How Often Can You Rematch Gym Leaders in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet? The Definitive Guide

You can rematch Gym Leaders in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet an unlimited number of times, but only after you’ve completed certain post-game activities. Once you’ve beaten the main story, defeated the final boss in Area Zero, and completed Geeta’s gym assessment task, you unlock the ability to re-challenge the Gym Leaders whenever you want! This is a fantastic feature that allows you to test your skills, train your Pokémon, and earn rewards.

Unlocking Gym Leader Rematches

Let’s dive into exactly how to unlock the rematch feature. It’s not immediately available after rolling the credits; you’ll need to put in a little extra work.

1. Complete the Main Story: This is the obvious first step. You must journey through the Paldea region, defeat all eight Gym Leaders, face the Elite Four, and become the Champion.

2. Defeat the Final Boss in Area Zero: After becoming the Champion, you’ll unlock the Area Zero storyline. Completing this is crucial as it advances the main story.

3. Geeta’s Gym Assessment: Upon returning to the Academy in Mesagoza, Geeta will instruct you to revisit all eight Gyms. This involves a brief interaction or task at each Gym, effectively assessing the facilities.

4. The Academy Ace Tournament: Once Geeta’s Gym Assessment is completed, you will unlock the Academy Ace Tournament, a repeatable event where you battle students and teachers.

Once you have unlocked the Academy Ace Tournament, you can speak to the front desk clerk at any time to participate and you can also re-battle all 8 Gym Leaders.

Why Rematch Gym Leaders?

Rematching the Gym Leaders offers several benefits. It’s not just about proving your skills again.

• Experience Points: These battles provide a significant source of Experience Points, ideal for leveling up your Pokémon.

• Money: You earn prize money for each victory, which you can use to buy items, clothing, and other goodies.

• Training: Rematches allow you to test different strategies, team compositions, and Tera Types against challenging opponents.

• Enjoyment: Many players simply enjoy the challenge and nostalgia of facing off against familiar foes.

Understanding the Difficulty

The Gym Leaders are more challenging in the rematches compared to your initial encounters. Their Pokémon have higher levels, better movesets, and improved strategies. Be prepared to use your best Pokémon and tactics to emerge victorious. Each rematch is a great learning experience, as recognized by educational resources like the Games Learning Society, who study the ways games like Pokémon can foster strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I rematch the Elite Four in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

No, unfortunately, you cannot directly rematch the Elite Four in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Once you’ve defeated them as part of the main storyline, that’s it. The Academy Ace Tournament serves as a post-game challenge, where you will find high-level opponents and face four high-level random students and teachers.

2. Do the Gym Leaders’ teams change in the rematches?

Yes, the Gym Leaders use different and stronger Pokémon in the rematches. Expect higher levels, improved movesets, and strategic use of Tera Types. This keeps the battles fresh and challenging.

3. Is there a limit to how many times I can participate in the Academy Ace Tournament?

There is no limit to how many times you can participate in the Academy Ace Tournament. It’s a repeatable event that provides a consistent source of battles and rewards.

4. Are the rematched Gym Leaders stronger than the Elite Four?

Generally, the Elite Four are designed to be more challenging than the initial Gym Leader battles. However, the rematched Gym Leaders are significantly stronger than their first iterations, and some may pose a similar level of challenge to the Elite Four.

5. Can I rematch the Team Star bosses?

Yes, you can rematch the Team Star bosses once per day at their respective bases after completing the Starfall Street storyline. However, they no longer use their Starmobiles in these rematches.

6. What is the easiest Gym Leader to rematch?

Many players consider Katy (Bug-type) to be the easiest Gym Leader to rematch, even in the post-game. While her Pokémon are stronger than in the initial battle, they are still relatively manageable with appropriate type matchups.

7. What is the hardest Gym Leader to rematch?

Determining the “hardest” is subjective and depends on your team composition and strategy. However, Grusha (Ice-type) is often considered one of the most challenging due to his Pokémon’s levels and potentially troublesome movesets.

8. What rewards do I get for rematching the Gym Leaders?

Besides Experience Points and prize money, there are no specific unique rewards for rematching the Gym Leaders. The primary benefit is the opportunity to train your Pokémon and test your skills.

9. Can I battle the Gym Leaders in any order in the rematches?

Yes, you can battle the Gym Leaders in any order you choose during the rematches, just like in the initial Gym Challenge. Their Pokémon levels remain consistent regardless of the order you tackle them in.

10. What level are the Gym Leaders’ Pokémon in the rematches?

The levels of the Gym Leaders’ Pokémon in the rematches are significantly higher than in the initial battles, typically ranging from level 65 to 70+. Be prepared with a well-trained team.

11. Do the Gym Leaders use Tera Types in the rematches?

Yes, the Gym Leaders will use Tera Types during the rematches, often strategically changing their Pokémon’s type to gain an advantage.

12. Where do I find the Gym Leaders for rematches?

The Gym Leaders are generally found in their respective Gyms after you’ve unlocked the rematch feature. Simply travel to their Gym location to initiate the battle.

13. Can I do Gym Leader rematches with friends in multiplayer?

No, you cannot directly battle Gym Leaders together with friends in multiplayer. Story-based battles are single-player experiences.

14. Does completing the Academy Ace Tournament affect Gym Leader rematches?

No, completing the Academy Ace Tournament doesn’t directly affect the Gym Leader rematches, but it’s a good way to continue to train your Pokémon and improve your battle skills.

15. What should I do after rematching all the Gym Leaders?

After rematching all the Gym Leaders, you can continue to participate in the Academy Ace Tournament, challenge high-level Tera Raids, complete your Pokédex, explore the Paldea region, and engage in other post-game activities. There’s always more to discover!

Conclusion

The ability to rematch Gym Leaders in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is a welcome addition, providing endless opportunities for training, strategizing, and enjoying the game. Unlock the feature, prepare your team, and get ready for some challenging and rewarding battles!