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.

By Damodar Sharma Updated May 25, 2026 Walkthrough
Pokemon X logo Pokemon Y logo

Pokemon X and Y optimal walkthrough

Route 21 → Victory Road → Elite Four → Diantha — the gauntlet to the Hall of Fame.

Phase9 of 10 TargetLv 58-62 RewardHall of Fame + post-game unlocks

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.

Route 21
Dernière Way
Tyrantrum trainer
Cave
Victory Road
Lv 55–61 trainers
Entry
League
Heal + nurse
E4
Malva
Fire-type
E4
Siebold
Water-type
E4
Wikstrom
Steel-type
E4
Drasna
Dragon-type
Champion
Diantha
Mega Gardevoir Lv 68 ace

Pre-Run Preparation

You can't fly out between E4 fights without losing the run. Prep accordingly.

Inventory checklist

ItemQuantityReason
Full Restore20+Full HP + status. The only healing item that matters past Lv 60.
Max Revive5+Full HP revive. Don't run out.
Revive10+Half-HP revive (cheaper, more available).
Hyper Potion10+Cheap healing for non-emergency.
Full Heal10+Status removal — paralysis/sleep/freeze are common.
Ether / Max Ether5+PP restore for your strongest STAB moves.
Elixir / Max Elixir3+Restore all moves' PP.
X Speed / X Attack / X Sp. Atk / X Defense3+ eachStat boosts that survive switches. Useful for setup mons.
X Accuracy3+Fixes RNG misses on Hydro Pump / Stone Edge.
Lum Berry (held)1 per PokémonSingle-use status removal held item — saves a turn.
Save scumming: The 3DS won't let you save mid-Elite-Four run. Save right before talking to the Pokémon League nurse (the entrance) so you can soft-reset to the start of any E4 fight without losing all four. After Diantha, you save automatically in the Hall of Fame credits.

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

PokémonMethodNotes
Scyther
Scyther
Bug/Flying · Lv 47–49
Grass + hordesTrade-evolves to Scizor (Bug/Steel) with Metal Coat. Hidden Ability Technician.
Ursaring
Ursaring
Normal · Lv 49
GrassPre-evolved. Guts + Quick Feet. Big physical Normal with Hammer Arm + Slash.
Altaria
Altaria
Dragon/Flying · Lv 47
GrassPre-evolved. Has a Mega Stone (Altarianite — post-game OR/AS distribution).
Floatzel
Floatzel
Water · Lv 47
Grass / SurfSwift Swim / Water Veil. Fast physical Water.
Dratini
Dratini / Dragonair
Dragon · Lv 30–55
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

TrainerRosterNotes
Ace Trainer MireilleSableye Lv 55, Crustle Lv 56Sableye no weakness (Dark/Ghost). Crustle's Sturdy + Rock STAB. Bring Fairy + Steel.
Ace Trainer EvanLv 55–56 mons (varies)Runs around the red flowers. Approach carefully.
Veteran TrishaTyrantrum 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

PokémonMethodNotes
Magneton
Magneton
Electric/Steel · Lv 49–51
CaveTrade-evolves to Magnezone via specific location (level up here).
Onix
Onix
Rock/Ground · Lv 49–51
CaveTrade-evolves to Steelix with Metal Coat.
Dodrio
Dodrio
Normal/Flying · Lv 50
Cave grassPre-evolved. Tri Attack + Drill Peck.
Mienshao
Mienshao
Fighting · Lv 51
CaveRegenerator / Inner Focus. Wide Guard support.
Boldore
Boldore
Rock · Lv 49–50
CaveSturdy + Earthquake. Trade-evolves to Gigalith.
Togetic
Togetic
Fairy/Flying · Lv 50
Cave RarePre-evolved. Trade-evolves to Togekiss with Shiny Stone.

Notable Victory Road trainers

TrainerRosterNotes
Ace Trainer AlanzaWeavile Lv 60Single mon, but it's Lv 60 Weavile with Ice/Dark STAB priority. Fast.
Hiker CorwinTorkoal Lv 56, Golem Lv 56Slow Rock/Fire pair. Water/Grass cleanup.
Veteran TimeoTrevenant Lv 57, Gigalith Lv 59Steel + Ghost in one team. Tough fight.
Veteran CatrinaGlaceon Lv 57, Snorlax Lv 59Special Ice + bulky Normal. Fighting + Fire.
Veteran GillesSkarmory 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 IngaTalonflame Lv 61★ ★ Highest-level pre-Champion trainer. Brave Bird priority. Bring Rock/Electric.
Multiple Black Belts / Battle Girls / BrawlersLv 50–58 various FightingScattered. Bring Psychic/Fairy/Flying.

Items in Victory Road

ItemWhere
TM02 Dragon ClawVisible — physical Dragon STAB
Max Ether (hidden)East of Hiker Corwin — Dowsing
Star Piece (hidden)Middle of the four torches — Dowsing
Full Restore ×2Visible
Max RepelVisible
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.

Pokémon Center nurse: Full heal. Free, infinite use. Heal before talking to the secretary.
Mart counter: Sells max-tier items. Last chance to buy Full Restores and Max Revives.
Secretary at the central door: Asks if you're ready. Saying yes saves your game and starts the Elite Four gauntlet.

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)

  1. Wikstrom (Steel) — easiest first match. Fire or Ground sweeps quickly. Builds up Lum Berry / Full Restore confidence.
  2. Siebold (Water) — moderate difficulty. Electric (Mega Ampharos) and Grass (Chesnaught) handle the team. Barbaracle is the only tricky pick.
  3. Malva (Fire) — Rock + Water counters. Be careful of Talonflame's Brave Bird priority.
  4. Drasna (Dragon) — saved for last because Fairy (Xerneas if you caught it!) sweeps her. Hardest is Noivern Lv 65.
  5. 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)

M

Malva — Fire-type Elite Four

Former Team Flare member, now Holo Caster TV personality · Specialty: speed + STAB Fire
PokémonLvTypeMoves
Chandelure
Chandelure
63Ghost/FireFlamethrower, Shadow Ball, Confuse Ray, Confide
Pyroar
Pyroar
63Fire/NormalHyper Voice, Flamethrower, Wild Charge, Noble Roar
Torkoal
Torkoal
63FireCurse, Earthquake, Stone Edge, Flame Wheel
Talonflame
Talonflame
65Fire/FlyingBrave Bird, Quick Attack, Flare Blitz, Flail

Strategy

MonCounterWhy
ChandelureWater / Rock / DarkSurf, Stone Edge, Dark Pulse all 2×. Watch for Shadow Ball on Aegislash/Mega Gengar.
PyroarWater / Ground / Rock / FightingMega Ampharos's Thunderbolt (Wild Charge user, but boosted) or Garchomp's Earthquake.
TorkoalWater STABGreninja's Surf one-shots through Sturdy after chip. Watch Earthquake (Ground 2× on Mega Ampharos).
TalonflameRock / Electric / Water★ Brave Bird priority is the threat — outspeeds your slower mons. Bring Stone Edge or Thunderbolt.
★ Optimal lead: Garchomp (Earthquake hits Pyroar/Torkoal, Fly-immune to Talonflame's Brave Bird), or Tyrantrum (Rock STAB on Talonflame, Crunch on Chandelure). Mega Ampharos with Thunderbolt covers Talonflame and Pyroar through Wild Charge mirrors.

Siebold (Water-type)

S

Siebold — Water-type Elite Four

Master chef · Specialty: setup tanks with utility
PokémonLvTypeNotes
Clawitzer
Clawitzer
63WaterMega Launcher boosts pulse moves +50%. Aura Sphere / Water Pulse / Dragon Pulse / Dark Pulse all amplified.
Starmie
Starmie
63Water/PsychicNatural Cure / Illuminate. Surf + Psychic + Recover. Fast special.
Gyarados
Gyarados
63Water/FlyingIntimidate. Aqua Tail + Crunch + Dragon Dance + Hydro Pump. 4× weak to Electric.
Barbaracle
Barbaracle
65Rock/Water★ Tough Claws (boost physical contact +30%). Cross Chop + Razor Shell + Stone Edge + Night Slash. Bulky and hard-hitting.

Strategy

MonCounterWhy
ClawitzerElectric / GrassMega Ampharos's Thunderbolt and Chesnaught's Wood Hammer both hit super-effectively.
StarmieElectric / Grass / Ghost / Dark / BugLots of options. Mega Ampharos Thunderbolt is the cleanest.
GyaradosElectric ★ ★ ★4× weak. Mega Ampharos one-shots with Thunderbolt. Dragon Dance is the threat — finish before turn 2.
BarbaracleGrass / Fighting / Steel / GroundMega Lucario's Aura Sphere or Chesnaught's Wood Hammer. Watch Cross Chop's high-crit.
★ Optimal lead: Mega Ampharos (Mold Breaker + Thunderbolt) carries this fight. Lead, get the Mega off, sweep. If Barbaracle ends up your toughest, switch to Chesnaught/Mega Lucario for the close.

Wikstrom (Steel-type)

W

Wikstrom — Steel-type Elite Four

Knight-themed warrior · Specialty: defensive setup + bulky Steel
PokémonLvTypeNotes
Klefki
Klefki
63Steel/FairyPrankster — priority status. Spikes + Foul Play + Thunder Wave + Mirror Shot.
Probopass
Probopass
63Rock/SteelSturdy + Magnet Pull. Sandstorm + Rock Slide + Magnet Bomb + Power Gem.
Scizor
Scizor
63Bug/SteelTechnician + Light Metal. Bullet Punch priority + X-Scissor + Iron Head + False Swipe. 4× weak to Fire.
Aegislash
Aegislash
65Steel/GhostStance Change. Sacred Sword + Iron Head + King's Shield + Shadow Ball. Switches between Shield (defense) and Blade (attack) forms. Bring Fire/Ground.

Strategy

MonCounterWhy
KlefkiFire / GroundPrankster Thunder Wave is annoying. Lum Berry recommended. Fire 2× Steel + 0.5× Fairy = 1× net; Ground 2× Steel.
ProbopassFighting / Ground / Water4× weak to Ground + Fighting. Mega Lucario's Aura Sphere one-shots. Watch Sandstorm chip.
ScizorFire ★ ★ ★4× weak to Fire. Mega Charizard Y's Flamethrower or Delphox's Mystical Fire one-shots.
AegislashFire / 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.
★ Optimal lead: Mega Charizard Y (Fire 4× on Scizor + 2× on Klefki/Aegislash) or Garchomp (Earthquake hits Probopass and Aegislash). Bring at least one Fire mon — this is Fire's gym day.

Drasna (Dragon-type)

D

Drasna — Dragon-type Elite Four

Old wise Dragon trainer · Specialty: heal-tanks + Outrage threat
PokémonLvTypeNotes
Dragalge
Dragalge
63Poison/DragonPoison Point / Adaptability. Hydro Pump + Dragon Pulse + Sludge Bomb + Toxic Spikes. Unique typing — only 2× weak to Ice/Ground/Psychic.
Altaria
Altaria
63Dragon/FlyingCloud Nine / Natural Cure. Dragon Pulse + Sky Attack + Cotton Guard + Moonblast (Fairy coverage!).
Noivern
Noivern
65Flying/Dragon★ Frisk / Infiltrator. Hurricane + Dragon Pulse + Boomburst + Air Slash. Fast and hits hard.
Druddigon
Druddigon
63DragonRough Skin / Sheer Force. Dragon Claw + Night Slash + Revenge + Chip Away.

Strategy

MonCounterWhy
DragalgeIce / Ground / PsychicAvoid Fairy — Poison resists Fairy. Avoid Dragon — Poison resists Dragon. Ice Beam is the cleanest answer.
AltariaIce / Fairy4× weak to Ice. Lapras's Ice Beam is the cleanest answer. Watch Moonblast back at Fairies.
NoivernIce / 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.
DruddigonIce / Fairy / DragonSlow but bulky. Mega Lucario's Bullet Punch is too weak; use Aurorus/Lapras's Ice Beam.
★ Optimal lead: Xerneas with Geomancy (1-turn set up, then sweep with Moonblast — Fairy STAB 2× on all four Dragons). If you do not have Xerneas, Lapras with Ice Beam + Sing covers everything, while Mega Ampharos can pressure with Dragon Pulse.

Diantha (Champion)

Diantha — Kalos Champion

Movie star + Pokémon Champion · Specialty: Mega Gardevoir sweeper finisher
PokémonLvTypeNotes
Hawlucha
Hawlucha
64Fighting/FlyingLimber. Flying Press + X-Scissor + Poison Jab + Swords Dance.
Tyrantrum
Tyrantrum
65Rock/DragonStrong Jaw. Head Smash + Earthquake + Dragon Claw + Crunch. ★ Head Smash + Strong Jaw bite combos.
Aurorus
Aurorus
65Rock/IceRefrigerate. Thunder + Blizzard + Light Screen + Reflect.
Gourgeist
Gourgeist
65Ghost/GrassFrisk / Pickup. Phantom Force + Trick-or-Treat + Seed Bomb + Shadow Sneak. Trick-or-Treat adds Ghost typing to opponent.
Goodra
Goodra
66DragonSap Sipper / Hydration / Gooey. Dragon Pulse + Focus Blast + Muddy Water + Fire Blast. Very bulky special.
Gardevoir
Gardevoir → Mega Gardevoir
68Psychic/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

MonCounterWhy
Hawlucha (lead)Psychic / Fairy / Electric / FlyingMega 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.
TyrantrumFairy / Fighting / Steel / Ice / Ground / Dragon★ Strong Jaw + Head Smash is a 1-shot threat. Bring Mega Lucario or Garchomp's Earthquake. Watch Earthquake back.
AurorusFighting / Steel / Rock / Ground / Water / Grass4× weak to Fighting + Steel. Mega Lucario's Bullet Punch or Aura Sphere ends it.
GourgeistFire / Flying / Ice / Ghost / DarkPhantom Force is a 2-turn move, so use it as a switch opportunity. Mega Charizard Y's Flamethrower is a clean answer.
GoodraFairy / Ice / DragonBulky. 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.
★ ★ ★ Optimal Champion lead: Mega Ampharos with Mold Breaker + Thunderbolt → Hawlucha one-shot, then pivot to Garchomp/Aegislash for the rest. Save your strongest Steel mon (Aegislash) for Mega Gardevoir — Iron Head + King's Shield handles her cleanly.

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

Looker Bureau (Lumiose): ★ The Detective Looker side quest opens. A long story-driven side arc with Emma. Worth playing.
Lumiose Station → Kiloude City: The TGV-style train now runs to Kiloude. The Battle Maison is here.
Mega Ring upgrade prep: After defeating your rival in Kiloude, Professor Sycamore upgrades your Mega Ring at the Anistar Sundial, enabling shimmer-spot Mega Stone hunting.
Mewtwo: Now spawns in Pokémon Village's cave area. Lv 70.
Box legendary roaming: If you fainted Xerneas/Yveltal, it doesn't respawn. But the Articuno/Zapdos/Moltres roamer starts (only one of the three, determined by your starter pick).
The Old Man in Anistar: Return to collect the Comet Shard from the deceased widower.

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:

SlotPokémonReasoningTarget Lv
1Your 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+
2Mega 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+
3Garchomp with Earthquake + Stone Edge + Dragon Claw + Crunch★ Earthquake universal answer. Covers Malva (3 of 4), Wikstrom (Probopass + Aegislash), Diantha (Tyrantrum).Lv 60+
4Aegislash 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+
5Mega Charizard Y (or X) with Flame-coverageWikstrom'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

ItemWhere
TM02 Dragon ClawVictory Road visible
Max Ether (hidden)Victory Road — east of Hiker Corwin
Star Piece / Full Restore ×2 / Max RepelVictory Road various
Various berries (held)Final route grass/Surf
Hall of Fame entryDefeat 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