Summary

  • The Dragon-type is typically considered one of the strongest, which is why trainers like Clair and Iris are not to be underestimated.
  • Becoming the Champion in the Pokemon world is no easy feat, especially with fierce competitors like Cynthia and Diantha.
  • Gym Leaders like Clair, Whitney, and Bea pose a challenge that even seasoned players struggle to overcome, showcasing their strength.

Every trainer in the world of Pokemon aims to be one thing: the very best, like no one ever was. Hundreds of candidates may go against each other in fierce battles for the number one spot... But only a scarce few come out on top.

Pre-Evolution Pokemon Feature Image Shuckle Tropius Hawlucha
9 Pokemon That Could Have A Pre-Evolution Introduced

Some Pokemon lack a previous form that could make an adorable addition to the Pokedex.

The ladies of the Pokemon universe are no exception; these battlers are notorious in the community and looked up to by many. However, the question still stands: Who's the strongest female Pokemon trainer of all?

Updated June 8, 2024 by Ben Painter: Pokemon is a franchise littered with a lot of amazing characters, starting with the original Red, in Pokemon Red & Blue. But even from that first game, there have been powerful female trainers who give the player a great test throughout the Gym challenges and the Elite Four.

Starting in Pokemon Crystal gamers have been able to choose from a male or female character to portray along their journeys. In the newer entries to the franchise, players can even customize their characters. This update adds two more of the most powerful female Pokemon trainers.

Every trainer's team is prior to any post-game content.

25 Misty

Pokemon Red & Blue

Misty In The Pokemon Anime
Pokemon Red and Blue
Display card tags widget
JRPG
Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
September 28, 1998
Developer(s)
Game Freak
Platform(s)
Nintendo Game Boy
Genre(s)
JRPG

About Misty

Misty is more famous for being one of Ash's original traveling companions in the Pokemon anime, but she appeared in the franchise before that. She was the second Gym Leader that players face in the franchise, the Water-type specialist of Cerulean City. Using her signature Pokemon team of Staryu and Starmie, she offers a real test for trainers who have chosen Charmander or Squirtle as their starter, not so much the Grass-type Bulbasaur.

Where To Find Misty

Misty can be found in Cerulean City as a Gym Leader in the Kanto region. She features in Pokemon Red, Blue & Yellow, Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen, Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee, and also in the Johto games as a post-game challenge when the Kanto region unlocks after the Elite Four and Champion.

Quote From Misty In Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! And Let's Go, Eevee!:

"Hi! You're a new face! What's your policy on Pokémon? What's your approach? My policy for battle is... An all-out offensive with Water-type Pokémon! Misty, the world-famous beauty, is your host! My sweet Pokémon are ready! Are you?"

Before taking on Misty's gym challenge, she greets the player and sets the tone for the battle ahead.

Misty's Team In Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Staryu

18

Water

Natural Cure

Tackle/Harden/Recover/Water Pulse

None

Starmie

21

Water/Psychic

Natural Cure

Rapid Spin/Swift/Recover/Water Pulse

None

24 Nemona

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Nemona In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
November 18, 2022
Developer(s)
Game Freak
Platform(s)
Switch
Genre(s)
RPG

About Nemona

Nemona is the player's rival throughout the Pokemon Scarlet & Violet; she is more of a friendly rival, spurring the player on throughout the story. As a Champion-ranked trainer, it is implied that she has more Pokemon than what is seen in the games and instead chooses to raise Pokemon with the same level as the player. She uses a mixed team of Pokemon, with her starter Pokemon that is weak to the stater the gamer has chosen.

Where To Find Nemona

She is first encountered in Cabo Poco, the player's hometown, and pops up for a battle several times throughout the story, culminating in a final battle once the Elite Four and Champion have been defeated.

Quote From Nemona In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

"You ready for a battle between Champions? ’Cause all these folks here seem ready to watch. Word got around, I guess!"

This is taken from the battle directly after the player becomes Champion. Nemona, herself, being a former Champion, is set to be a battle of the ages, and the residents of Paldea are there to take it all in.

Nemona's Final Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Lycanroc

65

Rock

Sand Rush

Accelerock/Drill Run/Stone Edge/Stealth Rock

None

Goodra

65

Dragon

Sap Sipper

Dragon Pulse/Muddy Water/Ice Beam/Sludge Bomb

None

Dudunsparce

65

Normal

Serene Grace

Hyper Drill/Drill Run/Dragon Rush/Coil

None

Orthworm

65

Steel

Earth Eater

Iron Tail/Body Press/Earthquake/Rock Blast

None

Pawmot

65

Electric/Fighting

Volt Absorb

Double Shock/Close Combat/Ice Punch/Quick Attack

None

Quaquaval (If the player chose Sprigatito)

Meowscarda (If the player chose Fuecoco)

Skeledirge (If the player chose Quaxly)

66

66

66

Water/Fighting (Water Tera)

Grass/Dark (Grass Tera)

Fire/Ghost (Fire Tera)

Torrent

Overgrow

Blaze

Aqua Step/Brick Break/Aerial Ace/Ice Spinner

Flower Trick/Thunder Punch/Shadow Claw/Play Rough

Torch Song/Earth Power/Shadow Ball/Snarl

None

23 Geeta

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Geeta In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

About Geeta

This cool, calm, and collected trainer is the Top Champion of the Paldea region, and along with her Ace Pokemon Glimmora, she has a stacked team of some of the best Pokemon found in the games. Her team of mixed types is a challenge for the trainer, but it should be a breeze with a keen strategy.

Best-Pokemon-Anime-Seasons,-Ranked
Every Pokemon Anime Season, Ranked

The Pokemon anime has been around for a long time. As such, it's worth considering which seasons are the best of the bunch.

1

Where To Find Geeta

As the Champion of the Elite Four, she is found on the rooftop of the Victory Road building, eagerly awaiting the trainer's challenge. She is the final step in the road of the main character becoming the Paldea Champion.

Quote From Nemona In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

“I am utterly incapable of holding back when it comes to Pokémon battles.”

Geeta certainly seems full of herself, but it is all due to her love of battle; it is this attitude that has made her the Top Champion. Little does she know that the real champion is waiting in the wings.

Geeta's Scarlet & Violet Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Esparatha

61

Psychic

Opportunist

Luminia Crash/Dazzling Gleam/Quick Attack/Reflect

None

Gogoat

61

Grass

Sap Sipper

Horn Leech/Zen Headbutt/Play Rough/Bulk Up

None

Veluza

61

Water/Psychic

Mold Breaker

Aqua Jet/Liquidation/Psycho Cut/Ice Fang

None

Avalugg

61

Ice

Own Tempo

Avalanche/Crunch/Earthquake/Body Press

None

Kingambit

61

Dark/Steel

Supreme Overlord

Iron Head/Kowtow Kleave/Zen Headbutt/Stone Edge

None

Glimmora

62

Rock/Poison (Rock Tera)

Toxic Debris

Tera Blast/Sludge Wave/Earth Power/Dazzling Gleam

None

22 Carmine

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet - The Hidden Treasures Of Area Zero: Part One - The Teal Mask

Carmine In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

About Carmine

Carmine is a trainer who is from the land of Kitakami, where the player arrives on a school trip. This trainer quickly becomes a rival and challenges the player to many battles throughout the story of the Teal Mask DLC. Using her signature, the new Pokemon Sinistcha, she offers a fierce battle and appears to have a tendency toward Dark types.

Where To Find Carmine

She is first encountered in Kitakami as one of the first NPC's that the players meet, her house is situated in Mossui Town and the player meets her and her brother Kieran outside the Community Center.

Quote From Carmine In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

"Welcome to Kitakami! For your first experience, get ready to eat dirt!"

This quote certainly showcases Carmine's competitiveness in the game and how much she rates herself as a trainer. As a member of Blueberry Academy, she is very adept at battling.

Carmine's Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Final Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Toucannon

74

Normal/Flying

Sheer Force

Beak Blast/Throat Chop/Flame Charge/Dual Wingbeat

None

Mightyena

74

Dark

Intimidate

Crunch/Howl/Super Fang/Sucker Punch

None

Scrafty

74

Dark/Fighting

Intimidate

Brick Break/Crunch/Ice Punch/Bulk Up

None

Sinistcha

75

Grass/Ghost (Grass Tera)

Hospitality

Matcha Gotcha/Hex/Stun Spore/Scald

Occa Berry

21 Lacey

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet - The Hidden Treasures Of Area Zero: Part Two - The Indigo Disk

Lacey In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

About Lacey

Lacey is a coveted member of the Blueberry Academy Elite Four, a Fairy-type specialist, she has a fondness for cute Pokemon. As every battle in the BB Academy terrarium is a double battle, her team consists of tough Pokemon that work well with each other, so taking on Lacey and her Fairies is not going to be a walk in the park.

Where To Find Lacey

The player first meets Lacey at the entrance to the Blueberry Academy, but to take her on in battle, the trainer must head to the Coastal Biome and its plaza.

Quote From Lacey In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

"Let me properly introduce myself for this. I am Lacey of the Elite Four. I really didn't expect I'd get a challenge from someone like you, . Rightfully, you do belong to a different school. Honestly, I'm still a bit shocked, but I won't let my personal feelings get in the way of our battle!"

Lacey was reluctant to let the player join the League Battle Club, as the player wasn't technically a student at the Blueberry Academy. This shows she is certainly a stickler for the rules.

Lacey's Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Final Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Whimsicott

78/83

Grass/Fairy

Prankster

Light Screen/Tailwind/Energy Ball/Moonblast

Focus Sash

Granbull

78/83

Fairy

Intimidate

Play Rough/Fire Punch/Ice Punch/Stomping Tantrum

Expert Belt

Primarina

79/84

Water/Fairy

Liquid Voice

Hyper Voice/Moonblast/Ice Beam/Shadow Ball

Throat Spray

Slowbro

79/84

Poison/Psychic

Quick Draw

Shell Side Arm/Psychic/Flamethrower/Ice Beam

Sitrus Berry

Alcremie

79/84

Fairy

Sweet Veil

Decorate/Recover/Giga Drain/Alluring Voice

Leftovers

Excadrill

80/65

Ground/Steel (Fairy Tera)

Mold Breaker

Tera Blast/Iron Head/Rock Tomb/High Horsepower

Assault Vest

20 Amarys

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet - The Hidden Treasures Of Area Zero: Part Two - The Indigo Disk

Amarys In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

About Amarys

As a Steel-type trainer, Amarys is a tough battler with a double battle style. Steel types are the best Pokemon defensively, so an equally hard battle strategy must be crafted to take on this trainer in the Blueberry Academy terrarium. She maintains a reserved and level-headed exterior and that is present in her encounters with the player.

pokemon-gen-6-calem-serena-chespin-fennekin-froakie
The Best Pokemon to Use in Gen 6 Playthroughs Explained

Pokemon's Gen 6 games may be some of the easier entries in the series, but the addition of Fairy types adds a new challenge players will have to face.

Where To Find Amarys

The trainer must head to the Canyon Biome in the terrarium to take on Amarys in her Elite Four battle, but she is first seen in the Central Plaza of the BB Academy.

Quote From Amarys In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

"The decision to allow you to take on the League was irregular. An exception among exceptions... I was against it, as you know. But the academy allowed it, and their ruling is absolute. Therefore, I will carry out my duty as a member of the Elite Four as flawlessly as I always do."

Amarys was against the player taking on the League, but she is one for democracy and remained loyal to her duties. She is almost robotic in her speech, very reminiscent of her specialized typing.

Amarys' Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Final Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Skarmory

78/83

Steel/Flying

Sturdy

Stealth Rock/Whirlwind/Body Press/Dual Wingbeat

Rocky Helmet

Dugtrio

78/83

Groud/Steel

Tangling Hair

Earthquake/Sucker Punch/Iron Head/Stone Edge

Focus Sash

Scizor

79/84

Bug/Steel

Technician

Bullet Punch/Trailblaze/Pounce/Aerial Ace

Occa Berry

Reuniclus

79/84

Psychic

Magic Guard

Trick Room/Protect/Energy Ball/Psychic

Leftovers

Empoleon

79/84

Water/Steel

Torrent

Ice Beam/Hydro Pump/Flash Cannon/Grass Knot

Mystic Water

Metagross

80/65

Steel/Psychic (Steel Tera)

Clear Body

Hard Press/Ice Punch/Zen Headbutt/Brick Break

Expert Belt

19 Lorelei

Pokemon Red & Blue

lorelei from the kanto elite four as she appears in the pokemon adventures manga
pokemon-manga-Lorelei

About Lorelei

This cool trainer hails from the Kanto region and specializes in Ice-type Pokemon...and Slowbro. She uses bitterly cold Blizzard and Ice Beam attacks unleashed by wintery Pokemon such as the majestic Lapras and the fortified Cloyster. In battle, Lorelei will attempt to freeze her opponent's Pokemon, rendering them helpless against further icy assaults.

Where To Find Lorelei

She is the first member of the Elite Four in her homeland that the player can face in the Generation I Pokemon games. As such, she acts as the gatekeeper to the realms of the mightiest female trainers in the whole region.

Quote From Lorelei In Pokemon Red & Blue

"...No one can best me when it comes to icy Pokemon! Freezing moves are powerful! Your Pokemon will be at my mercy when they are frozen solid!"

As one would expect from such a line, players will be going up against many Ice-type Pokemon. Be sure to bring some fire and electricity to deal with her Ice-type and Water-type team.

Lorelei's Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Dewgong

52

Water/Ice

Thick Fat

Surf/Ice Beam/Hail/Safeguard

None

Cloyster

51

Water/Ice

Shell Armor

Spikes/Dive/Hail/Protect

None

Slowbro

52

Water/Psychic

Oblivious

Ice Beam/Surf/Amnesia/Yawn

None

Jynx

54

Ice/Psychic

Oblivious

DoubleSlap/Ice Punch/Lovely Kiss/Attract

None

Lapras

54

Water/Ice

Water Absorb

Body Slam/Confuse Ray/Surf/Ice Beam

Sitrus Berry

18 Serena

Pokemon X & Y

Pokemon anime Serena standing outside Pokemon Center with Fennekin on her back
Pokemon X and Y
Display card tags widget
JRPG
Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
October 12, 2023
Developer(s)
Game Freak
Platform(s)
3DS
Genre(s)
JRPG

About Serena

This fashionista is a creative powerhouse with enough potential to become the top Pokemon Performer (while still maintaining an excellent reputation as a Trainer, too). Stemming from the Kalos region, Serena favors beautiful and flashy Pokemon to assist in her quest to become the most elegant entertainer around while simultaneously flexing the dazzling diversity in her wardrobe in the process.

A collage of pokemon containing Ariados, Noctowl, Blissey, Feraligatr, Sunflora and Umbreon
15 Johto Pokemon With The Wrong Type

These Pokemon from the Johto region have some truly bizarre typing, despite their designs clearly suggesting a sensible type that would suit them.

1

Where to find Serena

Serena is a playable character in Pokemon X & Y but can also take on the role of the player's main rival and, therefore, pops up throughout the game, starting her adventures from Vaniville Town.

Quote From Serena In Pokemon Pokemon X and Y

"I will master Mega Evolution and set myself apart from other Trainers. I'll also do it for my Pokemon. We've come so far together, and they never stopped believing in me, their Trainer."

Serena has managed to carve her own niche in this male-dominated franchise and has arguably become the most admired of all the female Pokemon characters. She emphasizes Pokemon's primary theme of friendship and adds some romance into the mix while pumping up the cuteness factor to the max.

Serena's Pokemon X&Y Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Meowstic

57

Psychic

Keen Eye

Psychic/Fake Out/Disarming Voice/Shadow Ball

None

Jolteon (if the player chose Chespin)

Flareon (if the player chose Fennekin)

Vaporeon (If the player chose Froakie)

57

Electric

Fire

Water

Volt Absorb

Flash Fire

Water Absorb

Discharge/Quick Attack/Double Kick

Bite/Lava Plume/Quick Attack

Muddy Water/Aurora Beam/Quick Attack

None

Altaria

58

Dragon/Flying

Natural Cure

Dragon Pulse/Dazzling Gleam/Confide

None

Absol

59

Dark

Super Luck

Slash/Quick Attack/Swords Dance/Night Slash

None

Delphox (if the player chose Chespin)

Greninja (if the player chose Fennekin)

Chesnaught (If the player chose Froakie)

61

Fire/Psychic

Water/Dark

Grass/Fighting

Blaze

Torrent

Overgrow

Psychic/Shadow Ball/Flamethrower

Dark Pulse/Ice Beam/Water Shuriken

Brick Break/Seed Bomb/Body Slam

None

17 Agatha

Pokemon Red & Blue

agatha from the kanto elite four with her poison pokemon
pokemon-manga-Agatha

About Agatha

Another from the Kanto Elite Four, Agatha is one of the most experienced female Pokemon trainers in the franchise. She has been raising and battling Pokemon since she was a child, over half a century ago. She also has known Professor Oak for a very long time, and, at one point, they were quite close. She uses Poison-type Pokemon, though her more prominent team members are her Ghost-type Pokemon Haunter and Gengar.

Where To Find Agatha

Agatha is the 3rd member one will face in the Kanto region's Elite Four. She is after the 2nd member, Bruno, and his physically powerful Pokemon team.

Quote From Agatha In Pokemon Red & Blue

"...Pokemon are for fighting! (Player's name)! I'll show you how a real trainer fights!"

Agatha is unrelenting in battle and clearly sees pocket monsters as warriors to be pitted against one another. As such, she will use devious tactics to take down the player's Pokemon. Her team will poison and confuse enemies until they are rendered inert.

Agatha's Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Gengar

54

Ghost/Poison

Levitate

Confuse Ray/Shadow Punch/Double Team/Toxic

None

Golbat

54

Poison/Flying

Inner Focus

Confuse Ray/Bite/Air Cutter/Poison Fang

None

Haunter

53

Ghost/Poison

Levitate

Mean Luck/Curse/Hypnosis/Dream Eater

None

Arbok

56

Poison

Intimidate

Bite/Sludge Bomb/Screech/Iron Tail

None

Gengar

58

Ghost/Poison

Levitate

Shadow Ball/Sludge Bomb/Hypnosis/Nightmare

Sitrus Berry

16 Phoebe

Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire

elite four member from hoenn phoebe with her dusclops pokemon
phoebe_and_dusclops_pokemon
Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire
Display card tags widget Display card system widget
Display card community and brand rating widget Display card open critics widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info
Display card community and brand rating widget

Released
March 19, 2003
Developer(s)
Game Freak
Genre(s)
RPG

About Phoebe

Phoebe is an Elite Four member who also specializes in Ghost-type Pokemon, though she lives in the Hoenn region. Don't take her casual appearance and relaxed nature as a sign of weakness, however, as her Dusclops and Sableye can curse one into oblivion. However, if that doesn't work, she'll use a flurry of heavy-hitting Ghost-type attacks like Shadow Punch and Shadow Ball. The only counter to her team is Dark-type pocket monsters or over-leveled ones of a type that take neutral damage from her ethereal attacks.

Where To Find Phoebe

Phoebe is the second member of the Hoenn Elite Four, after Sidney, the Dark-type Pokemon trainer. She can be found in the Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire games.

Quote From Phoebe In Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire

"I did my training on Mt. Pyre. While I trained, I gained the ability to commune with Ghost-type Pokemon."

Without a doubt, Phoebe is the region's foremost expert on Ghost-type Pokemon, as few others have spent as much time honing their senses enough to communicate with cross-dimensional entities.

Phoebe's OmegaRuby & AlphaSapphire Team:

Pokemon

Level

Type

Ability

Moves

Held Item

Dusclops

51

Ghost

Pressure

Shadow Punch/Confuse Ray/Curse/Future Sight

None

Banette

51

Ghost

Insomnia

Shadow Ball/Spite/Will-O-Wisp/Feint Attack

None

Sableye

51

Dark/Ghost

Prankster

Shadow Claw/Foul Play/Power Gem/Fake Out

None

Banette

51

Ghost

Insomnia

Shadow Ball/Grudge/Toxic/Psychic

None

Dusknoir

53

Ghost

Pressure

Hex/Fire Punch/Ice Punch/Thunder Punch

None