The fact of the matter is that Pokémon is simply not a challenging franchise. Time and time again, mainline entries prove that they’re more focused on getting each Trainer to the Elite Four as comfortably as possible instead of offering a real challenge. Considering how much variety and customization Pokémon offers in regards to party composition, it’s a shame the difficulty curve is historically so low.
But it wasn’t always like this. Although Pokémon has built a reputation for its easy difficulty, previous Generations actually made it a point to offer a serious challenge. While this isn’t the case for all the earlier Generations, Pokémon’s easier curve is a recent trend. Believe it or not, there once was a time Pokémon actually expected trainers to exert some effort.
Updated on March 24, 2021, by Reyadh Rahaman: Each Generation also has its own threats that made it unique in its difficulty; an NPC trainer who stood above the rest and exemplified the power of their region in impressive teams at sometimes levels higher than the teams of the Elite Fours or Champions (if they aren’t the Champion themselves). These Pokemon Masters are a nice way to test one’s mettle so that the player does not get complacent.
8 Generation VIII
Generation VIII really should have been a turning point for the franchise. After years of structural stagnation, Sword & Shield were positioned as the games to finally transition Pokémon from 2D to 3D. It didn’t take long for the new Generation to garner controversy, in large part due to Galar serving as the first region to actually exclude Pokémon from the final Pokédex.
If nothing else, these exclusions could have been an opportunity for GameFreak to refine the series’ dwindling dungeon decision and enemy balancing. Tragically, any attempts at in-game balancing are immediately offset by the aggressive Exp. Share system which more or less ensure a trainer’s entire party is perpetually overleveled.
Even intentionally holding one’s team back, the Generation VIII games are pitifully easy. Gameplay borders on braindead, requiring next to no critical throughout from the player. Any depth combat can have will exclusively come from multiplayer.
Despite being essentially void of all challenge, the Gen VIII games still have some high-powered trainers who can be fun to battle. Mustard, the owner of the Isle of Armor’s Master Dojo, is a seasoned veteran who has not only traveled the world but has also been the Champion of the Galar region in his youth as well as a Fighting-type Gym Leader. The player can battle him multiple times, however, his true power can only be experienced in one’s third encounter with him at his dojo. Here is Mustard’s team during his most powerful appearance after the Galarian Star Tournament:
Mienshao – Lv.78 (Inner Focus)
- Fake Out
- Close Combat
- Blaze Kick
- U-turn
Luxray – Lv.78 (Intimidate)
- Wild Charge
- Crunch
- Psychic Fangs
- Play Rough
Corviknight – Lv.79 (Unnerve)
- Iron Head
- Brave Bird
- Light Screen
- Body Press
Lycanroc – Lv.80 (Keen Eye)
- Stone Edge
- Accelerock
- Stealth Rock
- Play Rough
Kommo-o – Lv.80 (Soundproof)
- Clanging Scales
- Flash Cannon
- Clangorous Soul
- Aura Sphere
Urshifu – Lv.80 (Unseen Fist)
- Surging Strikes
- Close Combat
- Iron Head
- Poison Jab
7 Generation VI
Pokémon X & Y were something of a big deal for the franchise. Although Generation V was compiled of some very well-designed RPGs, the Generation didn’t really push the series forward. Generation VI takes a lot of steps forward for the series– deeper player customization, a 3D world (albeit still in the spirit of 2D Pokémon,) and a dedication to online helped X & Y shine.
That said, Generation VI was not without its problems, taking steps back for the series. Notably, the difficulty curve was at its absolute lowest. Before Sword & Shield released, X & Y were the easiest Pokémon games by a wide margin. Despite being remakes of one of the harder Generations. Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, unfortunately, didn’t fare much better, either.
The champion of the Kalos region, Diantha, is at the top of this trainer food chain, and her team is one of the few that can possibly give some trainers pause in battle. She has an Aurorus that is capable of setting up Light Screen and Reflect, which can make her team a bit tougher to knock out. Her Hawlucha will also buff itself with Sword Attack, so take it down quickly and don’t let her Mega Gardevoir stick around too long, either. Here is Diantha’s team in detail:
Hawlucha – Lv.64 (Limber)
- Sword Dance
- Poison Jab
- Flying Press
- X-Scissor
Tyrantrum – Lv.65 (Strong Jaw)
- Head Smash
- Crunch
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
Aurorus – Lv.65 (Refrigerate)
- Thunder
- Blizzard
- Light Screen
- Reflect
Gourgeist – Lv.65 (Pickup)
- Trick-or-Treat
- Phantom Force
- Seed Bomb
- Shadow Sneak
Goodra – Lv.66 (Sap Sipper)
- Dragon Pulse
- Muddy Water
- Fire Blast
- Focus Blast
Gardevoir [Mega] – Lv.68 (Trace [Pixilate])
- Moonblast
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Thunderbolt
6 Generation VII
Pokémon Sun & Moon were letdowns for many, attempting to reinvent a formula that had been growing stale on a mostly superficial level. Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were likewise disappointments, arguably the worst third versions in the entire franchise. While Generation VII isn’t as easy as Generation VI, it is still painfully easy.
Beginning with Generation VI, Pokémon simply stopped caring about offering any semblance of challenge. This could perhaps be excused in X & Y as the games were explicitly meant to be reintroductions to the franchise, but this ignores how Generation I wasn’t easy and the fact that Generation VII doubles-down on all of Generation VI’s bad habits.
The leading pokemon expert of the region, Professor Kukui, is arguably the toughest trainer on the Alola islands. In the player’s champion defense battle against him (Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon), he will come packing some of the highest-level NPC pokemon in this Generation with most possessing somewhat viable movesets, like his his tricky Magnezone with Mirror Coat that can catch players off guard and his Braviary that is capable of buffing his team’s Speed as well as forcing out the player’s pokemon with a status move. His 6th team slot will also depend on which starter the player chose, with the Prof having the final evolution of the line most type-effective against the player’s choice. Here is Professor Kukui’s strongest team:
Lycanroc – Lv.69 (Keen Eye)
- Stone Edge
- Accelerock
- Crunch
- Stealth Rock
Alolan Ninetales – Lv.68 (Snow Cloak)
- Dazzling Gleam
- Blizzard
- Ice Shard
- Safeguard
Braviary – Lv.68 (Keen Eye)
- Crush Claw
- Brave Bird
- Tailwind
- Whirlwind
Magnezone – Lv.68 (Sturdy)
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder Wave
- Flash Cannon
- Mirror Coat
Snorlax – Lv.68 (Thick Fat)
- Body Slam
- Crunch
- Heavy Slam
- High Horsepower
[If Player Chose Rowlet] Incineroar – Lv.68 (Blaze)
- Flare Blitz
- Darkest Lariat
- Outrage
- Cross Chop
[If Player Chose Litten] Primarina – Lv.68 (Torrent)
- Sparkling Aria
- Aqua Jet
- Hyper Voice
- Moonblast
[If Player Chose Popplio] Decidueye – Lv.68 (Overgrow)
- Leaf Blade
- Spirit Shackle
- Sucker Punch
- Brave Bird
5 Generation II
Pokémon Gold & Silver deserve a lot of credit for not only expanding upon the franchise mechanically but offering more content on a scale reserved for only the grandest sequels. Generation II is a more accessible, more compelling adventure that takes Trainers across two regions in an epic that could have comfortably ended the series on a high.
It’s not unusual to see Generation II’s praises sung high, but even at release Gold & Silver had serious problems. Most notably, the difficulty curve. Generation II is so much easier than Generation I, it’s jarring. The main game never requires the player to have a team any stronger than their 50s. If nothing else, there are a few choke points that recognize the lower curve as a means to combat it (Whitney, Silver’s fights, Lance, Red.)
Though, at the top of these moderate challenges is the legendary trainer Red, the former Kanto Champion (and protagonist from the Gen I games) who now lives and a hermit in Silver Cave, honing their might with their over-leveled team. Despite the Gen II games not being particularly hard, Red’s team stands out for having actual strategies that can potentially be dangerous, depending on the order in which he sends out his pokemon. For example, if his Venusaur with Sunny Day is sent out before his Charizard, the player may have to deal with exceptionally powerful Fire-type attacks. He also has a Pikachu at a higher level than almost any other NPC pokemon in the entire franchise and a Snorlax that simply refuses to go down, both of which should not be underestimated. Here is Red’s team when one finds him in Silver Cave:
Espeon – Lv.73
- Mud Slap
- Swift
- Reflect
- Psychic
Snorlax – Lv.75
- Amnesia
- Rest
- Snore
- Body Slam
Venusaur – Lv.77
- Sunny Day
- Solarbeam
- Giga Drain
- Synthesis
Charizard – Lv.77
- Flamethrower
- Wing Attack
- Slash
- Fire Spin
Blastoise – Lv.77
- Rain Dance
- Surf
- Blizzard
- Whirlpool
Pikachu – Lv.81
- Charm
- Quick Attack
- Thunderbolt
- Thunder
4 Generation I
Generation I may be lacking in the modern quality of life fixtures, but on a pure design level, it features some of the franchise’s best dungeons and enemy party composition. There are always plenty of trainers to fight, wearing down even over-leveled Pokémon. The higher encounter rate plays into this as well, but Generation I knows how to approach difficulty.
This is best conveyed through the starters: Bulbasaur offers the easiest main game playthrough, Squirtle offers a decent challenge, and Charmander has a rough start akin to a hard mode. The curve balances itself out around the third Gym, but Generation I can be a decent challenge from start to finish. The Elite Four in particular can be a real wake-up call for any trainers relying primarily on their starter. Blue is one of the most formidable Champions in the series.
Although Blue’s team is different in Pokemon Yellow than it was in Red & Blue, many consider the latter team compositions to be tougher, particularly the Kanto Champion’s Alakazam, which is the strongest Psychic pokemon found in the game until one meets Mewtwo in Cerulean Cave. Players should also be wary of his Rhydon that knows one of the rare One-Hit-KO moves. It should also be mentioned that his team changes a bit depending on the starter the player chose as he will have one of the starter final evolutions as well as a rotation of Gyarados, Exeggutor, or Arcanine depending on what coverage his team needs to support his starter. Here is Blue’s team during the Red & Blue champion battle:
Pidgeot – Lv.61
- Wing Attack
- Sky Attack
- Mirror Move
- Whirlwind
Alakazam – Lv.59
- Psybeam
- Psychic
- Reflect
- Recover
Rhydon – Lv.61
- Leer
- Tail Whip
- Fury Attack
- Horn Drill
[Appears If Blue Does Not have Blastoise] Gyarados – Lv.61
- Dragon Rage
- Hydro Pump
- Hyper Beam
- Leer
[Appears If Blue Does Not have Charizard] Arcanine – Lv.63
- Ember
- Leer
- Roar
- Take Down
[Appears If Blue Does Not have Venusaur] Exeggutor – Lv.63
- Hypnosis
- Barrage
- Stomp
- Leech Seed
[If Player Chose Bulbasaur] Charizard – Lv.65
- Fire Blast
- Rage
- Slash
- Fire Spin
[If Player Chose Charmander] Blastoise – Lv.65
- Hydro Pump
- Blizzard
- Bite
- Withdraw
[If Player Chose Squirtle] Venusaur – Lv.65
- Growth
- Mega Drain
- Razor Leaf
- Solarbeam
3 Generation III
Ruby & Sapphire are far from the hardest games in the series, but the rest of Generation III does a really good job at offering a difficulty curve that’s accessible to newcomers while gripping for veterans. FireRed and LeafGreen are remakes of Generation I, and generally do a great job at upping the difficulty by just a bit. With Gen III’s new mechanics, the remakes become the definitive way to experience Kanto.
Emerald rebalances Ruby & Sapphire by a fair bit, making the main game tougher in the process. Wallace is a weaker Champion than Steven was, but Steven does return as one of the series’ more challenging post-game bosses. More importantly, Emerald introduces the Battle Frontier, and its first depiction is fairly difficult. Succeeding at the Battle Frontier requires a level of strategy the main games rarely ever need.
In this manner, Steven Stone echos the way Red went off into the depths of a dank cave for the solitude and space required to become a truly powerful trainer. Because of his training in Meteor Falls, where the player can find him after beating the Hoenn Elite Four and Champion, he has become the most powerful trainer in the region. His team boasts high levels and some decent movesets, though they are notably resilient due to being all Steel, Rock, and Ground types. Here is Steven’s team when encountered in Meteor Falls:
Skarmory – Lv.77 (Keen Eye)
- Toxic
- Aerial Ace
- Steel Wing
- Spikes
Claydol – Lv.75 (Levitate)
- Reflect
- Ancientpower
- Light Screen
- Earthquake
Aggron – Lv.76 (Sturdy)
- Thunder
- Solarbeam
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
Armaldo – Lv.76 (Battle Armor)
- Water Pulse
- Aerial Ace
- Ancientpower
- Slash
Cradily – Lv.76 (Suction Cups)
- Giga Drain
- Ingrain
- Ancientpower
- Confuse Ray
Metagross – Lv.78 (Clear Body)
- Earthquake
- Shadow Ball
- Psychic
- Meteor Mash
2 Generation IV
Generation IV isn’t that much harder than Generation III– and certainly not when it comes to the Battle Frontier– but Platinum is much harder than Emerald was and HeartGold and Soul Silver do an incredible job at remaking Generation II, ironing out Johto’s imbalanced difficulty curve.
Not only is Sinnoh one of the tougher regions in general, but Platinum also beefs up the storyline to include even more boss fights– many of which are actually a challenge. Cyrus was by no means a pushover in Diamond & Pearl, but he puts up a much better fight in Platinum. More notably, Cynthia might very well be the single strongest Champion in the series.
As for HeartGold and SoulSilver, it’s just nice to be able to play through a version of Johto that requires consistent thought. Johto itself is still on the easier side, but Kanto has been rebalanced and the post-game is harder on a whole.
The Sinnoh Champion Cynthia’s team (after the Stark Mountain event) is definitely the most dangerous team in the Generation for possessing such a variety of powerful strategies that no player can fully prepare for the fight with her unless they know what’s coming. Here is Cynthia’s team after Stark Mountain:
Spiritomb – Lv.74 (Pressure)
- Dark Pulse
- Psychic
- Silver Wind
- Ominous Wind
Roserade – Lv.74 (Natural Cure)
- Energy Ball
- Shadow Ball
- Sludge Bomb
- Extrasensory
Lucario – Lv.76 (Steadfast)
- Aura Sphere
- Dragon Pulse
- Psychic
- Earthquake
Togekiss – Lv.76 (Hustle)
- Air Slash
- Aura Sphere
- Water Pulse
- Psychic
Milotic – Lv.74 (Marvel Scale)
- Surf
- Ice Beam
- Mirror Coat
- Aqua Ring
Garchomp – Lv.78 (Sand Veil)
- Dragon Rush
- Earthquake
- Brick Break
- Giga Impact
1 Generation V
When looking at Pokémon as just another series of RPGs, Generation V is the best of the bunch. Great storytelling, good party variety, and by far the best difficulty curve in the series. On their own, Black/White and Black 2/White 2 offer a healthy challenge, but Generation V actually features easy and hard modes.Challenge Mode in Black 2/White 2 might very well be the best Pokémon experience there is. All trainers have higher leveled Pokémon, and Gym Leaders and the Elite Four all have extra Pokémon. It’s a shame the franchise went from offering Challenge Mode in Generation V to plummeting the difficulty in Generation VI.
Although the NPC considered the strongest in this Generation, the green-haired trainer known as N, is more known for his close ties with either Reshiram or Zekrom (depending on the version), its this trainer’s Season Battle teams that stand out as the strongest, for in each season he has a different themed team that takes advantage of the immensely powerful weather mechanics. His Spring appearance brings a rain-based team that is something that would be viable in competitive gameplay against other real people. Here is N’s supremely strong Spring Battle team:
Politoed – Lv.77 (Drizzle)
- Hydro Pump
- Focus Blast
- Hypnosis
- Psychic
Lanturn – Lv.75 (Volt Absorb)
- Thunder
- Signal Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Stockpile
Tentacruel – Lv.75 (Clear Body)
- Rain Dance
- Scald
- Giga Drain
- Barrier
Kabutops – Lv.75 (Swift Swim)
- Stone Edge
- Aqua Jet
- X-Scissor
- Low Kick
Omastar – Lv.75 (Swift Swim)
- Rain Dance
- Ice Beam
- Hydro Pump
- Earth Power
Starmie – Lv.75 (Natural Cure)
- Hydro Pump
- Psychic
- Ice Beam
- Thunder
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