You’re trekking through South Province Area Six, basically a vertical labyrinth of cliffs and cave systems, wondering if the payoff is even worth it. Then you see it. Alfornada. It's this vibrant, high-altitude town that feels completely disconnected from the rest of Paldea. If you’re hunting for the Pokemon Scarlet Psychic Gym, this is your final destination. Most players stumble into Tulip’s domain thinking it’s just another badge to collect before the Elite Four, but honestly, the Alfornada Gym is a massive wake-up call for anyone who hasn't been paying attention to speed tiers or typing coverage.
Tulip isn't your average gym leader. She’s a makeup artist with a flair for the dramatic, and her team reflects that precise, calculated aesthetic. It’s kinda funny how the game positions her; by the time you reach her, you've likely smashed through Kofu or Larry with brute force. But Alfornada doesn't play like that. The Psychic-type niche in Generation IX is all about glass cannons and status moves. If you walk in there with a heavy-hitting Fighting or Poison type, you’re basically handing her the win on a silver platter.
Finding the Alfornada Gym and the Espathra Problem
Getting there is half the battle. You’ve gotta navigate the Alfornada Cavern, which is honestly a bit of a nightmare if your ride Pokemon hasn't unlocked high-jump or gliding yet. Once you’re in town, the gym test is... unique. It’s called "Emotional Exercise." You’re essentially playing a rhythm-based mini-game with Dendra, the battle studies teacher. It’s a bit silly, matching emotions to buttons, but it serves a purpose. It slows you down. It makes you focus on timing, which is exactly what you need for the actual fight.
Tulip’s lineup is a curated list of Psychic threats that most people underestimate. She starts with Farigiraf. This thing is a tanky annoyance. Its ability, Armor Tail, is a literal middle finger to priority moves like Sucker Punch or Extreme Speed. If you were planning on cheesing this fight with a Quick Attack or a Prankster-boosted move, Farigiraf just says "no." It sets the tone for the rest of the encounter. You can't just react; you have to predict.
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The Team Composition
Her team usually sits around level 44 to 45. After Farigiraf, she’ll cycle through Gardevoir and Espathra. This is where things get dicey. Gardevoir is a Special Defense monster with access to Dazzling Gleam, meaning your Dark types—the very things meant to counter Psychic types—are suddenly in mortal danger. Then there’s Espathra. This bird is the bane of many casual playthroughs. Its Opportunist ability means if you try to set up with Dragon Dance or Swords Dance, Espathra copies those stat boosts instantly. It’s a mechanic that punishes traditional "power up and sweep" strategies.
Her ace is Florges. Now, wait. Florges isn't a Psychic type. It’s pure Fairy. But this is the Pokemon Scarlet Psychic Gym, and Tulip uses the Terastal mechanic to flip the script. She Terastallizes Florges into a Psychic type, retaining its massive Special Defense and Fairy-type move pool while gaining the STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) for Psychic moves. It’s a clever defensive pivot. Most people bring a Ghost or Dark type to finish the job, but Florges can often tank a Shadow Ball and hit back with a devastating Moonblast.
Strategy: Breaking the Alfornada Defense
You need a plan that doesn't rely on "hit it hard and hope." Honestly, the best way to handle Tulip is to exploit the physical frailty of most Psychic types. While Florges has incredible Special Defense, its Physical Defense is relatively lackluster. A strong Steel type like Tinkaton or Kingambit can do wonders here. Kingambit is particularly spicy because its Dark/Steel typing resists almost everything Tulip throws at you, though you still have to watch out for the occasional coverage move.
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- Lokix is the unsung hero. If you caught a Nymble early on, its evolved form Lokix is a literal godsend for this gym. Bug/Dark typing with First Impression—a move that hits incredibly hard on the first turn—can delete half her team before they even move.
- Ceruledge or Skeledirge. If you’re playing Scarlet and have a Ceruledge, Bitter Blade is great, but Shadow Claw is your best friend for hitting that physical weakness. For Violet players with Skeledirge, Torch Song boosts your Special Attack, but be careful of Espathra's Opportunist ability stealing those boosts.
- The "No-Setup" Rule. Seriously, don't use Calm Mind or Agility. You’re just making Espathra stronger. Stick to direct damage or status effects like Paralysis to cut their speed.
Why the Alfornada Gym Matters for the End Game
The Pokemon Scarlet Psychic Gym isn't just about getting the badge so you can control Pokemon up to level 55. It’s a lesson in Tera-typing. Up until this point, many players ignore Terastallization unless they're in a pinch. Tulip forces you to realize that a Pokemon's base type isn't its destiny. When she turns that Florges into a Psychic type, she's teaching you how to cover weaknesses.
It’s also one of the few places where the environment feels like it matches the difficulty. Alfornada is high up, isolated, and prestigious. The trainers in the gym building talk about "inner beauty" and "mental clarity," but their battle styles are aggressive and fast. It's a contrast that makes the victory feel earned.
If you're struggling, take a look at your held items. Giving your lead Pokemon a Chesto Berry to wake up from a stray Hypnosis or a Roseli Berry to weaken a Fairy-type move from Gardevoir can be the difference between a win and a white-out. Most people forget held items exist during the main story, but this is the point in Paldea where the training wheels officially come off.
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Essential Next Steps for Alfornada
To move forward effectively, don't just leave town immediately after the fight. The Alfornada area has some of the best TM materials in the game. Check the TM machine for "Psychic" or "Dazzling Gleam" recipes; you’ll likely have the materials now.
Head to the Pokémon Center and talk to the Battle League rep. If you’ve defeated enough trainers in South Province Area Six, he’ll give you a Loaded Dice or a similar high-tier item that’s vital for competitive builds.
Finally, take the time to reorganize your party. If Tulip’s Gardevoir gave you trouble, it’s a sign your team is too vulnerable to Special Attackers. Consider hunting for a Tinkatink or a Bronzor nearby to add some much-needed Steel-type bulk to your roster before heading toward the Glaseado Gym or the final Team Star bases. Your journey is nearing the climax, and the precision you learned at the Psychic Gym is exactly what you’ll need for the Elite Four.