You’ve spent hours petting your Eevee. You’ve put a cute little hat on its head and fed it enough Razz Berries to fill a Snorlax. But then you hit the Indigo Plateau, and suddenly, the game stops being a cute petting simulator. The Let's Go Eevee Elite Four is a weird beast. Because the game lacks held items and abilities, people assume it’s a cakewalk. It isn’t. If you walk into that lobby without a plan, Lorelei is going to turn your team into popsicles before you can even reach Bruno.
Honestly, the jump in difficulty from the eighth gym to the Pokémon League is one of the steepest in the Kanto reboots. You’re dealing with high-level AI that actually knows how to use status moves. It’s a reality check.
Beating the Let's Go Eevee Elite Four: Beyond the Basics
Most players make the mistake of over-relying on their Partner Eevee. Don't get me wrong; that little fluff-ball is a literal god in this game. With access to move tutors in Celadon, Fuchsia, and Cinnabar, Eevee can learn moves like Bouncy Bubble (Water/Healing) or Buzzy Buzz (Electric/Paralysis) that have 90 Power and guaranteed secondary effects. But even a max-stat Eevee can’t solo the world. You need a balanced core.
Lorelei: The Ice Queen Cometh
Lorelei is the gatekeeper. She’s famous for her Ice types, but she’s secretly a Water-type trainer in disguise. Her Dewgong and Cloyster will punish you if you think a simple Fire-type will carry you through. Her Lapras is the real nightmare, though. It has massive HP and can tank almost anything you throw at it while chipping away with STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) moves.
If you’re playing the Eevee version, you have a massive advantage here. Buzzy Buzz is your best friend. It’s an Electric-type move that guarantees a paralyze. Use it. Paralyzing her faster threats like Starmie is the only way to ensure you don’t get swept by a Psychic or Surf. Some people suggest bringing a Primeape or a Machamp for her Ice types, but honestly? Be careful. Her Jynx will eat Fighting types for breakfast with its Psychic moves.
Bruno: More Than Just Muscles
Next up is Bruno. He’s usually the "easy" one. In previous Kanto games, you could just Surf your way through his two Onix and call it a day. In the Let's Go Eevee Elite Four lineup, he’s a bit more sophisticated. He still has those two Onix (which are basically free turns for a Grass or Water type), but his Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan hit like trucks.
His Machamp is the anchor. It’s bulky. It has a high attack stat. If you don't one-shot it with a Flying or Psychic move, it's going to hurt. I’ve seen people try to use Snorlax to wall him—don’t do that. Machamp’s Superpower will delete your Snorlax from the game's code. Use a Psychic type like Alakazam or Mr. Mime. Or, if you’re feeling spicy, a Dodrio with Drill Peck.
The Ghostly Ambush of Agatha
Agatha is where things get weird. She claims to be a Ghost trainer, but because Kanto only has one Ghost evolution line (Gastly, Haunter, Gengar), her team is mostly Poison types. This is actually a blessing if you know how to exploit it. Ground and Psychic moves are king here.
Her Arbok and Weezing are there to stall you with Intimidate or Toxic. Her Gengars are the real problem. They are incredibly fast. In a game without held items like Choice Scarf, speed is the most valuable resource you have. If her Gengar outspeeds you and hits a Confuse Ray or a Dazzling Gleam, your momentum dies.
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- Pro Tip: Your Partner Eevee learns Sizzly Slide (Fire-type). It’s great for dealing with her non-Ghost types, but for the Gengars, you really want Baddy Bad. Yes, that’s the actual name. It’s a Dark-type move that sets up a Reflect-like shield. It’s broken. Use it.
Lance: The Dragon Tamer (Sorta)
Lance is the final hurdle before the Champion. Much like Agatha, Lance is limited by the Kanto Pokédex. Since Dragonite was the only Dragon-type line in Gen 1, his team is filled with "Dragon-adjacent" Pokémon like Charizard, Aerodactyl, and Gyarados.
This makes him incredibly vulnerable to Electric and Rock moves. A single Zapdos or a Jolteon can basically dismantle 80% of his team. However, his Dragonite is a different story. It’s level 54 and has access to Outrage and Fire Blast. If you let it set up or if you don't have a fast Ice-type move, it will sweep you. This is where Eevee’s Freezy Frost comes in. It resets all stat changes. It’s the ultimate "no" button for Lance’s setup attempts.
The Rival Fight: The Final Showdown
Once you beat the four, you realize you aren't the Champion yet. Your rival, Trace, beat you to it. This fight is significantly different from the old Blue/Oak fights. Trace’s team is actually well-rounded. He’s got a Mega Pidgeot, which is a massive threat due to its speed and No Guard ability (meaning its Hurricanes never miss).
He also brings a Marowak, a Raichu (Alolan form!), and a Rapidash. His Alolan Raichu is particularly annoying because it’s Psychic/Electric. If you brought a Blastoise or a Charizard, it has an answer for you.
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The strategy here is simple: Speed Control. If you can’t outspeed his Mega Pidgeot, you’re in trouble. Use Stealth Rock if you have a Pokémon that can learn it (like Rhydon or Aerodactyl). Since Trace switches Pokémon more often than the previous four, entry hazards actually matter here. It’s one of the few fights in the game where competitive-style tactics pay off.
The Secret to Perfection: Candy and AVs
If you’re struggling with the Let's Go Eevee Elite Four, the answer isn't just leveling up. It’s Candy. The "Awakening Values" (AVs) in this game are separate from the traditional EV system. You can pump a Pokémon’s stats by +200 in every single category using species-specific candy or generic Stat Candies.
If you haven't been chaining Pokémon to get these candies, you're fighting with one hand tied behind your back. A Pikachu that has been fed 100 Quick Candies will outspeed literally everything Lance throws at you. It feels like cheating, but the AI in the post-game Rematches (where their levels jump into the 70s) expects you to have done this.
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Why People Fail the First Time
- Type Overlap: Most people carry too many "cool" Pokémon that share weaknesses. If half your team is weak to Rock, Lance’s Aerodactyl will kill your run.
- Neglecting the Move Tutor: If your Eevee still has "Tackle," you’re doing it wrong. Visit the Move Tutor in every Pokémon Center. Those "Playful" moves are the most overpowered mechanics in the game.
- Healing Item Paranoia: This isn't a Nuzlocke (unless you're making it one). Use your Full Restores. The Elite Four will use theirs. Don't be "honorable" while Lorelei is healing her Lapras for the third time.
Post-Game: The Real Elite Four
After you become Champion, the Elite Four don't just sit there. You can go back and challenge them again. This time, their teams are leveled up significantly, and they often include Alolan forms or different movesets. It’s a great way to farm money and experience, but it requires a much more "professional" team.
By this point, you should have access to Mega Evolution. Mega Gyarados or Mega Alakazam can turn the rematch into a speedrun. Just remember that you can only Mega Evolve once per battle, so choose the Pokémon that covers your team's biggest hole.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Run
To ensure you don't get stuck at the Indigo Plateau, follow this checklist before you step through those front doors:
- Visit the Move Tutor: Ensure Eevee has Bouncy Bubble, Buzzy Buzz, and Sizzly Slide. This covers Water, Electric, and Fire coverage on one single Pokémon.
- Chain for Candies: Go to Viridian Forest or Seafoam Islands and chain easy Pokémon (like Caterpie or Seel) to get enough candy to boost your main attacker’s Speed and Primary Attack stats.
- Stock up on Full Restores: Go to the Poké Mart in the Indigo Plateau. Buy at least 20 Full Restores and 10 Revives. It’s better to have them and not need them.
- Check Your Speeds: Ensure your lead Pokémon has a Speed stat of at least 100. If you’re slower than Lorelei’s Dewgong, you’re starting the fight at a disadvantage.
- Pick a Mega: Go to Cinnabar Island and make sure you have the Mega Stones for your starter or other Kanto favorites like Charizard or Gengar. Blue gives these to you after the seventh gym. Use them.