This guide covers everything you need to know to beat Commander Mars at the Valley Windworks in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. Read on to learn about Commander Mars' Pokemon team on your first encounter, Commander Mars' type specialty, recommended Pokemon to use against Commander Mars.

Commander Mars First Encounter

Type and Suggested Level

Type Specialty
Suggested Level	Lv. 18 ~ Lv. 20

Commander Mars' Pokemon

Pokemon	Type	Ability / Item	Moves
Zubat (Lvl. 14)		Inner Focus	・Absorb ・Supersonic ・Astonish ・U-turn
Purugly (Lvl. 16)		Thick Fat Oran Berry	・Fake Out ・Scratch ・Growl ・Thief

How to Beat Commander Mars

KO Zubat with an Electric-type Move

If you managed to catch yourself a Shinx early in the game, it should have evolved into Luxio by the time you reach this battle. Luxio's Thunder Shock or Spark should easily take out Commander Mars' Zubat.

Beat Purugly by Outnumbering It

After defeating Zubat, you may choose to keep Luxio active for the rest of the battle. Either way, Commander Mars' signature Pokemon, Purugly will not be able to beat a team with a numbers advantage despite holding an Oran Berry for extra HP.

Having a Pokemon fight Purugly 1-on-1 will reward it with plenty of Exp. Points. Consider using your starter against Purugly for the Exp. gain.

Best Team to Beat Commander Mars

When Starting with Turtwig

Best Team to Beat Commander Mars Starting With Turtwig
Luxio	Staravia	Grotle

Luxio's Thunder Shock or Spark can easily KO Mars' Zubat. Commander Mars' Zubat will also fail to deal meaningful damage to Luxio, allowing us to keep it in the active position should we choose.

If we want to fight Purugly conservatively, Staravia should be a fine choice because it will be able to bring Purugly down to its Oran Berry. However, unless Staravia is far over-leveled, it should not be able to take on Purugly by itself.

Whittling down Purugly's health with our lower leveled Pokemon, while having a high-leveled Pokemon like Grotle ready at the back should help us defeat Commander Mars.

When Starting with Chimchar

Best Team to Beat Commander Mars Starting With Chimchar
Luxio	Staravia	Monferno

Again, Luxio's Thunder Shock or Spark will prove useful against Mars' Zubat. Zubat will also fail to deal meaningful damage to Luxio, allowing us to keep Luxio in the active position should we choose.

Our Monferno at this point should have a Fighting-type move. Rock Smash or Mach Punch are welcome additions to our starter's moveset. Purugly has good bulk and an Oran Berry, however.

This may not be as easy as it appears, despite having a super-effective move at our disposal. Having the numbers advantage with sufficiently leveled Pokemon will ultimately win us this battle.

When Starting with Piplup

Best Team to Beat Commander Mars Starting With Piplup
Luxio	Staravia	Prinplup

Luxio once again makes an appearance. Its Thunder Shock and Spark attacks can easily pick off Mars' Zubat.

Sufficiently leveled Staravia and Prinplup can take down Purugly with moderate effort.

All Commander Mars Battles

Pokemon BDSP Related Guides

Complete Story Walkthrough

Main Story Walkthrough

Important Battles

Post Game Content

Post Game Content Guide