will, Lucian, Caitlin, and Poppy.
	+ Of these, Poppy is the only one who does not specialize in Psychic types, instead specializing in Steel types.
* In Red, Blue, and Yellow, the battles against Lorelei, Bruno, and Agatha use the standard Trainer battle theme. The battle against Lance, however, uses the usual Gym Leader battle theme.
	+ In the remakes, the Gym Leader battle theme plays in the battles with all members of the Elite Four.
* In the Kanto-based games:
	+ The Elite Four's specialty types are the ones that were the least common Pokémon types in Generation I.
	+ Every Elite Four member has at least one Pokémon not of their specialty type in their initial battle.
* The Kalos Elite Four members are the only ones who do not 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.
* The Indigo, Sinnoh, and Kalos Elite Four are the only Elite Four of which all members have appeared in the anime.
	+ All members of the Alola Elite Four have also appeared in the anime. However, they did not appear as Elite Four members, since the Alola Pokémon League was not established at the time.
* The Alola Elite Four is the only Elite Four with more female than male members.
* Sword and Shield are the only core series games to feature a Pokémon League but not an Elite Four. Instead, the Champion Cup takes its place.
* The Paldea Elite Four is the only Elite Four to have members who do not take part in rematches against the player. The only members who do take part in rematches are Hassel and Larry. However, Larry can only be rematched once as a Gym Leader, where he specializes in Normal types instead of Flying types. Additionally, none of the rematches take place in the Paldea Pokémon League.
	+ The type specialties of the Paldea Elite Four are the types of the Titan Pokémon. The Stony Cliff Titan's type is filled in by Geeta, who Terastallizes her Glimmora into the Rock type.
* Prior to Generation VI, the English names of the Elite Four are puns based on their respective specialized types. From Generation VII onwards, they all possess flora-based names similar to the Pokémon Professors. The same applies to each region's Gym Leaders.
* Except for Unova, at least one Elite Four representative from each region introduced up to Generation VIII appeared in *Pokémon Journeys: The Series*.
* The Unova Elite Four are the only Elite Four where all members have at least one type advantage over another.

### Name origin

The Japanese name of the Elite Four literally translates to the *Four Heavenly Kings*, a term of Buddhist origins that refers to the group of four guardian deities presiding over each of the four cardinal directions. By extension, it connotes an ensemble of four leaders in a particular field, akin to the Big Four in English.

The English translation of "the big four" had also appeared in the Japanese and Korean version of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.