Kalos route manual
Pokemon X and Y Phase 9 Champion Walkthrough
Pokemon X and Y Phase 9 walkthrough: Route 21, Victory Road, Elite Four teams, Elite Four order, Diantha counters, and Hall of Fame unlocks.
Pokemon X and Y optimal walkthrough
Route 21 → Victory Road → Elite Four → Diantha — the gauntlet to the Hall of Fame.
Route Map
Phase 9 is the gauntlet. From Snowbelle you head east through Route 21 to Victory Road. After the cave, the Pokémon League awaits. The Elite Four can be fought in any order, but Diantha is locked until you've defeated all four.
Pre-Run Preparation
You can't fly out between E4 fights without losing the run. Prep accordingly.
Inventory checklist
| Item | Quantity | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Full Restore | 20+ | Full HP + status. The only healing item that matters past Lv 60. |
| Max Revive | 5+ | Full HP revive. Don't run out. |
| Revive | 10+ | Half-HP revive (cheaper, more available). |
| Hyper Potion | 10+ | Cheap healing for non-emergency. |
| Full Heal | 10+ | Status removal — paralysis/sleep/freeze are common. |
| Ether / Max Ether | 5+ | PP restore for your strongest STAB moves. |
| Elixir / Max Elixir | 3+ | Restore all moves' PP. |
| X Speed / X Attack / X Sp. Atk / X Defense | 3+ each | Stat boosts that survive switches. Useful for setup mons. |
| X Accuracy | 3+ | Fixes RNG misses on Hydro Pump / Stone Edge. |
| Lum Berry (held) | 1 per Pokémon | Single-use status removal held item — saves a turn. |
Route 21 — Dernière Way
The final route. Long, lush with flowerbeds and tall grass. Three trainer battles, fishing access, and Surf-able water.
Wild Pokémon — Route 21
| Pokémon | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
![]() Scyther | Grass + hordes | Trade-evolves to Scizor (Bug/Steel) with Metal Coat. Hidden Ability Technician. |
![]() Ursaring | Grass | Pre-evolved. Guts + Quick Feet. Big physical Normal with Hammer Arm + Slash. |
![]() Altaria | Grass | Pre-evolved. Has a Mega Stone (Altarianite — post-game OR/AS distribution). |
![]() Floatzel | Grass / Surf | Swift Swim / Water Veil. Fast physical Water. |
![]() Dratini / Dragonair | Fish (Good/Super Rod) | ★ Dragonite (Lv 55 evo). One of the best in-game Dragons — slow to grind but pays off. |
Trainers on Route 21
| Trainer | Roster | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ace Trainer Mireille | Sableye Lv 55, Crustle Lv 56 | Sableye no weakness (Dark/Ghost). Crustle's Sturdy + Rock STAB. Bring Fairy + Steel. |
| Ace Trainer Evan | Lv 55–56 mons (varies) | Runs around the red flowers. Approach carefully. |
| Veteran Trisha | Tyrantrum Lv 59 | ★ Single Pokémon, but it's Lv 59 Tyrantrum with Strong Jaw + Head Smash. Brutal. Bring Fairy/Fighting/Steel. |
Victory Road
The classic final cave. Multi-floor, requires Surf, Strength, Rock Smash, Waterfall to fully explore. Trainer density is very high (~15+ trainers across all areas). Wild encounters are Lv 50+ — great late-game Pokédex fillers.
HM checklist before entering
- Surf — got it on Shalour exit (Phase 4 start).
- Strength — available from a man in Cyllage; should be on your team.
- Rock Smash — taught by a move tutor in Ambrette or Cyllage.
- Waterfall — got it on Route 19 from Shauna (Phase 8). Needs Iceberg Badge to use — you have it now.
- Fly — not needed inside Victory Road but useful between sections.
Wild Pokémon — Victory Road
| Pokémon | Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
![]() Magneton | Cave | Trade-evolves to Magnezone via specific location (level up here). |
![]() Onix | Cave | Trade-evolves to Steelix with Metal Coat. |
![]() Dodrio | Cave grass | Pre-evolved. Tri Attack + Drill Peck. |
![]() Mienshao | Cave | Regenerator / Inner Focus. Wide Guard support. |
![]() Boldore | Cave | Sturdy + Earthquake. Trade-evolves to Gigalith. |
![]() Togetic | Cave Rare | Pre-evolved. Trade-evolves to Togekiss with Shiny Stone. |
Notable Victory Road trainers
| Trainer | Roster | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ace Trainer Alanza | Weavile Lv 60 | Single mon, but it's Lv 60 Weavile with Ice/Dark STAB priority. Fast. |
| Hiker Corwin | Torkoal Lv 56, Golem Lv 56 | Slow Rock/Fire pair. Water/Grass cleanup. |
| Veteran Timeo | Trevenant Lv 57, Gigalith Lv 59 | Steel + Ghost in one team. Tough fight. |
| Veteran Catrina | Glaceon Lv 57, Snorlax Lv 59 | Special Ice + bulky Normal. Fighting + Fire. |
| Veteran Gilles | Skarmory Lv 55, Umbreon Lv 55, Alakazam Lv 57 | ★ Three-mon Veteran. Skarmory's Brave Bird + Umbreon's Foul Play + Alakazam's Psychic. Heavy hitters. |
| Veteran Inga | Talonflame Lv 61 | ★ ★ Highest-level pre-Champion trainer. Brave Bird priority. Bring Rock/Electric. |
| Multiple Black Belts / Battle Girls / Brawlers | Lv 50–58 various Fighting | Scattered. Bring Psychic/Fairy/Flying. |
Items in Victory Road
| Item | Where |
|---|---|
| TM02 Dragon Claw | Visible — physical Dragon STAB |
| Max Ether (hidden) | East of Hiker Corwin — Dowsing |
| Star Piece (hidden) | Middle of the four torches — Dowsing |
| Full Restore ×2 | Visible |
| Max Repel | Visible |
| Various Rare Candies / vitamins (hidden) | Dowsing throughout |
Pokémon League Entrance
You exit Victory Road into a grand stone plaza. The League building is the giant fortress ahead. Inside: a Pokémon Center on the left (heal up — last chance), a Mart on the right (last stock), and a save point right before the Elite Four chambers.
Elite Four — Recommended Order
You can fight any of the four members in any order. The boss room has four glowing doors. Pick wisely — the optimal order depends on your team composition.
★ Default optimal order (balanced 6-Pokémon team)
- Wikstrom (Steel) — easiest first match. Fire or Ground sweeps quickly. Builds up Lum Berry / Full Restore confidence.
- Siebold (Water) — moderate difficulty. Electric (Mega Ampharos) and Grass (Chesnaught) handle the team. Barbaracle is the only tricky pick.
- Malva (Fire) — Rock + Water counters. Be careful of Talonflame's Brave Bird priority.
- Drasna (Dragon) — saved for last because Fairy (Xerneas if you caught it!) sweeps her. Hardest is Noivern Lv 65.
- Diantha (Champion) — Mega Gardevoir Lv 68. Steel/Poison/Ghost counters.
If your team is heavy on a specific type, adjust accordingly:
- Team heavy on Fire? Lead with Wikstrom (Steel weak to Fire) for easy XP, then save Siebold (Water resists Fire) for last to set up.
- Team heavy on Water? Lead with Malva (Fire weak to Water).
- Team heavy on Fairy? Lead with Drasna (Dragon weak to Fairy).
- Team heavy on Ground/Fighting? Lead with Wikstrom (Steel + Ground = clean sweep).
Malva (Fire-type)
Malva — Fire-type Elite Four
| Pokémon | Lv | Type | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() Chandelure | 63 | Ghost/Fire | Flamethrower, Shadow Ball, Confuse Ray, Confide |
![]() Pyroar | 63 | Fire/Normal | Hyper Voice, Flamethrower, Wild Charge, Noble Roar |
![]() Torkoal | 63 | Fire | Curse, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Flame Wheel |
![]() Talonflame | 65 | Fire/Flying | Brave Bird, Quick Attack, Flare Blitz, Flail |
Strategy
| Mon | Counter | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Chandelure | Water / Rock / Dark | Surf, Stone Edge, Dark Pulse all 2×. Watch for Shadow Ball on Aegislash/Mega Gengar. |
| Pyroar | Water / Ground / Rock / Fighting | Mega Ampharos's Thunderbolt (Wild Charge user, but boosted) or Garchomp's Earthquake. |
| Torkoal | Water STAB | Greninja's Surf one-shots through Sturdy after chip. Watch Earthquake (Ground 2× on Mega Ampharos). |
| Talonflame | Rock / Electric / Water | ★ Brave Bird priority is the threat — outspeeds your slower mons. Bring Stone Edge or Thunderbolt. |
Siebold (Water-type)
Siebold — Water-type Elite Four
| Pokémon | Lv | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() Clawitzer | 63 | Water | Mega Launcher boosts pulse moves +50%. Aura Sphere / Water Pulse / Dragon Pulse / Dark Pulse all amplified. |
![]() Starmie | 63 | Water/Psychic | Natural Cure / Illuminate. Surf + Psychic + Recover. Fast special. |
![]() Gyarados | 63 | Water/Flying | Intimidate. Aqua Tail + Crunch + Dragon Dance + Hydro Pump. 4× weak to Electric. |
![]() Barbaracle | 65 | Rock/Water | ★ Tough Claws (boost physical contact +30%). Cross Chop + Razor Shell + Stone Edge + Night Slash. Bulky and hard-hitting. |
Strategy
| Mon | Counter | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clawitzer | Electric / Grass | Mega Ampharos's Thunderbolt and Chesnaught's Wood Hammer both hit super-effectively. |
| Starmie | Electric / Grass / Ghost / Dark / Bug | Lots of options. Mega Ampharos Thunderbolt is the cleanest. |
| Gyarados | Electric ★ ★ ★ | 4× weak. Mega Ampharos one-shots with Thunderbolt. Dragon Dance is the threat — finish before turn 2. |
| Barbaracle | Grass / Fighting / Steel / Ground | Mega Lucario's Aura Sphere or Chesnaught's Wood Hammer. Watch Cross Chop's high-crit. |
Wikstrom (Steel-type)
Wikstrom — Steel-type Elite Four
| Pokémon | Lv | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() Klefki | 63 | Steel/Fairy | Prankster — priority status. Spikes + Foul Play + Thunder Wave + Mirror Shot. |
![]() Probopass | 63 | Rock/Steel | Sturdy + Magnet Pull. Sandstorm + Rock Slide + Magnet Bomb + Power Gem. |
![]() Scizor | 63 | Bug/Steel | Technician + Light Metal. Bullet Punch priority + X-Scissor + Iron Head + False Swipe. 4× weak to Fire. |
![]() Aegislash | 65 | Steel/Ghost | ★ Stance Change. Sacred Sword + Iron Head + King's Shield + Shadow Ball. Switches between Shield (defense) and Blade (attack) forms. Bring Fire/Ground. |
Strategy
| Mon | Counter | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Klefki | Fire / Ground | Prankster Thunder Wave is annoying. Lum Berry recommended. Fire 2× Steel + 0.5× Fairy = 1× net; Ground 2× Steel. |
| Probopass | Fighting / Ground / Water | 4× weak to Ground + Fighting. Mega Lucario's Aura Sphere one-shots. Watch Sandstorm chip. |
| Scizor | Fire ★ ★ ★ | 4× weak to Fire. Mega Charizard Y's Flamethrower or Delphox's Mystical Fire one-shots. |
| Aegislash | Fire / Ground / Ghost / Dark | ★ Mega Lucario with Sacred Sword bypasses King's Shield. Mega Gengar with Shadow Ball + Sludge Bomb. Mega Charizard Y with Flamethrower also works. |
Drasna (Dragon-type)
Drasna — Dragon-type Elite Four
| Pokémon | Lv | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() Dragalge | 63 | Poison/Dragon | Poison Point / Adaptability. Hydro Pump + Dragon Pulse + Sludge Bomb + Toxic Spikes. Unique typing — only 2× weak to Ice/Ground/Psychic. |
![]() Altaria | 63 | Dragon/Flying | Cloud Nine / Natural Cure. Dragon Pulse + Sky Attack + Cotton Guard + Moonblast (Fairy coverage!). |
![]() Noivern | 65 | Flying/Dragon | ★ Frisk / Infiltrator. Hurricane + Dragon Pulse + Boomburst + Air Slash. Fast and hits hard. |
![]() Druddigon | 63 | Dragon | Rough Skin / Sheer Force. Dragon Claw + Night Slash + Revenge + Chip Away. |
Strategy
| Mon | Counter | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dragalge | Ice / Ground / Psychic | Avoid Fairy — Poison resists Fairy. Avoid Dragon — Poison resists Dragon. Ice Beam is the cleanest answer. |
| Altaria | Ice / Fairy | 4× weak to Ice. Lapras's Ice Beam is the cleanest answer. Watch Moonblast back at Fairies. |
| Noivern | Ice / Fairy / Rock / Dragon | ★ Fast — outspeeds most. Ice Beam from Lapras or Stone Edge from Tyrantrum works. Xerneas's Moonblast one-shots if charged with Geomancy. |
| Druddigon | Ice / Fairy / Dragon | Slow but bulky. Mega Lucario's Bullet Punch is too weak; use Aurorus/Lapras's Ice Beam. |
Diantha (Champion)
Diantha — Kalos Champion
| Pokémon | Lv | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
![]() Hawlucha | 64 | Fighting/Flying | Limber. Flying Press + X-Scissor + Poison Jab + Swords Dance. |
![]() Tyrantrum | 65 | Rock/Dragon | Strong Jaw. Head Smash + Earthquake + Dragon Claw + Crunch. ★ Head Smash + Strong Jaw bite combos. |
![]() Aurorus | 65 | Rock/Ice | Refrigerate. Thunder + Blizzard + Light Screen + Reflect. |
![]() Gourgeist | 65 | Ghost/Grass | Frisk / Pickup. Phantom Force + Trick-or-Treat + Seed Bomb + Shadow Sneak. Trick-or-Treat adds Ghost typing to opponent. |
![]() Goodra | 66 | Dragon | Sap Sipper / Hydration / Gooey. Dragon Pulse + Focus Blast + Muddy Water + Fire Blast. Very bulky special. |
![]() Gardevoir → Mega Gardevoir | 68 | Psychic/Fairy | ★ ★ ★ Her ace. Mega Evolves first turn via Mega Ring. Pixilate boosts Normal moves to Fairy. Moonblast + Psychic + Shadow Ball + Thunderbolt. Weak to Poison, Ghost, Steel. |
Threat-by-threat strategy
| Mon | Counter | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hawlucha (lead) | Psychic / Fairy / Electric / Flying | Mega Ampharos's Thunderbolt one-shots. Greninja with Surf works too (Hawlucha takes Water 2×? No, Water is neutral on Fighting+Flying — bad target). Stick to Psychic. |
| Tyrantrum | Fairy / Fighting / Steel / Ice / Ground / Dragon | ★ Strong Jaw + Head Smash is a 1-shot threat. Bring Mega Lucario or Garchomp's Earthquake. Watch Earthquake back. |
| Aurorus | Fighting / Steel / Rock / Ground / Water / Grass | 4× weak to Fighting + Steel. Mega Lucario's Bullet Punch or Aura Sphere ends it. |
| Gourgeist | Fire / Flying / Ice / Ghost / Dark | Phantom Force is a 2-turn move, so use it as a switch opportunity. Mega Charizard Y's Flamethrower is a clean answer. |
| Goodra | Fairy / Ice / Dragon | Bulky. Use special attackers. Xerneas's Moonblast or Sylveon's Hyper Voice (Pixilate) one-shots. |
| Mega Gardevoir (ace) | ★ Poison / Ghost / Steel | ★ ★ ★ The whole fight is about surviving Mega Gardevoir. Aegislash's Iron Head or Shadow Sneak. Mega Gengar's Sludge Bomb + Shadow Ball. Bisharp's Sucker Punch priority. Don't let her set up Calm Mind — she will if given the turn. |
What Mega to bring vs Mega Gardevoir?
- Mega Lucario — Bullet Punch priority + Adaptability Steel STAB. ★ ★ ★ One-shot likely.
- Aegislash — Iron Head with Stance Change. ★ ★ Tank her Psychic, then attack.
- Mega Gengar — Sludge Bomb (Poison 2×) + Shadow Ball. Outspeeds Mega Gardevoir.
- Mega Charizard X — Flare Blitz, but Charizard X is Fire/Dragon — Dragon weak to Fairy. Bench unless you can OHKO.
Hall of Fame + Ending
After defeating Diantha, the credits roll. Lysandre's fate is left ambiguous in the post-credits scene. Your trainer is inducted into the Hall of Fame. Your save is updated with the "Champion" status, and post-game content unlocks.
What unlocks immediately
Phase 10 covers all the post-game in detail.
Team Recommendations
By Phase 9, your team should be locked. Here's the "balanced optimal" final lineup:
| Slot | Pokémon | Reasoning | Target Lv |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your starter (Greninja / Delphox / Chesnaught with signature move) | Greninja's Hydro Cannon one-shots Wikstrom's Probopass/Klefki. Delphox's Blast Burn shreds Wikstrom + Drasna's Goodra. Chesnaught's Frenzy Plant covers Siebold + Diantha. | Lv 60+ |
| 2 | Mega Ampharos with Thunderbolt + Dragon Pulse + Power Gem + coverage filler | ★ ★ ★ Phase 9 MVP. Covers Siebold's Gyarados, pressures Drasna with Dragon Pulse, and handles Malva's Talonflame plus Diantha's Hawlucha. | Lv 60+ |
| 3 | Garchomp with Earthquake + Stone Edge + Dragon Claw + Crunch | ★ Earthquake universal answer. Covers Malva (3 of 4), Wikstrom (Probopass + Aegislash), Diantha (Tyrantrum). | Lv 60+ |
| 4 | Aegislash with Iron Head + Shadow Sneak + King's Shield + Sacred Sword | ★ Mega Gardevoir killer. Resists Drasna's moves. Stance Change for tank-and-strike. | Lv 60+ |
| 5 | Mega Charizard Y (or X) with Flame-coverage | Wikstrom's Scizor 4× Fire. Mega Charizard Y's Drought is universally helpful. | Lv 60+ |
| 6 (flex) | Xerneas (X) / Yveltal (Y) with Geomancy / Oblivion Wing | ★ Catch-up legendary slot. Xerneas with Geomancy is a 1v6 sweeper. | Lv 60+ |
Mega Evolution strategy
You can only Mega Evolve once per battle. Pick wisely each match:
- Malva: Mega Ampharos (Thunderbolt on Talonflame) or Mega Charizard X (Fire mirror).
- Siebold: Mega Ampharos (Gyarados 4× Electric).
- Wikstrom: Mega Charizard Y (Scizor 4× Fire).
- Drasna: Xerneas-equivalent, Lapras with Ice Beam, or Mega Ampharos with Dragon Pulse.
- Diantha: Mega Lucario (Bullet Punch priority on Mega Gardevoir).
Must-Grab Items
| Item | Where |
|---|---|
| TM02 Dragon Claw | Victory Road visible |
| Max Ether (hidden) | Victory Road — east of Hiker Corwin |
| Star Piece / Full Restore ×2 / Max Repel | Victory Road various |
| Various berries (held) | Final route grass/Surf |
| Hall of Fame entry | Defeat Diantha |
Phase 9 Checklist
- Stockpile: 20+ Full Restores, 5+ Max Revives, 10+ Hyper Potions, 10+ Full Heals, X-stat items
- Equip Lum Berry on at least 2 sweepers
- Exit Snowbelle east to Route 21 (Dernière Way)
- Beat Ace Trainer Mireille (Sableye + Crustle Lv 55–56)
- Beat Ace Trainer Evan and Veteran Trisha (Tyrantrum Lv 59)
- Optionally fish Route 21 for Dratini (★ future Dragonite)
- Enter Victory Road
- Use Surf, Strength, Rock Smash, Waterfall to fully explore
- Pick up TM02 Dragon Claw + hidden items
- Beat Veterans Timeo, Catrina, Gilles, Inga and Ace Trainer Alanza
- Reach Pokémon League entrance
- Heal + restock + ★ SAVE before talking to the secretary
- Pick recommended E4 order (default: Wikstrom → Siebold → Malva → Drasna)
- ★ Defeat Wikstrom (Scizor 4× Fire)
- ★ Defeat Siebold (Gyarados 4× Electric)
- ★ Defeat Malva (Talonflame Brave Bird threat)
- ★ Defeat Drasna (bring Ice, Fairy, Rock, or Dragon coverage for Noivern)
- ★ ★ ★ Defeat Diantha (Mega Gardevoir Lv 68 ace)
- Watch credits + Hall of Fame cutscene
- Save automatically — game now in post-game state
Dex quick links
Pokemon in this phase
Charizard
Alakazam
Golem
Magneton
Dodrio
Gengar
Onix
Starmie
Scyther
Gyarados
Lapras
Snorlax
Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Mewtwo
Togetic
Ampharos
Umbreon
Steelix
Scizor
Ursaring
Skarmory
Gardevoir
Sableye
Torkoal
Altaria
Floatzel
Garchomp
Lucario
Weavile
Magnezone
Togekiss
Glaceon
Probopass
Boldore
Gigalith
Crustle
Chandelure
Mienshao
Druddigon
Bisharp
Chesnaught
Delphox
Greninja
Talonflame
Pyroar
Aegislash
Barbaracle
Dragalge
Clawitzer
Tyrantrum
Aurorus
Sylveon
Hawlucha
Goodra
Klefki
Trevenant
Gourgeist
Noivern
Xerneas
Yveltal