How to Beat Bruno
★ Best Pokemon Tier List
☆ Best Teams to Beat the Story
★ Celadon Game Corner Guide
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★ Shiny Hunting Guide and Shiny Odds
☆ How to Get Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Deoxys
Bruno is the second member of the Elite Four in Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen (FRLG). Learn how to beat Bruno, his Pokemon team and specialty, and the recommended Pokemon to use against Bruno!
| Previous Elite Four | Next Elite Four |
|---|---|
| Lorelei | Agatha |
List of Contents
Bruno's Pokemon Team and Types
Type and Suggested Level
| Type Specialty |
|
|---|---|
| Rec. Level | Lv. 56 ~ Lv. 59 |
Bruno specializes in Rock-type Pokemon and Fighting-type Pokemon. Rock features some tough Pokemon, particularly Onix while featuring mediocre moves in Generation III due to their accuracy being lower than 100%. Fighting meanwhile, introduces Pokemon with high-risk, high-power moves due to most of them having Contact with other Pokemon.
Despite having two specialties, Bruno has Ground-type coverage with Onix, and can potentially end your non-Flying types with an Earthquake if you aren't careful.
Bruno's Pokemon
| Pokemon | Type | Abilities | Moves |
|---|---|---|---|
 Onix
(Lvl. 51) |
|
・Rock Head
・Sturdy |
・Roar
|
 Hitmonchan
(Lvl. 53) |
|
・Keen Eye
|
|
 Hitmonlee
(Lvl. 53) |
|
・Limber
|
|
|
Onix
(Lvl. 54) |
|
・Rock Head
・Sturdy |
|
 Machamp
(Lvl. 56) |
|
・Guts
|
Bruno's real threats are his two Onix and his Machamp, featuring high damaging moves such as Earthquake or threatening buff moves such as Bulk Up, which increases both Attack and Defense.
Be careful as well with his Hitmonchan as it has Counter and Mach Punch, as the former move can be used against your attacks and the latter allows it to attack first due to its move priority.
How to Beat Elite Four Bruno
Use Flying and Psychic Type Pokemon
Bruno's roster are all weak to Flying and Psychic-types, making those the safest and most consistent options for this battle. Alakazam can utilize strong Psychic-type attacks like Psychic (TM29) and knock out Fighting-types in a sweep if you’re properly leveled.
Flying-type moves such as Aerial Ace can deal significant damage against his Pokemon while also being relatively fast courtesy of the Pokemon in the aformentioned type.
Use Flying Types With Caution
Be cautious when relying on Flying-types, as several of Bruno’s Pokemon carry Rock Tomb, which can deal super-effective damage and lower your Speed. Make sure your Flying-type can survive a hit or outspeed before committing to the matchup.
Save Your Best Pokemon for Machamp
Machamp is Bruno’s strongest Pokemon at Level 56 and can become dangerous if allowed to use Bulk Up, boosting its Attack and Defense. Once powered up, Cross Chop can hit extremely hard and potentially knock out underleveled team members.
The safest approach is to defeat Machamp quickly with a strong Psychic-type move before it can set up. Enter this fight with your team healed and aim to be at least Level 56 to handle his damage output more comfortably.
EXP Farming Guide: How to Level Up Fast
Best Team to Beat Elite Four Bruno
Recommended Pokemon to Bring
| Pokemon | Recommended Moves |
|---|---|
 Pidgeot
|
・Fly
・Strong Flying-type STAB easily handles Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and Machamp. ・Accessible early in the game and naturally leveled by the time you reach the Elite Four. |
 Alakazam
|
・Psychic can one-shot most of Bruno’s Fighting-types if properly leveled. ・Calm Mind boosts Special Attack to quickly sweep his team before Machamp sets up. |
 Lapras
|
・Surf
・Surf quickly eliminates both Onix thanks to their low Special Defense. ・High HP and Defense allows it to survive Rock Tomb and Earthquake more comfortably. |
※ Move recommendations for solo experience only and may not be reflective of the Pokemon's use in competitive play.
You can bring a full party of six Pokemon into the Elite Four battle, but the team shown here focuses on the best counters for Bruno’s line-up.
The remaining slots can be filled with any other strong Pokemon you’ve trained including your starter, but these three are the core picks that make the fight much more manageable.
When Starting with Bulbasaur
 Venusaur
|
Alakazam
Lapras
|
Alakazam handles Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and Machamp cleanly with Psychic. Lapras battles both Onix with Surf or Ice Beam. Venusaur can help chip Onix if needed but should avoid Machamp.
Bulbasaur Location, Evolution, and Stats
When Starting with Charmander
 Charizard
|
Alakazam
Lapras
|
Charizard’s Flying coverage is strong against Bruno’s Fighting-types. Alakazam safely removes Machamp before it sets up Bulk Up. Lapras covers Onix with ease.
Be wary when using Charizard, however, as his typing makes him susceptible to Rock-type moves, with 4x effectiveness as Charizard has both the Fire and Flying-type.
Charmander Location, Evolution, and Stats
When Starting with Squirtle
 Blastoise
|
Alakazam
Pidgeot
|
Blastoise handles both Onix comfortably with Surf while Alakazam is your safest answer to Machamp, then Pidgeot provides additional Flying coverage in case Psychic runs low on PP.
Squirtle Location, Evolution, and Stats
Previous and Next Elite Four
| Previous Elite Four | Next Elite Four |
|---|---|
| Lorelei | Agatha |
Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen (FRLG) Related Guides
Walkthrough Guides by Type
| Gym Leader Guides | Elite Four Guide |
| Giovanni Fights and Teams | Rival Fights and Teams |
All Elite Four Guides
| 1 | Lorelei | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Bruno | ||
| 3 | Agatha | ||
| 4 | Lance | ||
| * | Champion | ||
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