Top 10 Most Difficult Boss Battles in the Pokemon Video Games
From the moment you receive your first Pokemon from the region's Professor to your triumphant stride into the Elite Four's hallowed halls, you've faced many trainers and wild Pokemon. However, some battles stand out from the rest, those that made you strategize, grind levels, and optimize your team like never before. These are the boss battles that made us question our strategies, push our boundaries, and probably caused a good number of us to chuck a Game Boy or two in frustration.Who can forget the feeling of squaring off against the likes of Cynthia's Garchomp in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, or the pulse-pounding tension of facing Ultra Necrozma in Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon? How about the strategic nightmare that was Ghetsis and his Hydreigon in Pokemon Black and White? These fights weren't just about throwing out your strongest attacks, they were about outsmarting your opponent and making the most of your team.
So, what are the most difficult boss battles in the Pokemon video games according to you? This is your chance to join the conversation and cast your vote. Whether it was a Gym Leader who caught you off guard, a nefarious Team Boss with a surprisingly powerful team, or a legendary Pokemon whose capture proved more than tricky, we want to hear about it.
This is a celebration of those epic showdowns that left us reeling, but also made our victories all the more sweet. It's about the battles that truly tested our mettle as Pokemon trainers, pushing us to become the very best, like no one ever was.
Ghetsis, the twisted mastermind behind Team Plasma, presents a formidable challenge with his diverse and high-level team, led by a beastly Hydreigon. His cunning strategy and powerful Pokemon make for a tense battle that you won't forget. Hard battle set to the beat of ominous drum beats and Latin chanting.
When I played Pokémon Black, I hated fighting Ghetsis. You fought him after N, allegedly making you the champion, but no, Ghetsis just has to intervene for no reason! Thank god for my Emboar.
His Cofagrigus can easily stall you to death with an incredibly powerful combination of Toxic, high defenses, and Protect. And then there's his Hydreigon, which pretty much outspeeds all of my Pokémon and has the coverage needed to easily one-shot them.
Cynthia, the Champion of the Sinnoh region, is renowned for her formidable skills and her balanced team, headed by the devastating Garchomp. Her strategic prowess and diverse team make her a fearsome opponent for any trainer. Every single Pokemon on her team is extremely dangerous. Literally all of them. Her Garchomp will haunt me forever. That thing is a hacker. How is it so darn good at scoring Dragon Rush flinches? The only way to beat him is to have a strong special attacker who has Ice Beam and also outspeeds him.
Also, at the time, her Spiritomb had no weaknesses whatsoever.
Me: Finally! The champion! Let's see what...
(Piano starts up)
Cynthia: I've been waiting for you, kid. You wanna know why I'm wearing black? It's your funeral.
Me: Eeek! (Flies back to Twinleaf Town). Faster, Staraptor!
She's way too hard in Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. I think her difficulty is getting toned down in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, though.
I played Pokemon Sun first, and he always outspeeds me and one-shots me with Play Rough. His ally Pokemon always outspeed me and put me to sleep with Hypnosis. The only reason I beat him on my first try was because I spammed revives during the battle. For whatever reason, he was much easier for me when I played Moon, and I am not sure why.
Whitney, the Goldenrod City Gym Leader, is notoriously difficult due to her Miltank's Rollout and Milk Drink moves. Many trainers have found themselves on the wrong end of a Rollout chain that wipes out their entire team. Everybody knows the story of her terrifying Miltank, in my opinion.
Darkrai, the Pitch-Black Pokemon, serves as the final boss in Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon. It puts up a ruthless fight with its dark type moves and ability to put opponents to sleep, making for a truly challenging battle. Cresselia goes down in history as the biggest waste of time in the history of Pokemon companions.
I love Darkrai! And Darkrai is so annoying to beat!
Clair, the Blackthorn City Gym Leader, has a formidable team of Dragon-type Pokemon. Her Kingdra's ability to resist most types of attacks, coupled with its powerful Hydro Pump, can create a real headache for trainers. Her Kingdra was, at the time, only weak to Dragon Type moves, which I never had at that moment in the game.
Greevil makes Ghetsis's fight look like a joke. If anyone played Pokemon: Gale of Darkness, they know what I'm talking about.
NO! STOP! This is the longest video game boss battle, even longer than that ugly Absolute Virtue!
Elesa, the Nimbasa City Gym Leader, is known for her electrifying strategy. Her Emolga's Double Team and Volt Switch moves can cause trouble for many trainers, making this a high-voltage showdown that can be hard to navigate. Her Emolga's Volt Switch spam was horrifying, in my opinion.
Lenora, the Nacrene City Gym Leader, is a real test of a trainer's mettle early in the game. Her clever use of Retaliate with her Herdier and Watchog can catch you off guard if you're not careful, making this a battle to remember. For whatever reason, Normal Type gym leaders have always given me the most trouble. Her Watchog was irritating as hell, and while her Herdier was not quite as bad, I hated her Herdier too.
Well, if you chose Oshawott, this battle should be smooth sailing. Tepig and Snivy, on the other hand...
The Newcomers
How is this one not higher? Not only is this a challenging fight on its own, but he also has a legendary. And then it just revives! I got chills the first time I faced this twist fight, and no other Pokémon experience has ever matched it.
Fantina, the Hearthome City Gym Leader, presents a ghostly challenge. With her Mismagius's potent Shadow Ball and her other Pokemon's array of status-altering moves, she can quickly turn the tide of the battle in her favor.
Blue, your rival and the final challenge of the Pokemon League, has a well-rounded team that adapts based on the starter you chose. His unpredictability and his team's high level make him a worthy adversary for any aspiring champion. I have to admit, I hated his character, but he truly had one of the most competitively balanced teams in the entire game.
Juan, the Sootopolis City Gym Leader, specializes in Water-type Pokemon. His Kingdra with its Double Team and Rest tactics can provide a frustrating challenge, requiring both patience and strategy to overcome.This took me weeks, or even months, to beat this boss.
Dialga used Roar of Time!
Reviver Seed
Intimidator IQ Skill Prevents Your Attack.
Dialga used Roar of Time!
Reviver Seed
Intimidator IQ Skill Prevents Your Attack.
Dialga used Roar of Time!
Reviver Seed
Intimidator IQ Skill Prevents Your Attack.
Dialga used Roar of Time!
Reviver Seed
Intimidator IQ Skill Prevents Your Attack.
Dialga used Roar of Time!
Reviver Seed
Intimidator IQ Skill Prevents Your Attack.
Dialga used Roar of Time!
Reviver Seed
Intimidator IQ Skill Prevents Your Attack.
Dialga used Roar of Time!
Dead.
Norman, your character's father and the Petalburg City Gym Leader, relies on Normal-type Pokemon. His Slaking can be a genuine threat with its high Attack stat and its devastating Facade move, especially when it's under a status condition.
Red, the protagonist from Pokemon Red and Blue, serves as a hidden boss in the Pokemon Gold and Silver games. His team, including a highly-leveled Pikachu, presents a challenge even for the most seasoned trainers.
Cyrus, the leader of Team Galactic, battles with a powerful lineup that includes the likes of Honchkrow and Weavile. His strategy and the high-level Pokemon in his command make him a daunting adversary.
Steven Stone, the Champion of the Hoenn region, has a formidable team of Steel and Rock types, led by his signature Metagross. His smart strategies and powerful Pokemon make for an epic final battle.
Eternatus, the legendary Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield, presents a unique challenge with its ability to Dynamax. Its powerful, max-level moves and high stats make this one of the most intense battles in the game.
Zygarde, a legendary Pokemon in Pokemon X and Y, can be a tricky boss to tackle. With its unique typing of Dragon/Ground, and its powerful signature move Land's Wrath, it presents a formidable challenge.
Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, is the first boss players encounter in Pokemon Red and Blue. Although his rock-hard lineup of Geodude and Onix might not seem too menacing, for trainers with a Charmander or Pikachu, he can be quite a challenge.
Morty, the Ecruteak City Gym Leader, specializes in Ghost-type Pokemon. His Gengar, with its high speed and special attack, coupled with Hypnosis and Dream Eater combo, makes him a fearsome boss.