Elite Four

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Elite Four
四天王 The Big Four
PE Elite Four.png
Artwork of Chase and Elaine confronting the Kanto Elite Four
in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Other names
Introduced in Generation I
Appears in Red, Blue, and Yellow
Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver
Black, White, Black 2, and White 2
X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu!, and Let's Go, Eevee!
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Scarlet and Violet
Stadium, Stadium 2
Puzzle League, Puzzle Challenge
Masters EX
Gender Both
Counterpart {{{counterpart}}}
Notable members See list
Anime debut To Master the Onixpected! (Series)
File 4: Charizard (Origins)
The Challenger (Generations)
The Visionary (Evolutions)
Breathe Out (Paldean Winds)
TCG debut [[(TCG)|]]
TCG card {{{card}}}
Manga debut A Charizard...and a Champion (Adventures)
PZ10 (Zensho)
Hareta's Heart's Desire (DPA!)
HZM03 (Anime Pocket Monsters: Liko and Roy's Adventure)

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 Paldea.

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 Paldea, 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. At Blueberry Academy, Crispin's Pokémon are one level lower than the others, but the Elite Four can be battled 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:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Generation I Generation III Generation VII
After Kanto After Sevii Initial Rematch
VSLorelei PE.png
Lorelei
カンナ Kanna
Ice DewgongCloysterSlowbro
JynxLapras
DewgongCloysterPiloswine
JynxLapras
DewgongJynxCloyster
SlowbroLapras
DewgongJynxSandslash
CloysterSlowbroLapras
VSBruno PE.png
Bruno
シバ Siba
Fighting OnixHitmonchanHitmonlee
OnixMachamp
SteelixHitmonchanHitmonlee
SteelixMachamp
OnixHitmonchanHitmonlee
PoliwrathMachamp
OnixHitmonchanHitmonlee
GolemPoliwrathMachamp
VSAgatha PE.png
Agatha
キクコ Kikuko
Ghost GengarGolbatHaunter
ArbokGengar
GengarCrobatMisdreavus
ArbokGengar
ArbokGengarGolbat
WeezingGengar
ArbokMarowakGolbat
GengarWeezingGengar
VSLance PE.png
Lance
ワタル Wataru
Dragon GyaradosDragonairDragonair
AerodactylDragonite
GyaradosDragoniteKingdra
AerodactylDragonite
SeadraAerodactylGyarados
CharizardDragonite
SeadraAerodactylGyarados
CharizardExeggutorDragonite

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:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Generation II Generation IV
After 8 Badges After 16 Badges
VSWill.png
Will
イツキ Itsuki
Psychic XatuExeggutorSlowbro
JynxXatu
BronzongJynxGrumpig
SlowbroGardevoirXatu
VSKoga.png
Koga
キョウ Kyou
Poison AriadosForretressMuk
VenomothCrobat
SkuntankVenomothToxicroak
MukCrobatSwalot
VSBruno.png
Bruno
シバ Siba
Fighting HitmontopHitmonchanHitmonlee
OnixMachamp
HitmontopHitmonleeHitmonchan
HariyamaMachampLucario
VSKaren.png
Karen
カリン Karin
Dark UmbreonVileplumeMurkrow
GengarHoundoom
WeavileAbsolSpiritomb
HoundoomHonchkrowUmbreon

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:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Ruby and Sapphire Emerald Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Initial Rematch
VSSidney.png
Sidney
カゲツ Kagetsu
Dark MightyenaShiftryCacturne
SharpedoAbsol
MightyenaShiftryCacturne
CrawdauntAbsol
MightyenaShiftryCacturne
SharpedoAbsol
ScraftyShiftryZoroark
SharpedoMandibuzzAbsol
VSPhoebe.png
Phoebe
フヨウ Fuyō
Ghost DusclopsBanetteSableye
BanetteDusclops
DusclopsBanetteSableye
BanetteDusknoir
BanetteMismagiusDrifblim
ChandelureDusknoirSableye
VSGlacia.png
Glacia
プリム Prim
Ice GlalieSealeoSealeo
GlalieWalrein
GlalieFroslassGlalie
FroslassWalrein
AbomasnowBearticFroslass
VanilluxeWalreinGlalie
VSDrake.png
Drake
ゲンジ Genji
Dragon ShelgonAltariaFlygon
FlygonSalamence
ShelgonAltariaKingdra
FlygonSalamence
AltariaFlygonKingdra
FlygonSalamence
AltariaDragalgeKingdra
FlygonHaxorusSalamence

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:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Diamond, Pearl, and
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
(Initial)
Platinum and
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
(National Pokédex)
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
(Stark Mountain)
VSAaron BDSP.png
Aaron
リョウ Ryou
Bug DustoxBeautiflyVespiquen
HeracrossDrapion
YanmegaScizorHeracross
VespiquenDrapion
YanmegaScizorVespiquen
HeracrossFlygonDrapion
VSBertha BDSP.png
Bertha
キクノ Kikuno
Ground QuagsireSudowoodoGolem
WhiscashHippowdon
WhiscashGliscorHippowdon
GolemRhyperior
WhiscashGliscorNidoking
HippowdonMamoswineRhyperior
VSFlint BDSP.png
Flint
オーバ Ōba
Fire RapidashSteelixDrifblim
LopunnyInfernape
HoundoomFlareonRapidash
InfernapeMagmortar
NinetalesHoundoomRapidash
InfernapeArcanineMagmortar
VSLucian BDSP.png
Lucian
ゴヨウ Goyō
Psychic Mr. MimeGirafarigMedicham
AlakazamBronzong
Mr. MimeEspeonBronzong
AlakazamGallade
Mr. MimeEspeonBronzong
AlakazamSlowbroGallade

Unova Elite Four

In Unova, the Elite Four may be challenged in any order. In Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, the Elite Four at the Unova Pokémon League consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Black and White Black 2 and White 2
Easy/Normal Mode Challenge Mode
Initial Rematch Initial Rematch Initial Rematch
VSShauntal.png
Shauntal
シキミ Shikimi
Ghost CofagrigusJellicent
GolurkChandelure
CofagrigusJellicentGolurk
FroslassDrifblimChandelure
CofagrigusDrifblim
GolurkChandelure
CofagrigusMismagiusFroslass
DrifblimGolurkChandelure
CofagrigusDrifblimGolurk
BanetteChandelure
CofagrigusGengarFroslass
DrifblimGolurkChandelure
VSMarshal.png
Marshal
レンブ Renbu
Fighting ThrohSawk
ConkeldurrMienshao
BreloomThrohSawk
MienshaoToxicroakConkeldurr
ThrohSawk
MienshaoConkeldurr
ThrohSawkLucario
MienshaoMedichamConkeldurr
ThrohSawkLucario
MienshaoConkeldurr
ThrohSawkLucario
MienshaoMachampConkeldurr
VSGrimsley.png
Grimsley
ギーマ Giima
Dark ScraftyKrookodile
LiepardBisharp
SharpedoScraftyKrookodile
LiepardDrapionBisharp
LiepardScrafty
KrookodileBisharp
LiepardHonchkrowScrafty
KrookodileHoundoomBisharp
LiepardScraftyKrookodile
AbsolBisharp
HonchkrowScraftyKrookodile
HoundoomTyranitarBisharp
VSCaitlin.png
Caitlin
カトレア Cattleya
Psychic ReuniclusMusharna
SigilyphGothitelle
MusharnaSigilyphReuniclus
GothitelleBronzongMetagross
MusharnaSigilyph
ReuniclusGothitelle
MusharnaSigilyphGothitelle
GalladeReuniclusMetagross
MusharnaReuniclusSigilyph
GothitelleMetagross
MusharnaAlakazamGothitelle
GalladeReuniclusMetagross

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:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
X and Y
VSMalva.png
Malva
パキラ Pachira
Fire PyroarTorkoalChandelureTalonflame
VSSiebold.png
Siebold
ズミ Zumi
Water ClawitzerGyaradosStarmieBarbaracle
VSWikstrom.png
Wikstrom
ガンピ Gampi
Steel KlefkiProbopassScizorAegislash
VSDrasna.png
Drasna
ドラセナ Dracaena
Dragon DragalgeDruddigonAltariaNoivern

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.

The Elite Four at the Alola Pokémon League consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Sun and Moon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
VSHala 2.png
Hala
ハラ Hala
Fighting HariyamaPrimeapeBewear
PoliwrathCrabominable
VSOlivia USUM.png
Olivia
ライチ Lychee
Rock RelicanthCarbinkGolem
ProbopassLycanroc
ArmaldoCradilyGigalith
ProbopassLycanroc
VSAcerola.png
Acerola
アセロラ Acerola
Ghost SableyeDrifblimDhelmise
FroslassPalossand
BanetteDrifblimDhelmise
FroslassPalossand
VSKahili USUM.png
Kahili
カヒリ Kahili
Flying SkarmoryCrobatOricorio
MandibuzzToucannon
BraviaryHawluchaOricorio
MandibuzzToucannon
VSMolayne USUM.png
Molayne
マーレイン Mullein
Steel KlefkiBisharpMagnezone
MetagrossDugtrio

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 Pokémon League consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
Scarlet and Violet The Indigo Disk
VSRika.png
Rika
チリ Chili
Ground WhiscashCameruptDonphan
DugtrioClodsire
DugtrioWhiscashCamerupt
TorterraDonphanClodsire
VSPoppy.png
Poppy
ポピー Poppy
Steel CopperajahMagnezoneBronzong
CorviknightTinkaton
CopperajahBastiodonBronzong
MagnezoneCorviknightTinkaton
VSLarry 2.png
Larry
アオキ Aoki
Flying TropiusOricorioAltaria
StaraptorFlamigo
OinkologneTaurosDudunsparce
AltariaFlamigoStaraptor
Normal
VSHassel.png
Hassel
ハッサク Hassaku
Dragon NoivernHaxorusDragalge
FlappleBaxcalibur
DuraludonNoivernHaxorus
DragalgeDragoniteBaxcalibur

Note that Larry is rematched as a Gym Leader, while Hassel is rematched as an Instructor.

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. They also do not have to be battled in succession, because each of them is fought at a separate location around the Terarium. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Elite Four at Blueberry Academy consists of:

Member
Japanese
Type Teams
The Indigo Disk
VSCrispin.png
Crispin
アカマツ Akamatsu
Fire RotomTalonflameExeggutor
CameruptMagmortarBlaziken
VSAmarys.png
Amarys
ネリネ Nerine
Steel SkarmoryDugtrioScizor
ReuniclusEmpoleonMetagross
VSLacey.png
Lacey
タロ Taro
Fairy WhimsicottGranbullPrimarina
SlowbroAlcremieExcadrill
VSDrayton.png
Drayton
カキツバタ Kakitsubata
Dragon DragoniteFlygonHaxorus
SceptileKingdraArchaludon

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Puzzle League

Pokémon Puzzle League features its own Elite Four: Ritchie, Lorelei, Bruno, and Gary. Gary serves as the leader of the Elite Four and the Puzzle League Champion.

By defeating each of them, the player is rewarded with an Elite Medal. Playing on Hard Level, Gary is the last challenge, and on Super Hard, Mewtwo is the last challenge after the player becomes the Champion.

Ritchie

025Pikachu.png
Pikachu
004Charmander.png
Charmander
012Butterfree.png
Butterfree


Lorelei

091Cloyster.png
Cloyster
061Poliwhirl.png
Poliwhirl
087Dewgong.png
Dewgong


Bruno

095Onix.png
Onix
107Hitmonchan.png
Hitmonchan
057Primeape.png
Primeape


Gary

031Nidoqueen.png
Nidoqueen
059Arcanine.png
Arcanine
099Kingler.png
Kingler


Gallery

Pokémon Trading Card Game series

In Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, there is a group composed of powerful four members called the Grand Masters, who are the counterpart of the Elite Four in these games. Defeating them earns the player the Legendary Cards.

In animation

Pokémon animated series

The Sinnoh Elite Four in the anime

In Pokémon the Series, Ash and his friends infrequently met Elite Four members, who then imparted them with battle strategies. Liko also frequently encountered Paldean Elite Four members during Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

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.

In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, some members of the Elite Four from around the world (such as Lance, Flint, and Drasna), were shown participating in the World Coronation Series.

In Pokémon Horizons: The Series, all members of Paldea's Elite Four participated in the Elite Four Tag Battle, an event organized by Naranja Academy with Terastal Training students.

Kanto Elite Four

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

Hoenn Elite Four

In Hoenn, Ash has met only one Elite Four member:

  • Only 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:

Unova Elite Four

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

Kalos Elite Four

Wikstrom and Drasna; two members of the Kalos Elite Four

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:

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:

Paldea Elite Four

Penny with some of Paldea's Elite Four

In Paldea, every member of the Elite Four has appeared:

Artwork

E4 Paldea HZ Artwork.png
Official artwork of Paldea's Elite Four in Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Pokémon Origins

The Kanto Elite Four in Pokémon Origins

Only the members of the Kanto Elite Four made brief appearances in File 4: Charizard. Red was shown defeating all four members, allowing him to move on to face the Pokémon League Champion, Blue.

Pokémon Generations

The Kanto Elite Four in Pokémon Generations

The members of the Kanto Elite Four made brief appearances in The Challenger. Blue was shown defeating all four members, allowing him to become the Pokémon League Champion. Later in the episode, Red was revealed to have defeated them as well, since he was seen about to challenge Blue.

Lance reappeared again more prominent in The Lake of Rage. He teams up with Ethan to battle Team Rocket in the Lake of Rage's incident.

Malva appeared in The Beauty Eternal, where she was seen on a billboard. She is the only member of the Kalos's Elite Four to appear in this series.

Pokémon Evolutions

Only Malva appeared in The Visionary.

Pokémon: Paldean Winds

In Pokémon: Paldean Winds mini-series, all members of Paldea's Elite Four appeared in small cameos.

Hassel briefly debuted in Breathe Out as part of the teaching staff at Naranja Academy.

Rika, Poppy, and Larry appeared during the Naranja Academy presentation video made by Ohara, Aliquis, and Hohma in Breathe Toghther.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Kanto Elite Four in Pokémon Adventures

Red, Green & Blue arc

The Kanto Elite Four, consisting of Lorelei, Bruno, Lance, and Agatha, made their debut in A Charizard...and a Champion, watching the final battle between Red and Blue.

Yellow arc

The Kanto Elite Four served as the primary antagonists for this arc, seeking to wipe out most of humanity in order to create a utopia for Pokémon. They are each said to be so powerful that the triad leaders of Team Rocket, Koga, Lt. Surge, and Sabrina, all had to begrudgingly team up with the protagonists and Blaine to take just a single one of them at their base of operations on Cerise Island.

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

The Johto Elite Four is formed at the end of this arc, following the defeat of the Masked Man. It consists of accomplished Pokémon Trainers that were formerly part of criminal organizations, who would eventually rise as the official Elite Four of Indigo Plateau. Will, Bruno, Karen, and Koga united to train together after they were no longer being controlled.

Ruby & Sapphire arc

Hoenn Elite Four in Pokémon Adventures

The Hoenn Elite Four, consisting of Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, and Drake, made an appearance in this arc, helping to find and catch the legendary giants in order to contain the massive surge of energy created by the clash of Kyogre and Groudon alongside Steven and Wallace, their two regional Champions. It is also during the Hoenn Elite Four's appearance that the challenge of the Elite Four and Champion was mentioned as having replaced a knockout tournament to determine the best Trainer in the region.

Diamond & Pearl arc

The first Sinnoh Elite Four member to debut in the series was Flint, who made a cameo appearance in the last chapter of this arc.

Platinum arc

Aaron, Bertha, and Lucian debuted in this arc, where they were enlisted by the Pokémon Association Chairman to decode the ancient writings in Charon's memobook. Meanwhile, Flint accompanied Volkner to the Distortion World so that they could battle Giratina for their own amusement.

HeartGold & SoulSilver arc

The Johto Elite Four in Pokémon Adventures

The Johto Elite Four reappeared in this arc, where they faced Gold in various Pokéathlon events and later fought Lance's Dragonite when it went berserk.

Black & White arc

The Unova Elite Four first appeared in this arc as Black cited them during his daily pledge. However, they never appeared to the main characters as a group. Besides Caitlin, who already appeared in the Platinum arc, Grimsley met Black on Route 4, Shauntal met White aboard the Battle Subway, and Marshal met both in Nimbasa City. All four converged for the duration of the Unova League tournament that would have determined the Trainer that would challenge them. They also participated in the battle against Team Plasma and the forces of nature when N's Castle rose from the ground.

X & Y arc

The first Kalos Elite Four member to appear is Malva, who appeared in person in this arc. Drasna, Wikstrom, and Siebold were mentioned by Diantha during her conversation with Gurkinn and Korrina. Siebold later appeared in the Lost Hotel, cooking a meal for X and Y's friends, as a way of apologizing for his lack of participation against Team Flare. Wikstrom and Drasna later appeared in person, assisting X and Y's group in their quest to stop Team Flare. Drasna gave them information about Zygarde and Wikstrom used his Probopass to guide them to Team Flare's hideout at the Pokémon Village. Malva, bearing a searing hatred for Diantha, battled against the Kalos Champion twice over the course of the arc.

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc

While never actually forming, the members comprising the Alola Elite Four appear individually throughout the arc. Hala and Olivia debuted in The Delivery of Rotom and the Girl, discussing the sightings of the guardian deities around Alola with Nanu. Kahili debuted in Defeat and the Commander of the School of Fish, coming back to Alola and speculating the Ultra Beasts were the source of the guardian deities' rage. In Shipwreck and "Oh, What Sharp Teeth You Have, Bruxish!", Acerola found an unconscious Sun and Lillie on a beach and took them to the Aether House to recuperate. Molayne debuted in Truth and the Mastermind Behind Team Skull, helping innocent civilians escape from the Ultra Beasts wreaking havoc on Ula'ula Island.

Scarlet & Violet arc

Hassel debuted in PASV02.

Pokémon Zensho

The Kanto Elite Four members appeared in Indigo Plateau, where all of them were defeated by Satoshi, allowing him to face the Champion, Shigeru.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Flint appeared in Hareta's Heart's Desire as a participant to the Pokémon League tournament, but chose to forfeit when he was overwhelmed by the power of Hareta's Regigigas. The rest of the Sinnoh Elite Four made a cameo while watching the battle.

Pocket Monsters

The Paldea Elite Four members appeared in HZM03.

Trivia

  • The only types that have yet to be specialized in by any Elite Four member are Normal, Grass, and Electric.
    • Although Larry of the Paldea Elite Four specializes in the Normal type in his capacity as a Gym Leader, he specializes in Flying types as an Elite Four member.
  • The most common type specialization for members of the Elite Four is Dragon, with five specialists.
  • Every Ghost-type Elite Four member is female.
  • 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 not be able to be rematched as a group. Instead, the Elite Four and Champion can be rebattled through other means:
  • 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.
  • The BB League Elite Four is the only Elite Four whose members use a full team of six Pokémon for their initial battles.
  • Drayton informally names parts of the Elite Four by replacing “Four” with the number of people he is referring to; i.e. “Elite One”, “Elite Two”, and “Elite Three”.
  • Every Elite Four has featured at least one specialist representing the Ghost, Psychic, or Dragon type.

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.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 四天王 Seitīnwòhng
Mandarin 四天王 Sìtiānwáng
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech Elitní čtyřka
Denmark Flag.png Danish Elitekvartetten
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Elite Vier
Grote vier*
Finland Flag.png Finnish Eliittineloset*
Huippunelikko/Mahtinelikko*
France Flag.png European French Conseil 4 (II+)
Conseil des 4 (I)
Germany Flag.png German Top Vier
Greece Flag.png Greek Εκλεκτή Τετράδα Eklektí Tetráda
Israel Flag.png Hebrew אליט פור Eelit For
רביעיית האליט Revi'hiat Ha'Eelit
India Flag.png Hindi धमाल चोकडी Dhamaal Chokdi*
शानदार चार Shandaar Char*
Hungary Flag.png Hungarian Elit négyes
Indonesia Flag.png Indonesian Empat Elit
Italy Flag.png Italian Superquattro
South Korea Flag.png Korean 사천왕 Sacheonwang
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Elitekvartett
Poland Flag.png Polish Elitarna Czwórka*
Elita Czterech*
Wielka Czwórka*
Czwarta Elita*
Portuguese Brazil Flag.png Brazil Elite dos Quatro (games, anime, manga)
Elite Quatro (The Official Pokémon Handbook)
Portugal Flag.png Portugal Quarteto de Elite
Elite Four*
Romania Flag.png Romanian Elita celor Patru
Russia Flag.png Russian Элитная Четвёрка Elitnaya Chetbyorka
Spanish CELAC Flag.png Latin America Élite Cuatro
Alto Mando
Spain Flag.png Spain Alto Mando
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Elitfyran
Elitkvartetten*
Turkey Flag.png Turkish Elit Dörtlü
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Tứ Thiên Vương

Related articles

Pokémon League logo.png The Pokémon League Paldea Gym Logo.png
Participation
TrainerBattleGym Leaders
GymsBadgesReferee
Championship matches
Elite FourOrange League
Champion League
Pokémon League Conferences
IndigoSilverEver GrandeLily of the Valley
VertressLumioseManalo
Regional Pokémon Leagues
IndigoOrange*JohtoHoennSinnoh
Unova (BB) • KalosAlolaGalarPaldea
Areas of jurisdiction
Pokémon League Reception GateHall of Fame
Palace of VictoryCerulean CaveArea Zero
Others
Admissions ExamPokémon Association
PIAWorld Coronation Series
(Masters Eight Tournament)
Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Kanto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*Bug CatcherBurglarCamper*ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE
ChannelerElite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPEEngineerFishermanGamer*GentlemanGym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE
HikerJugglerLassPicnicker*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Trainer*GSCPEPsychicRivalFRLGRockerRoughneck*
SailorScientistSuper NerdSwimmerTamerTeam Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPETeam Rocket Grunt*Youngster
BoarderHGSSDouble TeamHGSSFirebreatherGSCHGSSGuitaristGSCHGSSMediumGSCHGSS
PokéfanGSCHGSSSchool Kid*GSCHGSSSkierHGSSTeacherGSCHGSSTwinsGSCFRLGHGSS
Cool CoupleFRLGCrush KinFRLGSis and BroFRLGYoung CoupleFRLGHGSS
Coach TrainerPEKarate MasterPEPunk GuyPETeam RocketPETeam Rocket AdminPE
Master TrainersPE
Unused Trainer class:
ChiefRGBY
Hoenn Ace Trainer*Aqua AdminSEASAqua LeaderSEASAroma LadyBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack Belt
Bug CatcherBug ManiacCamperChampionCollectorDragon TamerElite FourExpertFisherman
GentlemanGuitaristHex ManiacHikerInterviewers*KindlerLadyLassLeaderMagma AdminREOR
Magma LeaderREORNinja BoyOld CoupleParasol LadyPicnickerPoké Fan*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Breeder*
Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*PsychicRich BoyRuin ManiacSailorSchoolkid*Sis & Bro*Swimmer
Team Aqua GruntSEASTeam Magma GruntREORTeammates*TriathleteTuberTwinsWinstrateYoung CoupleYoungster
Ace DuoORASBrains & BrawnORASBackpackerORASDelinquentORASFairy Tale GirlORASFare PrinceORAS
Free DiverORASLeadersORASLorekeeperORASMysterious SistersORASProprietorORASRotation GirlORAS
Scuba DiverORASSecret Base ExpertORASSecret Base TrainerORASSootopolitanORASStreet ThugORAS
Battle Frontier only:E
Arena TycoonDome AceFactory HeadPalace MavenPike QueenPyramid KingSalon Maiden
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS
ArtistBattle ChatelaineButlerChefFurisode GirlGarçonGardenerMadameMaidMonsieurOwnerPreschooler
Punk GirlPunk GuyRising StarRoller SkaterSchoolboySchoolgirlScientistTouristVeteranWaitressWorker
Sinnoh Ace TrainerAroma LadyArtistBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack BeltBug CatcherCameramanCamperChampion
ClownCollectorCommanderCowgirlCyclistDouble TeamDragon TamerElite FourFisher*GentlemanGuitarist
Gym Leader*HikerIdolInterviewersJoggerLadyLassMadame*Ninja BoyParasol LadyPicnickerPIPoké Fan*
Poké KidPokémon Breeder*Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*Police Officer*PsychicRancherRanchers*
ReporterRich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSailorSchool KidScientistSkierSwimmerTeam Galactic Boss*
Team Galactic Grunt*Tower TycoonTuberTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoung CoupleYoungster
Arcade StarPtCastle ValetPtFactory HeadPtHall MatronPtMaidPtGAME FREAK'sBDSP
Unova Ace TrainerArtistBackersBackpackerBakerBattle GirlBikerBlack BeltChampionClerk
CyclistDancerDepot AgentDoctorElite FourFishermanGAME FREAKGentlemanGym Leader*
HarlequinHikerHooligansHoopsterInfielderJanitorLadyLassLinebackerMaidMotorcyclistMusician
NurseNursery AideParasol LadyPilotPokéfanPKMN BreederPKMN RangerPokémon Trainer*Policeman
PreschoolerPsychicRich BoyRoughneckSchool KidScientistSmasherSocialiteStrikerSubway Boss
SwimmerTeam PlasmaTeam Plasma GruntThe RichesBWTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoungster
BeautyB2W2Boss TrainerB2W2GuitaristB2W2
Pokéstar Studios only:B2W2
A-list ActorActorActressBig StarCelebrityChic ActressChild StarComedian
Fine ActorMovie StarNew ActressStar ActorSuit ActorUnique StarVeteran Star
Pokémon World Tournament only:B2W2
Junior RepresentativeMaster RepresentativeSenior Representative
World ChampionWorld FinalistWorld Runner-up
Blueberry Academy only:SV
BB League ChampionBB League Elite FourBlueberry Academy Director
DirectorInstructorLeague ClubStudentTop Champion
Kalos Ace DuoAce TrainerArtistArtist FamilyBackpackerBattle GirlBeautyBlack BeltBrains & Brawn
ButlerChampionChefDriverElite FourFairy Tale GirlFishermanFurisode GirlGarçonGardener
Hex ManiacHikerHoneymoonersLassLeaderLumiose Gang MemberMysterious SistersOwner
Poké FanPoké Fan FamilyPokémon BreederPokémon ProfessorPokémon RangerPokémon Trainer
PreschoolerPsychicPunk CouplePunk GirlPunk GuyRangersRising StarRoller Skater
SchoolboySchoolgirlScientistSky TrainerSuccessorSuspicious ChildSuspicious Lady
Suspicious WomanSwimmerTeam FlareTeam Flare AdminTeam Flare BossTeam Flare Grunt
TouristTwinsVeteranWaitressWorkerYoungster
Battle Chateau ranks:
By male: BaronViscountEarlMarquisDukeGrand Duke
By female: BaronessViscountessCountessMarchionessDuchessGrand Duchess
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:
Battle ChatelaineLadyMadameMaidMonsieurRich Boy
Unused Trainer classes:
Ace SurferSwimmers
Alola Ace DuoAce TrainerAether Branch ChiefAether FoundationAether Foundation Employee
Aether PresidentAthletic SiblingsBackpackerBeautyBellhopBlack BeltCaptainCollectorCookDancer
Eevee UserElite FourEspeon UserFirefighterFishermanFlareon UserGAME FREAKGentlemanGlaceon User
Golf BuddiesGolferHikerHoneymoonersIsland KahunaJanitorJolteon UserKarate FamilyLassLeafeon User
MadameOffice WorkerPokémon BreederPokémon ProfessorPokémon TrainerPolice OfficerPreschooler
PrincipalPunk GirlPunk GuyPunk PairRising StarRising Star DuoScientistSightseerSwimmerSwimmers
Swimmer GirlsSylveon UserTeacherTeam SkullTeam Skull AdminTeam Skull BossTeam Skull Grunt
Trial GuideTwinsUmbreon UserVaporeon UserVeteranVeteran DuoWorkerYoungsterYouth Athlete
ActorUSUMCapoeira CoupleUSUMDancing FamilyUSUMKantonian GymUSUMMaster & ApprenticeUSUM
ReporterUSUMSparring PartnersUSUMSurferUSUMTeam AquaUSUMTeam FlareUSUMTeam GalacticUSUM
Team MagmaUSUMTeam PlasmaUSUMTeam Rainbow RocketUSUMTeam Rainbow Rocket GruntUSUM
Tourist CoupleUSUMUltra Forest KartenvoyUSUltra Recon SquadUSUM
Battle Tree, Battle Royal Dome, and Battle Agency only:
Battle LegendPokémon Center LadyPro Wrestler
Paldea ArtistBackpackerBlack BeltCabbieChampionCookCourierDirectorDragon TamerElite FourGym Leader
Gym TrainerHikerInstructorJanitorModelMusicianOffice WorkerPoké ManiacPokémon Trainer
ScientistStudentTeam StarTeam Star GruntTop ChampionWaiterWaitressWorkerYoungster
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero only:
Glitterati
Project CharacterDex logo.png This Trainer Class article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.