Summary
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk DLC is a great example of what future games in the series can achieve even before expansions or third games are introduced, and it should be used as the foundation of what’s to come rather than a generation’s apex. One of the reasons why The Indigo Disk succeeds where base Gen 9 games failed is difficulty.Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s level scalingapproach meant that players could theoretically explore Paldea as they pleased, but every Gym or major encounter was still set at a specific level, and overleveling any of those would make the game a breeze. The Indigo Disk brings difficult battles back into the mix, and one trainer may now compete for the title of strongest of the series, even more so than the legendary Red or Cynthia.
There have been some epic battles inPokemongames, and while it wasn’t a mainline entry in the franchise,Pokemon Legends: Arceus' Voloboss battleis still considered peak gameplay thanks to the game’s sheer difficulty combined with Volo technically having a team of 8 critters. To this day,Pokemon Gold and Silver’s Red andPokemon Diamond and Pearl’s Cynthia have both been considered some of the strongest trainers ever, with the former possibly being even more iconic due to how early he was introduced. Gen 9 might be shaking things up, however, and that bodes well for the future.
Why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Kieran Could Beat Red, Cynthia
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk Features Hard Battles
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk has hard battlesall the way through, from random trainers in the Terarium to the BB League Elite Four and the Champion himself. One of the things Indigo Disk does is that it features double battles over single battles at all times, and with them come more strategies that competitive players have been using for years.
The BB League Champion is Kieran from The Teal Mask DLC, having lost to the main character in battle multiple times and having trained hard to be strong - so much so that his own sister fears for his human side. While Kieran may not have the same standing as Red in the series, he does have a powerful team of Pokemon that may very well beat him and other legendary trainers. Kieran’s team andRed’s teams inPokemongamesover the years are quite different in terms of approach, too, and the former has a much stronger focus on competitive strategies, fully-trained critters, and competitive-level movesets and items.
Pokemon Teams and Levels
Gold, Silver
Pikachu (81), Espeon (73), Snorlax (75), Venusaur (77), Blastoise (77), Charizard (77)
HeartGold, SoulSilver
Pikachu (88), Lapras (80), Snorlax (80), Venusaur (84), Blastoise (84), Charizard (84)
Black 2, White 2, Sun, Moon
Any 3: Pikachu (50), Lapras (50), Snorlax (50), Venusaur (50), Blastoise (50), Charizard (50)
Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon
Pikachu (74), Lapras (69), Snorlax (69), Venusaur (70), Blastoise (70), Charizard (70)
The Indigo Disk’s Kieran Team Explained
By comparison, Kieran’s team has critters of lower level compared to theHeartGold and SoulSilveriteration of Red, but all of them are competitively stronger and feature a more comprehensive backbone strategy than Red’s team of Gen 1 critters. Kieran’s team inPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Indigo Disk includes:
This shows that Kieran’s approach to battling is far more serious than Red’s, leading with a Drizzle Politoed and Multiscale Dragonite capable of dealing massive damage in the Rain with Hurricane and Thunder, as well as picking up KOs with Extreme Speed, all while being supported with Helping Hand or damaging moves. Red’s teams have been consistently strong and with high-level Pokemon, but they have always been limited to the classicGen 1 starters, includingPokemon Yellow’s Pikachu, with another pair of critters.
Cythia’s Strongest Team in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
Comparatively, despite Red’s status as one of the strongest trainers in the franchise’s history, Cynthia is another who possibly topped him. The strongest team for her isCynthia’s rematch inPokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, which can get her up to level 80+ critters on the second rematch. This team includes:
Volo’s Team in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Even Cynthia’s iconic Garchomp could easily be defeated by Kieran’s strategy-build team, with its only weakness being that it’s built arounddouble battles inPokemongames. While double battles haven’t been much in the mainline series, they are currently the preferred format forPokemonVGC tournaments, and having Kieran focus on those makes him one step ahead of the game. EvenPokemon Legends: Arceus' Volo can’t compete with Kieran’s team, despite featuring the following Pokemon:
The main difference is thatPokemon Legends: Arceusis a hard game by default, where Pokemon can dish out impressive damage even with 20 or 30 levels less than their target, so Volo’s pocket monsters all hit like a rock. On top of that, Volo can count on a seventh Pokemon with Giratina, giving players no way to heal up, and then doubling down with an Origin Forme Giratina after the first is defeated. Still,Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Kieranhas a much stronger team, featuring competitive threats like Intimidate Incineroar with Fake Out and Prankster Grimmsnarl with both Reflect and Light Screen.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you may join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
