Though Volkner acts lax, his Electric-type Pokémon will shock you if you think they’ll be the same. Well… his two Electric-type Pokémon, anyways. For an Electric-type gym leader, his team doesn’t match the theme all that well.
Note:This guide is for the gym battle, not for the rematch fight.
His Team
Volkner follows Candice’s lead and brings four Pokémon to combat you:
To our knowledge, Volkner will use up to twoFull Restoreswhen his Pokémon are low.
Related:How to beat Candice in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Strategy
Raichu will be a recurring nuisance in this fight unless you can wipe out the electric mouse early on. It hasNuzzle, which is guaranteed toparalyzethe Pokémon it hits. If Volkner senses danger, Raichu willVolt Switchinto either Octillery or Ambipom to escape.
Taking out Raichu is a nuisance in and of itself. It’s holding aShuca Berry, so the first super-effectiveGround-typeattack will do drastically reduced damage. You’ll need to either smack it twice with Ground attacks or deal enough with another type to score a KO.
Ambipom won’t go down to its sole weakness either since it’s holding aChople Berry, which will reduce aFighting-typeattack. Its ability Technician makes it dangerous as well.Technicianincreases the power of low-power moves likeFake OutandDouble Hit, letting it score a scary amount of damage.
Your best shot with Ambipom is to have aRock,Steel, orGhost-typePokémon ready to absorb theNormal-typeattacks and KO it before it can do too much with Thunderbolt.
Octillery isn’t much of a threat. It can be potentially threatening with its diverse move set andExpert Belt, but it’s slow and easy to KO. Volkner will want to useFocus Energyto take advantage of the extra damage from Octillery’sSniperability, but that just gives you an extra turn to wipe the octopus Pokémon out.
Luxray will immediately cut the attack of its opponent withIntimidate, which is unfortunate as most of the Ground-type Pokémon and moves in Sinnoh arephysical. You’ll either need to deal with the lessened attack or swap into your Ground attacker afterward.
Luxray also has an impressive diversity of moves.Grass,Ground,Flying,Water,Ghost,Psychic,Fairy,Rock, andIce-typePokémon will all find themselves in danger against Luxray. Avoid sending out those types and you should stand a good chance at winning.
For the best way to make your own lethal Luxray, check outBest Nature for Shinx, Luxio, and Luxray in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearlon Pro Game Guides!
