Summary

The gymnasium battles inPokémonare some of the series ' most compelling moments . They highlight the intensity level of trainer throughout each realm , while also showcasing the development Ash and his familiar have take in over the course of their journey . However , not all gymnasium battle are produce as and some have been far tougher than others .

Ash has travel through numerous regions , combat a variety of gymnasium drawing card in the majority of them . Yet there have been some that are more challenging than others . From rematches to unconventional type match - ups , Ash and his Pokémon have delivered their best against fabulously strong enemy . While many of his other gymnasium battles do n’t weigh in a traditional sentience , he has had several since that reveal just how good of a trainer he is and just how skilled his Pokémon are .

10Charizard Fights Fire with Fire Against Blaine

Kanto Region, Indigo League: Episode 59, “Volcanic Panic,“1999

After a run out gym battle against the Cinnabar Island gymnasium leader , Blaine , and aninterruption from Team Rocket , Ash gets a one - on - one rematch atop a volcano . lock together , Magmar drag in Charizard into the vent , leave in Ash panic and tearing up , believing his Pokémon will suffer fatally from the magma . Instead , Charizard emerge from the volcano with Magmar on its back . Shifting the engagement with an Aerial Submission and moving into its key signature Seismic Toss , Charizard come through , as his foe is ineffective to remain firm succeed the outpouring . unluckily , it ’s incredibly scant , involve up just the final five minutes of the episode .

9Fairy-Type Pokémon Take Focus In A Gym For The First Time

Kalos Region,Pokémon the Series: XY:Episode 75, “Fairy-Type Trickery!,” 2015

At the Laverre City Gym , Ash confront off with Valerie in a two - on - two battle . press with Fairy - type Pokémon , Valerie begins with Sylveon , matched up against Ash ’s Fletchinder . The two exchange blows equally , up until the Fairy Eeveelution catch appreciation of Fletchinder with its ribbon , restrain its movements , dangle it around , and hit it with Fairy Wind . Using the law of proximity to his reward , Ash increases Fletchinder ’s swiftness with Flame Charge , turning the battle in his favour . Against Spritzee , Ash ’s first battler is n’t as capable . Shifting to Hawlucha , Ash displays his fervor for eccentric disadvantage battle .

Although Spritzee ’s Trick Room presents a major vault , Ash and his Hawlucha supervise to overwhelm it through alternating type advantages and skillful motion . Using the wall of Trick Room as a springboard , Hawlucha anticipate the psychical attack with X - Scissor , before finishing the battle with High Jump Kick . This conflict shows a very even exchange of animalism but also highlights Ash ’s power to think his way to unexpected solution when he does n’t seem to have any advantages . This is also the first and only Fairy - type gym match - up that has been seen in the series , presenting a new and exciting challenge for viewers to enjoy .

8Ash’s Unconventional Battle Style Stuns Jasmine’s Steelix Masterfully

Johto Region,Master Quest: Episode 224, “Nerves of Steelix!,” 2002

Ash ’s conflict against Jasmine at the Olivine City Gym highlights the way he think his way out of tough spot . In this two - on - two Pokémon battle , the couple start with Pikachu and Magnemite . This fight does n’t take long and is n’t the main grounds this gymnasium battle is so impressive . It ’s when Jasmine post out her Steelix that the match look at a large twist . Steelix makes speedy work of Pikachu thanks to its Iron Tail attack . Ash follows up with Cyndaquil , engage a type - reward against his opponent that in the end pays off . Trading blows continuously , Ash has a hard time especially with Steelix ’s Sandstorm .

With his unconventional battle style , Cyndaquil bring off to void attack by drive his flack at a nearby bulwark . withal , it still faces a barrage that virtually squeeze it out of the battle . Using its Flamethrower with all the power it has left , while Steelix expend Sandstorm kick in Cyndaquil the upper hand , turning its foe into an unexpected flaming cyclone . The toughness , determination , and power Cyndaquil displays in this battle put it over many other Johto Gym matches . Despite its smaller stature , using its Flamethrower for both offense and defense shows Cyndaquil ’s and Ash ’s versatility and quick thinking .

One gymnasium battle from the original Pokémon anime serial was so insane and serious that it nearly ended with Ash being forced to watch Pikachu die .

Pokemon: Pikachu looking scared in front of Blaine’s gym.

7Olympia’s Psychic Double-Battle Required Perfect Timing

Kalos Region,Pokémon The Series: XY:Episode 93, “All Eyes on the Future!,” 2015

capital of Washington is the loss leader of the Anistar City Gym and one of several Psychic trainers Ash face throughout his locomotion . This is a double - battle in which Ash ’s Frogadier and Talonflame squad - up against Olympia ’s male and female Meowstic . Between Helping Hand , Lightscreen , Future Sight , and Dark Pulse , the Meowstic duet rapidly takes the spark advance in a tough fight . Their tatter team is also help by their abilities , which include Prankster and Keen Eye , giving them further advantages in this compeer - up . Once more , Ash is squeeze to use unconventional methods to defeat this gym .

contract reward of attack timing , Ash is capable to create an opening for victory . know how long Future Sight will take to hit after Talonflame and Frogadier take legal injury , his Pokemon are able-bodied to set in motion the Meowstic at just the right moment so they ’re reach with their own attack . Ash doubles down on this proficiency , entice and avoiding a Dark Pulse onset from one Meowstic to hit the other Meowstic . Battling against psychical - types earmark room for unconventional movements and strategy , fix this one of Ash ’s most impressive victories .

6Adapting His Friend’s Strategies Places Ash Ahead of Roark

Sinnoh Region,Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl:Episode 18, “O’er the Rampardos We Watched!,” 2007

Ash ’s triumph over the Oreburgh City Gym drawing card , Roark , required a rematch , specialised preparation moderate up to it , and telling quick thinking . This is a three - on - three battle , but it ’s the final peer that makes this challenge support out above others . Pikachu makes flying workof Roark ’s Onix and Geodude , for the most part due to its Iron Tail and a spinning defense . Dawn had used this move before , as Piplup and Buneary demonstrate in the installment prior that launching and spinning could help them evade attacks . This becomes Ash ’s primary strategical move throughout the couple with Roark .

However , Roark ’s Rampardos runs its way through two of Ash ’s three Pokemon quickly , knocking out Pikachu and Aipom . This leave Ash with only his Turtwig will . After a prolonged fighting , with both flight simulator exchanging attacks , the Grass - type is able-bodied to win an reward . Using unconventional battle scheme once more , Turtwig utilize its Razor Leaf against Rampardos ' flamethrower to create a smoke screen , spins underneath Rampardos to void it , and shoot it with another Razor Leaf attack at close mountain chain . Despite the quick hint Ash takes early on in the battle , Rampardos is one of the tough gymnasium opposition his squad has faced , get this one of Ash ’s hardest - crusade victories .

Pokemon may primarily focalize on Ash and his friends , but even Team Rocket has had a fortune to shine in one sequence that made Meowth a god .

Team Rocket’s Meowth layered over a black and white image of Jessie and James

5Ash’s Signature Unconventional Battle Strategy Downs Pryce

Johto Region,Master Quest: Episode 238, “Nice Pryce Baby,” 2003

Ash battles Pryce atthe Mahogany Town Gymin a battle that features type reward and disadvantages . confront off against Ash ’s Cyndaquil , Dewgong ostensibly has the upper hand repeatedly , freeze it in crank and diving underwater . The flack starter use its flaming to melt the deoxyephedrine , then shuts it off to plunk underwater and use its Swift attack at secretive range . Pikachu take away point in the final equal - up , using the trash to slide under its opponent , placing it in great range for a Thunder attack after a Blizzard barrage fire . Between the electric mouse ’s speed and toughness , Pryce finally forfeits the peer to save his Piloswine from further damage .

4Volkner’s Electrifying Fight Against Infernape Marks Big Power Shift

Sinnoh Region,Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors:Episode 179, “The Eighth Wonder of the Sinnoh World!,” 2010

Volkner and Ash ’s battle at the Sunyshore gym is one of the most intense in the series . The three - on - three match includes Volkner ’s Electivire , Jolteon , and Luxray facing Ash ’s Torterra , Pikachu , and Infernape . It is one of the salutary battles that involves ability . This begins with Electivire confront Torterra , and despite the character - advantage the Grass - type has , it is rapidly get the better of . Pikachu takes over , but quickly finds itself at a disadvantage thanks to Electivire ’s Motor Drive ability . This contradict galvanic - character attacks and increases its stop number . Thankfully , Pikachu ’s own Static ability paralyze its foe and is able to use Iron Tail to get around its previous disadvantage .

The highlight of this conflict comes in the final match , after Ash ’s Infernape knocks out Jolteon and once Pikachu is knocked out by Luxray . Infernape had been seen losing control with its ability , Blaze , since it was a Chimchar at the outset ofDiamond and Pearl . When press to its limit in this fight , Blaze activates , but for the first meter ever , Infernape is able to control it - and take control of the conflict , achieving victory . This highlights Infernape as one of Ash ’s strong Pokémon and also presents one of the best fictional character arcs in the serial .

3Ash’s Ghost Match-Up Shows His Strategization Skills Early

Johto Region,Pokémon: Johto League Champions: Episode 182, “From Ghost to Ghost,” 2001

Though very early episodes - and even some in late regions - showAsh as a seemingly stammer trainer , his lucifer - up against Morty at the Ecruteak City Gym paint a different story . Two of his three Pokémon are knocked out in this battle , but his use of Noctowl ’s Foresight multiple meter puts him ahead in a big way . allow for him to see his spook - type opponents , his cooking before of time shows that Ash can retrieve ahead AND employ effective team direction in battle . He use Noctowl sparingly to begin with , before it becomes his snug , allow him to have Foresight throughout the full match .

2Ash’s Effective Strategies Down Clair’s Dragons

Johto Region,Pokémon: Master Quest: Episode 253, “Better Eight Than Never,” 2003

After using several new Pokemon throughout the Johto region , Ash ’s fighting against Clair in Blackthorn City brings the payoff of Snorlax and Charizard . Snorlax ’s toughness and Hyper Beam prove highly in effect against Kingdra , tire out it down . Pikachu face Gyarados effectively with speed and electric attacks . Charizard take on Dragonair , using fire to thwart its advantage of hiding in water , shifting the fight to the sky , and ending with a Seismic Toss . Each friction match - up is thrilling , with no rickety point compared to other telling gym battle , such as in the cause of Roark ’s Geodude . It ’s a perfect way for Ash to conclude his Johto journeying andhead to the Johto League Championship .

Professor Oak ’s lab in Pallet Town is an iconic location within the Pokemon franchise and the manga reveals why Oak pick out its emplacement .

1Lt. Surge Defines Pikachu’s Character for Decades

Kanto Region, Indigo League: Episode 14, “Electric Shock Showdown,” 1998

Ash ’s battle against Lt . Surge belongs in a Hall of Fame for the means it allowed Pikachu ’s character arc to be defined for the distance of the series . After losing to Raichu , Pikachu has the opportunity to evolve but chooses not to . In its replay within the same sequence , a scheme Ash break with Brock ’s aid prove that the electric mouse does n’t have to transfer who it is to be victorious and strong . Using its swiftness to its vantage as well as its quick thinking , Pikachu prove it can battle in effect as it isin one of the most emotionally powerful episodes ofPokémon .

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Headshot of Professor Oak from Pokemon

Ash hugs Pikachu while Magmar and Electivire border them in a collage

Spritzee uses an attack at the Laverre City Gym

Jasmine, the Olivine City gym leader, with a determined expression on her face

Frogadier and Talonflame in a double battle against Olympia

Turtwig vs Rampardos in Ash’s battle against Roark

Pikachu vs Piloswine in Ash’s battle against Pryce

Clair stands beside her Dragonair in Pokemon: Master Quest

Pokemon Franchise Image

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