How to Beat Champion Cynthia in a Rematch Battle

Rematch Cynthia, the previous Champion of the Sinnoh region, in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP). Read on to find out how to rematch and beat Cynthia, Cynthia's rematch teams, her rematch rewards, and the best Pokemon to beat her rematch teams.

How to Rematch Champion Cynthia

Rematch Her after Becoming Champion

You can rematch the previous Champion and the Elite Four at any time after becoming champion by entering through the door in the Pokemon League. However, you will only battle the same team that they had from the first time you battled them and you will not obtain any rewards.

How to Unlock Cynthia's Rematch Teams

First Rematch Team: Get the National Dex

To unlock Cynthia's first rematch team, you will first need to get the National Dex by seeing all the Pokemon native to the Sinnoh Dex. Once you have obtained the National Dex, you will face off against their new teams once you enter the Pokemon League door.

How to Unlock the National Dex

Second Rematch Team: Capture or Defeat Heatran

Her second rematch team is unlocked after capturing or defeating Heatran in Stark Mountain. Once the Stark Mountain event is completed, you can return to the Pokemon League to face off against their final team.

Cynthia's Rematch Teams and Types

Type and Suggested Level

Type Specialty	All Around
Suggested Levels	Lv. 78 ~ Lv. 80 (First Rematch) Lv. 88 ~ Lv. 90 (Second Rematch)

Cynthia's Pokemon (First Rematch)

Pokemon	Type	Ability / Item	Moves
Spiritomb (Lvl. 74)		Pressure Sitrus Berry	・Shadow Ball ・Dark Pulse ・Will-O-Wisp ・Sucker Punch
Roserade (Lvl. 74)		Poison Point Expert Belt	・Dazzling Gleam ・Shadow Ball ・Sludge Bomb ・Energy Ball
Togekiss (Lvl. 76)		Serene Grace Leftovers	・Air Slash ・Dazzling Gleam ・Aura Sphere ・Thunder Wave
Lucario (Lvl. 76)		Inner Focus Wise Glasses	・Aura Sphere ・Dragon Pulse ・Flash Cannon ・Psychic
Milotic (Lvl. 74)		Marvel Scale Flame Orb	・Recover ・Mirror Coat ・Ice Beam ・Scald
Garchomp (Lvl. 78)		Rough Skin Yache Berry	・Dragon Claw ・Earthquake ・Swords Dance ・Poison Jab

Cynthia's Pokemon (Second Rematch)

Pokemon	Type	Ability / Item	Moves
Spiritomb (Lvl. 84)		Pressure Sitrus Berry	・Shadow Ball ・Dark Pulse ・Will-O-Wisp ・Sucker Punch
Porygon-Z (Lvl. 85)		Adaptability Expert Belt	・Hyper Beam ・Shadow Ball ・Ice Beam ・Thunderbolt
Togekiss (Lvl. 86)		Serene Grace Leftovers	・Air Slash ・Dazzling Gleam ・Aura Sphere ・Thunder Wave
Lucario (Lvl. 86)		Inner Focus Focus Sash	・Close Combat ・Meteor Mash ・Earthquake ・Extreme Speed
Milotic (Lvl. 84)		Marvel Scale Flame Orb	・Recover ・Mirror Coat ・Ice Beam ・Scald
Garchomp (Lvl. 88)		Rough Skin Yache Berry	・Dragon Claw ・Earthquake ・Swords Dance ・Poison Jab

How to Beat Elite Four Cynthia (First Rematch)

Be Careful not to Get Walled by Milotic

Like your previous battle against Cynthia's Milotic, it will be holding a Flame Orb which will boost its Defense stat due to Marvel Scale. This will make it difficult to take down with Physical attacks, so make sure to boost your Attack stat with moves like Dragon Dance on your Gyarados to defeat it with Crunch, or use Special moves against Milotic instead.

Sweep Cynthia's Team with Stat Boosts

If you plan on using stat-boosting moves like Dragon Dance, set them up while Spiritomb or Milotic are on the field as these Pokemon will have more leeway compared to Cynthia's others. However, these Pokemon may inflict status conditions so bring plenty of Full Restores.

Bring Pokemon with Ice Type Moves

Ice type moves are useful not only for Garchomp, but also against Togekiss and Roserade. Specifically, we recommend Abomasnow against this battle since it can inflict constant damage with Hail while also dealing super effective attacks.

Best Pokemon to Beat Cynthia (First Rematch)

Pokemon	Recommended Moves
Gyarados	・Ice Fang (Move Reminder) ・Waterfall (Lv. 21) ・Dragon Dance (Lv. 36) ・Waterfall does decent damage. ・Intimidate can lower the Attack of her Pokemon. ・Set up Dragon Dance to sweep Cynthia's team.
Staraptor	・Aerial Ace (Lv. 28) ・Close Combat (On Evolution) ・Brave Bird (Lv. 49) ・Has super effective moves against Roserade and Lucario. ・Brave Bird does tons of damage. ・Lower Garchomp's Attack with Intimidate.
Latios	・Draco Meteor (Move Tutor) ・Thunderbolt (TM24) ・Psychic (Lv. 60) ・Outspeeds Cynthia's Garchomp. ・Great Pokemon to use against Milotic.
Abomasnow	・Ice Shard (Lv. 15) ・Wood Hammer (Lv. 43) ・Blizzard (Lv. 49) ・Great type matchup against most of Cynthia's Pokemon. ・Blizzard always hits during Hail. ・Hail can do constat damage.

How to Beat Elite Four Cynthia (Second Rematch)

Level Up Before Challenging Cynthia

Cynthia will be at her maximum strength during your second rematch, and all her team will have higher levels than any other Pokemon in the game. They will also have competitive level stats, so it is best to only challenge Cynthia after training to at least Level 90.

All of Cynthia's Pokemon have High Attacking Stats

All of Cynthia's Pokemon will have incredibly high attacking stats, especially her newly added Porygon-Z, as well as her usual Lucario and Garchomp. Because each of her Pokemon are different, bring a wide variety of Pokemon that can take on each member of her party.

Watch Out for Lucario's Focus Sash

Unlike the previous two times you battled Cynthia, her Lucario is now a Physical attacker with the held item Focus Sash. Since Lucario cannot be taken out in one shot, it is best to send out a Pokemon that can resist Lucario's attacks such as Gyarados.

Best Pokemon to Beat Cynthia (Second Rematch)

Pokemon	Recommended Moves
Gyarados	・Ice Fang (Move Reminder) ・Waterfall (Lv. 21) ・Dragon Dance (Lv. 36) ・Waterfall does decent damage. ・Intimidate can lower the Attack of her Pokemon. ・Set up Dragon Dance to sweep Cynthia's team.
Latios	・Draco Meteor (Move Tutor) ・Thunderbolt (TM24) ・Psychic (Lv. 60) ・Outspeeds Cynthia's Garchomp. ・Great Pokemon to use against Milotic.
Abomasnow	・Ice Shard (Lv. 15) ・Wood Hammer (Lv. 43) ・Blizzard (Lv. 49) ・Great type matchup against most of Cynthia's Pokemon. ・Blizzard always hits during Hail. ・Hail can do constat damage.

All Cynthia Battles

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Complete Story Walkthrough

Elite Four Trainers

All Elite Four Types and Pokemon

Elite Four Rematches

All Elite Four Rematch Teams