This is a guide for defeating Hassel during the Academy Ace Tournament in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet.

Hassel, an instructor and member of the Elite Four, is one of the trainers you can fight in the Academy Ace Tournament. He’s a random participant during the second tournament onwards. He can appear during the fourth round.

What is the Academy Ace Tournament?¶

The Academy Ace Tournament is a single elimination tournament, consisting of 4 rounds, that you can participate in during the postgame. Your opponents will be trainers and faculty members from Naranja/Uva Academy.

To unlock the Academy Ace Tournament, you must complete the Area Zero story, perform the Gym Inspection for Geeta and report the results to her back at Naranja/Uva Academy.

Recommended Pokémon for Hassel (Academy Ace Tournament)¶

Hassel’s team is similar to his Elite Four team. All of his Pokémon are Dragon types, so Fairy and Ice types would be useful for this fight.

His Pokémon are Level 67 to 68, so you should aim to bring Pokémon of around Level 67+ into the fight.

Here are some recommendations, if you need help:

• The Level 75 Tera Dragonite at the far eastern edge of Paldea. Can solo roughly half the team with Outrage.
• The Level 75 Tera Lucario at Dalizapa Passage, in the underground tunnel. Not a Fairy or Ice or even a Dragon type. But its Ice Punch can one-shot three of Hassel’s Dragons. Can become Ice when Terastallized.
• If playing Scarlet, Koraidon, a powerful Dragon and Fighting Legendary obtained in the postgame.
• If playing Violet, Miraidon, a powerful Electric and Dragon Legendary obtained in the postgame.
• If playing Scarlet, Flutter Mane, a powerful Ghost and Fairy Paradox found in lower Area Zero.
• If playing Violet, Iron Valiant, a powerful Fighting and Fairy Paradox found in caves in upper Area Zero.

What Pokémon does Hassel (Academy Ace Tournament) have?¶

Noivern¶

Like last time, Hassel leads with Noivern, which is part Flying. It can use Dragon Pulse and Air Slash for STAB, Boomburst for powerful Normal type damage and Super Fang to halve your Pokémon’s HP.

Ice Pokémon are fantastic, since they deal 4x damage. Fairy and Rock types are also great. However, beware that Noivern is fast and loves using Super Fang to drop your Pokémon to half health, so avoid fielding your trump card at the start, unless it can outspeed Noivern!

Haxorus¶

Haxorus is a pure Dragon that’s pretty straightforward. It’s carrying Dragon Claw for STAB, Iron Head to punish Fairy types, Rock Tomb to slow down Ice types and Crunch for coverage.

Despite taking super-effective damage from Iron Head or Rock Tomb, Fairy and Ice-types are your safest bet here.

Dragalge¶

Dragalge is a Poison and Dragon type. Hassel’s can use Sludge Bomb and Dragon Pulse for STAB, Hydro Pump to scare off Ground types and Thunderbolt for additional coverage.

Keep your Fairy types away; instead, Ice and Psychic types should fare well here. Dragalge is on the slow side, so you shouldn’t struggle too much, overall.

Flapple¶

Flapple is a Grass and Dragon type. This one knows Seed Bomb and Dragon Rush (for Grass and Dragon STAB), Aerial Ace (to counter Bug types) and Leech Seed (to steal health).

Ice types are the best choice, for their 4x damage. Otherwise, go with Fairy types.

Dragonite¶

Dragonite is a new addition to Hassel’s team. It can use Dragon Rush for STAB, Stone Edge to smash Ice types, Fire Punch for additional coverage, and Extreme Speed to try and attack first.

Although Stone Edge is rather dangerous, Ice types are highly recommended, since they deal 4x damage. Fairy and Rock types are also good.

Terastallized Baxcalibur¶

For his last stand, Hassel will send out and swiftly Terastallize his Baxcalibur. Normally a Dragon and Ice type, it’ll become a pure Dragon type, enhancing its Dragon attacks and retaining its Ice type STAB.

For attacks, it can use its signature move Glaive Rush, which deals heavy Dragon damage, but renders it vulnerable on the next turn: all attacks will hit it, regardless of accuracy, and deal double damage.

Besides that, it’s got Icicle Crash for Ice STAB, Brick Break to terrorize opposing Ice types, and Ice Shard to try and attack first..

Fairy types are highly recommended, so you don’t get hit by Tera-boosted Glaive Rush. Otherwise, if your Pokémon does get hit, you should be fine so long as it’s not your only Pokémon. On the next turn, you can deal massive damage to Baxcalibur due to the secondary effect of Glaive Rush.